van swap to truck? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SIR · 12-07-2009, 05:36 PM

just one quick question...will a 76 chevy 1/2 ton "van" work for the front end swap on a friends 65?...thank you

62gmc910 · 12-07-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIR

just one quick question...will a 76 chevy 1/2 ton "van" work for the front end swap on a friends 65?...thank you

it might depending on the bolt pattern if it' 5 on 5 it should work to do an A arm swap , the crossmember and center link are wider so you can't use them ,box is different also the rear end is wider If it's free it would probably be worth it , for the A arm knuckles and brake parts but if he has to pay for it a 1/2 ton pick up or sub is a lot better cause you can use almost every thing
Are we more confused??

**Captainfab** · 12-08-2009, 01:12 AM

IIRC the early to mid 70's vans were 5 x 4 3/4 bolt pattern. I'm not sure just what year they went to 5 x 5.

70 Suburban · 12-08-2009, 01:18 AM

not sure about the 76. i used a 2000 for the six lug it worked. but the tie rods came in from the bottom not the top.

62gmc910 · 12-08-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

IIRC the early to mid 70's vans were 5 x 4 3/4 bolt pattern. I'm not sure just what year they went to 5 x 5.

Some were 5 on5 mostly heavier GVW and "3/4" tons

62gmc910 · 12-08-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70 Suburban

not sure about the 76. i used a 2000 for the six lug it worked. but the tie rods came in from the bottom not the top.

the early vans used 1/2 ton pu style knuckles and a arms on a wider cross member

sweet70beast · 12-08-2009, 01:44 AM

I'm doing a front swap on my 54 Suburban using pickup and van parts. I have learned that the A arms (upper and lower) between the pick ups and vans are basically the same except the cross bar on the lower A arm on the van is bigger. I tried a 79 1/2 ton van and a 82 3/4 ton 5 lug and they are both the same. Both are 5 on 5 too.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

The vans are on the left. I compared them to a 3/4 ton and they look to be the same size. It will not fit the 1/2 ton.

Why not get 73 up ball joints and use the van knuckles? That's what I'm doing. I had some 65 1/2 ton A arms and put 73up ball joints in and bingo. Here's my build thread;
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=369297

SIR · 12-08-2009, 03:22 PM

thank you for all the information,looks like a parts "truck" is in my future.....

brandon283 · 12-09-2009, 11:35 PM

i was going to put the front end from a 78 chevy on my 60 chevy, but it was a little too wide for what i liked. althought they got a heavier suspension when they ordered teh van from factory, still 5 lug 1/2 ton tho..i am using a 72 truck front end and drilling the rear axles to 5.

12-07-2009, 05:36 PM	#1
SIR SIR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: grants pass oregon,usa Posts: 658	van swap to truck? just one quick question...will a 76 chevy 1/2 ton "van" work for the front end swap on a friends 65?...thank you __________________ 66long low fleet http://community.webshots.com/user/LVNR66

12-08-2009, 01:12 AM	#3
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: van swap to truck? IIRC the early to mid 70's vans were 5 x 4 3/4 bolt pattern. I'm not sure just what year they went to 5 x 5. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

12-08-2009, 01:18 AM	#4
70 Suburban Rods Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 1,398	Re: van swap to truck? not sure about the 76. i used a 2000 for the six lug it worked. but the tie rods came in from the bottom not the top. __________________ Just keepin it simple. 1965 C-10 Ext cab build. 350??(Does it count at 2 truck if I had to cut one up?) 1966 C-10 lwb 283 auto 1970 Suburban in pieces 1971 Blazer 4wd....restore someday. all factory CST 1972 Blazer 4wd parts truck still a roller 1972 GMC Sierra Grandee 1998 Chevy ext driver. 2005 F**D the wife drive...(cant fix women)

12-08-2009, 01:44 AM	#7
sweet70beast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Shelley Idaho Posts: 876	Re: van swap to truck? I'm doing a front swap on my 54 Suburban using pickup and van parts. I have learned that the A arms (upper and lower) between the pick ups and vans are basically the same except the cross bar on the lower A arm on the van is bigger. I tried a 79 1/2 ton van and a 82 3/4 ton 5 lug and they are both the same. Both are 5 on 5 too. [IMG][/IMG] The vans are on the left. I compared them to a 3/4 ton and they look to be the same size. It will not fit the 1/2 ton. Why not get 73 up ball joints and use the van knuckles? That's what I'm doing. I had some 65 1/2 ton A arms and put 73up ball joints in and bingo. Here's my build thread; http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=369297 __________________ 1970 Nova 327/T5 (my 1st car) 1971 K-20 350/350/205 (winter DD) 1953 GMC Suburban 1968 Chevy Bel Air 1976 Chev C-10 1972 Skylark (suncoupe) 1 of 3943 made Last edited by sweet70beast; 12-08-2009 at 07:37 PM.

12-08-2009, 03:22 PM	#8
SIR SIR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: grants pass oregon,usa Posts: 658	Re: van swap to truck? thank you for all the information,looks like a parts "truck" is in my future..... __________________ 66long low fleet http://community.webshots.com/user/LVNR66

12-09-2009, 11:35 PM	#9
brandon283 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: winnipeg, manitoba Posts: 46	Re: van swap to truck? i was going to put the front end from a 78 chevy on my 60 chevy, but it was a little too wide for what i liked. althought they got a heavier suspension when they ordered teh van from factory, still 5 lug 1/2 ton tho..i am using a 72 truck front end and drilling the rear axles to 5. Last edited by brandon283; 12-09-2009 at 11:37 PM.



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