This looks like an interesting project.
I have not had any personal experience with the early step vans of this sixe, just the smaller ones, so I'm just making a guess here. I don't know just what the width is on those front and rear axles, but I would imaging they would be close to a C30 truck of the same '60-'66 vintage. With that said, I would recommend changing the differential for a '73+ 10.5" 14 bolt or a Dana 60/70. As for the front, I'm thinking it might be easier to find a disc brake straight axle from a newer truck. I don't know about your area, but here it is quite easy to find old Motorhomes that no longer usable and can be had for cheap. I have an advantage in that I have a neighbor that makes a living in scraping out old Motorhomes and travel trailers, among other things. The majority of the '70's Motorhomes are built on a Dodge chassis, but they have straight axles up front with disc brakes and Dana 70 or 80 differentials. IMO something like that would make for a cheap and easy upgrade for your project.
Quote:
Originally Posted by UPNADM
I have a couple of questions regarding the driveline on this rig and I hope someone can give me some advice...
My wheels are two piece nightmare's with an 8 bolt pattern. Is this interchangeable to a newer style wheel?
Second, the van has drum brakes up front on a straight axle front end with king pins. Is there anyway I could swap the drums for a disc set up using the same axle but adding a set of spindles?
And finally I think I would like to add a newer 3/4 or 1 ton rear axle, would this be hard swap aka, are the widths of the diff's the same from '62 to something newer?
I appreciate any insight, this is my first older than 73 - 87 truck I have ever worked on. This will be a learning experience.
Thanks in advance...
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