I need a reality check here. I have been looking around for a 6.2L or 6.5L engine to swap into my current project truck. I have found that the mid-late 80's P30 Chevy step vans have them and I get a whole running truck for only $1500 which would be great for a swap since I would have all of the parts I need.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/d55guy/detail?.dir=1335&.dnm=5025.jpg&.src=ph

However I started thinking, I like cab over for 4 wheeling (I loved it in my unimog) and the biggest reason for me changing projects over the years has been rust. Well if I buy one of these P30s, it already cab over and the body is all aluminum. So I thought could I turn this thing into a 4x4 camper, kind of what I had hoped my old mog would turn into. Something like this (I haven't used photoshop in years):

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/d55guy/detail?.dir=1335&.dnm=fb35.jpg&.src=ph

Now I know I would need to install a transfer case, new axles and new suspension, but those are things I would be doing to any project vehicle. The biggest worry might be the height of the completed rig.

Am I out of my mind?
Thx,
Kerry

Umm....... Yes

But if you build it I wanna see pics

What does one of those with an AL body weigh anyway?

I think its creativity comming out... If thats what you want go for it! think off all the storage space! :D

Rag top the roof of your drawing and it starts to look like a Frankenhummer - in a good way of course :grinpimp: Put a full roll cage in and you're ready to give safari like tours on the 'Con.

Why not chop the top a lil bit?

:laughing: :laughing:
Good approach and departures, Good center of gravity if you make the drivetrain fit up between the framerails high (aluminum body, not much weight up top) and chop the top to fit with a more rounded look and lower, make it fit to the cage. I think it would be cool. Originality is always fun, especially if done properly and creatively
GO FOR IT

I'm likin' it! Been around my dad to long I guess! (he has acouple of Fo%d vans he's converted to 4x4).

Do those things have a full frame under them? Never looked myself, but being a tonner I'd think they would.

:laughing: :laughing:
Good approach and departures, Good center of gravity if you make the drivetrain fit up between the framerails high (aluminum body, not much weight up top) and chop the top to fit with a more rounded look and lower, make it fit to the cage. I think it would be cool. Originality is always fun, especially if done properly and creatively
GO FOR IT

Cool, I was expected to get laughed off the page but there are actually people who think it might work! :-) I was looking at one the other day and one of the nice things is that it is so simple. Everything is at right angles and flat. The two frame rails are very beefy steel C channels that are completely straight and the look plenty strong (about the same a a Unimog). The whole drive train tucks nicely between the frame with the GM diesel. The Cummins diesel sticks down quite a bit. I was thinking of keeping the stock 4 speed auto (I would prefer a NV4500 but the shifting linkage could be a huge PIA) and then running a divorced transfer case with some real low gears (do they make such a thing?). Then run some 12 bolt axles with a ~4.11 with 36 or 38 inch tires so that the diesel wouldn't be blowing it self up on the highway. For suspension, coil springs, on a 4 link or maybe a simple trailing link with a pan hard bar. Some serious shocks and maybe even sway bars (w/ disconnect) so it would be drivable to the trail. The front cross member could be a problem since it sticks down some, but I think I could position the axle just behind it like shown in the photochop. I thought about chopping the top and it could be done without too much difficulty for 6" after that it become too much of a PIA because I want it keep in closed in (no rag top). I haven't been able to find the empty weight of these things but the gross is usually 7,500-10,000lb. The wheel base would be about 110" which I think would be perfect (the same as my old cruiser wagon).

Kerry

Im always down for a "crazy idea" and I think that rig would be bitchin. The shear size would limit which trails you could run but still...

100% behind you.

Im always down for a "crazy idea" and I think that rig would be bitchin. The shear size would limit which trails you could run but still...

100% behind you.

I wonder what the practical size limit would be for a rig? My mog was just a hair under 8 foot high so it barely fit in the garage. I had to air down just a bit to fit. 8 or 9 foot would probably be the max I would want to run on the trail until I start hitting a lot of tree branches. The van bodies are 7' 3" wide, which will keep me out of tight spaces but it's not much bigger then a 404.1.

Kerry

It's people like you who make me feel entirely, or at least mostly, sane. I say go for it, that'd be a total "WTF was that?" rig on any trail. And you could sell crack, er, ice cream out of it to pay for parts... :D

-Nate

It's people like you who make me feel entirely, or at least mostly, sane. I say go for it, that'd be a total "WTF was that?" rig on any trail. And you could sell crack, er, ice cream out of it to pay for parts... :D

-Nate

LOL!! :D I don't know about the crack part but the ice cream idea is a great one! I could go to moab and hang out at the top of potato salad hill selling ice cream during Easter jeep safari! Heck, it would probably pay for the trip!

I'd like a vanilla with hot 90w, and some grade 8 nuts, please..... :grinpimp:

If I'm OK your definitely OK,
If I'm nuts, your still probably OK,

Kerry

Didn't Van Halen do that tune? Yea that rig is sweet. DO IT. "All my flavors are guarented to satisfy" I saw a pic of an old chev van someone did that to in a early 90's Four Wheeler. Got it kickin around someplace. But he used duce an a half axles I believe. Was his beach fishin /campin rig . I'd like a double dip peppermint swirl w/ chocolate covering please!!! :D :D

Swap in a diesel engine and convert it to dual fuel system- running veggie oil or biodiesel( taht you make from the other), primarily. The stuff is free. You just gotta be picky about waht you take - making sure to process it well.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=straight+veggie+oil+greasel&btnG=Google+Search

Swap in a diesel engine and convert it to dual fuel system- running veggie oil or biodiesel( taht you make from the other), primarily. The stuff is free. You just gotta be picky about waht you take - making sure to process it well.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=straight+veggie+oil+greasel&btnG=Google+Search

Bio diesel would be cool. The main reason I started looking at these things was because you can find them with a diesel already installed. Some of the engine options are 6.2 and 6.5L GM V8 diesels or 4BT or 6BT Cummins diesels. Unfortunately the more I look at it the more I am realizing the rig is just too big. It starts off at over 9 feet, then it gets lifted with the new suspension and tires which would have me pushing 10'6"! :eek: That's just too dang tall. There are bridges I wouldn't make it under! They made many different body version for these things. I'll look around and see if I can find one of more *normal* dimensions.

Kerry

It starts off at over 9 feet, then it gets lifted with the new suspension and tires which would have me pushing 10'6"! :eek: That's just too dang tall. There are bridges I wouldn't make it under! They made many different body version for these things. I'll look around and see if I can find one of more *normal* dimensions.

Kerry

Nah, you just gotta be a pussy and never wheel it, learn the routes without bridges, and cruise it as a pavement pimper. Think how that would shame all the H2 Hummers and Ecrapades.
haha. But seriously, its too bad about the size, cause the simple fact of doing it would just be SOOOO COOL!

I'm laughing my ass off here! I say if you want it go for it.
Your idea reminds me of the UPS truck that Air Ride Technologies did.
http://www.ridetech.com/companyprojects/ups_1.asp

Or the Breadsled (bunch of custom box van stuff here)
http://forum.sportruck.com/showpost.pl?Board=suspension&Number=68545&page=0&view=collapsed&mode=flat&sb=5

Definately get to choppin the top down, then section the body 12" or so right out of the belt line. I think your idea of running that setup would work you just need to par down the body alot, possibly even narrow it down the middle and suck it closer together.

For axles you mentioned 12 bolts. Please stay away away from this junk! For the same money you can have a 14bolt that will handle what you want.


Now get it, bust out the sawzall and TIG welder for that aluminum and build some bad ass shit!

My friend own's a hot rod shop and Ive seen them chanel the body to lower the vehicle hieght. If you chanel and section it the hieght is no problem. I'm at work so I dont have access to the picks but from what I'm reading I interested on seeing this build.

don't raise it ...... tub it! I put 42's on a k-5 with only a 4" lift ..... you should be able to put 38's on that thing with a 4" drop and c-notched frame rails ... lots of down travel and up travel can be less ..... don't puss out here .... DO IT!!!!!