GM / Chevy Vans

[citytravelfotos]

I'm seeking opinions on GM / Chevy vans along with any known problems with them.&nbsp;<br><br>My impression of them is increasing due to seeing quite a bit of them at the RTR, where there were at least 3 Astros, one older chevy conversion van, two chevy express cargo vans, and one chevy suv owned by famous vandweller ghost dancer. &nbsp;<br><br>I've been seeking Ford and Dodge vans but with the Fords, I'm not comfortable buying any of the V8 ones from 1997 to 2003 due to the spark plug problems, V6's are hard to find, and older than 1997 vans have lower MPG, and ones 2004 and newer are expensive. &nbsp;Dodge Ram Vans have not so reliable transmissions compared to their engines, and I can only look for ones with the 5.2L V8 as in the 5.9L's mpg is too low (11 - 15 mpg.)

 

[Ballenxj]

Hi, I have pretty much summed up my thoughts on this in your other thread about the Dodge van. <br>I tend to prefer Chevy/GMC over all the others for my past experience of reliability issues with the others. <br>I have one of each. A GMC Safari that gets a shade over 20 mpg with the 4.3 liter V6, and a Chevy G20 3/4 ton van with a 350 V8 that has gotten 17 mpg. Both of these economy numbers were attained on the freeway. <br>Right now I'm torn between which one I want to get rid of. The Chevy looks better, but the GMC beats it at the gas pump. <br>I'm still leaning towards keeping the bigger Chevy. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>Lucky for me that both of these vans have the 700R transmission that are 4 speed over drive tranny's and are strictly hydraulic mechanical. No electronics in them to go bad. <br>Also though, the guy I bought the Safari from had just put a later engine in it, so I don't know the history of the engine but it sure runs good, and believe it or not feels like it has more power? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>-Bruce

 

[LFM]

"&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #99cc00;">I'm not comfortable buying any of the V8 ones from 1997 to 2003 due to the spark plug problems</span> "</span><br><br><span style="line-height: 20px;">Can you tell me about the spark plug problems on the Ford's? I own two, one 1998 with over 325,000&nbsp;miles and a&nbsp;2002&nbsp;with over 200,000 miles. I'm&nbsp;not aware of any problems or had any.<br>Thanks</span>

 

[StainedGlassGuy]

I too would like to hear about the spark plug problems on the Ford vans. I have a 1998, full ton, with 150,000 miles on it, and it seems to be still running very strongly even with a full load inside.

 

[psytechguy]

The spark plug problems are a common Ford Triton engine issue: <br><br>http://www.youfixcars.com/ford-triton-spark-plug.html<br><br>http://www.autorepairinstructions.com/?p=69<br><br>Just Google "Ford spark plug problems" for more info.

 

[LFM]

Thanks for the info.<br> In the last 15 years I've had 6 extended E350 vans with the same motor a Ford Triton. <strong>Knock on wood</strong>.<br>I like my Extended Ford Vans the longer van is done by extend the rear of the body not extending the wheel base.&nbsp;Makes for cutting sharper turns, U turns&nbsp;..etc.&nbsp;Driving a long wheel base frame is not for me.&nbsp;<br>I'm not sure how the&nbsp;Chevy Vans&nbsp;are now, but the last one I owned had no foot room for the driver, very tight with the motor hump stealing the foot room.

 

[VanFan]

I'm seeking opinions on GM / Chevy vans along with any known problems with them.

<br>I have a 1996 Chevy Express 1500 with the 5.7L V8 (350).&nbsp; It does have some design flaws.&nbsp; All makes do.&nbsp; In general, the overall condition of a given vehicle is more important to reliability, IMO.<br><br>One flaw that comes to mind is the design of the air conditioner compressor housing.&nbsp; The four pieces are not tied together well allowing the unit to rotate and flex too much which can lead to premature failure.&nbsp; (Better replacements are available, BTW.)<br><br>Cooling system leaks seem to be inordinately common, too.<br><br>The door hinge design is nice looking, but won't support additional loads (i.e., door mounted spare tire, air conditioner mounted in door, etc.) without eventually causing problems with the door alignment.<br><br>Give me some time, and I'll think of more (LOL).&nbsp; The bottom line is I LOVE my van, warts and all!<br><br>Vickie<br><br>

 

[MrNoodly]

There's a local listing for a van that really has me torn. It's an '02 E-250, extended, with a 2-foot high top, 83k miles for $7900. It's not the least bit beat up. <em><strong>But</strong></em> there's that Triton engine spark plug problem waiting to screw things up.

 

[Ballenxj]

Vickie, I really like mine as well, albeit one year older than yours. Mine (95) is called a Sport Van. I'm guessing the division between names was 95/96? Mine is the G20 (3/4 ton) 350 ci engine as well with just now a shade over 100 K miles on it. I'm hoping it will hold up for a long time. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[rich heritage]

We own a 95 Safari. We bought it new. The engine is still good. We replaced the granny last year. It's the features that are failing ...AC, power windows, etc are failing. Its got 230,000 miles. Its a great van.
I'd definitely recommend a Safari.

 

[MrNoodly]

Does your new granny bake pies and cookies for you?&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[rich heritage]

Yes. The new one does. The old one didn't-that's why we replaced her.

Damn auto correct. Lol

 

[MrNoodly]

Around here there are not only way fewer used Chevy/GMC vans for sale, but they're asking about 10 to 15% more for them than comparable Fords. Sure, there are fewer Chevrolet/GMC vans around than Fords, but the used van listings aren't like the 60-40 ratio of new van sales. It's more like 80-20. I could accept that locally the new van market runs about 80-20, but the higher resale prices suggest Chevy/GMC vans are more prized. Maybe Chevy/GMC owners are holding onto theirs while Ford owners are unloading theirs. The Triton engine might have something to do with that.

 

[VanTrekker]

I went with the Chevy for a couple&nbsp;of reasons.&nbsp; The main was familiarity with GMs... We've had them in the family&nbsp;forever and they've served us well.&nbsp; <br><br>I drove a new Ford van and hated the truck-like way it handled.&nbsp; The Chevy I own now had 69K on it at the time and it handled like&nbsp;a dream in comparison.&nbsp; (more car-like).&nbsp; Also, I found&nbsp; the metal ribbing in the Chevy's&nbsp;cargo area to be more friendly to add walls to...&nbsp; So far so good - I love the 2007 van and am in it right now.&nbsp; <img class="bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" rel="lightbox"><br><br><br>BTW, I'll second that about the foot room for the driver in the Chevy van.&nbsp; It's a little crowded because of the large "dog house".&nbsp; I often keep my right foot at a strange angle because it doesn't fit too well near the gas pedal.<br><br>Brad<br><br>

 

[VanFan]

Foot room was one of the main reasons we eliminated Dodges from our search.<br>Vickie