2018 Chevy Express 2.8 Duramax

[Sixinarow]

Has anyone driven one or bought one?

I found one locally. I test drove it today and like it. I'd like it even more if it was an extended and had a pop-top.

Express 3500, 2.8L Duramax inline-four, 8-speed auto and has the Advanced 4x4 IFS 3" conversion done with 3.73 gears.

It's peppy, it sounds good, shifts nice. I didn't get it on the highway. It has all, if not most, of the options. It's used with less than 4000 miles. My only concerns would be the IFS and 3" lift. I don't know if any larger tires could be put on with those fenders. They are running 285/70R17s. I'm not saying I want to or need to, but the option may not be there anyway.

It's a bit out of my price range for now but I'll be watching out for them.

 

[marret]

Good looking van. I don't think you can go with bigger tires without more lift.

 

[Weldtec Designs]

We have one at our shop now waiting to be built. We will be doing the gears and running 35" tires with our 4x4 conversion, so i am very curious how the small diesel engine will do.

 

[Colby Jack]

We have one at our shop now waiting to be built. We will be doing the gears and running 35" tires with our 4x4 conversion, so i am very curious how the small diesel engine will do.

Hope you start a build thread. Sounds like an awesome project!

 

[North]

Love the color on that one

 

[Wiley]

Recent minor health issues have me contemplating ditching the old Astro, I just cannot work on it anymore, thinking of a new Express, from limited research it seems there have been very little changes over the years, but anyone more familiar know of a reason to avoid the 2018's? I am looking at gas not diesel, but this thread looked appropriate to ask.

 

[Scotty D]

I wonder how it would do on the desiel in central and south america. Is this actually a problem? I keep hearing about high sulfer screwing with modern emissions equipment.

 

[weissbrewer]

is this available from the factory?

 

[vintageracer]

I wonder how it would do on the desiel in central and south america. Is this actually a problem? I keep hearing about high sulfer screwing with modern emissions equipment.

Emissions issues are what cause the vast majority of problems people have with modern diesel engines. There is a post on the this forum about the availability of low sulfur diesel starting to be more prevalent in Baja Mexico however they also note to forget about it in the rest of Mexico.

Given the emissions issues that can be caused by none low sulfur diesel fuel and the limited or none availability at all of the low sulfur diesel in many countries in Mexico, Central and South America "I" think it would not be wise at all to purchase a US spec low sulfur diesel fuel vehicle for ultimate travel/use in Mexico, Central and South America when the Gas engine offering's from Ford and especially GM are so reliable and fuel efficient. Also do not forget the price premium you will pay for the diesel engine option and diesel fuel which has been beat to death elsewhere on this site.

 

[gmtech]

correct most of the diesel problems on modern GM duramax are DEF or particulate filter issues...
which can leave you at anytime anywhere stranded with a perfectly fine running engine. weather its 6.6 or 2.8 doesn't matter. I hear its same across board for modern diesels ford/dodge/chevy/ doesn't matter.
ive seen duramaxes go down with 1500miles on them. for DEF issues.

 

[rkj__]

is this available from the factory?

Yes, 2.8 Duramax is available from the factory in the Chevy Express.

 

[zuren]

Subscribed! I didn't know that GM was putting the "Baby Duramax" in the Express vans. Anyone have any info on fuel economy? The sparse info I find is about 28 MPG highway.

I have posted before about my changing needs related to my van but I find flaws with the likely solution (quad cab truck - 1/2 ton would work but not possible to haul a bed camper; 3/4 ton is too much truck 90% of the time). A mildly lifted, "prerunner", fullsize van in a passenger configuration that presents the option to do a pop-top and maybe 4x4 conversion that gets 28 MPG is attractive!

I'm curious to know why Advanced 4x4 only puts the 3.73 gears in their 4x4 conversion. Would the 4Lo from the transfer case put too much strain on the 3.42's?

 

[Buliwyf]

Even the lunkiest 3/4 ton ain't worse to drive than an Express van. So I don't get the "too much 90%" part.

 

[Sixinarow]

I'm curious to know why Advanced 4x4 only puts the 3.73 gears in their 4x4 conversion. Would the 4Lo from the transfer put too much strain on the 3.42's?

I emailed Advance 4x4 the same question, as I was curious, also. Their site says "gear ratio imcompatabilities". I'll let you know what they say.

 

[whith]

Even the lunkiest 3/4 ton ain't worse to drive than an Express van. So I don't get the "too much 90%" part.

Not that the difference it extremely pronounced, its fairly close, but I disagree. My father inlaw has a 2015 2500 LTZ Duramax and my father has a 2018 2500 GMC Denali and my van rides rides better than both of them according to me, and both of them. Again, its really close though and the women in the family have no idea of any difference so maybe its just us guys chewing the fat and it doesn't matter....my point and probably yours is that they are pretty close. It should be noted that I do have custom valved Fox shocks from Agile offroad and that made a big difference.

Having said all that, my previous ride was a Quigley E350 Ford that was vastly improved by Agile Offroad and that ride was NOT even close my Express.