Chevy & GMC Vans

Well decided to get energetic and attempt to clean up the subframe, crossmembers and various underbody components. A little wire brushing, grinding, acid rust remover, paint and undercoat and the van should be good to go for a while longer. I'll post some photos in a day or 2 just for a little show and tell. Anywhere under these vans to be extra concerned with? in all or your experiences let me know. I basically am just looking to ensure I take care of problems before they grow, seeing as how us Canadians have old man winter knocking on our doors. Mind you it was an awesome day in Calgary today, hell its 7pm and still 16C aka 60F

Just to get this out in the open. I am a show off and have been beat down several times because of it!

Here is my shinny subframe.


Here is how it looked before.


The worst spot for mine was under the front body bushings. If you are not removing anything then you woudl never see it. I had to replace metal on both sides.







I have more pictures at link below.

Damb that IS shiny.... I wish mine was going to look like that - but alas I am not removing mine from the van - so I'll do what I can..... nothing wrong with being proud of hard work!

Photos as promised - added as links - got the board quota error

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7474654@N04/2991247145/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7474654@N04/2991247133/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7474654@N04/2991247157/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7474654@N04/2991247167/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7474654@N04/2991247175/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7474654@N04/2991247193/

Next year I'll do the back end.... too many fumes

Man what an improvement! I'm glad I don't live in rock salt country. Mine's rusty but nothing like you guys had.
What did you use for paint?

Jinmajay, I don't see that as boasting, that's a beautiful piece of work there.

Okay then,
thanks

Other things to tackle would be to check out the rear shock, spring hangers and bumper mounts and clean them up. Also, oil the crap out of you brake and fuel lines.

Thanks for posting the pics tvb, looks better

OMG!

Is it common on these vans for the frt sub frame to rust so much?

I just bought a 2000 from ebay and was very disapointed in the rust on the subframe and front suspension. The rest of the under carrige seems normal for an 8 year old 100k mile vehicle.

There are many variables that contribute to rust. How and how often the van is cleaned, if the van is operated on a gravel road it can collect dirt, moisture and salt. If the van pressure washed weekly in poor weather and thoroughly cleaned in the spring, I would think that it wouldn't have much rust at all. Mine actually had undercoat on it at one point in its life but most was not remaining (94, 150K, gravel road with little to no washing except when it rains).

There are spots on the frame that would be almost impossible to clean without removing a lot of parts.

Clear as mud?

Just for info I bought mine used and I agree it needs a little TLC - really it's just surface rust - but that is what I want to keep it - so it was time to get under it. As for good cleaning - it will be again in the spring but with the crappy stock running boards a guy cannot even get under this thing to wash the bottom. I would so love to remove them - but I need to con the wife into it. I"ll get the back end in spring - thanks for the advise on the leaf mounts and all that. My bottom is undercoated also so the body is doing pretty good - it was just the exposed metal - the rear diff and leafs also need to be protected along with the hitch. Maybe if the weather holds I'll get back under there. Sure wish I had a hoist and access to a media blaster!

Im glad you tossed those in there jimmajay, love the red dyed concrete too.

I ve got a parts van subframe I want to resto-mod and add a 383 ontop and do a roll out-in conversion.. mabey oneday.

Save your pennies! You'll need them.