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1986 GMC van frame for a Cabover

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by pug man, May 6, 2007.

  1. pug man
    Joined: Apr 9, 2007
    Posts: 1,010

    pug man
    Member
    from louisiana

    Can anybody please tell me if a 1986 GMC fullsize van 2500 has a full frame underneath it. I want to use this on my 1948 Ford Cabover because of the steering the way it is almost straight up. When I looked underneath the van it looks like it is un-body:confused: I am confused because I can't see a full frame under there:eek: . Can somebody please tell me if I can use this for my Cabover or do I have the "wrong" van? thanks for any info:)
     
  2. Soviet
    Joined: Sep 4, 2005
    Posts: 729

    Soviet
    Member

    If you can't tell the difference between a full framer and a unibody, you probably aren't ready to build a cabover on a late model frame. Sorry.
     
  3. monzadood
    Joined: Sep 10, 2006
    Posts: 1,033

    monzadood
    BANNED

    i have one at my parents house. i thought they were full-framed...i will check next time i go there.
     
  4. willys_truck
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 785

    willys_truck
    Member

    they are full framed.
     

  5. monzadood
    Joined: Sep 10, 2006
    Posts: 1,033

    monzadood
    BANNED

    thanks willy . you saved me a trip.
     
  6. Hackerbilt
    Joined: Aug 13, 2001
    Posts: 6,254

    Hackerbilt
    Member

    An 86 Chevy Van has a unitized frame. It's a part of the complete floorpan and body structure.

    HOWEVER...you could trim it down to fit if you felt like it. Box style RV conversions do it all the time but naturally keep the van cab itself in place.
    YOU would be trimming everything off!

    To simply gain a vertical shaft on your steering box I think it would be a waste of time and effort.
    But if there were more compelling reasons...it could work.
     
  7. Just take the box and use it on a std truck chassis.

    FWIW I am building a 49 Ford COE and using a 74 GMC dually chassis. With the stock steering box in the stock position. I have a very acceptable angle at the steering shaft-to-column U-joint. I even used the stock rag joint at the box with a custom short steering shaft about 6-7 inches length.

    See pic below that shows my steering shaft and U-joint.
    [​IMG]
     
  8. skajaquada
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 1,642

    skajaquada
    Member
    from SLC Utard

    he said un-body...get it right man. ;) :rolleyes:
     
  9. tomslik
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 2,161

    tomslik
    Member



    use the frt crossmember for a pickup and shorten the centerlink.
    i think you'll find the van crossmember too wide ( the pickup is 4 " narrower) and yeah, the van is a unibody...
     
  10. pug man
    Joined: Apr 9, 2007
    Posts: 1,010

    pug man
    Member
    from louisiana

    Thanks for all the info guys! Man, it sure is nice to tap into all this knowledge and get taught a few things. Hey tomslik, thanks for the information. You think I could trim away everything and use the van or you wouldn't bother and just go with a truck frame? Once I saw that it was a "unibody" and realized that I would have to cut away all that floor it didn't sit to well with me. Thanks guys...
     
  11. tomslik
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 2,161

    tomslik
    Member

    i used the stock 46 frame and welded the crossmember in but mine was a chevy.
    got a pic of yours?
     

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