More TH350 to 700R4 conversion questions....

[HotRodPC]

Interesting - Ford axle too, huh?

Yes, because if it were a Chevy or GMC axle it would be a right hand drop from the transfer case and the pumpkin on the passenger side. Ford and Dodge did the left side drops. GM used Dana 44's up front too up til 77 which could have been either Dana 44 or the GM Corporate 10 bolt since 77 was the transition year.

This is an 85 K10 truck with a GM Corp 10 bolt front axle. Notice the drop on the right side. Yours is on the left side. As said, probably because the engine is pushed to the right side.

 

[scpike]

Cool. The rear axle in both vans is a 14 bolt. The metallic red van that's on the trailer was more highly optioned and has a limited slip in the rear - they called it a "G80 Locking Differential"

I got that van without a motor so I haven't driven it. Not too sure about the drive train condition, but that's the van that I took the pictures of the transmission and adapters from. The fluid in the TH350 was still nice.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[HotRodPC]

I wonder what posi/locker system they were using in 77. I don't think the Gov Lock system started until 1980. Hopefully you got an Eaton or Detroit system instead of the Gov Lock that's notoriously weak and known the break and why it's referred to as Gov Bomb, cuz they explode. To bad someone took the Small Block 400 out of it. But that's OK, it's a good looking van. Now that I know what it is and how it is, I think I'll add that to my want list. It'll be nice to see what you do with these ones.

 

[scpike]

I wonder what posi/locker system they were using in 77. I don't think the Gov Lock system started until 1980. Hopefully you got an Eaton or Detroit system instead of the Gov Lock that's notoriously weak and known the break and why it's referred to as Gov Bomb, cuz they explode.

When I get it apart I'll post some pics and give you a holler. Thanks again for your help!! and I'll start builder thread when I get going.

 

[HotRodPC]

When I get it apart I'll post some pics and give you a holler. Thanks again for your help!! and I'll start builder thread when I get going.

Cool Cool !!! There will be a few guys anxious to see this project. And you have 2 of them.

 

[74 Shortbed]

I'm looking forward to it..

 

[HotRodPC]

Now that I know this is a Ford Tcase, it sure could be a 31 spline NP205. So that special adapter that was made, don't lose that thing.

 

[bucket]

Is it too late to suggest keeping the th350? It's a bit spendy, but you can get a Gear Vendors overdrive that will bolt right up to the np205 and you would be able to leave the mounts and adapters alone.

This guy is gonna get something started here. We're all gonna want 4x4 Vans.

Dude, I've wanted a 4x4 van for so long, it ain't even funny. I've seen two Pathfinder conversions around here. The one guy didn't even want to talk about selling it, and the other one was last seen sinking into the earth. It might still be there, but they put a bunch of dumpsters around it to hide it.

 

[HotRodPC]

Is it too late to suggest keeping the th350? It's a bit spendy, but you can get a Gear Vendors overdrive that will bolt right up to the np205 and you would be able to leave the mounts and adapters alone.




Dude, I've wanted a 4x4 van for so long, it ain't even funny. I've seen two Pathfinder conversions around here. The one guy didn't even want to talk about selling it, and the other one was last seen sinking into the earth. It might still be there, but they put a bunch of dumpsters around it to hide it.

So I take that gear vendor idea would be OD in Rear wheel drive only. Which is fine. You sure wouldn't need OD at the speeds you'd need 4x4.

I like this idea. I might try looking at older vans now too. Only way I'll have one is if it's 4x4. I like that they don't look like they're 4x4 at all. Just about stock height. I think I'd leave it that way too.

 

[scpike]

You guys stay up late ;-)

Good comments! I like that blue van - pretty sweet. Not sure the beast will ever look like that!

The gear vendors idea sounds good, but the best I could find was $2700 and there's probably shipping, etc stacked on that. I did find some used units, but they were for 2wd. I couldn't find any NP205 versions other than new. For that money I think I'll go with the 700R4. I can deal with moving the mount back myself and the only other expenses I can think of would be the driveshafts and the TV cable.

Yeah, Pathfinder went out of business in 1992, I think. Quigley was the other big one. There was (is?) a company named quadravan that built Fords more recently.

It's not too hard to find the Fords out here if you want to go to the dark side. One post that's currently on Craigslist:
https://rockies.craigslist.org/cto/6110046075.html

The Chevys are more difficult to find for some reason (older, maybe). I got the orange one out of Cheyenne and the red one out of Coeur d'Alene.

If I see any I'll put them up here for you guys to check out.

 

[HotRodPC]

Oh wait, this wasn't a Pathfinder Conversation thread. It was a Th350 to 700r4 Conversion thread.

NO worries Stuart. I have skills. I can fix all this and get it back to a dedicated Th350 to 700r4 thread, but we'll still have the Pathfinder thread too.

 

[HotRodPC]

I think we're good now. The Pathfinder Conversion Van topic has it's own thread now in Other Vehicles. If interested, follow it here.

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?p=343562&posted=1#post343562

 

[scpike]

Oooops - thanks!

 

[HotRodPC]

Oooops - thanks!

Not your fault. I knew there would be alot of interest in the Van being 4x4 and the Conversion. We're all good now.

 

[HotRodPC]

Are you still with us Stuart??? We're ready for some updates on this 4x4 Van.