- #8 of 38
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Re: Chevy Express/GMC Savana Owners: Meet the Members [claires]
by doitright
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Aug 03, 2008 (8:43 am)
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Replying to: claires (Oct 27, 2006 5:05 pm)
Hi Everyone 
My name is John. I'm located in Round Lake (northern IL). I have owned many Chevy's including 87 Beauville & 91 Extended 15 passenger Beauville Vans. Currently I have a 2003 3500 Express Access van. These have all been used as work vehicles. I love the access package!
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- #9 of 38
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express 4x4 conversion
by jgarnaas
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Aug 03, 2008 (4:40 pm)
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would like to convert my 4x2 express g25000 to all wheel drive.i dont see any problem with changing the stock front axle to a front drive axle.anyone have any info or tips or has done the conversion on this type of van?i know the 1500 is offered in AWD but does anyone have a 2500/3500 with AWD?
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- #10 of 38
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Re: Chevy Express/GMC Savana Owners: Meet the Members [doitright]
by jgarnaas
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Aug 03, 2008 (4:42 pm)
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Replying to: doitright (Aug 03, 2008 8:43 am)
just received my GM factory service manuals (100 bucks) chock full of all kinds of info.
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- #11 of 38
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Re: express 4x4 conversion [jgarnaas]
by newsie23
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Aug 05, 2008 (4:30 am)
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Replying to: jgarnaas (Aug 03, 2008 4:40 pm)
The H van, I believe, uses the Astro van AWD and is 'light duty'. I suggest you investigate the Quigley4x4 system, before you proceed. There was a H2500 AWD cargo van offered, with a GVW weight limit slightly above the H1500 My 03 is a 'super venicle', especially with MT treaded tires. My only complaint is the non-folding 'park bench seats'!
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- #12 of 38
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Re: express 4x4 conversion [newsie23]
by jgarnaas
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Aug 05, 2008 (9:38 pm)
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Replying to: newsie23 (Aug 05, 2008 4:30 am)
Thanks for the info.yes ive looked into quigley but they only convert new vans from the factory.They dont do conversions on older vehicles.quigley has an independent front suspension on their front drive axle wich keeps the curb height of vehicle nearly the same as stock.if a dana strait front drive axle is used it has leaf springs under it wich raises the curb height of the van about a foot.as far as i know,quigley is the only company doing a custom IFS front drive axle.Do you know if the astro van AWD uses a dana 44 or 60 front drive axle on the h 1500 model?also what are the MT treaded tires that you are using?My van is an express cargo 2500 that only has 2 captains seats in the cab and open rear area.Im slowly doing a conversion of the rear area to make the van a sport/industrial dual purpose vehicle.
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- #13 of 38
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Re: New Owner [newsie23]
by jgarnaas
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Aug 05, 2008 (9:46 pm)
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Replying to: newsie23 (Dec 04, 2007 1:59 pm)
is your o3 express a g1500 with AWD and do you know if you have IFS or a straight front axle on leaf springs on your particular model of vehicle?
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- #14 of 38
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Re: New Owner [jgarnaas]
by newsie23
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Aug 06, 2008 (5:17 am)
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Replying to: jgarnaas (Aug 05, 2008 9:46 pm)
My 03 is a H1500 - with torson bar suspension and AWD. The G1500 uses A -arm suspension and 2 wheel drive - similar to GM pickups, and ??likely the Quigley setup. Don't know, - but the front axle is more likely American Axle, not Dana (more often a Ford, not GM supplier). My MT treaded tires are Wrangler SA, (Silent Armor) - see on Tire Rack how these are better liked, than regular, old Wrangler tires! I have used MT tires for their winter tread pattern, that can be used in the summer (without excessive wear) and not having alternate tires on rims. Also, I have been trying to confirm if 01 - 02, LT model, mid row bucket seats would fit the 03 and later, seat brackets. I would like to carry drywall, plywood, etc., on edge, between the seats. The 'park' non folding, bench seats are a $%^&pain! I have installed tracks and Seat Belts (ala 'short 12 passenger versions) so that I can carry plywood on the seat backs in rows 2 and 4 ($%^&*the shoulder belt hump). The folding seats in my (old) Aerostar, worked better, for my needs.
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- #15 of 38
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Re: New Owner [newsie23]
by jgarnaas
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Aug 06, 2008 (9:07 am)
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Replying to: newsie23 (Aug 06, 2008 5:17 am)
I can look in my factory service manuals to see if the seats your looking for would fit your vehicle.give me some time to look into it..From 96 on when the new chevy chassis was introduced there has been little change in many aspects of the vehicle.In 2004 the stabilitrac was introduced into the vehicle.Glad i just happened to buy a used o4.Im still learning the variouse vehicle model codes such as h and g versions and name differences such as express/savanna etc.I know the frame and engine setup of the 04 express is the same as the 2500 silverado pick up.been very happy with my express van with no problems so far.Also like being in a 6000 pound tank in case im ever hit!
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- #16 of 38
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Re: New Owner [jgarnaas]
by jgarnaas
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Aug 06, 2008 (6:03 pm)
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Replying to: jgarnaas (Aug 06, 2008 9:07 am)
The only thing i see in the 04 manual regarding rear bench seats on 12 and 15 passenger vans is about the seat track replacement and floor rails.These mount to underside of vehicle with bolts and nuts and the vehicle has to be jacked up and heat sheilds removed to access bolts in order to remove or replace the floor rails that the seat "risers"mount to.The risers are the metal brackets that the bench seats themselves mount to.Whether you can change the position of the floor rails to accomomdate different seats from a different van i dont really know but anything is possible as long as safety is kept in mind.Customizers change seats all the time with the mounting rails and risers.
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- #17 of 38
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Re: New Owner [newsie23]
by jgarnaas
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Aug 07, 2008 (12:44 am)
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Replying to: newsie23 (Aug 06, 2008 5:17 am)
Came across some posts that discussed adding seats to the express cargo and they said they had no problem adding seats and belts.one person bolted his all the way through the frame with long bolts.not sure if that is required.Track placement could be made anywhere even if you had to beef it up with 1/2 inch steel plates on the underside of the floor and use grade 8 bolts.a person would be "ejected" out of the vehicle if the seat belt broke before that beefed up seat would ever come loose.I might consider adding a captains chair to the back of my express when i get done with the finishing of the rear cargo area.Im going to line the interior with tongue and groove cedar on the walls and ceiling.I have no windows in the rear.The floor is carpeted with commercial hotel carpet with a low pile so its easy to keep clean.I have a second optima battey back there wired off a battery isolator from the alternator and a 2500 watt inverter as well as a thermoelectric wine refridgerator,blue led lighting and want to place a 26 inch lcd tv running off the in dash multimedia system.Outside ive installed a surco stainless steel ladder and roofrack with 7 inch offroad lights.Next is a roofmount low profile ac unit and solar panel to keep engine battery topped off.Have i gone too far yet?
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