Looking at a shivee van

[Hypoid]

OK, Chevy van!

Long story short, she wants a van she can drive to Nebraska and back.

This one is a 1984 Chevy conversion van. I think it's the half-ton version, definitely a rear wheel drive. It has a carburated 5.0 liter V-8 with a 4 speed automatic tranny. What kind fuel mileage could we expect on the highway?

[Jackie]

I've never owned a Chevy van, but I had a Ford Aerostar (years back) and it was pretty good. My Current van is a 2000 Honda Oddy with about 120K miles on it. Great gas mileage and no breakdowns yet. This has been our our best car ever! I put in a new timing belt before it hit 100K. We love it for the long hauls across Nebrasca to visit family in Minnesota. We might be selling it soon as Britton wants to get a new pick-up and I won't part with my Jeep! If we had more parking spaces, we would keep it and buy the truck he wants as an addition.

I think you'll love owning a van no matter what you buy!

[wakkjobb]

I'm guessing the 4-sp auto is the TH400? I'd estimate the mileage to be between 15-18 mpg highway 'cause it's a heavier conversion van. Driving to NE and back shouldn't be a problem; just expect to pay more for fuel along the way. Sorry... thank G W for that. To attempt better mileage try a K+N filter or route the air ducting to a cooler location besides the engine bay... like anywhere else you can. Use dryer hose; it's flexible and looks cool 'cause it's shiny. And shiny things add MPG and horsepower!

:D
>>Dan

[gm4x4lover]

I would by a 88 and newer van (chevy). The carbed engine will deliver low teens and offer no power. We just sold our 92 and the best i ever saw out of it was 16mpg. Also the early 700r4 trannys we highly problem matic as well. It seems like they all go for about the same price as well. I payed 1200 2 years ago for ours. It was a great van just wanted something for better mileage. I have heard that the 1996 and new vans with the vortec series motor will deliver close to 20. They also put the 4.3's in he vans and those should get close to 22 ad didnt really have much less power if you werent towing. The weight is what kills the mileage. Ours weighed in at 6600 lbs. They have alot of sound dampening. We will get another one and it will be a 96 or newer. I dont like the style as much but they can tow more weight and get better mileage.

[Hypoid]

Thanks for the replies!

She just can't get over the size of this one, so it's a no-go.

We want something her step-dad can get in and out of with ease. If we find something affordable, with a low deck, I'll have something else to work on.

If worse comes to worse, I'd gladly rent something I don't have to work on. My hands bleed just looking at front wheel drive. ;)

[Red Rhino]

I would by a 88 and newer van (chevy). The carbed engine will deliver low teens and offer no power. We just sold our 92 and the best i ever saw out of it was 16mpg. Also the early 700r4 trannys we highly problem matic as well. It seems like they all go for about the same price as well. I payed 1200 2 years ago for ours. It was a great van just wanted something for better mileage. I have heard that the 1996 and new vans with the vortec series motor will deliver close to 20. They also put the 4.3's in he vans and those should get close to 22 ad didnt really have much less power if you werent towing. The weight is what kills the mileage. Ours weighed in at 6600 lbs. They have alot of sound dampening. We will get another one and it will be a 96 or newer. I dont like the style as much but they can tow more weight and get better mileage.


I agree with the Carb you would be lucky to get over 12 mpg with a tail wind.