Extended van questions
February 15th, 2021, 7:57 PM
#1
Extended van questions
Looking at buying a Chevy Express van to haul dirt bikes and mountain bikes and sleep inside of it on trips. My priorities are extended wheelbase and getting OK gas mileage (18mpg hwy would be great!). Most likely want an 03 or up for all the updates.
A few questions
A few questions
- Does the extended wheelbase length only come in the 2500/3500 variants? Any years have the 1500 extended wheelbase?
- What motor options are available for the 2500/3500? Is the 4.3L V6 available for the 2500/3500?
- What kind of gas mileage can I expect to get with an extended wheelbase van? Does it make sense to try to get a 1500 or 2500 over the 3500 if I can?
February 15th, 2021, 8:12 PM
#2
You don't want a V6. Especially if you're hauling bikes. That poor overworked thing won't last very long pulling the weight of an extended van.
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jamesm113 (February 15th, 2021)
February 15th, 2021, 9:17 PM
#4
An extended Express weighs 5,500 lbs without cargo or passengers.
The 4.3L makes 190hp.
The 4.3L makes 190hp.
February 16th, 2021, 10:10 PM
#5
The extended Express is only available on 1 ton (3500) models. I have the 6.0L in mine with the 6 speed and 3.42 gears. It will get 18MPG on the highway under best conditions only but I usually avg 15.0 mixed driving.
I do not know if the 4.3L is available on the extended model but I bet it is. The newer vans have the GEN V version of the 4.3L which is rated at 276 HP I believe and has the 8 speed transmission which I'm sure would tow your load just fine.
There is also a diesel option.
I do not know if the 4.3L is available on the extended model but I bet it is. The newer vans have the GEN V version of the 4.3L which is rated at 276 HP I believe and has the 8 speed transmission which I'm sure would tow your load just fine.
There is also a diesel option.
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jamesm113 (February 16th, 2021)
February 16th, 2021, 10:55 PM
#6
actually 2500 extended models do exist. What's odd is you could buy a 2500 and then have them set it up for 8600 GVW which makes it a 3500. My 2002 2500 is set up this way - identical brakes, hubs etc to my 3500 extended.
The 2002 gets around 15 highway. I would expect the 03-up to do a little better. Every one I've looked at with a six has signs of horrendous oil leaks out the gaskets somewhere either front cover or oil pan. I don't think the six could be had on the extended wheelbase but you never know.
Prices on these are high right now and a decent one will set you back five to ten grand for an 03-10 or so with under 200,000 miles. I'm watching some auctions now and expect the 2015 with 220K to clear 5K easily. Some 2010s a couple weeks ago with similar miles were in the $1500 range.
Which if you were near me in NY you could buy my 02 extended for $1500.
Personally I don't care for them as well as the G-vans. Too much plastic. They ride and drive very well though.
The 2002 gets around 15 highway. I would expect the 03-up to do a little better. Every one I've looked at with a six has signs of horrendous oil leaks out the gaskets somewhere either front cover or oil pan. I don't think the six could be had on the extended wheelbase but you never know.
Prices on these are high right now and a decent one will set you back five to ten grand for an 03-10 or so with under 200,000 miles. I'm watching some auctions now and expect the 2015 with 220K to clear 5K easily. Some 2010s a couple weeks ago with similar miles were in the $1500 range.
Which if you were near me in NY you could buy my 02 extended for $1500.
Personally I don't care for them as well as the G-vans. Too much plastic. They ride and drive very well though.
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jamesm113 (February 16th, 2021)
February 16th, 2021, 11:00 PM
#7
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jamesm113 (February 16th, 2021)
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February 16th, 2021, 11:20 PM
#8
Due to parking restrictions in my area rules, I need a van that's 82" inches or below, which rules out even the low roof Sprinters & Transits. I prefer the chevy over the dodge van and ford econoline as they were actually updated in the 2000's.
February 16th, 2021, 11:30 PM
#9
My 2002s both have the 5.7 in them, the last year for it.
The 97-02 does seem like it's easier to work on than the 03 up, although west coast should eliminate a lot of the rust issues that cause most of the problems on these. They still have rear drum brakes, and just a single computer PCM with conventional stuff for the body. They put a stainless exhaust on them that outlasts the frame here in the salt belt.
The 97-02 does seem like it's easier to work on than the 03 up, although west coast should eliminate a lot of the rust issues that cause most of the problems on these. They still have rear drum brakes, and just a single computer PCM with conventional stuff for the body. They put a stainless exhaust on them that outlasts the frame here in the salt belt.
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jamesm113 (February 16th, 2021)
February 17th, 2021, 1:48 AM
#10
Yeah the old 4.3L with roots from the mid 1980's based on the GEN I small block chevy stayed in production for alot of years. It never got the updates in the late 90's the LS based Gen 3 and 4 V8s did. But in 2014 with the K2XX Silverado, they rebadged it Ecotech 4.3 and it finally got the LS design roots with all the GEN V tech such as cylinder deactivation, VVT and direct injection. That plus the 8 speed makes it able to out tow or at least match the V8 application trucks from just a decade ago.