DAN BERLADYN
Article 2019-07-07 19:47:59

_GM GMT610

Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana

The Chevrolet Express, and the GMC Savana, are each a line of full-size vans from General Motors.  Built in 1996 on the GMT600 Platform, the Express replaced the Beaumont and the Savana replaced the Vandura.  In 2003 some minor changes were made to the front-fascia resulting in the GMT610 Platform.  Together, these two models have been successful in the market and said to be a cash cow for General Motors.  They are the oldest models in GM’s product portfolio.  They are also the oldest vehicles on the U.S. market.  They have been made available with a wide array of build configurations and different options, in different wheel-base lengths as Passenger, Cargo and incomplete Cut-Away vans.

General Motors is rumored to be working on a new family of full-size vans to replace the current second-generation Savana.  Possibly even fully electric.  It is suggested that development of these new vehicles is years from being complete.  Current design will remain until at least 2023.

 

Engines

The GMT610 platform has supported a wide range of GM’s four, six and eight cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, including:
2.8L Duramax I4 turbo-diesel LWN 2017 – present
4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 LU3 2003 – 2014
4.3L V6 SIDI LV1 2018 – present
4.8L Vortec 4800 V8 LR4 2003 – 2007
4.8L Vortec 4800 V8 LY2 2008 – 2009
4.8L Vortec 4800 V8 Flex-fuel L20 2010 – 2017
5.3L Vortec 5300 V8 LM7 2003 – 2007
5.3L Vortec 5300 V8 Flex-fuel LMF 2008 – 2014
6.0L Vortec 6000 V8 LQ4 2003 – 2008
6.0L Vortec 6000 V8 Flex-fuel L96 2010 – present
6.0L Vortec 6000 V8 CNG/LPG LC8 2018 – present
6.6L Duramax V8 turbo-diesel LGH 2006 – 2016
 

Transmissions

The GMT610 platform has supported GM’s 4-, 6- and 8-speed HydraMatic automatic transmissions, including:
4-speed 4L60-E M30 2003 – 2014
4-speed 4L80-E MT1 2003 – 2009
6-speed 6L90-E MYD 2010 – present
8-speed 8L90-E M5U 2017 – present
 

Transfer Case

The GMT610 platform was available in a full-time all wheel drive configuration.  All came equipped with the 5.3L engine and 4L60E transmission.  The AWD versions were built as 1500 models (7300 GVW) and are officially known as the H1500.  All other vans are G1500, G2500, G3500, G4500.  They came with a 10 bolt 8.6" rear axle and 7.2" IFS front differential with 3:42 gear (unless a 3:73 was ordered).  The G80 locker was optional.

Borg-Warner 4473 NP5 H1500 2003 - 2014
 

Suspension

The GMT610 platform has been available with different load ratings and base wheel lengths:
Passenger / Cargo
H1500 1/2 ton 135"
G1500 1/2 ton 135"
G1500 1/2 ton 155"
G2500 3/4 ton 135"
G2500 3/4 ton 155"
G3500 1 ton 135"
G3500 1 ton 155"
Cut-Away
G3500 1 ton 139"
G3500 1 ton 159"
G3500 1 ton 177"
G4500 159"
G4500 177"

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Available Factory Build Options

2019 - New Features

 

2018 - New Features

   

2017 - New Features

 

2016 - New Features

 

2015 - New Features

 

2014 - New Features

 

2013 - New Features