Donor van - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rstewart09 · 07-29-2006, 12:41 PM

Just picked up this 1988 chevy van with a great running 350 TBI and 700R transmission to replace the I6 2 speed powerglide in my 67 GMC 3/4 ton. Gave the guy $100 for it. Put in a battery and and drove it 15 miles home with a broken front brake line and very little rear brakes (Good thing no one stopped in front of me) Now the question. I am wondering if the front cross member will bolt onto our trucks like the pickup ones will? I know the steering box is different but just looking the cross member looks close to other trucks. I have not measured anything but thought someone here may know. I am thinking of using the front and rear ends to convert to 5 lug since I have them.

**John Fabris** · 07-29-2006, 12:59 PM

I believe the frames are a different width then our trucks and thus will not swap that easily...

I don't know enough about the vans so say whether you can just swap the spindles and ball joints to get the disc front end. As for the rear, don't know but I think they are also different width then truck rears...

Measure it up and let us know!!

Longhorn Man · 07-29-2006, 03:45 PM

I'm pretty sure our frame is wider.

ThatOneBlue67 · 07-29-2006, 04:32 PM

Man, getting that motor out of a van should be fun.

PanelDeland · 07-29-2006, 06:10 PM

He gave $100.00 for the van.I hear a sawzall in his future.I'm sure I wont ever pull another van engine unless there is a pile of money involved.

rstewart09 · 07-29-2006, 08:51 PM

I have been looking at that. Not sure if the easiest way is to knock at the windshield and cut through the dash or try to cut the frame and drop out the bottom. When I get what I want the rest is going to the crusher but I do want to save the wireing if possible. I may save the front finders and all the doors because they are good. All the rust is on the sides. This was a conversion van and came with a CB, radar detector, and lots of neat lights and switches. It has 98,000 miles and runs great. Didn't have much time today to fool with it but did remove the grill , radiator, and inside dog house. After looking at it the frame is very different so have gave up on the crossmember swap. Here is the donor.

Longhorn Man · 07-30-2006, 06:50 AM

Other than the obviouse, those side marker lights fit our trucks perfectly. (not yours since you have a 67) But they could be good trading material or put them up for sale.

Pulling the engine isn't much harder than any other vehicle, and a swazawl isn't needed, nor dropping it out from the bottom...which would require cutting the frame.

07-29-2006, 12:41 PM	#1
rstewart09 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Stockport, Ohio Posts: 157	Donor van Just picked up this 1988 chevy van with a great running 350 TBI and 700R transmission to replace the I6 2 speed powerglide in my 67 GMC 3/4 ton. Gave the guy $100 for it. Put in a battery and and drove it 15 miles home with a broken front brake line and very little rear brakes (Good thing no one stopped in front of me) Now the question. I am wondering if the front cross member will bolt onto our trucks like the pickup ones will? I know the steering box is different but just looking the cross member looks close to other trucks. I have not measured anything but thought someone here may know. I am thinking of using the front and rear ends to convert to 5 lug since I have them. __________________ The start of a new toy 1967 GMC 3/4 ton Last edited by rstewart09; 07-29-2006 at 12:41 PM.

07-29-2006, 12:59 PM	#2
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Donor van I believe the frames are a different width then our trucks and thus will not swap that easily... I don't know enough about the vans so say whether you can just swap the spindles and ball joints to get the disc front end. As for the rear, don't know but I think they are also different width then truck rears... Measure it up and let us know!! __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

07-29-2006, 03:45 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Donor van I'm pretty sure our frame is wider.

07-29-2006, 04:32 PM	#4
ThatOneBlue67 I survived Dead Man's Curve. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Nine-Five-687 Posts: 389	Re: Donor van Man, getting that motor out of a van should be fun. __________________ "The people should not be afraid of their government. The government should be afraid of it's people." "The Hurricane" 1967 Chevrolet C10 350 Eight Cylinder, 700R4 BowtieOverdrive *Cherry Bomb...* Disturbing the Peace Since 1968.

07-29-2006, 06:10 PM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Donor van He gave $100.00 for the van.I hear a sawzall in his future.I'm sure I wont ever pull another van engine unless there is a pile of money involved. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-29-2006, 08:51 PM	#6
rstewart09 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Stockport, Ohio Posts: 157	Re: Donor van I have been looking at that. Not sure if the easiest way is to knock at the windshield and cut through the dash or try to cut the frame and drop out the bottom. When I get what I want the rest is going to the crusher but I do want to save the wireing if possible. I may save the front finders and all the doors because they are good. All the rust is on the sides. This was a conversion van and came with a CB, radar detector, and lots of neat lights and switches. It has 98,000 miles and runs great. Didn't have much time today to fool with it but did remove the grill , radiator, and inside dog house. After looking at it the frame is very different so have gave up on the crossmember swap. Here is the donor. __________________ The start of a new toy 1967 GMC 3/4 ton

07-30-2006, 06:50 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Donor van Other than the obviouse, those side marker lights fit our trucks perfectly. (not yours since you have a 67) But they could be good trading material or put them up for sale. Pulling the engine isn't much harder than any other vehicle, and a swazawl isn't needed, nor dropping it out from the bottom...which would require cutting the frame.

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