|
|
09-19-2019, 10:34 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
|
What do you think? Chevy Express 1500 AWD
Hey Everyone,
I just got back from a 5 month fishing season and my search continues. This Express just came on the market with a new heavy duty transmission. He is the second owner. I want to be able to tow a snowmobile trailer weighing around 2500 pounds. I don't care about making 60 over mountain passes. Also should be noted I dont intend to do off grid desert camping, no rock crawling needed. I will be using this for a handful of trips up to Whistler area with a 2 place snowmobile trailer each year. My wife will use it for camping with the kids. Don't mind dealing with some of the deferred maintenance(u-joints, ball joints, etc.)
Im in a rush because I owe my wife 5 months of child care and I have a monkey on my back.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/r...980265018.html
|
|
|
09-19-2019, 10:42 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Posts: 586
|
Did I miss the engine size? I'd say as long as it's a 5.3, it looks good to me. The 4.8 might still do the job for you, but wouldn't have much oomph to spare.
Definitely needs new tires, but he was upfront about that.
|
|
|
09-19-2019, 11:15 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 2,554
|
If you need something to jump in and go, seems like a good option. The ad doesnt mention a roof top ac, but it looks like it may have one?
__________________
2005 E350 Chateau - V10 - Agile Offroad 4x4
2012 CTS-V Wagon - For the baby...
|
|
|
09-19-2019, 11:31 AM
|
#4
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLetterJ
Did I miss the engine size? I'd say as long as it's a 5.3, it looks good to me. The 4.8 might still do the job for you, but wouldn't have much oomph to spare.
Definitely needs new tires, but he was upfront about that.
|
Yes it is the 5.3. Any thoughts on the AWD reliability of this vintage Express?
|
|
|
09-19-2019, 12:06 PM
|
#5
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 40
|
You need my 6.0 gas! Still 16 months left on the warranty! You can use it for ten years and still have a 70k plus vehicle with no problems.
|
|
|
09-19-2019, 01:41 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Posts: 586
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnowridingLongliner
Yes it is the 5.3. Any thoughts on the AWD reliability of this vintage Express?
|
As far as I know, those use a 10 bolt rear axle (as found in a 1/2 ton pickup) and the 7.2" ifs front diff (as found in the S10's and awd Astro's.) I'm honestly not a fan of either of those diff's, but with open differentials at the front, center (transfercase) and rear, and small-ish tires, they should do the job just fine for your intended light towing and snow travel.
If your goal was to lift it, put bigger tires on, and/or install a locking/2speed transfer case, use it on actual 4x4 trails (not just forest roads), or do heavier towing, I'd really give it a 2nd thought and consider something with a more robust 4x4 system. I guess what I'm saying is to be realistic with what a 1/2 ton's (that's already heavier than a 1/2 ton truck, AND has a smaller front diff) limitations are before diving in.
|
|
|
09-20-2019, 08:25 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLetterJ
If your goal was to lift it, put bigger tires on, and/or install a locking/2speed transfer case, use it on actual 4x4 trails (not just forest roads), or do heavier towing, I'd really give it a 2nd thought and consider something with a more robust 4x4 system. I guess what I'm saying is to be realistic with what a 1/2 ton's (that's already heavier than a 1/2 ton truck, AND has a smaller front diff) limitations are before diving in.
|
Yup. It's overall generally reliable, other than the Transfer case. There's a few issues here. It has a fluid coupling to engage the clutch plates. The clutch plates eventually wear if a lot of wheel spin is encountered. The planetary section uses serviceable fluid, but I'm not sure most owners know that, so it often doesn't get changed until the T-case starts howling, at which point it's too late. Also it has the light-duty 4L60 transmission, so towing much will shorten it's life.
It is a half-ton, so I'd skip any tire up-sizing, and beware your wight limitations. It's likely close to GVWR as it sits.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
|
|
|
09-29-2019, 08:07 PM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 50
|
I bought a used 2002 Express 2wd with 70K miles on it. It now has about 140K miles on it. A lot of it was towing a boat or a travel trailer. Only repairs has been leaking intake gasket, new alternator, brakes and shocks. It has a 5.0L V8 with automatic trans. Right after I bought it, I had a deep aluminum sump trans pan installed with an additional external cooler in front of the radiator along with a trans temperature gauge. Earlier this year I had a 2 inch leveling lift installed on the front end and a little later a Positraction unit installed in the 10 bolt rear axle. I pull a 4500 pound travel trailer with it with no problems up steep grades with AC on.
Next upgrade this month is a front hitch.
As with anything used, it's always buyer beware. As long as you can live with that, it's cool.
From what I heard and read, all wheel drive as opposed to four wheel drive, requires that all four tires be replaced at the same time. Again, it's just something I heard.
|
|
|
09-29-2019, 11:11 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,128
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by newoldguy
I bought a used 2002 Express 2wd with 70K miles on it. It now has about 140K miles on it. A lot of it was towing a boat or a travel trailer. Only repairs has been leaking intake gasket, new alternator, brakes and shocks. It has a 5.0L V8 with automatic trans. Right after I bought it, I had a deep aluminum sump trans pan installed with an additional external cooler in front of the radiator along with a trans temperature gauge. Earlier this year I had a 2 inch leveling lift installed on the front end and a little later a Positraction unit installed in the 10 inch rear axle. I pull a 4500 pound travel trailer with it with no problems up steep grades with AC on.
Next upgrade this month is a front hitch.
As with anything used, it's always buyer beware. As long as you can live with
that, it's cool.
From what I heard and read, all wheel drive as opposed to four wheel drive, requires that all four tires be replaced at the same time. Again, it's just something I heard.
|
Probably 5.3L v8? I don’t think GM made a 5.0, at least not any time recently.
__________________
2015 Chevy Express 3500 Duramax
w/ Quigley 4x4 & Agile Fox shocks
Sold 2005 E350 Chateau
Quigley with Agile RIP, 6.0 PSD
|
|
|
09-30-2019, 06:19 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhitH
Probably 5.3L v8? I don’t think GM made a 5.0, at least not any time recently.
|
The old TBI motors (5.0, 5.7, 8.1L) were used through the 2002 model year. The 2003 refresh was the first year of the Vortec motors (4.8/5.3/6.0) in the Express.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|