Looking for a new van.

[thegreenmachine]

that sucks dude.

icbc is a joke.

get them to let you take your parts off, and then work on the payout, if the parts aren't stock to the van, they cant increase value

[Wiley]

Wow what a bummer. What did you end up getting?

[blacknome]

yeah I am curious as well. Ive been back and forth for a couple years now about what I can replace the van with. NV2500 would be great but no AWD option ( yet ). The Sprinter can be had with AWD but there is definitely some sticker shock.

I am leaning towards a savana / express AWD myself.

[MountainManJoe]

The Sprinter can be had with AWD but there is definitely some sticker shock.

The sprinter would be absolutely rad. I noticed the city bought some as maintenance vehicles. Unfortunately, @ $50k+, not within my budget. Need to buy a home first.

I am leaning towards a savana / express AWD myself.

Ditto, but ones with a slider are rare as hens teeth. BTW, they are discontinued as of this year. Econolines already discontinued last year. It's the end of an era folks.

[doyoulikeithere]

I am leaning towards a savana / express AWD myself.

Ditto, but ones with a slider are rare as hens teeth. BTW, they are discontinued as of this year. Econolines already discontinued last year. It's the end of an era folks.

Ya, I like those too. Funny though, I was thinking I would like those barn doors on the side, especially on both sides.

[Herbie]

Ya, I like those too. Funny though, I was thinking I would like those barn doors on the side, especially on both sides.

Aren't there some contractor package vans that have barn doors on booth sides AND the flip-up rear win-doors? That would be sweet.

[Bret Schmerker]

Sorry to come so late, @timelessbeing , but any progress on the replacement-truck hunt? I recently acquired a 1997 GMC M11006 to replace a completely-worn-out Ford E-250 that's too big and heavy for my operating budget anyway, and I've no vehicle to spare. To my knowledge the first downsize commercial vehicle that General Motors manufactured with sliding doors on both sides is the Chevrolet® City Express™, but that model's a front-wheel-drive that I ruled out of further consideration early on for lack of ground clearance and breakover angles - it's not easy to lift a front-driver.

[MountainManJoe]

I am now driving a 2013 GMC Savana AWD passenger van with slider door. It's no Astro, but it's the next best thing.
I can say there's a noticeable drop in build quality. The AWD works better though.

I don't like dual doors, but GM did make some Express/Savana contractor models with both. (the fuel filler had to be moved back, and they had a serious recall because it was rubbing through the brake lines).

Unfortunately, my model has suffered the same fate as the Astro and production was stopped in 2014. Ford E-vans are gone now too, and I think that environmental laws will claim the rest of the truck-style vans very soon.
Domestic car manufacturing in general I think has gone ...

I've never heard of a M11006.

[Wiley]

Pics man pics.

A couple months ago I looked long and hard at buying a new express before deciding I am just going to save my money and take my motorcycle south of the border for my next big trip, but damn it is hard to find an Astro replacement. Now all these manufacturers are trying to push out these new millennial wussy camper van models, I am not having it!

[MountainManJoe]

It's just your average white van, but alright.
Here are the dealer's photos from when I bought it with 55,000km
Again, it's a 1500 Passenger AWD with sliding door. It took a long time to find a van with this configuration that was in good condition with low mileage. Trim level is similar to LS I think.
It's a 1/2 ton like the Astro (I've removed a lot of weight, so I've actually got 3/4 tons of capacity)

• Standard wheelbase (135in), 56sq.ft / 216cu.ft cargo capacity.
• rear aux heat/AC with rear controls
• power seats, cruise, tilt wheel (no telescope)
• tow package (6500lb/3000kg capacity)
• 10 bolt GM rear axle with G80 locking differential and 3.42:1 gearing
• SLA double-wishbone + Torsion bar front suspension (same as AWD Astro)
• Onstar (which is outdated)
• 5.3L Gen IV Vortec engine with varable valve timing (VVT)
  - 310 hp (231 kW) @ 5200, 334 lb-ft (453 Nm) @ 4500
  - Gas hog. Getting about 19LHK in the city.
• 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and tow/haul switch (same as Astro)
• Borg Warner 44-73 transfer case
  - planetary center differential with 35/65 torque split
  - fluid coupling which theoretically provides 100% biasing to any axle
  - self contained unit. No electronics. No sensor input.
• 4-wheel disc ABS brakes.
  - Traction control - corrects for wheel slip
  - Stabilitrak - senses when vehicle is out of control (going sideways) and corrects
  (both can be switched off on the dashboard)

[MountainManJoe]

Of course I'm converting it, like I did my Astro. Working my way from the bottom up.

Before:

I sold the seats, and ripped out the tracks. Then I removed all of the interior finish trim down to bare metal (except headliner and dashboard), and cleaned things up. Sealed up some holes and touched up the paint.

After:

I got rid of the nasty fibre pad stuff GM put down under the vinyl flooring, and put down a few strips of high grade foam flooring underlay. On top of that I laid down 3 sheets of 3/4" exterior grade tongue-and-groove plywood sheathing, tightly scribed to the floor shape using a cardboard template. I carved out some channels in the bottom to accommodate wiring harnesses. Those were bolted down using the holes from seat tracks. I put the original vinyl flooring back on top.

[MountainManJoe]

Next I plan to install some e-track down the sides of the interior, using the ribbing, for mounting points/modular structures.

I'm still working on welding up a dual golf-cart battery rack which will bolt to the frame.

That will become an auxiliary power system to run lighting, cooler, 120V inverter etc.

I eventually want a mild suspension+body lift and slightly bigger tires as well

[MountainManJoe]

Overall, I'm happy so far.

How do I use the Youtube embed button, guys?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKKaS6YlMjw

[Astrophysics]

Hi,

Nice work and good ideas on your Chevy Express.

I owned a 1979 Chevy g20 Beauville wagon , 8 passenger.

Then a 1994 Chevy g20 sport wagon.

I hope Chevy comes out with new van/wagon with mid / high roof options to compete with sprinter, transit and pro master.'

AP

[nonhog]

Hi,

Nice work and good ideas on your Chevy Express.

I owned a 1979 Chevy g20 Beauville wagon , 8 passenger.

Then a 1994 Chevy g20 sport wagon.

I hope Chevy comes out with new van/wagon with mid / high roof options to compete with sprinter, transit and pro master.'

AP

Not to side track but I too own a 94 G20. It's a Gladiator. Looking for a forum. Any thoughts?
.
OP nice looking van!