Hey All. I have a few questions for you.

I have a '68 ford p350 step van (vanette), and it is getting a little tired in the power dept,(300 straight 6, Np 435, 4.56 8.8 rear), and a little completely rusted out chassis( almost 40 years in minnesota)

I have been looking or a donor truck to possibly switch the dody over, and have found that big broncos have the same 104" WB. I found a '79 with a 460, c6 and a 9" rear for $500, so i would like to move the body over there. i realize there will be alot of custom mounting required and that is okay.

My biggest Question is how I can keep my beautiful steering column and wheel, with the auto tranny, and not replace it with the ugly bronco steering column.

Also if there is something that i have overlooked and would make this impossible or stupid to do please let me know.

Josh Andersen
www.joshandersen.com
1968 Ford P-350 Vanette
Close Coupled

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Jul-02 AT 11:15 PM (EST)]WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you have got to be a glutton for punishment!!!!!
i have done a lot of things but the thought of that scares me. whew, let me think. ok, you are going to have a severe problem with steering geometry. the steering box on your van has got to be at about an 80-85 degree up angle, bronco box is at mabey a 25-30 degree up angle. you might be able to adapt the van box to the bronco frame and suspension. i have a feeling the motor and trans sit a lot farther forward in the van than in the bronco chassis. by " a lot" i mean 4-8 inches, and that is a lot if you have to start moving them around. i havent seen a van like that in a long time, i cant remember how much room is up front between the seats. i would do some serious measuring and looking before i started something like that, well mabey i wouldnt, i have been known to go off half cocked a time or 3 or 4 or 5, well you get the idea. i guess another thing to considor, is it going to be driveable? i mean is it going to be to top heavy with the van body? i have owned a couple of e series vans that were 4x4 conversions, and they could be a little exciting every now and then. awww what the heck, go for it!!!!!!!! just dont get yourself killed!!!! let me know what you decide, i would like to keep track of the progress and the final outcome.

 

I'll second that! Wow!
But it sure sounds cool!

 

Yes... the top heavy issue. I thought about that. The van has a 1 ton chassis, it is pretty heavy and keeps the van on the ground.

What is a Bronco Chassis rated, 1/2 ton?
The engine location dosent bother me, The "seats" in my van, or should i say the one seat, is just a post attached to the frame through the floor, and the engine compartment needs a little work anyways. I am planning on taking all the old sheetmetal that makes up that area out and re-designing that area to be a little more functional. I think it will be okay... but really, if i cant keep my steering coloumn i dont even want to do it.


Josh Andersen
www.joshandersen.com
1968 Ford P-350 Vanette
Close Coupled

 

you could probably use your steering column if you wanted to. its just all those other issues that are a real concern. what i mean by top heavy is, if you use a bronco chassis you are raising the center of gravity significantly. the height of the p series body is what i am concerned about. you are talking about something that would be taller than it is long, i am afraid that it would be very unstable in a turn. which bronco chassis are you considering? first gen., or second. i agree that it would be cool, but cool takes a back seat to saftey. it would be a major undertaking to do what you are talking about. as i said, i have done some crazy stuff, but i would think long and hard about this one.

 

Right, jimbare -- Lots of things to consider. Safety is a huge one.

Josh,
How heavy is it?

Is the body aluminum or steel? For 30+ years of MN winters (I grew up there so I'm very familiar with the MN rust monster), there doesn't appear to be any body rust. If it's aluminum, then not a lot of the weight will be up high, as jimbare wisely warns about.

What is the difference in frame heights?

Are you planning on any expressway driving or will it be only around the lakes?

Custom springs will help lower the CG. Swaybars will probably help it corner a little flatter, but I'd still take it easy when cornering. Shorter, low profile tires may help.

On the steering column, you could check with hot-rod supply houses. I think I've seen some pretty flexible u-joint combinations to get the angles right (no pun intended).

It's inspiring to hear of such an interesting project, but there is that still small voice of safety...

Good luck in the research and the project if you decide to go through with it.

--Matt

 

As and example of available steering u-joints, www.hotrodheaven.com lists several made by Flaming River for around $140 plus or minus.

Not sure if this link will work.

http://www.hotrodsusa.com/cgi-bin/tame/buynow/non-item.tam?cart=02H01zju.ecb&lpg=%2Fbuynow%2Fnon%2Dc ategory%2Etam&lpt=1028264473&xax=59667&pagenumber% 2Eptx=1&item%2Ectx=FLA%202553614

It's a starting point, anyway.

 

It is a steel body. And no, there isn't much surface rust. The chassis on the other hand.. I think it might be salvageable, but none of the chassis crossmembers that are specific to the van are. Some C channels that run side to side are there in the middle, but never reach the side. I have been mulling it over more, and think that it might be a better idea to put the engine, trans, and rearend from the bronco into the van.
That in itself is still a ridiculous project. They didnt exactly make engines readily accesible in these vans, which is why I think there are hardly any around.

I think the top heavy issue wins here. It is going to be alot of work either way.


Josh Andersen
www.joshandersen.com
1968 Ford P-350 Vanette
Close Coupled

 

i think you have made the right choice. and mabey instead of a 4x4 conversion, how about just a 4x2 conversion. mabey some custom paint, lower it a little, and a nice interior. build your self a cruiser. it would be a LITTLE bit different.