Express vs econoline extended

[Brawwp]

Looking for advice on a Moto/camper daily driver. Really was set on an extended econoline, but I’m finding better deals on the extended express in my area.

I will be lifting the van. It looks like the express may be a tad longer. Does anyone know if it will still fit fine in a regular parking spot?

Would love to hear from anyone who has driven both. Want to know how bad the turning radius on the express is too. I like the look of the econoline more, but I’ve seen some lifted express vans that look fine.

[86Scotty]

It will fit if you can get it there. When I drove vans everyday for a delivery fleet we always had lots of rentals while our regular ones were in the shop so I drove everything. The LWB Express vans almost always had big dents just forward of the rear wheels where people turned in too sharp and hit cars, poles, walls, you name it. I never got very comfortable with LWB Chevys. Fords make no difference as the wheel base on both length vans is the same, you just have to remember the arse sticks out a couple more feet.

These days I wouldn't drive anything without a rear camera though. They are so cheap and the wireless ones have supposedly gotten good and cheap so it's a no brainer.

For a daily, man, I would not really want a LWB Chevy. Have you compared it's wheelbase to a lot of other popular trucks you see people driving? I haven't but I'm curious.

[deserteagle56]

The problem with the lwb Express vans is the breakover angle. Any kind of a hump in the road/trail and the rig is high centered. Found out the hard way when I took my long bed crew cab Dodge pickup off highway and ended up with the transfer case and running boards down in the dirt. Not a problem with my Econoline.

None of this matters if all you will be driving is paved roads.

[b. rock]

https://www.quigley4x4.com/gm-turning-diameter/

They used to list it for the e-series but I'm not seeing it. Stock is around 42' IIRC. Sportsmobile lists theirs at 39'.

FWIW a crew cab super duty is about 160" wheelbase. So just depends on what you're used to driving.

[geoffff]

Originally Posted by b. rock

Sportsmobile lists theirs at 39'.

Sportsmobile used to list it as 39' - for many years - until someone realized it was actually 49' :0 See the specs they show for the Classic these days.

[campism]

Long Express = breakover angle, because of the long wheelbase.

Long Econoline (or Dodge) = departure angle, because of the extended body.

Choose your poison.

[wander]

Originally Posted by campism

Long Express = breakover angle, because of the long wheelbase.

Long Econoline (or Dodge) = departure angle, because of the extended body.

Choose your poison.

Good point. I have an extended econoline and always joke that my departure is about 2 degrees.

[karma]

I have owned both, the ride and interior trim is better in GM vans.

[Brawwp]

Originally Posted by karma

I have owned both, the ride and interior trim is better in GM vans.

Did you own both extended styles? Did you notice a big difference in the turning radius and ease of parking?

[Brawwp]

Originally Posted by deserteagle56

The problem with the lwb Express vans is the breakover angle. Any kind of a hump in the road/trail and the rig is high centered. Found out the hard way when I took my long bed crew cab Dodge pickup off highway and ended up with the transfer case and running boards down in the dirt. Not a problem with my Econoline.

None of this matters if all you will be driving is paved roads.

I’ll be lifting it (which ever I decide on), so hoping that’ll help some. I’m not going to be hardcore off-roading it, but will be taking it down some trails and stuff when going mountain biking or riding dirtbikes.