78 GMC Pathfinder 4x4 build

[Clay]

I took the van out for a little romp in the snow yesterday, and it did really good! The tires and the weight distribution make for a really good combination.

I think that I have most of the little bugs worked out at this point. It's not been a whole lot of stuff, but what one would expect from a 32 year old vehicle.

 

[Larry]

Nice! I would love to have an old 4x4 G-van. :sombrero:

 

[Clay]

I got an email today....

"The front axle was custom made for Pathfinder by the Dana Corp. Parts are much the same as pickup of the same make and year. Just remember the axle housing and inner shafts are what are custom." - Gordon Abrams pathfinder4x4vans.com

Just thought I would share the info.

 

[78Pathfinder]

Update

I have not check the page in awhile. but here is some updates on my van.
I strip, sanded all the rust and put in a bed liner inside. her are some pic of that.

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac90/iglue357/1.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac90/iglue357/2.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac90/iglue357/3.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac90/iglue357/4.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac90/iglue357/5.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac90/iglue357/6.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac90/iglue357/7.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac90/iglue357/8.jpg

Still so much more to do.

 

[78Pathfinder]

Thanks for the info keep it coming.

I got an email today....

"The front axle was custom made for Pathfinder by the Dana Corp. Parts are much the same as pickup of the same make and year. Just remember the axle housing and inner shafts are what are custom." - Gordon Abrams pathfinder4x4vans.com

Just thought I would share the info.

 

[78Pathfinder]

I read your write up, great. I will be doing some of the same.

I had an 86 that I fixed up for camping.
Did a write up for it here. Great van, I miss it.

 

[Gvan]

I am in the process of building a Pathfinder K Van out of a rare 1980 Chevy Nomad Van if found that had been in storage for 15 years. I have completly striped three Pathfinder 1976,1978 and 1979 vans for parts to build two vans (I hope). I have learned a lot about these vans from taking these ones apart. Pathfinder installed an L shaped (bottom and inside rail) sub-frame after removing the stock crossmember. The framing was welded onto the vans stock uni-body frame with 12 plug welds on each side and then also welded at the bottom outside edge in a few key spots. These rails have the rear spring hangers on them and there is a square tube crossmember for the front spring mounts. Pathfinder built these vans Gm vans from 1975 until 1991 when they went out of buisness. All of the GM/Pathfinder vans had leaf springs.
Gordon at Pathfinder Van http://www.pathfinder-vans.com/index.html has these great factory manuals that can show you how they were assembled as well as any specs you might need. His web site is a great place for information about these vans.

 

[Clay]

Thanks for the info on that. Gordon is a helpful fellow, which is great to see.

I'm still loving my van. It's been a great ride, very reliable and good to have. Every time I take it on a trip I realize what a good investment it really is.

The only additions that I've done to update at this point have been a 2 meter ham radio, a cb radio and a new stereo system. Other than that, I have some plans for the future and will document those as I go.

Here's a pic from today, in the Sierras on a road trip:

Another one from the Black Rock Desert last summer:

I've decided that some lighting is next on the priority list. I'd like to get some bumpers but can't find any that are made up. Does anyone know of a company that makes winch bumpers for this year of van?

 

[Gvan]

Bumpers.

As for the bumpers I think you could use 1973-1987 Chevy Truck Bumpers as 1978 to 1995 G Vans have almost the same bumpers. You might have to fab up some brackets.

Also some of the bumper companies may still have (make) bumpers for these vans. I am going to make some for a friend who just bought a 1985 Pathfinder GMC Van. You should look around in here as there are some great ideas and pictures of bumpers here. I am sure you could have some made exactly like you want.

Reunel shows a picture of an old G Van on their site maybe they still make them.
http://www.reunel.com/ChevyExtremeDutyFrontBumper/Chevy57.html

 

[NorCalLC]

You guys have some nice vans, I've always liked them. I dont really know why I've never had one though, they seem like a great platform to build on.

I might have to rethink a few things in the near future....

 

[Clay]

Thanks, for the thoughts.

I dunno if I can pay $1500 for a bumper. I'm not a great welder, but maybe it's time to get a little better!

 

[Clay]

You guys have some nice vans, I've always liked them. I dont really know why I've never had one though, they seem like a great platform to build on.

I might have to rethink a few things in the near future....

I'll tell you what. If you can find one that's been taken care of, they are great. There's a ton of stuff I'd like to do to this one, but in the end I always end up spending money on traveling and the van is always good enough to get the job done. Things will get added as needed, I guess.

If you want to check mine out, I'll be in the Grass Valley area in February for a couple weeks. I'd be more than willing to meet up with ya.

 

[LiveWire64]

As for the bumpers I think you could use 1973-1987 Chevy Truck Bumpers as 1978 to 1995 G Vans have almost the same bumpers. You might have to fab up some brackets.

I have the measurements for the 78-95 van & 73-80 GM bumpers. Besides the mounting points being different, the bumpers themselves are not the same width. Brad

 

[Gvan]

Thanks Brad for the great information. I am sure you could use the rear bumper if you made brackets and possibly the front one as the shape is the about same but as I said you will have to fab up some mounts. I am not talking about using the Stock Van or Truck bumpers but some kind of after-market type. Just finding something that will fit these old GM vans is tough these days so something close (and possibly used) may still be cheaper than buying a new one or even building on from scratch. I am going to build two for a friend who just bought an 1985 Pathfinder GMC and we are thinking of doing it like Spencyg did on his 4x4 Ford Camper van (which is a very cool van and a great thread by the way it has tons of great ideas and pictures) by using the stock bumper ends and custom building the center sections to have tow hooks, protect the grill, winch mounts and other provisions for off road camping. I myself bought a whole Pathfinder Van just for the bumper and a 10k winch and now I have a bunch of spare parts as well.

As a thought for those who might like to build a bumper but either don't have a welder or are not sure of their welding skills. You could always cut and shape the parts your self and then have it welded at a welding shop.

 

[Clay]

I have the measurements for the 78-95 van & 73-80 GM bumpers. Besides the mounting points being different, the bumpers themselves are not the same width. Brad

That's very good info, thanks!