2001 savanna

[nucktaco]

My buddy is giving me a 2001 savanna van in need of some work to start a cheap camper van setup.

Have a few questions:

1) Any ideas on a small lift? It will be staying 2wd with probably a rear locker down the road. Not looking to spend the 1700 on a weldtech lift. Are any of the truck suspension parts interchangeable?

2) the motor is blown in this van. It has a 5.0 305 in it. Another buddy has a 98 Tahoe with a 5.7 350 in it I can get cheap. The van currently has been converted to propane so thinking I’d most likely swap back to gas. Is this 5.7 a decent engine to swap in or am I better to try find a 5.3 or something to swap in? I have no experience with vans so not sure if there is anything extra I need to consider.

A couple ************ pics of the van currently. Bodywork I’m not super concerned about as I have a couple buddy’s that are Bodymen and i manage a bodyshop. Mechanically a few buddies are mechanics as well who offered to help.

Plans for the van are:
Small lift
Mt tires (I have a spare set of 285/70/17 km2s if they will fit)
Engine swap
Camperize interior

I have a tacoma that’s lifted with roof tent and all that for more off-road oriented camping so this doesn’t have to been super off-road capable. More just something me, my wife and our dog can go screw around with. My brother in law and sister have a 72 dormobile converted vw van and we want to do some camping with them next summer.

 

[Len.Barron]

The 98 Tahoe 5.7 will be a bolt in and all the van specific stuff from the 5.0 will transfer right over so I'd definitely go that route; my van had a 5.7 when I got it and it was plenty of motor for even my extended 6500lbs hightop. Weld-tec has some coil spring spacers that will get you a small front lift for not much money..

 

[bbbthreat]

Check out these threads for good info on lifts and parts crossover.

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...-info-thread-all-years-1500-2500-3500.172857/

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/another-lift-thread.198193/

Because you have an older GM van of the 96-02 variety, you have access to more lift options and crossover with using truck parts for a lift. I would probably go with 4" spindle lift to be able to clear a 285 tire. 2" coil spacer will work on 265 sized tires, but anything bigger would require some trimming.

There should be no issue swapping in the other engine. Are you planning to lift the body off to do the swap?

 

[Len.Barron]

Are you planning to lift the body off to do the swap?

You should change that to; "How are you planning to lift the body?" I can't imagine doing it any other way..

 

[nucktaco]

I do have access to a hoist and forklift at my shop so removing the body shouldn’t be an issue. Gives me a chance to clean up and por15 the frame while it’s off anyways.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

 

[akskiffer]

As far as a locker I would suggest a limited slip and not a full locker! You have a parking brake and with that and a limited slip you will have the best of both worlds.

FrenchieFJ will you tell me how to take advantage of the best of both worlds?
I have a GU64 3.42 rear. What does it do? I lack deep differential understanding.

Thanks,
Tod
'09 express 1500 H1(awd) LT

 

[akskiffer]

Hi akskiffer (Tod),

This is a good site to watch to understand the way a Diff, works. < > and in more detail is < >.

The second video did leave out that the draw backs to a locked differential will put a lot of stress between the right and left wheel on a high traction surface. It will also with a 2 or 4 wheel drive vehicle try and have the vehicle go stright on slippery surfaces and not turn.

The limited slip differential with the added braking makes a axle up to 95% as effective as a locker and will let the vehicle turn. Now to do this properly you will start with a light foot and increase the brake pressure to get the non-spinning wheel to start rotating. You will have to increase the throttle a little. Very important is you do not want to use a lot of brake pressure and a lot of throttle. How much is a lot? A lot is when your drive shaft twist or your "U" joint breaks.

Da Frenchman

Neat videos Frenchie.
I appreciate them and your technique explanation. the old vids brought me up to speed on different differentials. The technique seems similar but converse to kids practicing "power-braking" to burn rubber with their parents car.

I have no locker. Time for me and the van to head for the slippery stuff and try it out.

Happy New Year