Looking at possibly getting new to me Express
#1
Looking at possibly getting new to me Express
As the title says, I am at the moment considering purchasing a "new" 2005+ Express van, most likely it will be a cargo van as I don't have any reason to have a family hauler, and would primary keep stuff in it (more like storage and tools for fixing cars I guess) anyways that is another point, I currently have my Jeep wrangler which is taking care of the 4x4 aspect for when it gets crappy weather wise here in the New England area, but at the moment I have a 1999 F250 (that I love having and have put some time into mod wise, and general work wise) however the body on it sadly is showing signs of severe noncorrectible cancer (rust) and while the motor I know could go easy another 500,000+ on it I can say with some certainty the body will not.....(i've already had a few pieces fall off in nice rust piles in my drive way) and my parents are also kid of urging me to look for something that is not as much of a "money hungry pit" now I could go brand new with a 2020 something or other but yea not my style.....I like to work on my stuff when I need to so new is not my cup of tea.....
anyways I am looking at a 2005 Express, cargo van with the V8 in it, and when it comes to working on cars I have absolutely no issue working on my own vehicles and getting dirty with the rest of them, I do how ever have issues when the previous owners of vehicles I buy turn the wireing into a rats nest (and thankfully while that was done on my truck, it was quick and easy to sort out, as it was a fleet truck) so I would consider the same for the Express, get one from a fleet or similar type, as bare basic as I can get (yes I would get manual crank windows if I can find one with them......)
anyways, enough of me prattling on, what are some (common?) issues I should be aware of or be looking out for if I decide to look at and test drive some express vans? are there common things that generally break that need replacing at a certain mileage (like some chevy vehicles I know have had issues with water pumps going bad and nearly causing an engine to go **** up because the pump nearly took other parts with it type issues). anything I should stay away from or signs that I should look for that would tell me to just hop in my truck and run away in fear?
if anyone is interested I have linked below one of the Vans that I am considering looking at
https://www.curmsonsauto.com/vdp/136...-York-NY-11377
I have decided to repost this here as this is more specific to the van type its self and perhaps get more info as I try to decide on a van or a Jeep Cherokee, so yea, thanks for any help you guys can provide to help me on deciding on what I should do.
anyways I am looking at a 2005 Express, cargo van with the V8 in it, and when it comes to working on cars I have absolutely no issue working on my own vehicles and getting dirty with the rest of them, I do how ever have issues when the previous owners of vehicles I buy turn the wireing into a rats nest (and thankfully while that was done on my truck, it was quick and easy to sort out, as it was a fleet truck) so I would consider the same for the Express, get one from a fleet or similar type, as bare basic as I can get (yes I would get manual crank windows if I can find one with them......)
anyways, enough of me prattling on, what are some (common?) issues I should be aware of or be looking out for if I decide to look at and test drive some express vans? are there common things that generally break that need replacing at a certain mileage (like some chevy vehicles I know have had issues with water pumps going bad and nearly causing an engine to go **** up because the pump nearly took other parts with it type issues). anything I should stay away from or signs that I should look for that would tell me to just hop in my truck and run away in fear?
if anyone is interested I have linked below one of the Vans that I am considering looking at
https://www.curmsonsauto.com/vdp/136...-York-NY-11377
I have decided to repost this here as this is more specific to the van type its self and perhaps get more info as I try to decide on a van or a Jeep Cherokee, so yea, thanks for any help you guys can provide to help me on deciding on what I should do.
#2
Don't forget it's not exactly a fuel sipper. I would look up the fuel economy and do some quick back-of-the-envelope math to see what you'll spend monthly on fuel, and if you can live with that.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/
#3
Don't forget it's not exactly a fuel sipper. I would look up the fuel economy and do some quick back-of-the-envelope math to see what you'll spend monthly on fuel, and if you can live with that.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/
#4
Then you'll be in for a surprise. The EPA claims 11-15mpg for a V8. A van has the aerodynamics of the side of a barn.
Last edited by mountainmanjoe; December 10th, 2019 at 2:27 AM.
#5
aside from the things to look for, what are some mods that I could do to improve the van? I know the sealed beam halo lamps would be coming out for LED truck lite replacements (my Jeep has similar and I love how bright they are) but if I got the Express are there other things I could do with it?, yes radio I know is one and would be going in almost immediately.
#6
CF Active Member
I have a 2001 GMC Savana van.
Issues:
Water pump
Injection module
Lower intake gasket
Transmissions(3)
Distributor cap/rotor corrosion
Cam sensor wiring corroding.
Rear roof weather stripping leaking
Clear coat peeling on hood/front fenders
Fuel pump failing
Rockers rusting under both sides, under doors
Side, swinging cargo doors-hinges bind
Blower motor resistor failing
Brake lines rusted through.
I've had the van it's entire life.
Still have it.
Issues:
Water pump
Injection module
Lower intake gasket
Transmissions(3)
Distributor cap/rotor corrosion
Cam sensor wiring corroding.
Rear roof weather stripping leaking
Clear coat peeling on hood/front fenders
Fuel pump failing
Rockers rusting under both sides, under doors
Side, swinging cargo doors-hinges bind
Blower motor resistor failing
Brake lines rusted through.
I've had the van it's entire life.
Still have it.
Last edited by Ron6519; December 10th, 2019 at 10:41 AM. Reason: added items
#7
I have a 2001 GMC Savana van.
Issues:
Water pump
Injection module
Lower intake gasket
Transmissions(3)
Distributor cap/rotor corrosion
Cam sensor wiring corroding.
Rear roof weather stripping leaking
Clear coat peeling on hood/front fenders
Fuel pump failing
Rockers rusting under both sides, under doors
Side, swinging cargo doors-hinges bind
Blower motor resistor failing
Brake lines rusted through.
I've had the van it's entire life.
Still have it.
Issues:
Water pump
Injection module
Lower intake gasket
Transmissions(3)
Distributor cap/rotor corrosion
Cam sensor wiring corroding.
Rear roof weather stripping leaking
Clear coat peeling on hood/front fenders
Fuel pump failing
Rockers rusting under both sides, under doors
Side, swinging cargo doors-hinges bind
Blower motor resistor failing
Brake lines rusted through.
I've had the van it's entire life.
Still have it.
as for the hinges, this van has a rear sliding door and the normal barn doors in the back.
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#8
CF Active Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Satan's hole, A.K.A Florida
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U-joints and upper control arm bushings are a common replacement. I agree with trans, had mine remanned with the upgraded parts. No issues since. Paint will likely be an issue with it being a cargo style van. The other owners here would have better info on newer motors (mine's 93 and still strong). MPG is pretty good for a mobile barn.
#9
U-joints and upper control arm bushings are a common replacement. I agree with trans, had mine remanned with the upgraded parts. No issues since. Paint will likely be an issue with it being a cargo style van. The other owners here would have better info on newer motors (mine's 93 and still strong). MPG is pretty good for a mobile barn.
what "upgrade parts" are typically put in the transmissions? is there a way to tell (aside from service records) if the transmission was upgraded at all? I am assuming that IF I go for this van that nothing has ever been done to it and no records exist for it....
#10
CF Active Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Satan's hole, A.K.A Florida
Posts: 223
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You're looking at something around '05, right? Don't think you'll be looking at the same transmission (4L60E), so any upgrades during a reman would probably be slightly different. The planetary gear and the clutches are the major parts they change out with the older models. If a service record exists with the current owner you may be able to track down the service shop and inquire there. I would expect a service record with a fleet vehicle, at the very least some sort of PM schedule.
Last edited by Beau Oszman; December 11th, 2019 at 11:38 AM.