The Lunchbox Build... 4x4 chevy shorty van

[Lunchbox2]

I got the axle centered and everything is square, well within 1/8" anyway, so I think I'm good... That wasn't the original plan for the leaf spring brackets, but they wouldn't work vertically, so I worked with what I had and made it happen. By the time I'm done with the 1/4" plating, you'll be able to lift the van off the ground from these mounts. I'll work on the rear shackle mount on monday, which is going to be a little trickier than I expected. I lost my column shifter on the driver side, and the exhaust is going to be REALLY tight over on the passenger side, but it'll all work out. It will come down 2-3 inches once all of the weight of the van is sitting on those springs, they will ride flat...







I need to trim the engine crossmember. I'll probably just pull it out and cut 3-4 inches out of it, move it closer to the motor.

 

[naterry]

Yes please!

 

[devo 1]

Awesome, get er done!

 

[Lunchbox2]

I got the front axle in it's final resting place today. After spending a day on building a mount for my front leaf spring shackle, I realized something.... I bought a shackle flip from DIY4X.com for the rear, but can't use it because of how the van's frame is made. Well, turns out they make a PERFECT shackle mount for the front leaf springs!







I still have to trim the crossmember up but that's not too big of a project, considering what I've done over the past 4 months... lol



Look Ma no jack-stands! I imagine I will have to add a leaf to the front spring pack once the doors, seats, bumpers, winch, etc... are all on the van. I want it to sit right there, I like that height and tire-gap.... I'll go back tomorrow and finish up the welding, doing gussets and 1/4" plate where it needs it....

 

[borison]

That's a big van! Can't wait to see where this goes.

 

[philos]

Sweet jeebus, that's big


Sent via flux capacitor

 

[ClubWagon]

I thought you might get a kick out of this. I found it when I was looking for Christmas gift ideas for my son.

 

[onemanarmy]

May have missed it, but why not make the camper 4wd?

Either way, the shorty van is gonna look pretty awesome.

 

[Lunchbox2]

View attachment 319982
I thought you might get a kick out of this. I found it when I was looking for Christmas gift ideas for my son.

That is my inspiration! I had one of those when I was a little kid, and have wanted to build one ever since.

 

[Lunchbox2]

May have missed it, but why not make the camper 4wd?

Either way, the shorty van is gonna look pretty awesome.

I need something I can ride trails with.... Trying to squeeze a 24' motorhome through the woods, or down a mountain trail is not my idea of a good time... lol The van makes for the perfect adventure mobile. It will be able to cruise 80 down the highway, pack 4 people and all their gear anywhere we want to go, and then traverse 90% of off-road trails in this country. The van only has a 112" wheelbase, and combined with the ground clearance/tires/lockers, it should be pretty capable off-road....

 

[ClubWagon]

I think it's awesome so far! Can't wait to see it finished and some action pictures. 👍🏼👍🏼

 

[Lunchbox2]

I finished up all of the welding on the front axle today. The rear shackle mount is burned-in, and the front mounts are burned-in and plated, the Dana 60 install is COMPLETE! Woo-hoo!



This is what's behind the bumper, I will pull the van in-half before these leaf spring mounts break off....



Then we put the doors from the motorhome on the van. Those latches are like new, so it sounds like a new car door when it shuts. It's actually kind of funny...



I had to order some bushings for my rear leaf spring shackle mount that I have to fabricate, and they won't be here until monday. So that means that tomorrow is going to be a busy-work kind of day to prepare for next week. I'm going to pull a 63" pair of leaf springs from a 98 chevy 4x4, which will give me an extra 7" of leaf spring to work with. It will help with the shackle angle, and keep the tires from rubbing the front of the wheel-well. It won't hurt to gain a couple inches of wheelbase, and she'll ride like a cadillac. If there's time, I'll start routing the underhood wiring harness, fuel lines, hoses, etc..... I have until christmas before I get kicked out of the shop, so this is the sprint to the finish!

 

[philos]

Woot!!!


Sent via flux capacitor

 

[tienckb]

Sub'd

I have much respect for all of you guys with this kind of skill.




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2002 LX470 expo ready
2008 Ford E350 EB V10 4x4 Sportsmobile PH top
Custom off road trailer

 

[djbonsu]

Cant wait to see it finished!! Lookin bad*ss!