Chevy & GMC Vans

Well, I think I'm finally ready to start posting this swap. First off I have to say, I'm really sorry I don't have any pics yet, I am building my parts at work and am not allowed to have my camera in there, but once the parts start going on the van I'll start including pics.
Anyway, I am using axles from a 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The front axle is a Dana 44, the rear at this point I believe to be a GM 12 bolt(I'll post a pic soon for others to see and confirm).
Right now I am focusing on the front axle. I have made a new crossmember using 4x4 square tubing that will run underneath the front of the frame, basicly if you look at Dean's swap, he went between the frame at the front, and I will be going right underneath that. The "problem" this poses is that this new crossmember will be right where the hole in the frame is to get to the front body mount. I am correcting this problem by cutting out holes in the square tubing where the bolt holes need to be, and welding a piece of tubing in there for the bolt to be able to pass thru.
I'm using 1/4" plate steel for my spring hangers, these plates are 4"x5", and welded to the bottom of the new crossmember, along with gussets for extra support.
I should have this new front crossmember tacked in place hopefully tommorow(including pics). Once I have this piece in place, then I will look at what I need to do to hang the rear of the front springs.

I'm so glad to see you working on your project, for it tells me a couple of things. First, it tells me that things have smoothed out for you.
Second, it confirms that YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET ON WITH A PROJECT

Looking forward to see how you do your swap. Can't wait to see pics.

Great news Jake. I also can't wait to see those pics.

You also probably can't wait to get back to yours

You're finally ready to post? Finally ready? I don't think so!

NO PICS MEANS NO READY!

OK, OK, I should have known better, but I wanted to get some info wrote down while it was all fresh in my head. That being said, here's a few pics for ya!
First, here's the start of the front brackets and crossmember.

Here's a side view of the van, it will actually be going up about 3 more inches from where it is sitting right now.

Here's a shot showing the Dana44 sitting under the van.

And here's the start of putting it together.

Finnaly, here's a shot of the center section of the rear axle. I believe it to be a GM 12 bolt, unless someone else thinks otherwise?

Hopefully this will help calm you guys down for a bit. Still alot of work to be done, I'll keep posting as I go along.

Looking good so far!

That rear axle looks like an AMC 20...probably a wide track version. Check this link and see: AMC 20 Tech

Looks to me like Jake is going spring under in the front whereas Dean went spring over. Unless I am seeing something different.

It will be neat seeing how this goes together for you Jake since I was right there when Dean did the majority of his SAS. Good luck to you.

Fire Cakes wrote:Looks to me like Jake is going spring under in the front whereas Dean went spring over. Unless I am seeing something different.

Most AMC/Jeep suspensions were spring under. Alot of 4 wheelers do a spring over conversion to get about 4" of lift on trial rigs.

BLAZER wrote:

Fire Cakes wrote:Looks to me like Jake is going spring under in the front whereas Dean went spring over. Unless I am seeing something different.

Most AMC/Jeep suspensions were spring under. Alot of 4 wheelers do a spring over conversion to get about 4" of lift on trial rigs.

I realize that, my Jeep is spring under and when the leaf pack snapped we were thinking of going spring over for added clearance but opted out of that for the time being. I was just saying it will be interesting to compare the differencce in the two (one with spring over and one with spring under).

Yes it is spring under. I was thinking of doing a spring over conversion but wasn't able to figure out how to do it myself because of the driver's side spring being right on the center section, and I haven't seen any kits for it to go by. If anyone has a link to one I'd like to see it.
Thanks for the tip on the rear also. Obviously I still have alot of work to do, but I'm getting there.

Well, after checking that link from Dean and going out and looking at the rear more, I find a "D" stamped in it, according to the chart that means it's got 2:73 gears. So now it seems I need new gears!
Also, the guy I got the axles from went and gutted the passenger side drum out, all the brakes, springs, brake lines, etc. are gone from that side. Kind of thinking about looking around for a different rear now. I know I'll have to change the gears so they both match. I would consider keeping the Astro rear in there, but I don't want to have 5 lugs in the back and 6 lugs in the front. Maybe I could find a newer Astro rear with the 6 lugs? Lots of thinking to do now...

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Looking good so far!

That rear axle looks like an AMC 20...probably a wide track version. Check this link and see: AMC 20 Tech

If the rear axle came from the same rig as the front end, that seems to make good sense too.

Lookin' good Jake!

Lookin' very good, Jakey.