Chevy Express Van 2500/3500 pros/cons?
- Thread starter Clutch
- Start date
Kaisen
Explorer
I had a 6.0L gasser 3500 Extended, and it did not get 18-20 mpg. It would do 16ish pretty easily though. Bone stock truck, including tire size. It's altogether possible that a larger tire might change gearing enough to help fuel economy. I was happy enough with 16ish freeway. Sold it with 260K miles and it was suffering a failing lifter (would collapse a bit when not driven daily and tap for several minutes/miles until quieting down). No other mechanical failures. Mine had cruise, PW/PL, etc. but was just a windowless cargo van (like above). I also owned a 2003 Ford E350 15 passenger van with the 6.8L V10 with 200K miles and was happy with that one too.....lots of suspension components however (just normal wear and tear)
Clutch
<---Pass
Thanks, I am reading on some of the MX forums guys are getting near 20 mpg, might be total BS. 16 is acceptable though.
No problems with the V-10 ejecting spark plugs? or did you check the torque often?
I rented an Express a while back for a job, I liked it. not sure what size engine was in it, didn't think to check at the time.
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deserteagle56
Adventurer
The spark plug problem was only with the very early engines - that hasn't been a problem for years now. The company I work for has a lot of these engines in both pickups and vans and they typically run a couple hundred thousand miles with no problems. Some have ~ 400,000 miles on them and are still running. Personally I own a 2007 E350 Quigley conversion and the engine has been completely trouble free. But I've never gotten over 12 mpg with it; however, it is very heavy, sits on big tires and has 4.56 gears.
Have you considered the Chevy 3500 van with the Duramax? You won't get the Allison tranny with it but I bet the mileage will beat the gasser.
Clutch
<---Pass
Thanks for the info.
Yes, I have considered Duramax. I won't tow anything super heavy, no real need for the Allison. The van's version of the DMax is down on power to the truck, correct? I would assume maybe it would get greater longevity?
Kaisen
Explorer
Kermit-
I never had any issues with spark plugs, and I did have them replaced with no issue. That van did have coil issues and I replaced a few over time. It also had a very slight crack in the passenger's side exhaust manifold that would pfft-pfft when cold then seal up when warm -- I never replaced it. I liked that truck. Fuel economy wasn't as good as the 6.0L in the GM, nor as good as my 8.1L Burb. But not enough to disclude the Ford V10. I felt the Ford's interior was nicer, and felt more 'refined'.
The Duramax in the vans is way down on power and has had some anectodes of heat-related issues just like Powerstrokes in Ford vans. And yes, the transmission is the 4L85E 4-speed rather than the 5 or 6 speed Allison. Personally, I wouldn't seek out a Duramax van unless you stumbled across a great deal. Since diesel is a little more expensive it's unlikely that you'd save in fuel. The 6.0L gasser is plenty powerful, it's simple, and it's cheaper to repair/maintain. I don't think the Duramax will last longer than the 6.0L gasser. Do you plan on driving one until 500K miles? You can get a used low-mile 6.0L engine for about $1000. Replacing the turbo on the D-Max is more than that. YMMV
I never had any issues with spark plugs, and I did have them replaced with no issue. That van did have coil issues and I replaced a few over time. It also had a very slight crack in the passenger's side exhaust manifold that would pfft-pfft when cold then seal up when warm -- I never replaced it. I liked that truck. Fuel economy wasn't as good as the 6.0L in the GM, nor as good as my 8.1L Burb. But not enough to disclude the Ford V10. I felt the Ford's interior was nicer, and felt more 'refined'.
The Duramax in the vans is way down on power and has had some anectodes of heat-related issues just like Powerstrokes in Ford vans. And yes, the transmission is the 4L85E 4-speed rather than the 5 or 6 speed Allison. Personally, I wouldn't seek out a Duramax van unless you stumbled across a great deal. Since diesel is a little more expensive it's unlikely that you'd save in fuel. The 6.0L gasser is plenty powerful, it's simple, and it's cheaper to repair/maintain. I don't think the Duramax will last longer than the 6.0L gasser. Do you plan on driving one until 500K miles? You can get a used low-mile 6.0L engine for about $1000. Replacing the turbo on the D-Max is more than that. YMMV
Clutch
<---Pass
Thanks Kaisen,
Tell you the truth, I have no real need for a diesel, a gasser is more than enough. I do not plan on towing anything more than a 5X8' open utility trailer, and actually the whole reason to get a van is so I can ditch the trailer, and put the bikes inside. Out of sight out of mind type thing. I could fit 4 bikes on the van, 3 inside and one on a hitch carrier. So, don't even need a trailer when it comes down to it.
I am finding 2010 and newer sub 50K mile gas Expresses for around $20K.
Tell you the truth, I have no real need for a diesel, a gasser is more than enough. I do not plan on towing anything more than a 5X8' open utility trailer, and actually the whole reason to get a van is so I can ditch the trailer, and put the bikes inside. Out of sight out of mind type thing. I could fit 4 bikes on the van, 3 inside and one on a hitch carrier. So, don't even need a trailer when it comes down to it.
I am finding 2010 and newer sub 50K mile gas Expresses for around $20K.
Buliwyf
Viking with a Hammer
I'm driving one right now.
-make sure you put quality monotube shocks on. DO NOT PUT YOUR FAMILLY IN A EXPRESS 2500 OR 3500 WITHOUT FIXING THE SHOCKS! My vans shocks minus well be empty tubes. They do nothing.
-It's one of the worst handling vehicles I've driven, but Far better than Ford and Dodges short wheelbase El Cheapo junk boxes.
-old tires cause MASSIVE death wobble during braking, and gets worse in slight right hand turns. On a perfectly sound 3500 Express even.
-get a stick on mirror disk for the passenger side. Stock Walleye vision mirror is useless.
-6.0L gas Engine is awesome and extremely reliable. Likely the most reliable engine out there. Up there with the 20 valve 6.8L Ford IMO.
-rear axle is invincible
-hitch is way too low
-pathetic one wheel drive, mine gets stuck in wet grass on hardpack. If I sink in 3", I'm stuck. Not even sidewall deep! LOLz.
-2012+ white paint is some of the best factory White I've seen this side of Harley Davidson.
-you'll need Duratracs or better. You need tires that can clean out mud at low speeds. Obama's Stabilitrac and TC kicks back in at 20-25mph on our vans. They can't cleanout a BFG AT.
-Transmissions don't like the whole off roading wheel spin thing much.
-I'll post my average economy for my ride home later.
-make sure you put quality monotube shocks on. DO NOT PUT YOUR FAMILLY IN A EXPRESS 2500 OR 3500 WITHOUT FIXING THE SHOCKS! My vans shocks minus well be empty tubes. They do nothing.
-It's one of the worst handling vehicles I've driven, but Far better than Ford and Dodges short wheelbase El Cheapo junk boxes.
-old tires cause MASSIVE death wobble during braking, and gets worse in slight right hand turns. On a perfectly sound 3500 Express even.
-get a stick on mirror disk for the passenger side. Stock Walleye vision mirror is useless.
-6.0L gas Engine is awesome and extremely reliable. Likely the most reliable engine out there. Up there with the 20 valve 6.8L Ford IMO.
-rear axle is invincible
-hitch is way too low
-pathetic one wheel drive, mine gets stuck in wet grass on hardpack. If I sink in 3", I'm stuck. Not even sidewall deep! LOLz.
-2012+ white paint is some of the best factory White I've seen this side of Harley Davidson.
-you'll need Duratracs or better. You need tires that can clean out mud at low speeds. Obama's Stabilitrac and TC kicks back in at 20-25mph on our vans. They can't cleanout a BFG AT.
-Transmissions don't like the whole off roading wheel spin thing much.
-I'll post my average economy for my ride home later.
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Kaisen
Explorer
I'd recommend saving a bunch of dough and buying a high-mile late model Express....lots of businesses pile on the miles and it's easy on the trucks (vans). I bought my 2005 Express 3500 6.0L from a gas pump service company that ran from their headquarters to a service hub twice a week, a 900 mile round trip. I bought it four years old with 186K miles for $3500. Body was mint, four new Bridgestones, and mechanically excellent. The vinyl armrests were trashed, and the windshield was cracked, but otherwise looked better than most four year old vehicles.
Kaisen
Explorer
Like these:
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http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3990679816.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/3965523897.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/3972800048.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/3986727911.html
There are a lot more
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/3995874863.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3990679816.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/3965523897.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/3972800048.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/3986727911.html
There are a lot more
Clutch
<---Pass
Dang! that price is more like it!
Clutch
<---Pass
awesome thanks!
this one would be perfect. already has the high roof, can't tell if it is the extended body or not (want the EB)
my reasoning for the EB
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Buliwyf
Viking with a Hammer
I wouldn't lift it then. Mine doesn't drag much at all anywhere. And where it would drag........it can't make it there anyways.
-
I'm mostly on construction sites, mud and gravel, and hard packed dirtroads.
Clutch
<---Pass
couple spots where I park, have a pretty big ditch to get across. could see if it is a problem first, if it is, lift it or not leave it alone.
was wanting to put 32" tires on it.
