Chevrolet Express

The Chevrolet Express and its mechanically identical twin GMC Savana are full-size vans from General Motors. They replaced the Chevrolet Van and GMC Vandura in 1995. The Express and Savana, known as the GMT600 platform, was an all new design from the previous generation van, which was a uni-body design dating from the late 60's. The GMT600 featured full body on frame construction, the new central-port injection V6 and V8 engines, dual front air bags, and greatly improved ride and handling from its GMT400-derived chassis. The new body on frame construction allowed expanded usages in the cut-away applications.

This article is about the full-size van. For the concept car, see Chevrolet Express (concept car).
Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Production1995–present
1995–2014 (1500 series only)
AssemblyWentzville Assembly, Wentzville, Missouri, U.S.
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size van
Body styleVan
Chronology
PredecessorChevrolet Van/Beauville
GMC Vandura/Rally
SuccessorChevrolet City Express (1500 Series only)

After 2003, the Express and Savana had updated front-end sheet metal similar to the GMT800 light trucks and GMT360 SUVs, and were fitted with the LS (Gen III) V8 engines. The body received LH side cargo doors. This redesign was designated as the GMT610. In 2004, Stability Control (StabiliTrak) was added to all passenger vans. In 2008, the interior was updated and side impact roof airbags were standard on all passenger models. They also offered the E85 Flexfuel Vortec 5.3L V8 engine in both the 2008 Express 1500 Work Van and Passenger Van. The 6.6L Duramax V8 engine Diesel was added as an option for 2006.

In 2017, a new 2.8L Duramax Diesel engine was added.[1] In 2018, a new 6.0L V8 gaseous CNG/LPG capable engine was added. In 2018, conventional sealed beam headlights were discontinued for the base models, and the composite headlights found on higher trims became standard.[2] For 2021, a 6.6L V8 engine introduced in the 2020 Silverado/Sierra HD was added, replacing both 6.0L V8 engines.[3]

Variants

First Generation (1995-present)
First generation
Overview
Also calledChevrolet Express
GMC Savana
Production1995–2002
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size van
Body style3-door van
4-door van
LayoutFront engine, rear-wheel drive
PlatformGMT600
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
  • 4 speed automatic (4L60e / 1500 series) (4L80e / 2500 & 3500 series)
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • SWB: 135.0 in (3,429 mm)
  • LWB: 155.0 in (3,937 mm)
  • 1999–2000 Express SWB: 127.9 in (3,249 mm)
Length
  • 1996–98 SWB: 218.8 in (5,558 mm)
  • 1996–98 LWB: 238.8 in (6,066 mm)
  • 1999–2002 SWB: 218.7 in (5,555 mm)
  • 1999–2002 LWB: 238.7 in (6,063 mm)
Width
  • SWB: 79.2 in (2,012 mm)
  • LWB: 79.4 in (2,017 mm)
Height
  • 1996–98 Express: 81.8 in (2,078 mm)
  • 1996–98 Savana SWB/2500 SWB & 3500 LWB: 82.5 in (2,096 mm)
  • 84.7 in (2,151 mm)
  • 85.0 in (2,159 mm)
  • 1996–98 Savana LWB: 88.3 in (2,243 mm)
  • 84.8 in (2,154 mm)
  • 1500 & 2001–02 3500 LS LWB: 79.6 in (2,022 mm)
  • 1997–2002 3500 SWB: 83.9 in (2,131 mm)
  • 1997–2002 2500 LWB: 81.1 in (2,060 mm)
  • 2001–02 2500 LWB: 82.2 in (2,088 mm)
  • 2001–02 3500 LWB: 82.8 in (2,103 mm)

Facelift (2003-)
First generation (facelift)
Overview
Also called
  • Chevrolet Express
  • GMC Savana
  • VIA Vtrux Van
  • Chevrolet Express Prisoner Transport
  • Chevrolet Utility Service Body
  • Chevrolet Savana (Israel)
Production2003–2014 (1500)
2003–present (2500 & 3500)
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size van
Body style3-door van
4-door van
LayoutFront engine, Rear-wheel drive / All-wheel drive (MY2003-MY2014)
PlatformGMT610
RelatedChevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Chevrolet Colorado
Powertrain
Engine
  • 2.8L Duramax I4 turbo-diesel (2017–present)
  • 4.3L Vortec 4300/LU3 V6 (2003–2014)
  • 4.3L EcoTec3 4300/LV1 V6 (2018–present)
  • 4.8L Vortec 4800/LR4 V8 (2003-2007)
  • 4.8L Vortec 4800/LY2 V8 (2008-2009)
  • 4.8L Vortec 4800/L20 Flex-fuel V8 (2500/3500, 2010–2017)
  • 5.3L Vortec 5300 LM7 V8 (2003–2007)
  • 5.3L Vortec 5300/LMF Flex-fuel V8 (2008–2014)
  • 6.0L Vortec 6000/LQ4 V8 (2003–2008)
  • 6.0L Vortec 6000/L96 Flex-fuel V8 (2010–2020)
  • 6.0L Vortec 6000/LC8 gasoline/CNG/LPG V8 (2018–2020)
  • 6.6L Duramax Diesel V8 (2006–2016)
  • 6.6L L8T V8 (2021–present)
Transmission
  • 4-speed automatic 4L60-E on 1500 (2003–2014)
  • 4-speed automatic 4L80-E on 2500 and 3500 (2003–2009)
  • 6-speed automatic 6L90-E on 2500 and 3500 (2010–present)
  • 8-speed automatic 8L90-E on 2.8L Duramax and 4.3L Ecotec3 V6 engines (2017–present)
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • SWB: 135.0 in (3,429 mm)
  • LWB: 155.0 in (3,937 mm)
Length
  • 2003–present SWB: 224.1 in (5,692 mm)
  • 2003–present LWB: 244.1 in (6,200 mm)
  • 2003–05 Savana LWB: 244.0 in (6,198 mm)
WidthLWB & 2003–present SWB: 79.4 in (2,017 mm)
Height
  • 2003–present SWB: 81.6 in (2,073 mm)
  • 2003–present LWB: 82.0 in (2,083 mm)

Chevy Express Cargo

The cargo variety of the Express/Savana is popular as a work vehicle, often used by electricians, plumbers, and others needing to haul a variety of large items. In this way, it is the North American equivalent of the ubiquitous white vans in the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands, the Express is in common use as an ambulance, although its popularity is declining because of the high fuel consumption and small interior space compared to European vans.[4]

Chevy Express Passenger

The Express/Savana is also available as a passenger van, seating 8 to 15 passengers, depending on the model, and is often used as a tow truck, ambulance, shuttle bus, or school bus. Both the cargo and passenger models, as well as the cutaway van versions, often serve as the basis for conversion vans, motorhomes, and wheelchair accessible vans. As of mid-2014, half-ton Chevy Express vans and its cousin the GMC Savana have been discontinued. It was replaced by a Nissan-GM partnership badged Chevy City Express in the U.S. Only the 3/4-ton and 1-ton full size vans will be available as previous.[5]

Chevy Express Concept
Main article: Chevrolet Express (concept car)

Chevrolet Express was also the name of a concept car first shown in 1987. It was a turbine powered, drive-by-wire car made to show the possibilities of future limited-access highways.[6] It's not related to the production model.

History

First generation: 1995 -

Second generation: VSS-T

2012 recall

On August 14, 2012, GM issued a recall for 10,315 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans made from 2003-2004 in 20 cold weather U.S. states and in Canada because road salt may have corroded the fueling pipe. There are 9,389 vans recalled in the United States and 926 in Canada. The affected vans have "60/40" swing-out driver side doors.[7]

1500 discontinuation

General Motors discontinued production of the 1/2-ton (<8,500 lbs. GVWR) 1500 series vans in June 2014 (2015MY). Sources cite low production numbers and CAFE requirements for the halt.[8] With the end of the 1500 model, unique features such as the all wheel drive and driver's side passenger doors have been removed from the options list. The Chevrolet City Express compact cargo van, a badge-engineered Nissan NV200, has taken the place of the 1500 van but was discontinued quickly after poor sales. At the same time, the Vortec 4300 engine was phased out of production. The full-sized van is still offered as the Chevrolet Express Cargo and the GMC Savana Cargo with a larger payload.

  • 1996-2002 GMC Savana 3500
  • 1996–2002 Chevrolet Express
  • 1996–2002 GMC Savana 2500 cutaway
  • 2003–present GMC Savana 2500
  • 2003–present GMC Savana with appearance package
  • GMC Savana van Safari Condo MX

References
  1. "2018 Express Cargo Van: Work Van". www.chevrolet.com. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  2. "2018 Savana Passenger Van". www.gmc.com. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  3. "2021 Chevrolet Express Receives New 6.6L V8 Gas Engine". GM Authority. 2020-03-03.
  4. "'Ambulance is verlengstuk van jezelf'". BN DeStem. 2012-11-01. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  5. http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/chevrolet-express-1500-gmc-savana-1500-dropped-from-lineup-for-2015.html
  6. "1987 Chevrolet Express Images, Information and History". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  7. "GM recalls 10,315 vans in cold-weather areas". Reuters. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  8. Login (2014-07-15). "Chevy Express 1500, GMC Savana 1500 get the axe". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
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