Wasn't his daughter Katrina Van Axel, the hot chick from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? Seriously, Hatch just told me about a friend with a hot rodded '62 F-85 Oldsmobile that had a Chevy Van axle under it.
I think it is similar to using a Econoline or F-100 axle, it is hung by parallel leafs. So converting to transverse spring is difficult. Old Ford axles are pretty easy to find, or get a new one, they are not that much money. Then you have it set up for the spring perches and radius rods.
Check out a website www.ammoman.com/chevy/default_353.htm. Rob is building a 1929 Chev with a 60's Chevy van front axle. Really well done. The page I sent is the last one that he has done, go back to the beginning and see it all come together.
The Jalopy Journal
