IFS in a G-Van

Hey Guys,
this has ben kicking around in my head for a while.
has anyone considered or done an ifs(independent Front Suspension) in one of these trucks ?
there are a couple of options that grab my interest.

thoughts ?


-ArrGee

Yes it's been done........
It requires pretty major modifications to the van and engineering and metal working talent.....
It would be way cheaper and easier to just get a third gen van...

AzDon wrote:Yes it's been done........
It requires pretty major modifications to the van and engineering and metal working talent.....
It would be way cheaper and easier to just get a third gen van...

Can you point me to an example, video etc. I'm thinking a full frame and Frenching it into the body.

There have been build blogs in the past, but they may have been lost because I can't find any of them....
Converting an early van to have independent front suspension is a way radical remodel that will require cutting away what currently exists and welding in, with exact precision, complex assemblies....
Once you start down this rabbit hole, there will be no turning back!
At minimum, you will be cutting out the back of the front wheel wells and heavy modification to the frame where the steering gearbox now resides because you will need to install a 90 degree gearbox there to operate a front-steer rack and pinion.....
All this reconfiguring will most likely affect the placement of your radiator and engine....
Each Item that is reconfigured will affect the configuration and placement of at least five other items whose changes will affect still other items.....
I did what seemed like a simple axle flip and learned that it probably wouldn't have worked out if I hadn't already set the engine rearward 18 inches....
You had better be willing to change everything else to accommodate your new suspension and steering....
And when it's all done, pray that all the math was right and it will operate like you hoped....

MatchStick has done (or is well into the process) of an IFS conversion. I’ve seen this up close and it is indeed quite invasive. It’s a job for someone with extensive knowledge, like her.
108VanGuy…

108VanGuy wrote:MatchStick has done (or is well into the process) of an IFS conversion. I’ve seen this up close and it is indeed quite invasive.  It’s a job for someone with extensive knowledge, like her.
108VanGuy…

Is there a thread here, or a build blog on the internet? I searched here but haven't found it.

I just looked at a first gen yesterday that the owner had to retrieve from Matchstick unfinished after it had been under construction for over 5 years....
Not sure if this was the same van you're talking about, but I was not impressed