is a van I beam the same as a pickup?

nevrenufhp · Post by **nevrenufhp** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:12 pm

Or are they wider? I have access to a 78 van for a disc swap, but I think the I beams are wider on the van, so I'll have to swap spindles over to my old beams.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:29 pm

i don't think you can use them for another reason. i can't remeber why but i might be wrong. come to think of it i think i heard that vans don't have i beams. that i what i heard. i don't know. i have never looked under one.

nevrenufhp · Post by **nevrenufhp** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:13 am

All I could tell was almost all of the prake parts are the same part numbers. I wont be able to take a look for 2 weeks, it's 600 miles away. But, everything I want to take is $20 & a case O beer.

71 LONG BED · Post by **71 LONG BED** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:30 am

With a deal like that, it is worth taking the chance. I'd go ahead and get the parts. If you do have to swap the spindles over, the cost will be offset by the great deal on the parts.

jbanks · Post by **jbanks** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:46 am

nevrenufhp wrote:All I could tell was almost all of the prake parts are the same part numbers. I wont be able to take a look for 2 weeks, it's 600 miles away. But, everything I want to take is $20 & a case O beer.

Well heck, just hitch up to the Van and haul it home. Can't beat that for $20.

nevrenufhp · Post by **nevrenufhp** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:05 pm

I'll be snagging the PS pump, box hoses, bracketry, distributor, alternator, all brake parts I can get, 3rd member(9"), intake mfd, tires & rims, sway bar, and what ever else I can think of.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:56 pm

let us know how it goes. i am unsure about the box also. it was kieth jow had told someone else that one van suspesion or sterring parts would fit our trucks from what i remember.

Post by **FORDification** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:09 pm

The steering box won't work, since vans are front-steer and our trucks are rear-steer.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:47 pm

i knew it was something about them that wouldn't work. would the vans work on 4x4s for those who are in need of a good one? if so they could get them from the vans.

Leadfoot · Post by **Leadfoot** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 1:24 am

the vans beams/suspention is different, its straighter. and the ps box is different, along with the steering linkage.
I know the calipers and rotor you can use but I belive the van spindles got the linkage at the front, not the back like the trucks. so I don't see how it will work.

nevrenufhp · Post by **nevrenufhp** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 8:12 am

I'll still snag it, if anything I can use the van box as a core for the pickup one. I may end up driving my 67 up there. My butt & back keep telling me I should take the minivan though.

mickster · Post by **mickster** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:41 pm

I tryed to use spindals off a '85 van. The camber was way out. I guess I've got two degree and the van had 5-7 degree maybe vise versa. To use them I would 've needed to heat the I beams. Way too much trouble for me. If you pull it off I've still got spindle,rotor, calipers and power breaks

71 LONG BED · Post by **71 LONG BED** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:22 am

Which way were they off? You might be on to something. If they were off camber positively then once some coils where cut out, it would bring them back to normal.

Hey Keith, maybe this is worth looking into for the chop top project.

mickster · Post by **mickster** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:45 am

They were Positive, the front clip is off and no motor and trans. It just so happens I have one side stock the other with the disc set up still on the truck. I'll get to the painter and take shotsand forward them if anyone wants to see.

nevrenufhp · Post by **nevrenufhp** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:20 pm

What about putting the right(van spindle) on the left(truck I beam), and visey-versey? It would make it a rear steer.

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is a van I beam the same as a pickup?

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re: is a van I beam the same as a pickup?