4x4 1 ton chevy ifs conversion

[BajasurfJohn]

Just a quick question can anyone tell me if it is possible to use a 1997 chevy 1 ton 4x4 as a donor vehicle to build a 1 ton chevy van of a similar year? I have access to both and would like to build a 4x4 camper van for surf trips to Baja. No serious off road action, off the beaten path type stuff. Would this conversion be bolt on or would it require an extreme amount of fab work? Also if someone could point me in the direction of some info on the web that would be helpful also. I am having no luck finding anything out. Thank you! :sombrero:

 

[1leg]

A great web site for chevy full size rig building

http://coloradok5.com/forums/index.php


It's a pay site but would be very helpful if you plan on doing this build.

 

[ntsqd]

I'm gathering that you wish to keep the 4WD IFS?
cK5 is all about front live axles. You may find something to help, but I dunno.
Does the Van have it's own frame, or is it like it's older brothers and is Unibody construction?

If on a ladder frame then it may be feasible to merge the two frames to be one. I would highly suggest that the whole IFS assembly portion of the frame be left alone. I would NOT suggest cutting those brackets off and trying to add them to the Van's chassis.

 

[BajasurfJohn]

I'm gathering that you wish to keep the 4WD IFS?
cK5 is all about front live axles. You may find something to help, but I dunno.
Does the Van have it's own frame, or is it like it's older brothers and is Unibody construction?

If on a ladder frame then it may be feasible to merge the two frames to be one. I would highly suggest that the whole IFS assembly portion of the frame be left alone. I would NOT suggest cutting those brackets off and trying to add them to the Van's chassis.

I have no ideal about the van frame. I have to drive down and look at it. My brother in law has it at his place and offered it to me. Right now I own a 97 3500 dually 4x4. The van is a 97 or 98 1 ton. I figured I would search the internet and see what I could find before I make a 300+ mile round trip to investigate. I don't see my self wanting to get in to any heavy fab work for a project that is going to yield an ifs van. I just figured if it was a straight forward swap using chevy or aftermarket hardware I would do it. But as of right now I am not having luck finding anyone that knows vans and trucks. Lots of truck guys around and a few van guys, but no luck on a chevy van and truck guru yet!:sombrero:

 

[ntsqd]

If a live axle is your choice then I'd suggest taking to "Ujoint" (Chris) on this board.

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

the AWD van at work (cheby)...looks very similar to the 2wd front ends...so I think it would be possible that the 4wd stuff would be a bolt swap...with a little arc flash...:sombrero:

 

[BajasurfJohn]

the AWD van at work (cheby)...looks very similar to the 2wd front ends...so I think it would be possible that the 4wd stuff would be a bolt swap...with a little arc flash...:sombrero:

I have no problem doing a little welding. I just don't want to have to try it from scratch. :Wow1:
I am going to see if I can find one local to go look at. I think the ifs 4x4 would be fine for surf trips to baja. I don't think I would want to do any serious trails.
:smiley_drive:

 

[ujoint]

I wouldn't recommend it. It would be a TON of fab, and you'd be better off with a solid axle if you plan to put that much work into it. Plus, it would be more durable on & off road with the solid axle. The GM IFS has a lot of weak spots..

 

[Dave Bennett]

The GM IFS has a lot of weak spots..

x2

We had a '96 Chevy 3500 truck when I worked as a logger and one day the drivers side front had a catastrophic failure at speed on a logging road (wheel and A-arm came off)... at 40,000 miles on the odo :Wow1:

I don't trust GM IFS.

 

[BajasurfJohn]

x2

We had a '96 Chevy 3500 truck when I worked as a logger and one day the drivers side front had a catastrophic failure at speed on a logging road (wheel and A-arm came off)... at 40,000 miles on the odo :Wow1:

I don't trust GM IFS.

I have never had any trouble with my 3500. I have owned it since new and used it mainly towing my boats and my toy hauler. 4x4 comes in handy with a 30 foot boat on a slick ramp. I have also used it to tow my toy hauler off road. Had to engage 4 low on a lot of occasions to tow through sand and what not. Truck just clicked off 120k. I figured it would be no different in a van. To be honest in the truck I have never had to engage the front for any place we surf in Baja, I just thought it would be good to have incase we made a wrong turn :sombrero: So Maybe I'll sell the truck and just buy a van and convert it to a solid axle 4x4. I know it would make a stronger set up. I was just thinking that ifs would be fine for a little self recovery along with a winch in case we need it. I guess if I go that route I will go with a ford. I have seen a few do it yourself kits with all the brackets and what not done for you. I like to build things myself so this seems like the easiest and cheapest way to go with out having to re-invent the wheel. It seems to me that a van thats already converted is way over priced compared to what it would cost to build, even if you factor in $2500 for the kit plus parts. Am I way off on that opinion?

 

[ujoint]

Nope, that's an excellent plan. If you go the Ford route, check out my site for the conversion kit---

 

[BajasurfJohn]

Nope, that's an excellent plan. If you go the Ford route, check out my site for the conversion kit---

I already scoured the site :sombrero:

Once my truck is sold and a suitable van is procured you will be hearing from me :victory: I cant think of a better surf mobile for Baja and just for camping in general off the beaten path................

 

[deserteagle56]

x2

We had a '96 Chevy 3500 truck when I worked as a logger and one day the drivers side front had a catastrophic failure at speed on a logging road (wheel and A-arm came off)... at 40,000 miles on the odo :Wow1:

I don't trust GM IFS.

I saw the same thing, couple of years back. Way out in the middle of nowhere, driving down a long straight dirt road, I saw a pickup and horse trailer about 30 yards off the road in the desert. The passenger-side wheel/A-arm had come off - deep gouges in the road that veered off into the desert - and once the pickup was off into the rough desert alongside the road, the horse trailer detached from the truck and rolled. There was a dead horse behind the trailer. The desert was pretty rough in this area - lots of boulders and gullies - and I was surprised the pickup hadn't rolled also. Looked like there was no control at all over the direction of the truck once the A-arm broke off. The wheel/A-arm assembly was still attached to the truck, laying beside it, but only by one bracket. There was no one around, so someone must have happened by and picked up the driver before I got there.

Guess that's one of the reasons why 99% of the ranches around here run either Fords or Dodges.

 

[ujoint]

I already scoured the site :sombrero:

Once my truck is sold and a suitable van is procured you will be hearing from me :victory: I cant think of a better surf mobile for Baja and just for camping in general off the beaten path................

Good deal!!!

 

[Kelster]

Quigley's GM 4x4 conversion uses 99% factory parts per their website. Maybe you can glean some info there that actually would be helpful.