New Express Vans

CMNTMXR81 · June 8, 2002

Left side access doors.

From the side it kinda looks dorky but from the front it looks mean!!

antig24 · June 8, 2002

any pics?

chevy4x4trucks · June 9, 2002

I just got the new issue of truck trend the other day and saw them. Looks pretty sweet, the motor options are 4.3l V6, and the 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 V8's. The chevy has the tracker/avy/new silverado front end style, and the GMC front end looks similar to that of the new Sierra. The article talked about a longer front end to make them safer in crashes, nicer interior w/ features like the satellite radio and on-star, and as Lane mentioned: Left-Side access doors, AWD option, etc...

I'd scan some pics, but I don't have a scanner. The chevy is on the cover of the new issue of truck trend, I'd recommend picking up a copy.

CMNTMXR81 · June 10, 2002

If I get time tonight, I'll see if I can scan some.

CMNTMXR81 · June 10, 2002

Oh, and I was surprised that even in 3500 trim, the DuraMax and 8.1 are not options, at least not yet.

BrokenBoots · June 13, 2002

Thanks for the info guys. I'll look for the magazine.

GMMediumDutyMQ · June 26, 2002

Don't hold your breath for that 8.1 or the 6.6DMAX diesel.

Even while GM did enlarge that front snout for more room under the hood, they also allotted the GEN 3 V8 in the lineup, giving comparable performance, and greater service convenience and economy at the same time.

Have you ever looked under the hood of a current model G-Van with a 454 or even a 350 under it? You'd be lucky if you could see the engine, let alone access any service points on it.

Although that was better than the previous generation of G-Vans. My grandfather has a 1990 conversion G-Van, and in order to just change an air cleaner, we had to have one man under the car, one man above, to remove the passenger seat, then remove console trim, wiring harnesses, insulation, and finally, access the rear of the engine, and barely fit the proper size air cleaner on. Trying to do so from the hood results in a smashed air filter, cutting performance and economy, as the local gas station attendant soon showed us one day.

Serviceablity on G-Vans has NEVER been a strong point, let alone a point to even mention, and so, with the 2003 iteration, GM is hoping to change this record.

And honestly, how many diesel G-Vans had GM sold in the past? The answer, even to commercial clients, not very many. It wasnt a profitable game in the past, and that scares management away from future trials.

In the end, the result is, these engines are fine for what they are being used in. Who knows what we'll see, but most likely, they wont change.

MQ