TheOMB

I'm pretty sure my questions are going to be answered with a no, but have to ask.

Currently I'm in a 2001 Chevy Express 1500 Luxury 7 passenger, a rare Chevy factory conversion. I have 2 captain chairs and a bench for the back rows and can install seats in either 2nd or 3rd row. Chevy placed all hooks on the floor for both configurations.

It's time for me to get into a newer bigger van.

Question?

1. In current model Chevy Express 3500 LT (I'm looking at 07 thru 11) can the 4th row seat (the bigger one) be installed in the 2nd row position?

2. Also any body aware of easy install captain chairs for the 2nd row. I don't think the floor hooks are there right?

My use is carry 4 people as comfortably as possible while carry a pile of music gear cargo in the back.

As of today I'm gonna have to drive over 100 miles to purchase one at a "deal price" and can't find one for sale ti inspect configuration closer than 50 miles... there are plenty of Fords kickin around but the dang seats don't easy come out and I like the Chevy better.

Thanks

Marc

StanVan

Wow. 128 views, and no answer. I don't know for sure, but I'd say no. My experience is mostly with Astros, but I've not seen a newer Express with that option. You most likely could bolt the captains chairs in permanently, though.

AnthonyKeene

I've already decided on an Astro because I know there are a few ways I can make it mimic 4x4. I happened to stumbled upon a thread on Expedition Portal about a Chevy Express and wanted to research the validity of them because almost as comparable as an Astro. The biggest differences between the ford vans as to the Chevy or GMC's. Is the GMC and Chevy have the extended wheel base. Meaning they move the back tires closer to the back of the vehicle making it much more stable.

Anthony

PapaNix 07 Xpress

Marc,

I have an 07 long wheelbase, 15 Pass configuration.

4 person (long seat) will NOT go in any other row (mine is in 5th row) without mods - adding or modifying rails.

Keep in mind that the rails do come in different configs depending upon build.

For instance, in the long wheelbase 12 Pass config, the 4th row IS setup for the 4 person seat.

The rails in rows 2 &3 are shifted towards the drivers side, so even if the width between rails was correct, you would need to cut a hole in the side of your van to make it work. Good news is one passenger would have a GREAT RIDE (at least in sunny weather). (sorry, weak humor)

I too am looking at mods in this respect. I have only lifted a portion of the carpet so far, but I DO see stock holes in the floor towards the front, with foil tape sealing them, covering what appear to be stock from the factory holes to allow different rail configs.

I HAVE seen rails on ebay, but dang that seller was PROUD - $250 a POP

I intend to add rails to allow bucket seats. I fully expect to need to custom fab the brackets for buckets so they will drop in.

One more caution:

Row 2 of '03~'07 have different spacing of front vs. rear slots for the seat. The distance between the front and back drop in "fingers" (if that's what we would call them) for row 2 are spread further apart. The reason for this is, in that year range row 2 has a built in shoulder strap for the middle person.

I have seen from '08 on that this seat is now placed in rows 3 & 4 as well. Meaning that from '08 on the row 2, 3 and 4 seats "appear" to be identical.

In my rig row 2 seat ONLY fits row 2. Row 3 and Row 4 are interchangeable, and row 5 fits only row 5 (as mine is 15 PAX)

I do have a good friend with an '08 15 PAX long wheelbase. I can look at that to see if rows 2, 3 and 4 are interchangeable. Still won;t solve your prob.

One more seat related change from '08 on. The rear (4 person) seat is actually seperate pieces. This means there are 4 rails back there. 2 rails per seat, 2 side by side seats.

Does that make sense?

- Nick

TheOMB

Nick, thanks for answer and it all made sence. But for a couple reasons I decided to go with a truck instead of van. Just got a Silverado 2500HD, 6.6L diesel with crew cab. This is my 1st truck after 20 yrs of vans. I could not easily get an auto loan on a van and I stumbled upon a great cost effective deal on this truck.

My application is carry up to 4 people comfy for long rides, haul upto 1500 lbs of music equipment in vehicle and tow a travel trailer (my next purchase) with a minimum weight of 7,000 lbs.

I've banged up the back of every van I've owned loading music equipment. This go round I've got a cargo area for cargo under a topper. A Way higher tow capacity them can be had in any van....and extremely more comfy passenger area.

Thanks for responding though, gonna miss my van, but having a great time so far in my truck. The drivers seat is the most comfy seat if any vehicle I've ever owned

Marc

PapaNix 07 Xpress

Marc,

You stuck with a Chevy.
THAT is what counts!

TheOMB

LOL.... kind of funny, this truck is the one that changed my most respected vehicle brand from Ford to Chevy....

My 1st van was a 1986 Ford E150 and not only do I have great memories of with that one but it performed long after I wrote it off, not spending anymore money on repairs. AND my girlfriend let me borrow her Ford Escort before I got that Van. Both these vehicles made my car brand of choice (for truck or van) Ford for a long time even though I've not owned a Ford in 7 vehicles later.

I had a hate on for Chevy when I got an Astro Van. It was pretty beat up when I got it, door handles kept breaking and it was not meeting my expectations performing like a full size truck, like many of my friends said it should.

Then I got a Chevy Express Van and drove it for the past 7 years. It was the best vehicle I had ever owned outranking the Ford E150 in performance but not in memory. Still though the bad Chevy Astro kept my slight hate on for Chevy.

AND now that I'm in this Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Crew Cab IT is my 7th vehicle and absolutely favorite of all that I've owned.

I still respect the Ford but now for my experience's in Trucks and Vans, including rentals, borrowed and other situations, my favorite vehicle brand has become Chevy.

Also...
- my mechanic friends told me to buy Chevy over Ford, with a Dodge being an OK choice if cost effective AND
- I work at a lot of County Fairs. Recently while thinking about my next vehicle purchase I walked the outside of fair grounds to ballpark count 3/4, 1 ton and larger Fords VS Chevy's trucks driven by fair workers. Chevy won hands down at two fair grounds with 80% of the tow vehicles being Chevy. I don't know why only 20% belonged to Ford and Dodge, but in addition, those Dodge's and Fords were mostly sitting next to smaller vendors, most of the all of the midway trucks were Chevy.

Chevy ROCKS, and OMG is my butt comfy in my Silverado driver seat!