Does anyone know if a frame under a '00 Chevy 3500 Van is the same as the frame under a truck? And would these frames be good for putting under an old 50's-60's truck body? I am just curious since my company is looking to get rid of some vans for cheap.
I believe Chevy refers to the van platform as a "G" ch***is. it is different than the truck ch***is, as everything is shoved forward as far a possible to make room in the box. As to whether it's a good fit, it would depend on the year of the project truck. Everything got bigger and wider from the 50s into the 60s. Get out the tape measure...
GM has an Upfitter site that provides complete technical info on their trucks for use by aftermarket truck body builders. That data includes complete frame dimensions. The G-van info is here: http://www.gmupfitter.com/publicat/dload/LDPDF/600.PDF Scroll through that do***ent and you'll find the complete frame dimensions starting on page 24.
They are very different. Old trucks tend to use a ladder-style frame, with straight rails. This one is a perimeter-style, where the rails "bulge" out in the middle, to a width that is likely wider than any 50's or 60's cab.
Chevy vans have been unibody since 1971, unless they're a cutaway van. But they do have straight rails underneath. In fact the older ones probably were, too. So far as I know only Ford vans have a seperate frame. There are a lot of rod-reusable parts on those vans, latches and things; as for the drivetrain they're prone to leaking intake gaskets that go at around 100K or so. The motor is a port EFI, it's more work to convert to a traditional appearance than say a TBI motor would be.
Thanks for all the info and insight. Ill just walk away from these cause it sounds like they are more work to make work then worth.
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