some questions about 2001 G3500 Van (to be used for towing)

Yay!Gurrr

Yay!Gurrr

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After I typed out my long winded post, i realized my question wasn't obvious....

Are there any thing I should be aware of or double check when looking at a 2000-2003 G3500 Express Vans ?

Note: I don't want to drop the coin to get into later years with the 6.0L, so it will be the base 5.7L/4L80e package.


Long winded story.... After the talking my wifes ear off about the how great a larger new camper would be and how I need a new larger camper project (thanks for posting your project pics :D) and my constant complaining about the endless list of shit my tow rig needs. (My truck is a very high mileage rig w. 376k and while its got a ton of new parts it needs more... I had mentioned van as a tow rig on/off for some time but the wife just didn't understand until she saw the Price-Palace at Harlan. She saw how roomy it was inside etc.. We've also talked about some separate camping only type trips, where i was planning to make a trailer to haul just the camper. Etc...... So back to the van plan... no project, toss mattress in back and hang A/C on the back, go camping.. :D

Anything to look out for?

And yes the camper and truck will be be up forsale...I need to see what the betting pool is upto first :flipoff2:
 
Most will have the "R" engine in them, ( there are a few 454 and 8100s ) service type stuff mostly.

Take an inspection mirror with you, look behind the AC compressor where the head and intake meet, looking for wet,area, an obvious ( and quite normal) coolant leak point.

They have dizzy issues, usually eating the housing and trashing the cam sensor (under the rotor) new dizzy is chaep and easy fix, ask about service records, when fuel pump/filter was done ( a pain to do when it dies and the tank is full ) fuel filter is easy.

Power steering pump, there was a recall, these vans have hydro boost power brake assist, the pump shaft will snap and you loose power steering AND power braking, not good when you are in traffic ( a .8 hr fix if you have the right tools, I got good at doing them under recall times 1.1hrs)

These vans are kinda tough on front brakes too, so good pads is a must.

all the other usual stuff, tune up's and stuff ( definately use AC DELCO IGNITION parts, after market dizzy caps will give you fits ( frequent crossfiring INTERNALLY)

Not too tough to work on, some that have been ridden hard will have cracked exhaust manifolds, that is a PITA to do, as they will most likely break a bolt off in the head too.

If you can find a passnger van, many of those had rear AC in them as well.
 
oh, and you'll want to end your search at 2002, the '03s were the next body style.

and there were also diesel versions available until '02 as well ( 6.5TD )
 
Thanks kev, I'll be definitely be looking at the 5.7Ls, It will tow my stuff (minus camper) np..

I looked at one today, guy wanted more than I was willing to pay. It had some cosmetic issues (nothing major typical work van shit...) and some body damage on the passenger rear side (not very noticeable but there)

Van had 118k and best guess nothing had been done or changed on it. But with my 5k/year ish use I should be able to put 2-3years, on it with out much issue..

Very familiar with the front brake issues (brothers bus would chew them up). From looking at it, it was typical van, work from bottom, dog house, or pull front off..

This one had a metal divider and door, and some shelfs on both sides in the back.. Also had tow package and 7prong plug.

Is that leak location easier seen with the dog house off ? I don't have a problem having pulling it if it helps ensure a good engine..
 
Why the hell did you not just buy this from me a few weeks ago? DIESEL, not some underpowerd piece of gas:flipoff2: Could have beed riding around on wvo or wmo.

If you're gonna mess around with a van, get a sprinter.


100_4318.jpg
 
Sprinter doesn't have enough ass to pull a larger trailer, hell it's barely got enough ass to pull itself when loaded ( my 3500 dually Sprinter stays loaded at about 9500LB regularly, but it gets 19mpg doing it !! :flipoff2: )

and repair costs are fawkin crazy !!
 
Blkvoodoo said:
Sprinter doesn't have enough ass to pull a larger trailer, hell it's barely got enough ass to pull itself when loaded ( my 3500 dually Sprinter stays loaded at about 9500LB regularly, but it gets 19mpg doing it !! :flipoff2: )

and repair costs are fawkin crazy !!
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OK, go buy some lotto tickets and get a d-max or p-stroke van.:driver:
 
while I agree that a gas van isn't exactly a power house for pulling, I think the goal here is ease of maint and repair.

Dmax vans have only been out for about 2 years, the PSD vans are out there but get a premium or have been ragged out beyond any reasonable expectation of economical use.

the G2500-3500 vans are actually pretty reliable, most problems are easily repaired.

Ford Gas vans, well, from my experiance as a fleet user, they have more issues and are harder to repair. ( 5.4L tritons puking spark plugs require engine removal to repair, and it's a fairly common problem ) not to mention the TTB front suspension desire to eat tire edge tread, which no amount of alignment will totally cure.

Also, as for the Sprinters, even the 3500 dually vans only have a 5000lb tow rating, and they are unibody. I've recently replace the winshield in my van and it has already cracked from top to bottom due to body/chassis flex ( when it was put on a lift for service ) windshield lasted 3 weeks before it was broken.
 
well shit.... thats a great idea, sell one high mileage work vehicle and buy another..... Oh but its diesel !!! so its will last forever !! AND ill get to enjoy $4.50/gal fill ups just to tow at a little faster pace... I think all you girly boys need to stop driving your sissy 1tons and step up in to a MDT 25k GVRW is where its at !!!
 
BIGWOODY said:
You had any leaking injector problems yet? Holy cow they are a royal pain to replace the seals.
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not yet..... only 49k on it at this time.

did the brakes at 45k, and managed to frag the master cyl, though I think it was on it's way long before, the pedal never really felt ' Confidence Inspiring ' usually did the double pump and all was well. a week down and about $700 later it was on the road ( dealer repair)

Mine is one of the newest in the fleet being an '06, was also one of the last bought, mostly because service and repairs are so fawkin expensive. we have a few that have over 200k, but none have the original engine in them ( cam gear fragged just over 100k )

It's saving grace is that it DOES get good fuel mileage, but now that it costs over $100 to fill it up, I have to be even more light on the pedal.

The company has been buying Chevy G3500s as of late.

I like the Sprinter, as it has the high roof and dual wheels, and an ass load of room in the back, I'm 6'5" and can stand up in it, so there is a work bench in the back as well.

I wouldn't buy one for myself as a personal vehicle though.
 
yager said:
well shit.... thats a great idea, sell one high mileage work vehicle and buy another..... Oh but its diesel !!! so its will last forever !! AND ill get to enjoy $4.50/gal fill ups just to tow at a little faster pace... I think all you girly boys need to stop driving your sissy 1tons and step up in to a MDT 25k GVRW is where its at !!!
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Math is your friend. 15 mpg vs 20 mpg or 8 mpg towing vs 15 mpg towing:flipoff2:
 
yager said:
well shit.... thats a great idea, sell one high mileage work vehicle and buy another..... Oh but its diesel !!! so its will last forever !! AND ill get to enjoy $4.50/gal fill ups just to tow at a little faster pace... I think all you girly boys need to stop driving your sissy 1tons and step up in to a MDT 25k GVRW is where its at !!!
Click to expand...

JT's got 460,000 miles on one of his 98 Dodge 12v engines. The last 70,000 miles have been burning WVO.

I use to be a pro-gas engine guy, but have now been converted. The fuel costs 20% more, but you get 30-50% better mileage.
 
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