Gmc Savana Van

[rraiderr]

I am looking for a 4 wheel drive van that I can use as a daily driver and also put my motorcycle and race gear in the back of for racing use.

I need 4 wheel drive and needs to be on the 30K range new from the dealer.

I see the gmc savana has all this but was wondering if it is a solid vehicle or will it fall apart and have engine and tranny issues when it hits 100000 miles.

This was the only standard height 4 wheel drive van I could find offered new from the dealer. are there any others?

Thanks

 

[SteveSRT8]

We have owned many Savana and Express vans. But we never buy AWD models.

In our fleet they have routinely run to very high mileages with little repairs. Our best one was just sold with half a million miles and it didn't smoke, drip, or use any oil between services.

 

[dishdude]

We have a bunch of Express and Savana vans in our fleet at my company, and they are great. We have a mix of 1500s and 2500s, V6s and V8s and the powertrain on them is extremely reliable. We usually start a replacement request around 200k because at that point the body is usually rough from being used as a service vehicle.

We are good about making sure they swing into a Jiffy Lube every 5k, but other than that they don't see much care or maintenance.

We don't buy AWD models either so I can't comment on those.

 

[NHGUY]

Get a 1978 Ford "Quadravan",an aftermarket conversion company out of California did those.Still quite a few left.460 engine,C6...it would last forever.

 

[rraiderr]

Thanks guys.

 

[01rangerxl]

As far as OEM full size vans with some form of AWD/4WD, the 1500 series GMs are it. It should be reliable though, it's the same components they use in full size trucks.

Ford vans, 3/4 ton and larger GM vans, and Nissan vans are pretty much all converted by Quigley 4x4, and maybe a couple of other companies. Quigley vans are reliable though and built with heavy duty parts. They use a lot of OEM components and their conversions are well done. They've been building 4WD vans for something like 40 years now.

Their Nissan conversion is available with a lower ride height since it is coil over IFS...
http://www.quigley4x4.com/Gallery/NissanProducts/NissanProductPhotos.aspx

The Ford vans sit up high because they have a solid front axle, I think a Dana 50.