Will a van front susp. work? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shaneschevys · 03-08-2007, 01:09 PM

I have a chance to buy a running 75 chevy van. Will the front end fit under our trucks? Is the rear end the same as a truck with leaf springs? I am trying to figure out if it is worth getting & parting out.

Bob Moore · 03-08-2007, 03:32 PM

I am not sure about the whole crossmember thing but here goes on individual items. Rotors, calipers, spindles, upper control arms, shocks, springs, center link and tie rods should fit. I have seen several vans with larger lower control arm bushings. They look different than P/U. Therefore I don't think the lower arms will interchange.

The rear end may have the larger diameter brakes which would be an upgrade.

Somebody has said the front crossmember is a different configuration - maybe frame width - than the P/U. I don't know for positive.

The spring rate may be different due to way the van is laid out - more weight over the springs and less overhang. Not sure on the ride quality if interchanged.

The other thing I would mention is that a van can be called a 20series and still have 5 lug. You have to go to 30series vans to get 8 lug.

Good luck and let us know for sure. I know vans are cheaper and are readily available in the junk yards.

sneakysnake · 03-08-2007, 04:29 PM

I think the gear boxes are wrong, but the front member will work. but dont hold me to it.

bobthecop · 03-08-2007, 05:20 PM

Try calling a salvage yard and see if they will look it up for you, I've been told they have crossover books that tell what parts will interchange.

**john** · 03-08-2007, 06:21 PM

Check the width, that was brought up once.

Livrat · 03-08-2007, 07:15 PM

I just looked at one today.. The things I noticed different.. crossmember, motor mount towers, lower A frames and steering box. the rest appeared the same...
The rear ends are wider..

rstewart09 · 03-08-2007, 08:33 PM

I bought a van for the motor and transmission to use in my 3/4 ton GMC. The van frame is wider and the front cross member would not work. I had hoped to convert to the 5 lug but after looking at it I just pulled motor and trans and gave up on the rest.

03-08-2007, 01:09 PM	#1
shaneschevys Its always something! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FT Worth,TX Posts: 4,992	Will a van front susp. work? I have a chance to buy a running 75 chevy van. Will the front end fit under our trucks? Is the rear end the same as a truck with leaf springs? I am trying to figure out if it is worth getting & parting out. __________________ 79 p10 stepvan 72 Short Fleetside 72 Suburban 67 GMC One Ton Flatbed 64 Short Fleetside 57 Chevy 2DR Hard Top 57 Chevy 2dr wagon 65 f* short fleet 63 C 60 Flatbed Member of the patina club**

03-08-2007, 03:32 PM	#2
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: Will a van front susp. work? I am not sure about the whole crossmember thing but here goes on individual items. Rotors, calipers, spindles, upper control arms, shocks, springs, center link and tie rods should fit. I have seen several vans with larger lower control arm bushings. They look different than P/U. Therefore I don't think the lower arms will interchange. The rear end may have the larger diameter brakes which would be an upgrade. Somebody has said the front crossmember is a different configuration - maybe frame width - than the P/U. I don't know for positive. The spring rate may be different due to way the van is laid out - more weight over the springs and less overhang. Not sure on the ride quality if interchanged. The other thing I would mention is that a van can be called a 20series and still have 5 lug. You have to go to 30series vans to get 8 lug. Good luck and let us know for sure. I know vans are cheaper and are readily available in the junk yards. __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

03-08-2007, 04:29 PM	#3
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Will a van front susp. work? I think the gear boxes are wrong, but the front member will work. but dont hold me to it.

03-08-2007, 05:20 PM	#4
bobthecop Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yukon Oklahoma Posts: 2,647	Re: Will a van front susp. work? Try calling a salvage yard and see if they will look it up for you, I've been told they have crossover books that tell what parts will interchange. __________________ Happiness is towing your "new" truck home. 1972 C-10 1982 GMC (parts truck??) 1969 c10 parts truck 1969 C-10 ( my sons) 1992 Silverado 4X4 (now the boys truck)(now mine again) 2002 Tarus (my wife loves that car)

03-08-2007, 06:21 PM	#5
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: Will a van front susp. work? Check the width, that was brought up once. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

03-08-2007, 07:15 PM	#6
Livrat Member #1049 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Troy Montana Posts: 3,940	Re: Will a van front susp. work? I just looked at one today.. The things I noticed different.. crossmember, motor mount towers, lower A frames and steering box. the rest appeared the same... The rear ends are wider..

03-08-2007, 08:33 PM	#7
rstewart09 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Stockport, Ohio Posts: 157	Re: Will a van front susp. work? I bought a van for the motor and transmission to use in my 3/4 ton GMC. The van frame is wider and the front cross member would not work. I had hoped to convert to the 5 lug but after looking at it I just pulled motor and trans and gave up on the rest. __________________ The start of a new toy 1967 GMC 3/4 ton



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