bought it - will obtain next week...

[spike88]

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Tonight, my wife & I bought a brand new 2009 Montana Ext van. Base 1SB package with a few other included options. re: Upgraded quad seats, rear AC/Heat system, side air bags, food management trays and remote starter. Even got the van in the color we wanted. Tonight (after our final test drive), this van had 74 kms on its meter. Not even close to 50 miles. Being pre-bundled and sitting on their lot, we got a really good price. Due to "too much" other appointments this week, we're unable to pick up our new '09 Montana EXT van until next week. That's ok with us. Some things in life are worth waiting for....

During the next 2 months, I'll be adding:
- Class III hitch - for my utility trailers and canoe trailer towing needs.
- Trailer wiring "T" connector - instead of splicing into factory wiring.
- Electric Brake controller - for my lager size trailer (that has its own electric brakes).
- 7 pin connector - for connection with electric brake trailers.
- Timbrens SES units in rear - instead of using factory air shocks.

For the winter, I'll be adding different steel rims (replacement rims) with snow tires. Only on the front drive wheels. The rear wheels can remain factory all season. From now until this fall, we might add an optional front plastic bug guard / wind deflector as well. We'll see....

We're going to miss our current 2001 Safari AWD van. Especially during my winter months. But like my many other previous vehicles, each eventually got replaced. Replaced with something that's better on gas, easier to fit between the skinnier parking lines and "funner" to drive. To me, the Montana van is definately funner to drive. Especially with its peppy 3.9L engine and FWD design - whicle seems to pull itself around the sharp corners.

Wish us positive luck with our future van.... (many thanks).

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[big dave]

The factory self levelers are very good. I don't know if I would replace them.

[spike88]

Originally Posted by big dave

The factory self levelers are very good. I don't know if I would replace them.

I purposely seeked out a van "without" air based system. I had air shocks on my one previous vehicle and had air bags on a previous vehicle as well. Over time, they leak. And besides that, they always need adjustment. And when they break, their parts are expensive. Being pressurized air based, their risk of blowing anytime (especially across rough bumps) is very high. Especially when one least expects it.

Instead of factory air based system, I ordered Timbren SES units (which is pure mechanical based) for my new 2009 Montana EWB van. Already bought and received them. If wondering, SES units are special rubber tubes that replace factory bump stops - inside the rear coil springs. I will install them myself in the next few weeks. With Timbren SES units, the "empty ride comfort" is NOT changed. When the vehicle's rear goes down (from internal cargo or attached trailer tonque weight), the Timbrens come into contact. And the more one presses down the rear of the vehicle, the more the Timbrens hold back. Same concept as "air bags inside the coil spings". Except Timbrens are NOT pressurized with air. They are a pure mechanical solution. And, they only cost me $185 ($204 with 13% mandatory taxes). Much less expensive then $650 + 13% taxes for factory "load leveler" air based system. If wondering, I had Timbren SES units on the rear of my previous van - which hauled & trailered stuff for 4 consecutive years. In that van, I loved the Timbren SES units since the day I bolted them on myself. Thus, why I bought Timbren SES units for my new '09 Montana van as well. For more product details, surf: http://www.timbren.com/ses-van-suv.htm & http://www.timbren.com/timbren-appli...dfs/GMRAZT.pdf

Also... If you do a search on this forum, you find lots of posts from folks encountering problems with their factory load leveler systems. Many are going 3rd party (like Firestone Coil-Rite replacements) because GM factory replacement parts are way "too expensive". Especially when one's vehicle is off GM Warranty.

With the above items in mind, I purposely bought a new van "without" factory `air based` load leveling system. This approach works much better for my needs...

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