I had no idea these existed. Now I'm wondering how hard it would be to put an actual 4x4 system under one. I know 4x4 van conversions are nothing new, but I started really liking the idea of a fishing/camping rig that could get out onto the beaches here while carrying everything needed.
Yep, they do exist. Last I looked, 1500 only.
i know you can get the baby duramax in them now
Also Just give U-Joint offroad a call they are over here on the other side of the state from you. but they make thesehttp://www.ujointoffroad.com/ujor4x4vanbuilds.html
they were offered in 1500 and 2500 (only 1 year), gas and diesel. They are seen quite often. 4x4s aren't made anymore.
What do you mean 'actual' 4x4 system? They are pretty robust as is. They would be fine on the beach in stock form, and I have seen a few on the OBX.
Expeditionportal.com has a good bit of info about them.
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/137390-GM-fullsize-AWD-Van-Info-thread
These interest me, thanks for the info.
onemanarmy wrote: they were offered in 1500 and 2500 (only 1 year), gas and diesel. They are seen quite often. 4x4s aren't made anymore. What do you mean 'actual' 4x4 system? They are pretty robust as is. They would be fine on the beach in stock form, and I have seen a few on the OBX. Expeditionportal.com has a good bit of info about them. http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/137390-GM-fullsize-AWD-Van-Info-thread
The link you posted says gas only. That is what I have seen as well. I considered a diesel van converted to 4x4, but ultimately went with a Suburban 2500 that I will convert to diesel myself.
As said, they stopped making the awd vans a few years ago and the owners seem to be very proud of them.
Not offered with a low gear on the transfer case, that may be the real 4wd being refered to..
They are high on my want list.
It's a Chevy, proper 4x4 might be as simple as bolting in the transfer case from a period full size pickup and bodging in a shifter.
I worked on the stability control system on these vans for 2008-2010 model years. In that timeframe, AWD was 1500-only and gas-only.
onemanarmy wrote: What do you mean 'actual' 4x4 system? They are pretty robust as is. They would be fine on the beach in stock form, and I have seen a few on the OBX.
I just did a light bit of research on them and saw that they have a viscous center diff, no low range and limited ground clearance. If I was going to modify one, I'd want to address at least the center diff and suspension issue.
camaroz1985 wrote:onemanarmy wrote: they were offered in 1500 and 2500 (only 1 year), gas and diesel. They are seen quite often. 4x4s aren't made anymore. What do you mean 'actual' 4x4 system? They are pretty robust as is. They would be fine on the beach in stock form, and I have seen a few on the OBX. Expeditionportal.com has a good bit of info about them. http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/137390-GM-fullsize-AWD-Van-Info-threadThe link you posted says gas only. That is what I have seen as well. I considered a diesel van converted to 4x4, but ultimately went with a Suburban 2500 that I will convert to diesel myself.
Yep...was thinking of the Express being offered with the diesel, but didn't make the distinction of just being offered on the 2wd versions.
AWD Express = Gas only
Brett_Murphy wrote: I had no idea these existed. Now I'm wondering how hard it would be to put an actual 4x4 system under one. I know 4x4 van conversions are nothing new, but I started really liking the idea of a fishing/camping rig that could get out onto the beaches here while carrying everything needed.
There's a build thread on here for one of these. Sadly I neither remember his username, or real name, despite the fact I bought his old cargo divider for the Express I had at the time. He's from the Springfield, IL area and I believe is friends with BillyBottlecaps on here, so it might be worth tracking down the build for you.
In reply to MrChaos:
only problem is that they are all fords...
Brett_Murphy wrote: I had no idea these existed. Now I'm wondering how hard it would be to put an actual 4x4 system under one. I know 4x4 van conversions are nothing new, but I started really liking the idea of a fishing/camping rig that could get out onto the beaches here while carrying everything needed.
Change out the transfer case to a K1500 unit. I'm 90% certain that the driveshaft runs on the left like a pickup.
These were pretty common when they were new. A lot more labor intensive to do basic maintenance on relative to a rear driver, although not as bad as AWD Astro vs. RWD Astro.
I saw a right hand drive Chevy Express today. Rural mail delivery. Didn't know those existed.
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