Chevy & GMC Vans

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Nice.I have been considering how to reinforce the sub frame the trailer hitch bolts to in case I cheat alittle and go over 5,000lbs.Maybe slice open the floor pan and slide square tubing inside of that sub frame and weld that in and then close weld the floor pan. :-k

Howdy,
A guy with an old souped up Chevy Camero told me that car racers use 2"x2" box tube to beef up uni body . They also add extra body mounts made from sway bar end links. The end links have urethane bushings. The end link goes thru the floor and then is also fastened to the 2"x2" tube.

AP

More progress.
I have been using grade 8 NC bols intead of fine threads.
I wonder if coarse threads are just as strong as fine pitch? I used to hear that fine thread was better for resistance to vibration.
I use lock washers and Loctite blue on threads, and some times double nut with a nylon lock nut.

AP

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I've been wondering how to do this. Putting on new leafs, coils and 4" spindles so I figured I'd be under the van for a bit. Installing next weekend, but stoked to see someone posting something extremely recent and necessary, in my opinion. Going to be checking this out soon. How much weight? How much for the material? So VERY happy to see this. Hopefully my questions aren't redundant and haven't been answered already...

Howdy,
2"x2" steel tube is about 2.5 lbf per foot with a wall thickness of 0.125 inch.
If you can find it surplus, it is about $0.65 per lbf since it is mild steel it is easy to hack saw and to drill.
My installation uses a piece that is about 69 inches long. This keeps it short at front so as not to stick into front fender area and be possible interference for tire.
The Uni strut galvanized heavy plate pieces already have 9/16" holes in them and are super nice.
I Used 2 of the P1358, 4 hole plates for each rear leaf spring hanger.
for the sub frame attachment the 3 hole clevis P4376A with 2 angle fittings (P1326) inserted into it, The P1326 is bolted to subframe OEM existing holes. make sure to feed grade 8 bolts inside sub frame using thin steel wire around the threads so you don't get the bolt lost inside the subframe.
It was amazing how level the run of 69 inch long 2x2 was . just use bubble level and set it up level.
I also insert steel bushing spacers inside the 2x2 box to kept the wall stiff when torqueing the beefy 1/2 inch bolts.
The Uni Strut parts are pricey but no drilling or welding or painting of the galvanized Uni Strut parts is needed..
As reference look on Overland Vans site for the leaf spring to sub frame extender.

AP

Thanks for the part numbers for reference. I may be using some pieces around the shop as we have all sorts. Among those pieces is a surplus in aluminum load bars, which are 3x2 1/2 rectangular tubing and I'm basically planning on going that route. They've got a 2200# rating each and weigh half as much. I figure using those will work. I have yet to see if the sizing will fit but looking forward to it. Those load bars, fyi, are around $35 a pop, so still reasonably priced when the theory of strengthening that frame up comes to mind.

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