It’s no secret that I love budget overland rigs. Recent wallet-friendly offerings include this $11,900 1991 Mitsubishi Montero, $12,500 1992 Range Rover Classic, and $10,000 2008 Land Rover Discovery LR3 HSE. It’s easy to become starry-eyed with premium builds and fancy equipment when, in reality, your time and money are better spent on experiences. I’ve lived with a rig that cost me the best part of $80,000 and another that cost me less than $7,000. Interestingly, the latter (a 1992 Mitsubishi L300 4×4) proved more reliable than my primary rig, which meant I spent more money traveling and less at the garage. It was also refreshing to own a vehicle I didn’t constantly worry about, which enabled me to leave it more often and explore new locations. To this end, cue today’s 2010 Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD (249,000 miles), which showcases tasteful modifications and a simple yet functional camper interior. At $7,000, this AWD van represents impressive value when you consider it’s a fraction of the cost of a comparable E-Series or Sprinter, and provides many of the same desirable attributes. If you’d like a better idea of why the Express is a great option for travel, then check out overland builds from Slow Roamers and WeldTec Designs.
From the Seller:
“This is a turn-key, AWD van ready for adventure. I bought it in 2021 and built it out with a simple bed setup that could discretely fit one person, a mountain bike, and three surfboards. I also worked around the removable rear seat so I could fit up to five passengers for mountain bike shuttles and big surf trips. It’s never let me down and far exceeded my expectations. Last year, I got a second home on the Oregon Coast and found myself mainly surfing there and taking my EV, so this isn’t getting the use it deserves.”
2010 Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD
The Express is fitted with a 5.3-liter LT Vortex V8 that produces 301 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. In addition to a dependable motor, the Chevy boasts AWD, a lifted and uprated suspension, armor, and all-terrain tires. Inside, these rugged attributes are balanced with the following driver comforts:
- Air-conditioning
- Cruise control
- Power steering, windows, and locks
- Captain’s chairs
- Towing package
Distinguishing Features
- Falken Wildpeak A/T3W tires
- Journey’s Offroad 3-inch lift kit and Bilstein 5100 shocks
- Yakima roof bars
- Functional camper interior
- Rear backup camera integrated into the rearview mirror
This 2010 Chevrolet Express 1500 AWD is listed for $7,000 and is currently located in Portland, Oregon. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
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