what do you think about this Express van?

[Mobilesport]

So if someone was planning to do vandwelling in the city , would you buy this?
Your thoughts,  the good ?, the bad ? Go for it or stay clear? Thanks
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-1996-Express-Van

 

[Canine]

Questionable motor replace the (why done in 2010), no mention of trans work, bad A/C, rust evident it says...
Lots to think about on that one. If they would drop $1K maybe, but you'd likely put that right back in it. The rust is a concern for me...

Dont get fooled by new tires and rims... you'd be better served with AT tires anyway, a lot of Wranglers are just passenger rated tires, not true LT tires (weaker sidewalls).

That's what I see so far anyway.

 

[John61CT]

Big city? Which one?

Not the style you want if stealth is important.

 

[Mobilesport]

Big city? Which one?

Not the style you want if stealth is important.

It's super stealthy , the windows have really nice paneling over
them , you could be in the interior at night with the interior lights full
brightness and from the ouside observer it just looks like a empty 
conversion van , no light shines through whats so ever.

 

[gargoyle]

Lots of duct tape and zip ties, and dangling wires. Rain spout for ??? Which A/C unit doenst work (the window unit or the vehicles?)
It makes me wonder what else is cobbled.

 

[Mobilesport]

Lots of duct tape and zip ties, and dangling wires.  Rain spout for ??? Which A/C unit doenst work (the window unit or the vehicles?)
It makes me wonder what else is cobbled.

That air conditioner box is solid , needs prettied up which could easily be done in
probably 1 hour , that's what I meant when I said all this van mostly needs is 
cleaned and polished up ,  just little simple stuff .

The vans under hood Ac doesn't work.
The window unit works great.

The dangling wires are because I was having battery charger issues and
so I have 2 chargers hooked up in the picture , the one on the right will be 
removed as will all the dangling wires.


The zip ties in the ceiling lights is because I've been experimenting with
the lights to get the best lighting , I have it figured out where I want
the lights I just have to mount them correctly.

I use the down spout as a hvac tube to run heat into my 
sleeping bag from my furnace , furnace doesn't come with van.
I'm selling the Propex 2800 furnace separate for $800 installed.

 

[Canine]

Well you seem positive about it, just get those mechanicals and rust checked, decide if you need the ac fixed (crapshoot, could simply be a leaky Schroeder valve all the way to a bad compressor), then look at your budget... a lot of the work has been done, as long as you like what you get. You're paying for it.

 

[jonsun]

who cares about some rust. we're not talking about the frame rusted in half or something. cars rust, it's not brand new and it's not priced like it is.

 

[Mobilesport]

Here's a picture of its keys and remotes.  I'll get a pic of the windshield blind later

 

[Mobilesport]

Questionable motor replace the (why done in 2010), no mention of trans work, bad A/C, rust evident it says...
Lots to think about on that one.  If they would drop $1K maybe, but you'd likely put that right back in it.  The rust is a concern for me...

Dont get fooled by new tires and rims... you'd be better served with AT tires anyway, a lot of Wranglers are just passenger rated tires, not true LT tires (weaker sidewalls).

That's what I see so far anyway.

I had the engine replaced in 2010 , it had 132000 miles on it , I did this because I 
wanted to make sure it was reliable because i was planning to live in it , I knew anything
else I could swap out easy but if I were to run into internal engine problems  I would 
be screwed.

As far as I know the transmission is the original,  I did have Ammco transmission do
transmission filter change and flush . (AMMCO transmission desmoines Iowa Hickman rd)

I'll adjust the price to $5500 or best offer

 

[Mobilesport]

Comes with vacuum Guage on dash and GM code scanner tool

 

[Canine]

I had the engine replaced in 2010 , it had 132000 miles on it , I did this because I 
wanted to make sure it was reliable because i was planning to live in it

I'll adjust the price to $5500 or best offer

Sheesh, here I thought that this was a van YOU were WANTING TO BUY as opposed to the owner.
Duh, head slap.

So if I was interested in it, Id want it all cleaned up in and out, receipts available for that price. I'd still try to get it for less. I can tell you that there's nothing around Phoenix, even within 200 miles, that could be bought for 4000 with a rebuilt motor and the extras it has. Just spend another $100 and get an exterior detail. Good luck.

 

[Mobilesport]

More pictures 
Here's a picture of the custom recessed dash ( easy access to engine)
None of the mechanical stuff on the van have been modified,  it's mechanically stock.
Many new parts , this has been my daily driver , very little  driving though.
 
Flip down JVC face plate that can be controlled from the rear using remote control
Windshield blind
L.e.d lights on the cab ceiling , 3 knocked out from my head , but I have a box full of replcements

---

 

[Mobilesport]

I lowered the price to $4500 or best offer

 

[bullfrog]

I never did see the year of the van posted or any history 1st owner? Location may help understand any rust issues. Reason for selling? Maintenance history? Rebuilt or new GM engine installed by who? Warranty? Was AC ever working or did it not work after engine install? Any known problems? Average MPG? I'm not looking for a van but these are the type of questions I've been asked when I sold similar vehicles. Good luck!

 

[Mobilesport]

I never did see the year of the van posted or any history 1st owner?  Location may help understand any rust issues.  Reason for selling?  Maintenance history?  Rebuilt or new GM engine installed by who? Warranty?  Was AC ever working or did it not work after engine install? Any known problems?  Average MPG?  I'm not looking for a van but these are the type of questions I've been asked when I sold similar vehicles.  Good luck!

Good post.

1996 Chevrolet Express ,,,,I'm the second owner .
I bought it from a Asian couple that lived in Iowa , they used it to travel with there
kids mainly to California and back , The guy that drove it was a smoker and there kids
trashed the rear interior with stickers on the walls and a few stains , I gutted it and 
put all new interior in it back in 2010 , I've since redone the interior 2 more times and
the current one has the nicest floor And walls but the door panels could use prettiing up , and
some minor trim.
So now it has a diy interior .

The rust is only on the passenger side body at the very bottom. The frame is solid as is the majority 
of the body. Probably  $300 to have body shop repair the rust.

The VIN 1GBFG15MiT1024642
2015 plugs wire cap
2014 --new wheels and tires

2014 ( import muffler shop Army post Rd ) new catalytic convertor just to quiet it down
Terrys automotive --New walker muffler and a second muffler towards the rear,,very quiet.

2014 --Ammco Transmission (Desmoines ,Ia Hickman rd ) did most of the maintenance 
Trannée flushed and new trannee filter
Brakes 
U joints a couple of months later
They installed a rear main seal on the the Napa engine because it failed after 
13 months , or at least that's when I discovered it , engine was out of the 1 year warranty and
so I had to pay to get it fixed.

2014-- Terry's Automotive  (Desmoines ,Ia) put a new water pump on .

2011--emission components deleted , PCM shipped off to have the emissions deleted.

2010-- Landrover tech installed the Napa crate engine at home in his garage
along with new starter , harmonic balancer , oil pan , timing cover and sensor , new radiator. water pump.
Flywheel.plugs wires cap

2009 I bought the van with 132000 , it had the typical Vortec gm intake leak and the fuel pump check valve was causing poor starting  , i installed a new GM fuel pump and it started very well every time.
The van ran amazing even when the old engine was in it.
I took it to get a new engine just to have a good foundation to build on 



AC worked but would only stay cold for around 2 weeks.

Passenger side window could use a new switch , it works but it's getting weak.

It's best for me not to open the rear door that has the AC in it because it's
weighting it down a little,  I can open and close it but I have to lift it a little and
help it , remove the AC and the door opens and closes fine.

The rear door lock doesn't open with a key from outside  , I use the 

I'm not sure about the MPG but i do know the van weighs 6400 # with the gear insidekey fob or manually from interior.

Reason for selling,  $ ,, I'm buying a new van.

Mr info...
135" wheel base
124 amp alternator
Gear ratio 3.42:1
Weight 6400#