Vans For Towing November 05, 2005, 05:02:04 PM I buddy of mine has kind of turned me on to the feasability of having a van as a tow vehicle. After looking at the truck market and realizing it just was not for him, he took his old Chevy van, beefed up the engine, got some good air shocks along with a tow package, and overall turned it into a pretty cool machine.My grandfather has a 77 Chevy Van, the shorter version, which could possible be kind of cool, you know, a kind of family/tow vehicle. Any advice as to what kind of engine and suspension mods I might have to do. Quote Selected
Vans For Towing Reply #1 – November 05, 2005, 06:55:50 PM First thing - cooling. Vans run very, very hot. Other than that, what's good for pickup trucks is good for vans... Quote Selected
Vans For Towing Reply #2 – November 05, 2005, 07:14:14 PM LJS30,Hope you're ready to blow the dough on gas. As non-aerodynamic as full-size trucks are, full-size vans make them look just plain sleek. Since we're talking Chevy's, I'd drop a 454 in it if pulling and a little showing off was on your mind and you're gonna blow a wad at the pumps anyway. A SWB Chevy van with a BB would be a cool ride. Like Chicken said, put a good radiator in it. Good luck!Fordman3 Quote Selected
Vans For Towing Reply #3 – November 05, 2005, 07:21:04 PM That would be a cool ride. Just don't put a crushed velvet interior in it :wtf:Of course you could set it up A-Team style;) Quote Selected
Vans For Towing Reply #4 – November 05, 2005, 07:40:16 PM True, the gas mileage would be pretty bad. But oh well, what tow type/recreational vehicle isn't? Currently it has a stock 350, with standard exhaust manifolds, two barrel carb, and single exhaust. I am thinking about rebuilding the engine, port the heads, install an RV camshaft, keep the manifolds but convert it to dual exhaust with some flowmasters. Yup hoping to do some interior mods like video screens, stereo equipment etc........... Oh yea, and a nice queen size mattress for those more personal rendezvous. :) Quote Selected
Vans For Towing Reply #5 – November 06, 2005, 08:22:02 AM QuoteThat would be a cool ride. Just don't put a crushed velvet interior in it At least not without the water bed and disco ball!:D Quote Selected
Vans For Towing Reply #6 – November 06, 2005, 12:11:35 PM Most full size vans can be used for anything a truck can be used for. But full sizers are mostly just used by contractors and the like and thus aren't as popular or easy to find.We used to have a '88-89 ish Ford Econoline XLT, it was every bit as long as a regular cab longbed pickup, with a 351, dual tanks, and all that. It had two bench seats in the back and still had about 4' of room behind the rear seat. I think it was based off a half ton chassis.Also, for the last quite a few years, the Ford E-250 & E-350 vans have had the Powestroke as an engine option. You don't see too many of those, though. Quote Selected
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