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I found a 80K 1995 Dodge1/2 ton van with a 5.2 and 46rh. It has a109 inch wheel base but, I could not find the track width. In either case, I'm thinking about buying it. I can get it for 5-800. It has a bad fuel pump but, owners son says will start with gas down the throttle. Any thoughts or suggestions regarding the project? BTW it was parked 12 years ago and they have tinkered with it a time or two since. That concerns me a little.

Are you wanting it for the drivetrain only? or are you thinking of doing some kind of chassis swap?

Bucky

Not sure but, If the frame is doable I would consider it. If not, then I would just use the drivetrain.

The biggest headache with a van is you generally have to remove the engine from the bottom. So either way you are stuck getting that body off of the frame.

Bucky

712edf wrote:The biggest headache with a van is you generally have to remove the engine from the bottom. So either way you are stuck getting that body off of the frame.

Bucky

I have a loader, winches, come along and a buddy with a lift with 30ft ceilings. He would probably assist. He is a nice guy. So does anyone think the frame swap would work? If not, maybe I should go a different route.

Sounds like you have the tools/equipment needed. What are you wanting to swap with?

I guess you should do some measuring & comparisons between the two. Almost anything can be made to work, given enough resources.

Bucky

712edf wrote:The biggest headache with a van is you generally have to remove the engine from the bottom. So either way you are stuck getting that body off of the frame.

Bucky

The biggest headache will be trying to get the body off the frame of a unibody van.

I wondered if someone was going to mention the uniframe.

I figured a 95 van would have a front subframe, or at least the front suspension/crossmember would need to be dropped. I was concentrating on him getting the motor/tranny out, overlooked what he was saying about putting a truck body on a van "frame".

I haven't dealt with any Dodge vans newer than 70's. The only van I have ever removed a engine from was wrecked 90 Chevy. It was a headache. Same for motorhomes.

He is going to have to do some dismantling to get that drivetrain out to swap it into anything else, that's a given.

Bucky

I think most remove van engines from inside through the door.

soopernaut wrote:

712edf wrote:The biggest headache with a van is you generally have to remove the engine from the bottom. So either way you are stuck getting that body off of the frame.

Bucky

The biggest headache will be trying to get the body off the frame of a unibody van.

I had no idea so, Im glad you did mention this. It sounds like I need to stick with a truck for a drivetrain. Thanks guys for all the comments. Craig

my5thmopar wrote:

soopernaut wrote:

712edf wrote:The biggest headache with a van is you generally have to remove the engine from the bottom. So either way you are stuck getting that body off of the frame.

Bucky

The biggest headache will be trying to get the body off the frame of a unibody van.

I had no idea so, Im glad you did mention this. It sounds like I need to stick with a truck for a drivetrain. Thanks guys for all the comments. Craig

Engine, Trans, electrical if used can all be used in a pick up. Frame on a Van to me is not compatible. Possibly some parts. Engine in the van will come out through front also.

I'd torch skilsaw and sawzall the body out of the way and cherry pick the engine straight up!

He DID mention he had a loader.

He didn't mention what the engine/trans were going into.

Bucky