Did you know this? Express diesel?

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/07/2017 at 08:00 • Filed to: None

I had no idea but the chevy express can be had with both:

Sealed beam headlights

a 2.8 liter duramax and an 8 speed transmission.

I guess early this year Chevy secretly snuck an 8 speed and the Colorado’s 2.8 duramax in there.

I mean, 181 hp is asking a lot for a can that can cart 15 people and tow 6200 lbs but what a neat option. I want to get one to quigly stat! They are even super affordable compared to other diesel vans.

Did I mention it can be had with cheap options for double:

A/C

Heat

Battery

Seriously, dual circuit A/C (front and rear), a separate fuel heater for aux heat and a dual isolated battery system. Its like a home on the road ready to go!

AND you can get it with a locker in the rear? Seriously, this is a fiberglass high roof, meaty tires and an interior outfitting shy of some serious vanlife.

Granted you can still get the 6.6 duramax and Alison from quigly if you need max van, but this little engine seems perfect. You can also get the 4.3 vortec V6 instead of the 4.8 V8. Don’t feel bad the V6 is just as powerful but more fuel efficient.

I know its as old as dirt and the interior is hilarious bad.

That exhaust pipe and cooperate 14 bolt look really great on that shape.

DISCUSSION (27)

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 08:09

I did not know that! Heading to Chevy.com now ...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 08:10

I wonder how it’ll compare in MPGs to the 2.3l Sprinter. It does have more power than the Sprinter.

random001 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 08:39

HFP, I wish to discuss overland vehicles with you at some point. In depth.

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 08:50

$42 G’s for a heck of a family camping hauler ain’t too bad. I’m sad that they took blue and green off the color options, so I had to make mine red. I would seriously consider purchasing this. Especially if you could throw some Gale Banks magic at it for more power.

It’s amazing how ala cart van options are. Even a dual note horn was an extra $15. Unfortunately it wouldn’t let me select dual batteries with the Duramax.

Kinja'd!!!

TheRealBicycleBuck > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 08:56

Now Chevy is wondering about the uptick in interest in their oldest van....

Ssfancyfresh > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 08:57

I’m surprised the exhaust goes straight out the back. Don’t they typically dump out just behind the rear tire to avoid burning the legs of people loading cargo? I wonder if this is a byproduct of the Diesel engine selection.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 09:00

Sneaky sneaky - I had no idea!

BahamaTodd > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 09:05

Both the 4.3 V6 and 6.6 Duramax have been discontinued in the Express. The 4.3 was dropped back when the 1500 was dropped. Only 2500 and 3500 available now.

190hp doesn’t sound like much but then remember that the 4.3 was the last generation engine also with only 190hp. The 2.8 diesel has more torque, plus with the 8 speed it should fit its purpose pretty well.

fhrblig > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 09:09

Oh God. The 4.8 versions I have are already slow as molasses, I shudder to think how these would be.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 09:20

Express diesel? Nothing new:

Kinja'd!!!

I like being a smartass

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 10:01

I’m GMS so the numbers get a little silly, but a 2500 2WD with basically all of the towing and seating options with the sliding door and creature comfortsand Navigation (because I want a CD player and a rear-view camera) comes out to $39K.

For a slightly better equipped Transit-long with the Diesel (and Ford A-Plan) I’m at $43k.

Honestly, they’d be a toss up, the Ford has more power and is on a newer design. Both can tow 7500-8100 pounds, more than I need.

jkm7680 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 10:19

They keep the Express around because I guess they sell pretty well. They have the only true “American” van IIRC.

HammerheadFistpunch > BahamaTodd
08/07/2017 at 10:21

I didn’t know about the 6.6 but the 4.3 is a new option I hear that’s coming, not a dropped one. It’s the new one not the ancient one. The 6.6 is still an option on Quigley’s site... But probably just of info

HammerheadFistpunch > random001
08/07/2017 at 10:21

Np, hit me up here anytime

benjrblant > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 10:27

I still think I’d take a Sprinter over this. $45k gets the 6cyl diesel, and a transfer case on the 144" wheelbase low roof cargo van.

bhtooefr > jkm7680
08/07/2017 at 10:45

The full-size Nissan NV is rather American-style, too, although with a longer nose because it’s really an old Titan.

random001 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 10:52

Well, I’ve been approved of a modest budget for a first overland camping rig. I figure I’ve got 2 years before I’ll take a real trip, since my son is just now 2.5 years, so I figured by 4.5-5 we should be good. But we can do some day driving in the meantime. Given that, I’ve got time to get a less pristine rig, and take the time to work on it.

Except I also have the Crosstrek, which could be a decent overland rig to start with. I just worry about breaking our primary family vehicle through offroading and upgrading.

Anyway, say you’ve got $5000 to build up a first truck. Some flexibility on this, but overall I don’t want to go whole hog until we have a decent idea if it’s something we want to do regularly as a family, or just a passing hobby. Chances are that our first trips will be at most long weekends, so not much in the way of multi-week trips for a few years. Given that, what kind of rig should I be looking for? I’m still pretty interested in the Gen 2.5 Montero, due to looks, pretty awesome 4WD, and the possibility that I could carry the family and the in-laws around in one car when they come to visit, instead of always having to take two vehicles anywhere.

But I’m really open to other vehicles, I’m just not sure what would make one better than another. I’m not a truck/SUV guy, I don’t know much about them other than being a pretty darned good mechanic for all things car. Really, reading the internet says 4Runner, but they seems smaller on the inside. I’m about 6'4", and would appreciate the ability to bunk up inside if conditions required it. I know the monteros have fold flat front seats, which is another plus. I don’t know, what do you think?

BahamaTodd > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 10:53

Quigley is probably referring to 2017s for the 6.6. If the 4.3 is coming back its not for 2018. Would be 2019 or later. The other engines for 2018 are the 4.8 and 6.0 which are also both older generation LS motors.

Since the HD trucks also use the 6.0, my assumption would be for the older generation V8s to go away once and for all when the new HD pickups come out in about 2-3 years. I think the vans are also supposed to move to the new fullsize platform around that time also.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 10:53

Old? This chassis won’t be due for a refresh for another ten years. I mean, based on the previous generation’s 31-year run. This one’s only 21 years old!

I hope they return to the unibody chassis when they do redo it. The last gen is so much nicer to drive. I also hope they keep extending wheelbase for the longer versions, and don’t follow Ford’s “just weld it onto the back it’s cheaper and no one cares” mentality.

HammerheadFistpunch > BahamaTodd
08/07/2017 at 11:06

The 4.3 is due this year to replace the 4.8

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 11:46

They still make the Express? I thought they killed it years ago.

HammerheadFistpunch > random001
08/07/2017 at 15:26

got my computer running again so I can answer you with some details.

have you read this?

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/overland-under-budget-1993-1996-mitsubishi-montero-s-1634970536

Frankly I love them aesthetically but you should be mechanically savy to own one AND realize some parts are going to be harder to come by.

For $5000? Thats hard. I bought my 80 series for not much more but have had to invest a lot of money in it down the road.

My 2 cents would be not to stress over the details and find something you are happy working on and will be reliable for you and go from there.

random001 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 18:16

Yeah, you’re to blame for my Montero obsession. Were trying this on a budget because the Wife is not convinced that we’ll be into it enough, but if we are then we can budget more for it.

I’m well versed in rebuilding cars, and my shop is well equipped, but reliability and parts availability are concerns.

Birddog > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 19:16

I really like the way you think.

181 horsepower? That’s no worse than what they were doing in the 80s and 90s. Heck, the Vortec 7400 was 230hp and 385 ftlb. That’s frighteningly close to the output of that 2.8.

6691 zapS > HammerheadFistpunch
08/07/2017 at 19:41

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Going North on I-5 California/ Oregon the above figure is what matters.

Or up to Reno.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

random001 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/08/2017 at 08:05

So how do you feel about Troopers? Anything you know about them?

HammerheadFistpunch > random001
08/08/2017 at 10:56

They are pretty darn durable. My uncle had one for over 300k which is amazing for how they take care of things. Kids car for at least a 1/3rd of that including boat towing. It was in bad shape by the end... But it ran