GM fullsize AWD Van Info thread

[boardrider247]

Has anyone considered swapping the front drivetrain from an AWD Express into a RWD model? Would everything bolt up? Basically, I have an 8 passenger G1500 that a) is getting cramped from having more kids, b) is going to need an engine at some point (had a misfire since I bought it 60k mi ago, best I can figure is it's developing a flat spot in the cam, plus it's burning a lot of oil these days), and c) the cheap repaint the previous owner did is peeling off. From what I understand, GM never offered a 12 passenger model in AWD. Is it crazy to think I could swap the front end, transmission, and transfer case over to a newer 12pa model? Might have to deal w/ 6 vs 8 lug hubs, but are there any other major hurdles?

As I understand it they are totally different chassis. The AWD models are torsion bar front suspension and the rwd models are coil spring front suspension. That being said I have not been underneath of a 1500 RWD (do they exist?) to confirm that those are coil spring. I do know that the 2500/3500 RWD are for sure coil sprung front.

 

[Scotty D]

Pretty sure that 12 passenger van is not going to be a 1500

 

[camrg77]

As I understand it they are totally different chassis. The AWD models are torsion bar front suspension and the rwd models are coil spring front suspension. That being said I have not been underneath of a 1500 RWD (do they exist?) to confirm that those are coil spring. I do know that the 2500/3500 RWD are for sure coil sprung front.

Interesting, yeah mine is torsion bar, I figured the RWD models would be the same.

 

[camrg77]

Pretty sure that 12 passenger van is not going to be a 1500

Correct. All the 12 passenger vans are 2500/3500 but all the AWD models are 1500. So I was wondering if I could swap the 1500 front drivetrain onto a 25/3500 chassis to make a Frankenstein 12 passenger AWD.

 

[Scotty D]

Correct. All the 12 passenger vans are 2500/3500 but all the AWD models are 1500. So I was wondering if I could swap the 1500 front drivetrain onto a 25/3500 chassis to make a Frankenstein 12 passenger AWD.

with enough effort you can do anything but frankenstien is correct. Even just sorting out which transmission you would use. I dont think the 4l60E would work and I dont think the transfer case plays well with the 4L80

Then there are the rims. 6 hole in front , 8 hole in back?

I you end up doing it, I would sure love to see a write up on it

 

[Seaweed]

We have moved over to a truck camper and ours is listed here in the classifieds. It’s been an awesome van for the past 4 years!