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Vans & Minivans Chevy Express & GMC Savana Chevy Express/GMC Savana
618 messages, Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 12:44 PM
You are in the Chevy Express & GMC Savana Forum. Your Host is Karens
| Excellent! You are not the only one who likes the 454; I would have spent the extra $$ and waited for a special order to get one were it not for a dealer warning me against it. He must have really wanted to get his current inventory (all 350's) off the lot. My opinion (yes, I know, everyone's got one) is that the 350 has to work too hard to pull a big truck like my conversion van and six people in it; it is probably why I've had the problems I've had. I would have been better off with a 454 and the HD transmission. Oh well, next time. | |
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Sorry to hear about the major troubles. DON'T TAKE THE DEALER'S CRAP! I can't comment on the window, but the problems you describe with your transmission sound EXACTLY like the symptoms I had. After driving at highway speeds, I'd get very hard shifts during stop and go driving once I got back on surface streets. Did your dealer open up the tranny and look inside? Mine did. They found metal shards and some cracked internal components (sorry, don't remember exactly what was broken). It took about 2 weeks to get it fixed, because a tech from GM had to come down and see that the tranny was indeed broken like the mechanic said (1 week wait). Then the dealer ordered a rebuilt transmission (1 more week). They got it, installed it, and had to replace it again after about 10,000 miles due to some problem with shorted connections. Now it runs fine. Be careful who's best interest is really being served. If they can keep you van from being in the shop for a certain # of days during the first year of ownership (or whatever time frame your state's lemon laws prescribe) GM and the dealer can avoid buying back your van under lemon laws and instead leave you to deal with warranty battles and ultimately (did you get the extended warranty?) your own hefty repair bills. One of my friend's neighbors had a lot of transmission problems on a 96 1500 conversion during the first year; one day they came home with a shiny new Suburban and a GM gag order. Wonder what GM didn't want them to talk about... Both the dealer and GM know EXACTLY what is in each of their best interests. Again, just my opinion. |
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| If you like BIG motors, latest I've heard is the 2001 big gas engine will be an 8.1 liter. I'm hoping they will offer it in the G series. If you're really honest with yourself and consider all factors in computing your cost per mile to run your truck, there is really not a lot of difference between the 5.7 and the 7.4. When you step up to the 3500 you get the 4L-80 tranny, better brakes, more tow capacity, heavier axles, etc. with very little sacrifice in ride qualities. If you hook a 7000 pound trailer onto a truck rated for 7000 pound tow capacity for more than a short haul, you're in for grief. My experience has been to load no more than 75% of the rated tow capacity and my truck does great and doesn't break. | |
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Good info. Could I ask where you heard of the 8.1L? Is it covered in the car mags already? Or are there other sources of info (besides GMC web page, car mags) that I could get to on my own? Thanks. |
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We just bought a new Express 2500 12 passenger. Trying to decide if we should go with an extended warranty. 7 year/100,000 mile will run about $1100. Does anyone have any recommendations on warranty companies and what experiences have you had as to durability on the 2500 series. We got the trailering package and 3.73 rear gear. We will not be pulling a trailer. How about any suggestions that will not void the warranty that will help gas mileage. (ie. cat back system or K&N air filter) So far the best we have gotten is about 12 mpg highway. |
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| Has anyone added a rear sway bar to a 2500 Express. When loaded it seems to handle a little choppy. Thinking it might help. | |
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| I bought a '97 Savana conversion van in '98 and find the driving on trips (20,000 miles a year) really pleasurable. So far the Savana with 35000 miles has had a new instrument cluster (speedo problems) and transmission plus minor odds and ends all under warranty. From what I'm reading I need to buy a shop manual now before the warranty runs out. Since GM had to replace the transmission and they advertise that MR Goodwrench will guarantee for as long as I own the vehicle anything they had to replace am I naive to assume this will hold true for a new instrument cluster and transmission? I now plan on towing(nothing big just a boat or jet skis)800miles at a whack should I instal a transmission oil cooler coil set or would it be a waste of my time. Any help? | |
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| Starcraft1500: Just keep a copy of the repair order and the GMGoodwrench ad that says "for as long as you own it". Conversions are typically heavier than stock configurations. That leads to problems with tires and drivetrains. Hot transmissions lead to fluid failure leading to transmission failure. If you want to preserve the replaced transmission you would do well to get a transmission oil temperature gauge (attaches to pan or dipstick). You'll want that with or without a cooler. After watching that you can decide if you wish to get the cooler. | |
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| 9. Paint/finish. Metal flakes/burrs protruding up from underneath paint along gutters (near spot welds). And one spot 1/2"X1/4" where the spray guns missed near gutter on roof near driver's door. | |
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454ci (7.4liter) with 3.73 rear. Almost 12,000 miles after almost 12 months. Generally pleased and do not expect to outgrow this vehicle. 1. Wet (not leaking) fitting from engine block to oil cooler line. 2. Wetness/film on outside of brake fluid reservoir (suspect cap gasket) 3. Water in right rear tail-light assembly (being replaced). 4. "rum, rum, rum, rum" sound at slow speeds (3-4 mph). 5. Run A/C. Shut off vehicle 15 minutes. Restart then hear a growling noise for a few minutes. 6. Plastic tabs to hold seatbelt tips break off. 7. Sometimes double click of remote door lock opener doesn't work. 8. Parking break can be pressed to touch the floor (being adjusted) See post elsewhere for gas mileage history. |
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