Need advice about a cargo van.

[chefdennis]

OVM, yeap, curb weight is just the truck, nothing in it and no driver.

Now the major difference in a 8600 lb GVW and a 9600 GVW van is in the suspension. The driveline (engine transmission and driveshaft) are the same with the exception of the rear yoke on the driveshaft and the real u-joint. The 9600 GVW differencial is bigger snd had more load carrting capacity. The springs and all mountung "stuff, shackles bushings and all related"Stuff on the rear is different then on a 8600 lb chassic.

The front suspenstion is also bigger as i stated in the other post.

To be honest, when i sold chevy trucks we had people using the 8600 chassis for expediting. The biggest issue is you are going to wear out bushings and suspension componets faster. As to the cargo weight issue, you will about 500-800 lbs of available capacity, is that enough to limit your income? I think while you will limit how much weight you can carry, it might not be that big a deal over the long haul. how many times are cargo vans hauling 3800-4000 lb?? Sure that call will come very now and then, but its not the norm.

If i didn't have the opportunity to grab a 9600 lb van and could get a 8600lb and go to work next week, I'd probably do it, while being aware that i am limiting myself.

And I surely would NOT be adding a spring to increase what YOU think you can carry. As I said, the Company and the DOT are going to go bye that sticker on the door, not any shop work order that shows you added a bigger spring. And as I said, it ain't just the springs......

 

[Moot]

Blizz, before you buy double check the manufacturer's placard on the driver's door end for the G.V.W.R. Then weigh the van at a certified scale. Someone brought up the 8600# G.V.W.R. If what you are looking at has a 6 cylinder it probably is in the 7000# GVWR range.

I have a 2004 Chevrolet 3500 extended van and with me, full fuel tank, two 12 volt coolers, 40' of E-track, 2 aux. batteries, roof fan, composite floor, 10' chain, clothes, bed and a partridge in a pear tree I weigh in at just over 7000#. I give Panther 2500#. My point is that it doesn't take much to start bulking up. I know I should shed a few pounds and also my van.

Now, I have a GMC G-2500 8 lug 9600 GVW.

Chef, I take your above quote to be a typo. You did mean 3500, correct?

 

[chefdennis]

Yeap it should have been a 3500, thanks for catching that so that others won't be confused,I'll go back and fix it. Thanks!

 

[blizzard2014]

You are right moot, I need to have the van empty weighed. I did check online and the Savanna does come in a 2500 series with a six lug nut model. It also comes with a 6 Cylinder engine as well, for the 2003 model. Also, the G-1500 "which is the smaller van" did not come with the extended option. So, the van is most likely a G-2500, with a GVWR of, 8600 pounds. Additionally, when you take into consideration that the engine and other components weigh substancially less than that of an actual G-3500, I should still have at least 2500lbs of payload capacity out the door. At any rate, thank you guys for all the advice; I shall take it into careful consideration when I come to my final decision as to whether or not this is going to be a wise investment.

 

[Moot]

Blizz, I am looking at the 2004 Chevrolet Commercial Buyer's Guide. It is listing the GVWR for the 2500 extended at 7300# and a base payload of 2109#. This van came standard with the Vortec 4300 V-6. 200HP @4600 rpm and 260 lbs-ft torque at 2800 rpm.

 

[theoldprof]

Could the van have been wrecked and the driver's door replaced with a 3/4 ton door with the lighter weight sticker?

 

[greg334]

Could the van have been wrecked and the driver's door replaced with a 3/4 ton door with the lighter weight sticker?

I understand that these stickers are to be affixed to the member of the body, not a door. But again, the VIN tells all.

 

[Moot]

I understand that these stickers are to be affixed to the member of the body, not a door. But again, the VIN tells all.

My weight rating sticker is affixed to the end of the door. My tire rating sticker is affixed to the body (inside door frame). Maybe the harried UAW dude got mixed up.

If an extended G.M. van has a V-6 in it, it ain't a 3500. Unless of course someone pulled the original V-8 and replaced with a V-6.

Or quite possibly it is a Zionist plot to trick Goyim Sheeple into paying a Kosher tax on 5 tires and a couple of cup holders.

 

[chefdennis]

The GVW sticker is on the door, the tire rating inflation info is on the jam and on the pass door of a cargo van is a sticker that list any and all optional equipment option codes.

No 3500 is going to have a v-6, but it my have a small, i think the size is a 4.8 V-8 as the std motor.

and again, while you will be limited on capacity, you will still have a usable van as long as it is a 8600 lb chassis, I would stay away from a 7300 lb chassis all together.

 

[pellgrn]

A friend of mine bought a 05 ext Express with a 2500 emblem,only to find out after he bought it the GVW on the door says 7600 or whatever a 1500 is.The carrier had mercy on him and took it and he's hauled 2400 pounds with it,The title says 2500 the door sticker says 7600,it's almost like GM didn't have an extended wheelbase for a 1500 so they used that frame with the 1500 components.I add this as a example of GM's emblems not matching the GVW on the door,also when he got brake pads they insisted on the GVW,not the model.The van also has a 5.3 and a sliding side door which is not the most common set up.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

A friend of mine bought a 05 ext Express with a 2500 emblem,only to find out after he bought it the GVW on the door says 7600 or whatever a 1500 is.The carrier had mercy on him and took it and he's hauled 2400 pounds with it,The title says 2500 the door sticker says 7600,it's almost like GM didn't have an extended wheelbase for a 1500 so they used that frame with the 1500 components.I add this as a example of GM's emblems not matching the GVW on the door,also when he got brake pads they insisted on the GVW,not the model.The van also has a 5.3 and a sliding side door which is not the most common set up.

Emblems are easy to switch..titles can be skewered...possible your friend got rooked??

 

[greg334]

Nope you are all right, I am wrong but I know you take the VIN to the dealer, they can pull all the info up on their little fisher price computer and there you go - the mystery is solved. They can even print it out for you - I just had it done for a pick up in July.

 

[blizzard2014]

Once again, thanks for all the advice. It's quite alright. I might possibly be using this particular van as a tow vehicle "for drive away work!" I'm going to get into moving one and two tractor's from the dealer to the companies that are purchasing them. The pay is 1.15 a mile plus a 70 cent fuel surcharge (with no truck investment needed). So, given this vans particular size, weight, and superior fuel mileage, it is an excellent choice for me at this point in time. Also, I will be able to live in it in between loads and what not, because of all the extra amenities.

 

[greg334]

Well if you are over 10k lbs combined weight, then you have to log.