Chevrolet Express

[johny]

Hello everyone!

I have been looking for a used cargo van for a couple of month now,i dont want a brand new one, also dont want to buy a truck.
I have found 98 Chevy express 2500 with 40k miles for $9900+tax,clean title,lease trad in.Only problem it has V6 4.3 liter engine.Would that be a problem when towing??My trailer is not heavy,total weight is 1200 lbs,i never pull more than 25 gal of water.What do you all think??I would keep looking but man,its really hard to find one,i have looked everywhere for a good deal .
The only other i found was also 98 express,V8 ,rebuilt transmission,115 k miles ,ladder racks,divider and shelves,the other one dont have all this.Price $10200+tax.Nice looking van,right what i need ,but high miles.What should i choose between in this case??I can always add the extras but cant take off them miles.
Please give me some input on this
Thanks a lot
Johny

 

[P Austin]

Make shure you get what ever vehicle checked out by a good mechanic prior to buying. I just bought a 1990 chevy pickup with the 4.3 L engine with 178000 miles on it. This truck has been great so far. Granted, I bought the truck from a friend who is a mechanic. Speaking of which, That same person who I bought the truck from has another chevy pickup (S10 version) with a 4.3 L Vortec. He loves his truck with that engine -- pleanty of power even at 150000 plus miles on it (still strong). I would not be too afraid of the higher miles now a days, but you should have the vehicle checked out for excess wear and tear. By the way, a 4.3 fuel injected engin and a 4.3 vortec fuel injected engin are two difrent engins. the vortec is a stronger/better engin Just my two cents worth.

Good Luck

Paul Austin (knp Wash It)

 

[ron]

RON P

It will be OK i would put a tranny cooler on it and maybe a add-a-leaf to the rear spring pack
change oil every 2500 not every 3000
easy cheap stuff that will make it last longer
if you were in PA i would say you need the v-8 lots of big hills
gas prices will save you the extra work you need to do on it in a years time.

 

[johny]

Thanks guys,i will check it out good!

Johny

 

[Mike Hughes]

Johny,

I think the V6 would be ok for your trailer, however, what if you decide to upgrade?? Then you'd be screwed. That's my only concern.

 

[Clean County]

I would plan for the future and get a V8 engine If I was going to tow a trailer. I bought a diesel engine pickup truck a few years ago because I was towing a trailer and thought I might be carrying water one day. today I have a 465 gal. water tank in the bed of that truck and sometimes fill it to capacity which means about 4000lbs added.

If you are sure that you will never pull more then a 25 gal. water tank then the V6 should do the job. If you can get the GVWR on each vehicle then do the math so you can know for sure how much weight you can carry and tow for each vehicle.

 

[Jon Fife]

Johny,

Long time, no talk!! How are you doing??

Hey man, white cargo vans are probably the easiest vehicle to buy in a truck trader. Go down closer to ATL or let me know and i'll look here in Nashville, you'll find 20 to choose from. There is a car lot here in Nash. that probably has 50. I would not get the v-6, i'd go for the v-8 cargo van, 3/4 ton. If in a year of two you add another machine and get a bigger trailer, then the van you have will still pull it. These vans are cheap, you can find several in the $1500-4500 range. It is always better to over-buy when it comes to size and power. It's a lot easier to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

Good luck, let me know if you want me to scan the papers here in Nashville.

jon

 

[johny]

Hi Jon,

Thanks for your reply.I am back to business ,doing well,but had a bad day today,had to stain a fence by hand,was too windy to spray.
I really dont have much choice around here,i have looked everywhere.I testdrove this van today .It is pulling on the right side,left tire worn out,right tire still good.
I figure it has been hit.I found some black paint near door hinges and some white paint under left front fender.What does it tell me-ithas been painted.I had them raise it put but didnt find no sighns of frame damadge or weld marks.I know it hasnt been totalled ,maybe just need alignment,i am tired of car shopping.
Jon , if you dont care look in your paper and see if any dealers are on the net,i would really appreaciate it.
Thanks ,Johny