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#1275525 08/08/2018 4:08 PM
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where do these thing fir on the forum?
[img]http://[/img][img]http://[/img]
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stepvan 1.jpeg (106.72 KB, 345 downloads)


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Bolter
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No specific spot for Step Vans or Delivery Trucks. Just post your questions in the forum that addresses the area that you’re working on.🛠


Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
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just looking for a little general info
it has some cool 19.5 8 lug wheels
more than likely we will update the suspension
it has a 235 and was an auto (the trans is gone)
just wondering if anyone here has messed with these
I teach at a trade school and I like projects like this
we recently rebuilt a bus, we shortened it and dropped it
would post a pic but its not a GM bus. we did use GM suspension and drive train


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Crusing in the Passing Lane
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Those 19.5's are in demand, not sure they will fit all disc brakes, though.

Ed


'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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When I taught at a Tennessee state trade school we had two absolutely rigid rules for vehicles we worked on- - - - -"Nothing over 10 years old" and "Nothing non-OEM". The state bean counters were extremely sensitive to the potential liability from state employees doing any modifications that might violate Department of Transportation rules, particularly when the EPA got involved with its "$5,000.00 fine/5 years in jail for each vehicle" rule for violating emissions standards for street-driven vehicles.

I did get around that rule by building some "off-road only" round track engines, sponsored by a few circle track car owners.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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luckily we have a school board that lets us use things such as the bus as ways to inspire learning. We even drove it from Alabama to North Carolina for a science exhibition. It was part of a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math program.

We also have 3 electric race cars that students maintain and drive in races each year.


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The info I would like to have is the vans weight and GVW
I like to build suspension upgrades to match those closely


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We were in the business of training future professional mechanics- - - -not hotrodders. Racing is a great hobby, but very few people manage to make a living doing it. I had a lot of involvement with STEM programs, but very few of our projects were steam-powered. I did manage to put a few hundred students into good-paying jobs as professional technicians in the 30-something years I spent sharing my experiences as an automotive professional. Some of them are now service managers, shop owners, or highly-paid technicians. A few of them even own and race their own round track cars.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
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Originally Posted by Anthony Myrick
The info I would like to have is the vans weight and GVW
I like to build suspension upgrades to match those closely
At one time there would have been a tag attached to the van with that information on it. I'm not a step van expert to be able to say where it would be located but it may still be there if you can find it.


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Bubba - Curmudgeon
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Anthony,

What year is that step/delivery van?

Does it have an ID plate (as Tiny asked)?
If yes, what code is on it?

The empty weight and gross weight should be available.

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Bolter
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Most of those were built on 1 ton Chassis and many are transplanted onto 80s one ton Chassis. Modern drivetrain and old look. Should be a fun project. 🛠


Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)

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Bubba - Curmudgeon
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It might be a 1962 P10 or P20 or P30 step van

If you do not have an ID plate, what are these dimensions:
1. inside floor to ceiling height
2. inside width
3. wheel base
4. length from the back of the tire to the rear of box
Attachments
1962 Chevrolet Step Vans.jpg (87.29 KB, 259 downloads)
1962 P10 Step Van.jpg (90.16 KB, 259 downloads)

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havent found the vin plate
its has a tag indicating it is a former mail truck
the government took posession of it in 1957
so far thats all I know


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Anthony Myrick #1275696 08/10/2018 12:25 PM
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Bolter
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Maybe Wrenchbender will stop by soon. He and his crew restored a mail truck a couple of years back. He might be of some help.


Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)

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Riding in the Passing Lane
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Originally Posted by Justhorsenround
Maybe Wrenchbender will stop by soon. He and his crew restored a mail truck a couple of years back. He might be of some help.
Yes. We restored a mail truck a few years ago. It will be at the show/reunion in Riverside, Mo. next month. The local newspaper had a write-up on it awhile back.
Bring up KC star. Search 51 Dodge Mail truck.

George

Last edited by Wrenchbender Ret.; 08/10/2018 2:45 PM.

They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing.
1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne Super
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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1957 Chevrolet Truck Specifications Manual

See manual page numbers:
87-88
109-110


tclederman #1275726 08/10/2018 4:15 PM
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thanks
that service manual was great

its a 3442
swb forward control

the curb and shipping weight is listed just under 3K....thats light
GVW at 6750


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Haven’t located the vin yet
It’s showing 24k miles on it and a little over 5k on the hour meter


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Do we have a guess on the year yet? If newer that 1955 shouldn't there be a serial number stamped on the frame? Most are on the drivers side, on top near the steering box...don't know if Forward Control Chassis are the same?

Did you look on the steering column for the serial number?

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
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Mike B #1276041 08/13/2018 3:41 AM
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plate near the steering wheel says the government took posession in 57


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What other info is on that plate? 1956 Dept of Navy trucks I have had also had the contract and serial numbers on that plate.

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Silver Spring, MD
Anthony Myrick #1276055 08/13/2018 10:51 AM
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Just the model contract number and delivery date


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Did you find a tag spot welded to the steering column or two rough weld spots about 3" apart where the tag should have been?

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Silver Spring, MD
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appears to be a 57

manufactured at the Willow Run plant


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How did you come to that conclusion...did you find the serial number?

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Silver Spring, MD
Mike B #1276136 08/13/2018 9:49 PM
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Yep
Tag welded to the steering column

Thanks for the info

Last edited by Anthony Myrick; 08/13/2018 9:49 PM.

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Anthony Myrick #1276146 08/13/2018 10:53 PM
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What make is the body?

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Silver Spring, MD
Mike B #1276150 08/13/2018 11:14 PM
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3442 is listed on the government tag

the first 2 numbers/letters on the vin are covered up
I will clean it up when I get it


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Anthony Myrick #1276155 08/13/2018 11:40 PM
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Your serial number should look like this...3C57W1xxxxx.

3C = Forward Control (Model 3442)
57 = Year
W = Willow Run Plant
1xxxxx = unit number (starting with 100001)

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Silver Spring, MD
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we got it
getting it cleaned out, its was full of electrical contracting stuff
too bad the hydromatic is missing but they left the adaptor, flywheel and starter
probably will end up with a SBC anyway

who knows


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got the frame out
measuring for new ride height
Attachments
van 6.jpg (33.34 KB, 170 downloads)
van7.jpg (30.5 KB, 167 downloads)


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Anthony Myrick #1291265 12/15/2018 11:46 PM
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We got a bunch done
Currently finishing up the chassis
Attachments
29083343-C3B8-4ECE-B06C-567C3926037D.jpeg (264.52 KB, 127 downloads)


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#1291546 12/18/2018 2:36 AM
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Missed this part of the forum somehow
Here is a build we are doing in my high school shop class
It is a former US Mail vehicle
This is how we found it in the scrap yard
Attachments
B091C94D-8E78-4EFF-A71F-C23AF0F3F7FB.jpeg (450.04 KB, 107 downloads)
6BD4251C-B60D-4D7D-8FE0-42289EF8C95E.jpeg (282.85 KB, 103 downloads)


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After we removed the chassis we were able to establish the ride height
Attachments
5740BD28-E50C-4D32-A8E5-E49953D2EDAC.jpeg (344.69 KB, 104 downloads)
12EC47FD-D005-439A-A8D9-5200A08AD4F2.jpeg (199.97 KB, 103 downloads)


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We removed all the original suspension and unneeded hangers and x- members
Students drilled close to 100 factory rivets out
We scraped off the old undercoat and revealed a nice clean frame
We then set the frame on our lift and set it at ride height to start chassis design
Attachments
516D647F-5283-48F2-9AE9-12FD2E4CB322.jpeg (216.09 KB, 106 downloads)


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We are using a CV front suspension( hope an occasional non GM part is ok here)
We checked engine fitment to determine possible driveline angles
We plan on a 350/350 combo
Attachments
57768150-A179-4946-991B-D117C8DD681E.jpeg (190.75 KB, 102 downloads)

Last edited by Anthony Myrick; 12/18/2018 2:59 AM.

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So far we have demonstrated driveline angles, suspension geometry, cutting, welding and measuring for my students
The chassis is being built with a 2 degree rake but the front suspension is being mounted at zero. This keeps the factory caster angel correct. We also have the camber very close to zero at ride height. There should be no problem with tire wear or alignment issues by building it with correct geometry at ride height.
This is how it should look when mated back to the chassis
Attachments

Last edited by Anthony Myrick; 12/18/2018 4:05 PM.

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Some chassis set up pics
Lots of measuring
Attachments


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Going with an IRS
This will let us drop the rear without raising the floor
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A little chassis test fit
Our original math told us we needed to raise the frot x-member up in the chassis a couple more inches
The math was correct. We raised lt up after this test fit
We learned that in order to stay close to the factory camber the suspension needed raised to get decent ground clearance at our chosen ride height
We will have around 6 inches of ground clearance at ride height
That’s plenty for something this low
Attachments

Last edited by Anthony Myrick; 12/18/2018 4:48 AM.

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