Chevy Express Overview

Chevy Express Overview The Chevrolet Express is available in half-ton (called 1500) and 1-ton (3500) versions. The 3500 is also available with an extended wheelbase, which allows 15-passenger capacity. Two trim levels, consisting of base LS and luxury LT, are offered. The LS is typically what fleet buyers purchase, so it's a bit plain, with only air-conditioning and a stereo as the key standard features. If this is going to be your family vehicle, the LT, with its rear A/C, full power accessories, cruise control and plusher seats is the better choice. An update for 2008 provided an upgraded cabin as well as standard stability control and side curtain airbags.

Stout powertrains and high tow capacities are some of the Express' chief assets. The 1500 comes with a 5.3-liter V8 (295 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque) while the 3500s have a 6.0-liter V8 (300 hp and 360 lb-ft). Both engines come paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. The 3500 features stability control, while the 1500 can be had with all-wheel drive.

As it has for years, the big Chevy should handle whatever folks throw at it. Furthermore, in the two-horse race against the Econoline, the Chevy Express boasts superior Chevy Accessories, nice driving dynamics and somewhat more modern styling. But before you sign the bottom line, we suggest you also strongly consider the more technologically advanced and more efficient Sprinter.

Chevy Express Accessories And Features

MECHANICAL

  • Engine, Vortec 4.3L V6 MFI (195 hp [145.4 kW] @ 4600 rpm, 260 lb-ft of torque [351.0 N-m] @ 2800 rpm) (Standard and only available on *G13405 model. Reference the Engine/Axle page for availability.);
  • Transmission, 4-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive, tow/haul mode and internal transmission oil cooler (Required and standard when ordered with (LU3) Vortec 4.3L V6 MFI engine or (LMF) Vortec 5.3L V8 SFI engine. Reference the Engine/Axle page for availability.);
  • Rear axle, 3.42 ratio (Standard on **13405 models, *G23*05 models, and *G33*05 models. Required with (LU3) Vortec 4.3L V6 MFI engine, (L20) Vortec 4.8L V8 SFI FlexFuel engine, and (L96) Vortec 6.0L V8 SFI FlexFuel. Available with (LMF) Vortec 5.3L V8 SFI engine. Reference the Engine/Axle page for availability.);
  • Body, standard;
  • Rear wheel drive;
  • Battery, 600 cold-cranking amps, maintenance-free with rundown protection and retained accessory power;
  • Alternator, 125 amps (Standard on **13405 models. Not available with (LU3) Vortec 4.3L V6 MFI engine.);
  • Frame, full-length box ladder-type;
  • GVWR, 7300 lbs. (3311 kg) (Standard on **13405 models. Reference the Engine/Axle page for availability.);
  • Suspension, front independent with coil springs and stabilizer bar (Requires *G***05 models.);
  • Suspension, rear hypoid drive axle with multi-leaf springs;
  • Steering, power;
  • Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc;
  • Fuel tank capacity, mid-frame and approximately 31 gallons (117.3L);
  • Exhaust, aluminized stainless-steel muffler and tailpipe;

EXTERIOR

  • Wheels, 4 - 17" x 7" (43.2 cm x 17.8 cm) steel includes steel spare (Requires **13405 models.);
  • Tires, front P245/70R17 all-season, blackwall (Requires **13405 models standard tire. Available with (ZX9) spare tire delete.);
  • Tires, rear P245/70R17 all-season, blackwall (Requires **13405 models standard tire.);
  • Tire, spare P245/70R17 all-season, blackwall (Requires **13405 models standard tire.);
  • Door, swing-out passenger-side, 60/40 split;
  • Bumpers, front and rear painted Black with step-pad (Not available with (ZR7) Chrome Appearance Package.);
  • Grille, Black composite with single rectangular halogen headlamps (Not available with (ZR7) Chrome Appearance Package.);
  • Headlamps, single halogen (Not available with (ZR7) Chrome Appearance Package.);
  • Mirrors, outside manual, Black;
  • Glass, Solar-Ray light-tinted, all windows;
  • Wipers, front intermittent wet-arm with pulse washers;
  • License plate kit, front;

INTERIOR

  • Seats, front bucket with vinyl trim and outboard head restraints (Requires (**W) interior trim.);
  • Seating arrangement, driver and front passenger high-back buckets, adjustable with head restraints and vinyl or cloth trim;
  • Air conditioning, single-zone manual;
  • Console, engine cover with open storage bin;
  • Floor covering, full-length Black rubberized-vinyl (Not available with (YF2) Ambulance Package or (RFM) rear floor covering delete.);
  • Steering wheel, steel sleeve column with theft-deterrent locking feature, Black;
  • Instrumentation, analog with speedometer, odometer with trip odometer, fuel level, voltmeter, engine temperature and oil pressure;
  • Oil life monitor;
  • Warning tones, headlamp on and key-in-ignition;
  • Driver Information Center includes fuel range, average speed, oil life, tire pressure monitoring, fuel used, ice warning, engine hours, average fuel economy, tachometer, and maintenance reminders. Compass and outside temperature available if equipped.;
  • Compass 8-point digital located in the Driver Information Center (Included and only available with (TR9) auxiliary lighting.);
  • Tow/haul mode selector, instrument panel-mounted;
  • Theft-deterrent system, vehicle, PASS-Key III;
  • Defogger, side windows;
  • Cup holders, 3 on the engine console cover;
  • Power outlets, 2 auxiliary on engine console cover with covers, 12-volt;
  • Headliner, cloth, over driver and passenger;
  • Visors, driver and front passenger, cloth, padded;
  • Assist handle, front passenger;
  • Lighting, auxiliary with reading and underhood lights (Standard on **13405 models. Includes (U80) 8-point digital compass. Included with (PCR) Express Access Plus Package. Not available with (YF2) Ambulance Package.);
  • Lighting, interior with 2 dome lights, defeat switch and door handle-activated switches;

SAFETY

  • Brake/transmission shift interlock, for automatic transmissions;
  • Door beams, steel-side;
  • Daytime Running Lamps;
  • Air bags, frontal, driver and right-front passenger (Includes passenger-side air bag deactivation switch on models **23*05 and **33*05. Not available with (ZX1) driver only high-back bucket seat or (AJ3) driver-side only frontal air bag. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child's age and size, even in vehicles equipped with air bags. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. See the vehicle's Owner's Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.);
  • Air bags, head/side-curtain (Standard on **13405 Models. Requires (AK5) driver and right-front passenger air bags and (TR9) auxiliary lighting. Not available with (AJ3) driver-side only frontal air bag and SEO option (5L3) interior trim panels. Head curtain side air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to front seat occupants on the near side of certain side-impact collisions. Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child's age and size, even in vehicles equipped with air bags. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. See the vehicle's Owner's Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.);
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (does not apply to spare tire);