Andy caused my van fever.

[MTRHEAD]

Andy had a van for sale a while back and I really would have liked to buy it, but I didn't. But, now I seem to have "van fever" and want to get another van.

I had a Dodge for 14 years, but they are no more, unless you count the sprinter, but it's just too much. So it looks like It's a Ford or GMC.

The question is, do I go Ford or GMC?

I'm leaning toward a Ford.

[A-Tek]

The frames to the Chevy vans are built in Hopkinsville , Ky. and I did 17 years in that plant. The van frames came in about 5 years before I quit the place.

That plant is having some problems from what I hear from the people I use to work with there.

[Dave.Smtih]

Through a couple of employers, I've been driving GM vans on and off since 1976. The recent crop of vans, say 2005 - on, have been pretty decent. Previous models were full of costly issues. BTW, I'm talking about receiving a new 3500 series van and driving a 110k miles or so in six to seven years time. Our shop currently has about 23 GMC vans.

What I like about the current models.

Decent ride
Pretty quiet
Have been reliable
Anti-lock brakes actually work now

What I don't like

Driving position - long trips suck
Where does your left foot go!?
Huge windshield prone to cracking - very pricey
Cargo doors generally need to be slammed to close them
Rear cargo doors have no real stops - they are big heavy sails on a windy day
-These last two items bug me since I'm in and out of the van all day, probably not an issue for most

I'd give GM 3500 vans a tentative endorsement.

[MTRHEAD]

What about the 2500 series? I don't think I want to go with a 350 / 3500. I'd like to stay 250 / 2500 or I've actually found a new '08 E150 that's extended.

[DIRTBAG]

I can't speak to the newer GM vans, but I purchased a new GMC full window family van in 1973 for $4,100 loaded with everything but AC. It had to be a lemon as it only lasted for 20 years and approx 180M miles. I did have to replace a water pump and the cheap tranny went out so I traded it in. We would take the rear most seat out and load 5 motorcycles and pull our 16' camper. It always seemed to draw attention when I would start to unload bikes, MX360(that's a Yamaha for the youngsters!)TL125, XR75, 80 Enduro & a Yamaha mini trials. Worst thing about it was mileage, it would get about 12 to 14 MPG with just the family in it, of course back then Montana did not have a speed limit and it went most places running around 80 or a little more.

Just my experience.

[MTRHEAD]

Yeah, if this was the 70's, or 80's even, I wouldn't even be asking this. I'd just go buy a Chevy.They were "the van" back in the day and a lot of those are still kicking. But, I've heard a lot of "not so good" things the last few years about GM vans.

I know a guy who had one that was around a '01 and it was a true lemon, which can happen with any of them. But, it was in the shop about once a month for just shy of two years, until he trade it off. With that and a few horror stories I'm just a little shy of one now.

My Dodge did pretty well too, with just a water pump, trans and AC compressor, the 3 most common failures on most full sized trucks.

My Father had a Ford in in the '80's that was pretty good also.

[MTRHEAD]

Anybody know the distance from the front seats to the rear doors of a standard size van?

[Dave.Smtih]

A little under nine feet for GM.

[MTRHEAD]

Wow. My old Dodge Maxi was 12' from the front mat to the doors. I figured it would be closer to 10'. Thanks.

[Andy Winters]

The chevy/GM's are nice, my neighbor has a 2500 awd which is really a 1500 with heavier rear springs. I sold my extended e350 because awd/4wd is a must for me. I would have went gm, but they only make the awd version in the 135" wheel base and for bike I think the extended van is the way to go. that extra 20" does make a difference. I ended up finding a great deal on a E250 Quigley 4x4 converted extended cargo and am in the process of setting it up for bikes.

In my last van I had a bike shoe inside but I found it nicer to use a hitch carrier to keep the bike and gas outside. show up at the event and the bikes is securely locked on the back rack and inside of the van is setup for living/sleeping free of gas smells.

I am currently working on building a two bike hitch carrier that will have 3 "stingers" mounted via the existing center reciever and two additonal recievers welded to the hitch near the frame rails. it will hold 2 bikes with little flex and zero wobble.

[MTRHEAD]

That's sweat. You going to do some off-road type tires and wheels?

I'd have to get a great deal to go with the standard body. An extended is pretty much a must. Cargo or passenger isn't that important, and I'd hate to think what that 4x4 conversion is worth.

Be sure to show us this rack when it's done.

[A-Tek]

Used box vans are going cheaper now than when I first looked for one around 2001. Might need a business going to justify the extra operating costs of one of those.

www.commodoremotors.com in Nashville sometimes has some nice vans/box trucks/pickups for sale.

[MTRHEAD]

Yeah, I've seen some really low prices on some used ones. I've found a new one that I'm trying to deal on right now. Then there's a local used '08 passenger I'm thinking about checking into.

The thing about window units is they tend to have nicer "creature features". A little limo tint and who cares if it's got windows.

[Andy Winters]

if you check ebay and craigslist daily you can find a deal. passenger vans are nice with windows and rear ac/heat, however you loose a couple of inches to the duct work in the head liner. Bedrug.com makes a product called vanrug that makes the floor nice to sleep on and is nice on the knees when you are crawling around inside. It has foam to fill in the "ridges" in the floor so it lays flat. It can be taken out and powerwashed and does not absord water/gas/oil.

http://www.bedrug.com/products/vanrug.php

[Andy Winters]

just found this one this morning

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1045557816.html

[MTRHEAD]

You mean that blue van is used? It sure looks like a new one.

[Andy Winters]

yes, a nice find with only 55k miles on it! it had a bad case of "death wobble" and I think the former owner just wanted out and traded it in for dirt! I fixed it with $100 steering stablizer and $20 track bar bushings!

[MTRHEAD]

Sounds like you did good. Maybe you should do my van shopping for me.

[A-Tek]

http://www.suspensionnetwork.com/news.php?cod=16

How about a FunMover ?

[Andy Winters]

Sounds like you did good. Maybe you should do my van shopping for me.
once in a while I get lucky! Most of the time I lose!:wtf:

[MTRHEAD]

I feel your pain.



How about a FunMover ?

Sure, if you'll loan me the money. :biggrin:

[Powervalve]

Just my .02! I have 1998 Ford E-250 Cargo van with 5.4V8. I am the origional owner and I drive it daily for work and bike hauler. I just rolled over 465,000 mileswith no more than normal maintence items: brakes, battery, shocks, etc. Gets oil changed every 3-5K with nothing but Castrol GTX. The starter, water pump, alternater, A/C compressor are all origional! Has has one set of plugs and uses no oil to speak of.
Olly gripe is has some rust around top drip rail. I guess "Built Ford Tough" would apply here. This is the first Ford I have ever owned as I have always been A GM man, but I bought the Econoline because at the time I thought the GM's were ugly with the high rear tailights. I will never own anything but a Ford van after this experience!

[Andy Winters]

good to hear you got that kind of mileage out of the 5.4 since that's what is in mine. any problems with exhuast manifold studs or spark plugs stripping out on the alum. head?

[MTRHEAD]

WOW! I'd like to get something that holds up that well.

At my current annual mileage rate, I'd be about 105 years old when it got that many miles.

[Powervalve]

Only have changed the plugs once.......looked like a toughie...so I paid the dealer to do it. No problems with anything stripped out on the heads that I am aware of. I did forget to mention that I have had to replace several of the coil packs (coil on plug distributorless ignition)! After paying the dealer several hundred a couple of times, I figured out that I could do it myself with a $49.00 Auto Zone replacement coil.

[MTRHEAD]

What about a '07 GMC 5.3L AWD with 75,000? It's local and is really clean.

[Andy Winters]

what's the price? it's a good van but remember the tow rating is only ~6k and it's a short wheelbase. If those two things are not a concern and price is right then go for it!

my neighbor has a awd GMC and it's treated him real well. It drives like a car! and is awesome in the snow.

another concern for me would be the possilbe demise of GM and parts availability in the future, maybe it won't be an issue but something to think about.

[MTRHEAD]

I haven't done much research on the GMC's. I went out for a little ride on the Husky last night and saw it at a local used car dealer. It caught my eye because it looked new.

The most I'd probable ever tow would be a small bike trailer, but it does make you wonder about the drive train. The AWD part made me wonder anyway.

Any idea what kind of gas mileage your neighbor gets?

[Andy Winters]

I believe you can expect 18-20 which is very good for a full size van. It is a 1500 series truck so if you are only hauling bikes or a small trailer it's not an issue! and the AWD system is absolutely awesome in the snow, even better than 4wd

[MTRHEAD]

That's really good mileage, way better than my Dakota. I figured the AWD would drag the mileage down.

Any durability or maintenance issues with the AWD?

[Andy Winters]

I'm very impressed with the GM AWD van, but I wanted the long wheelbase so I kept searching. I believe the AWD system in the full size van was developed in the Astro first. my neighbor has 140k without any problems! If they made the extended van in AWD I would have been all over it.

[MTRHEAD]

I drove the AWD last night and it was nice. I was impressed with the performance of the motor and the ride. What I thought was funny was that it pulled around and acted like it had some bad alignment issues with the front end when I first started driving it. After a few miles it seemed to go away. ????

I'm sure this dealer and I aren't going to come to terms on this one, but I wouldn't mind trying a new one.

I think I might go talk Ford today.

[Andy Winters]

remeber, the only way to get a Ford with 4WD is to order it new with the conversion done by Quigley ~10k option. Or find a low mileage used one.

Personally I think the extended vans are the only way to go for dirt bike use. Although I was ready to settle on a short GM just to get AWD, I'm glad I didn't!

Quigley also does the conversion on new GM vans, so if you bought an extended GM van new you could order the 4WD conversion.

The nice thing about the extended GM is that they extend the wheel base and not just the framelike Ford. Although the Ford will turn better because of that.

[MTRHEAD]

Extended is my first choice, but I'm going to rule out a standard size if the deal is right.

AWD or 4WD really isn't 10k important to me, but again, if the deal is right.

My main goal is to get back in a van, cheap.

[Andy Winters]

if 4wd isn't important to you, you can find great deals on used passenger vans like the one I just sold. I like the "window vans" becuase they are finished off inside and also have rear heat and ac.

A buddy who camped a lot in a passenger van told me a good trick: You can install a remote start that has automatic shut off so that if you are trying to get to sleep and it's either too hot or cold, you could hit the start button and the heat or ac would run for 15 minutes and then the truck would shut off.

[racer514]

I have an 04 Chevy 3500 Extended Passenger van with about 100k of flawless miles on it. I pulled out the back benches and converted the second bench to mount in the van backwards. Behind the bench that faces backwards (the first bench still faces forward), there is plenty of space for an air mattress. When I first re-arranged the benches my first use was the a dual sport ride. I pulled up late at night with the KLR on the rear bike carrier, climbed into the back where my bed was already made and went right to sleep. In the morning, I used my remote start and just stayed in my sleeping bag until the van was nice and toasty so I could get out of the sleeping bag and get dressed. The back area is perfect with the backwards facing bench. It has enough room to throw my gear and get dressed, etc.

I test drove the Fords and Chevy/GMs but chose the GM model because I think they drive nicer, especially when pulling my 24ft Toy Hauler. The Gm has an extended wheel base on their extended vans (as mentioned above). With the Fords and older Dodges, the body was extended but not the wheel base. This did make turning easier but much less stable when towing because the trailer weight applied leverage to the back of the van. When I drove the Ford, I loved the power of the V10 but felt like I had white knuckles when towing.

Reliability-wise, I don't think you can do wrong with any of them.

[MTRHEAD]

I guess the good deals are over with, because everybody wants to stick it to me today. Or, maybe I'm just too cute and all the salesmen are gay? :eek:

[A-Tek]

www.gmbuypower.com , you can run a search on dealer inventory from this site and locate vehicles , online quote feature also

[racer514]

Where are you located and what are you looking to spend? Im in the business and can keep my eye out if your not too far away.

[MTRHEAD]

I'm to far away, or I'd have just bought Andy's van. But, thanks for the offer.

[Andy Winters]

whichever van you end up getting, check out vanrug www.bedrug.com (http://www.bedrug.com)

We are now a dealer for them and can set you up with vanrug/tred and cargo wall liner kits!

I had vanrug in my last van and loved it. I may try the vantred and liner in the new van.

[MTRHEAD]

Yeah, I looked at those. I'll have to get one for whatever I decide to go with.

[Andy Winters]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GMC-Savana-99-Chevrolet-GMC-QUIGLEY-4X4-3500-DIESEL-12-PASS-VAN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a317Q7c66Q3a2Q 7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1308Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a 1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem2 20381985598QQitemZ220381985598QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTru cks

[MTRHEAD]

That's interesting, but it seems like it's going to go pretty high, for what I want.

[Andy Winters]

ok, how about this one:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/1095546977.html

[MTRHEAD]

There was one on ebay Saturday, about an '07 or '08 up around your area that was like new. Had about 10,000 miles and looked like new. I think it was going for around $29,000.

There is a cool '78 Chevy 4X4 on there that would be neat to have.

[Andy Winters]

yeah, those old school 4x4 vans are cool looking! there where not too many extended vans converted back then.

[Andy Winters]

I've still got van fever!

http://www.woodsracer.com/portal/forums/picture.php?albumid=2&pictureid=263
http://www.woodsracer.com/portal/forums/picture.php?albumid=2&pictureid=264

[MTRHEAD]

That's sweet.

I've still got t he fever, but I'm not getting anywhere with the dealers. They want you to think they're making better deals, but they aren't any better than they were 5 years ago.

[A-Tek]

The only deals I have heard of anyone getting are on Dodge trucks and even those were from a dealer that is known to print their own window stickers so that you think retail is much higher than it really is. MIght not have been as good a deal as they think.

The auto industry is King when it comes to sales programs that really aren`t sales at all.

[MTRHEAD]

A-men brother.

[Andy Winters]

My Van is for sale again! like my bikes I've done a bunch of work to it and it's perfect so I have to sell it and start over.....going for a new sprinter!

$16,900 obo.