65 GMC Handi bus Resto mod!

Hello all. My name is Brian and I work at a shop in Baltimore called JE Import Performance. We specialize in high performance cars, custom fabrication, and engine building. We also focus a lot of our energy on V8 swaps. We do all kinds of one off swaps and things of that nature.

That said the reason that I am here is because a good customer of ours has brought us some cars to build for him. One of them happens to be this awesome 65 Handi Bus. Its been restored and now he wants to upgrade the drivetrain, brakes, and steering and suspension components.  

I've got the engine and transmission work figured out already but my question is are there people who have converted these to air ride and disc brakes? I am searching for information but it seems hard to come by so far. Are there any off the shelf kits for brakes or steering and suspension for these vans?

I'll be sure to post pictures for all to see once we get started. Thanks for your help.

WELCOME to VV.!!!!. You have found the place to get all your Earley Model Van questions answered .!!!.It all has been done before and disk brake conversion kits are available here also just give sometime for the replys back. ...................

sorry no easy air ride kits for these van, but sounds like it in the right place to handle this MOD. Welcome to VV!!!!

I'm right down the road from you- I may stop by with my Ford and chat you up about a few ideas sometime! Have you done other vans? I love the GMC you've got there (saw it on the shops FB page.)

There should be a ton of info for the front disc conversion on several threads using the search. Rear disc if you are going that way involves a little more but some of the kits available work ok. M1dadio is the best source for front disc brackets and info here.

Hello JEinportbrian, welcome to the site.
Yes I do still have some brackets left for sale

look here
https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t36810-disc-brakes-2014


M1D

Thanks for the help guys. Ill check that stuff out.

Has anyone done conversions to get rid of the leaf springs and go with a coilover setup or any type of higher performance suspension?

We are planning on putting some real power into this thing.....!

Take a look at WildBills gallery. That's the meanest looking set-up I have seen.
http://vintage-vans.smugmug.com/Vans/G10/wildbillinvas-66-prostreet/16072167_WHJcxr#!i=1206246116&k=jDDn2cH

Does anyone know of a power steering box that is a direct replacement for the stock manual box?

None I have seen

Thanks. I wasn't able to find anything either.

Incase anyone is interested we are going with an LS2 swap. The dog house is being cut and modified to fit the new engine and we are making a custom sub frame for the new motor.

At this point things are coming along nicely. I hope to have some pics to share before too long.

Hello brian welcome to vintage, There is a few ls powered vans going together. My 64 has a 5.3 out of a 2000 chevy truck with a side mount whipple supercharger. If you find a 67-70 chevy van dog house you won't have to modify it to fit the engine. As for power steering your going to have to make something work, search the forums some have used later model chevy van steering box with a modified column. As most will tell you , there is not much aftermarket for early chevy vans it has to be made. Bob

Thanks Bob. You know, I looked around and didn't see anything as far as PS goes. I am darn good at finding things like that since we do a ton of custom swaps and one off projects.

We decided to keep the manual steering and replace everything but the box to freshen it up.

I have some pictures together of where we are at and post some soon!

Welcome to VV. Can't waite to see this project of yours.

WELCOME TO VV !!

Fabrication is coming along nicely! We made a custom sub frame, trans cross member and we cut and expanded the dog house to accommodate the new engine.

Here are some pics. More to come soon!

Great looking van

Sweet looking van! Was there a specific reason for the custom crossmember on the LS? Is that for the engine, or the trans? More pics would be great, I am in the process of installing an LS in my 66

Yes, the crossmember is needed to mount the LS engine. This way of doing it is not only stronger but its easier than trying to modify the stock piece. There is also a trans crossmember that I will post a picture of shortly.

In the mean time here is another picture of the work in progress.

This is the trans crossmember. The ends are bolted thru d tabs that we made and welded to the frame. The d tabs are very similar to the stock pieces. If you look closely you can see the holes where the bolts go thru.

Does anyone have a good source for LSD's for this van?

Millwright the stock cross member can be used with the ls motor, just use 1" set back motor mount plates(ebay $40) and stock motor mounts (motor side) for a 68-70 chevy van. Jeimport, what are these motor mounts pointing down from? By the alternator setup are the f-body? Sorry to highjack

Maybe a mustang 2 front end with an Isuzu steering box. That would give you airbags and p/s. Just a thought. Look under the Econoline section as this is posted in detail. Or use a Mustang slave cylinder for p/s

Van Candy!

M1D