Automatic Transmission Swap and More...

The van has been in with my mechanic friend for 3 weeks now (hoped it would be done already). Here are some updates and pics will be posted soon. The 200 4R is in. The driveshaft didn't need any work. New U-joints. The custom made trans mount is in and looks good - very simple and small but strong and effective. The Lokar cable operated shifter is in - looks bad! While we were at is had some other things done. Sold my wheels and tires to another V-V member. Went with new 17x8 Torq Thurst II polished wheels. Front have 4 inch backspacing and sit even with the wheel well. The back have 4.75 inch backspacing and stick out just a little past the wheel well. Tires are 275/50R/17XL Nitto NT 450 Extreme Performance directional tread tires. The tire/wheel combo is exactly the look I was after. Also had the front springs de-arched 1.5 inches. The front always sat higher than the back and I never cared for the look. Several other small things tweaked, fixed, and/or replaced. Also in the process of painting my surfboard to match the van, which I plan to mount on the ceiling inside the van. Should be a slick look. So much for this update. The van should be on the road by Monday. And as I said, pics to follow soon.

Sorry it's taking so long Bill. Would love to see some pic's when it's done. And with 17's... That's got to look sharp!

PICS.................................need pics!

G-Man wrote:Kowboy, Bill can't post pic's yet, but at Baker's I will get everyone updated Pic's of Billski Sportvan

You mean that I have to wait!!...........................................ok.

I have some pics already but I want to wait until I can take more with all the work finished. Hope to have them posted by the end of next week.

Sounds Great Billski, Looking forward to the pics.

Sounds SWEET!! I have been saying that the 200r is the ultimate transmission to run in our little shorty vans. Fits better than the 700r4 being that the 200 is shorter... also has better gear ratios than the 700r.

I like your van on the 15's that its wearing in the avatar pic... the stance is tough and it looks classic!

17's should look cool too... will definitely give it a whole new 'modern' look.

Please be sure to post plenty of undercarriage pics of the 200r install, transmission mount etc. and also I'd like to know what parts were used as far as the TV cable and that kind of thing.

The 200r is on my list of mods I REALLY want to do!

I'm with you KK on the 200 4R tranny. Also looking a 327 to go with it. I really want to see Billski's 17" on his van....

The new wheels and tires with the lowered front end. Just the look I was hoping for.

More coming...still working on the rest...

A shot of the Lokar Shifter without the boot. They sent me the wrong one. Just got the new one today but I liked the pic showing exactly how the shifter and linkage looks.

Another shot of the shifter. Notice the "three on the tree" is loooong gone. Clutch pedal is laying flat on the floor. Going to have a "bar" welded from the clutch pedal to the brake pedal so I can use the brakes with either foot.

Another shot of the stance, wheels and tires.

Here's a shot of the custom made trans mount. Simple yet effective.

One more full length pic.

And this pic is, pun intended, the end - of the van that is...

Pics are posted!!! Yahoo!!! I finally figured it out thanks to Chebby, ViewMaster and G-Man. Hopefully I won't get too carried away now. G-Man, to answer your question we ended up using an 8 foot cable.

billski, I saw that van years ago when Tom had it and had to stop myself from drooling on it. I’m so glad to see it go to a good home. I love what you've done with the wheels and tires and the front being lowered it really makes the stance. I do wonder just how hard it is to turn with the small steering wheel and those fat tires. It obviously isn’t a daily driver so who cares. I ran ZR 245/50 16” on a G20, talk about tight and fun to throw around. But when it came time for new meat I had to go thinner being it was my daily ride. That looks just right to me and with the new tranny it should be a blast.
Seeing those pictures was well worth making the video to help you post them and then some.
Thanks for the pics!

Carl, Thanks for nice comments. I too drooled when I saw the van, which is why I bought it. It is somewhat hard to turn due to the tires and the small steering wheel. I just try to make sure I am moving when I turn. The automatic should be great. The only problem is my left foot doesn't know what to do with itself. And hooray for Tampa - my birthplace!

Your van looks amazing!!! It looks good with those wheels and I love the shaved bumpers.