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  1. Inspired Adventurist

    SOLD : $13,100 / 2005 Suburban w/solar, fridge, camping conversion, awning, cargo pod, sink w/water

    Glad it came through! I just bought an AWD Chevy Express van. Picking it up on Wed. I think it all worked out in the end.
  2. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Yeah. The rust is really difficult to beat back. Based on folks I know up here in New England, they shy away from painting over the rust, and instead treat the rust with a lanolin or petroleum based rust inhibitor. It does have to be treated every year, some even do it twice a year, but it seems...
  3. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Slippery slope...Tongue in cheek. I say that, as I have targeted a new set of tires (Falken Wildpeak/BFG KO2-esque) in a slightly larger size 31/32" ($1000 for 5 tires), a 2-2.5" torsion key and block lift (~$500), locker + installation ($2500). Maybe I'm in the dark on the true cost of a locker...
  4. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    I thought about going this route. The difference in availability it huge, the difference in price is much smaller. I've also focused on the smaller 1500 size van, and the altogether package is attractive without having to start significant mechanical upgrades. I'm not super mechanically...
  5. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    I looked at a manual Silverado. I thought about going to a truck and slide-in camper. I'm on the east coast, and cities are an inevitable and significant part of driving around. A slide-in is too much for being in the city, and limits ability to stash gear (skis, bikes, etc) inside out of sight...
  6. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    I ordered a pre-purchase inspection last week, and should get the report today. I haven't been able to get a full run down on the door jam codes to see if this is one with the G80. I'd be super stoked if so, but won't derail the purchase if not.
  7. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    It's been great hearing the support folks have for these vans. I built up an '03 Sprinter last year, but that has been a nightmare for repairs. I still like it, but it's kind of my version of a Vanagon. Lots of panache, great gas mileage, simple machine, but breaks down often, and if I can't fix...
  8. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Where do I look for the RPO codes? Are those the random array of numbers and letters on the door?
  9. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Boulder alo has an upgraded/stronger cross-member. It seems like they have a pretty simple and integrated solution for this era of van. I appreciate the ease of choosing a system that works together and having one point of contact if (when?) something goes wrong.
  10. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    That's helpful. Thanks Did you install or think about installing any type of skid-plates/underbody protection. The AWD mechanical systems seems focused more on the rust-belt soccer mom, than backcountry adventurer. I'm not going to be out rock crawling, but some of the forest roads I frequent...
  11. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Got the maintenance records of the work the dealership has completed. Front and rear brake rotors and pads replaced Front and rear shocks replaced Driver's side seat track replaced Various other minor fixes, plus oil/filter change and lube Doesnt look like any cv/ball joints or steering...
  12. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Super valuable perspective, Vintageracer. Thank you for the detail. I'm purchasing the van from a dealer. They say, they put a few grand worth of work into the van, including brake/steering/front end. We'll see...Trust, but verify. They're sending me over their maintenance/repair records, and...
  13. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Agreed. I'm drawn to the vehicles from this era, as they seem like the last vestiges of cars that don't require perfection to function. All I hear about the AFM system, across the GM line, is that it's a special snowflake that gets confused from being over complicated. What's nuts to me, is the...
  14. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    This is reassuring to hear! I really appreciate a vehicle that can be "recovered" even when operated in less than perfect condition.
  15. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Yeah. The build will be minimal. It's going to be my dd, and don't want to drag around everything I own. I have a storage unit, and the Sprinter van 2500 is setup more as a full time rig, once I replace the damn engine (UGH!).
  16. Inspired Adventurist

    Purchasing 2003 Chevy Express AWD - What repairs/maintenance/upgrades should I plan for?

    Long time lurker - first time poster... I just put a deposit down with a dealer on the van described in the title ($11k asking price, room to move down on price after I have an independent inspection). It's got ~140k mi, some spots of rust (lived its life in Iowa ??‍♂️), and has seating for 8...
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