Dodge Caravan 38's, 350 700r, dana 44 and ford 9"

sha_ba_do_bang

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I want to take the body off of my caravan and make it an extreme offroad machine, i already have the diff's, and engine and trans.

What would be a good chassis and frame to steal to makethis bad boy? I figure it would be great for overnights tosleep in and can store alot of stuff without it being in the elements. I know there;s going to be heavy mods being made, i think if i cut out the strut towers and move the batt's to the back there will be room for the 350, i'll have to cut a tunnel also. Just want to see wht everyone thinks.

Thanks

Brendan
 
I thought they already made such a beast and badged it Grand Cherokee? :confused:

Obviously I have nothing worthwhile to post so good luck to you. I can't wait to see what this comes out looking like. :D
 
You will have alot of work because it's a unibody. I'd think about cutting most of the floor and strengthen it somehow. The fenderwells will have to be cut to. I think those vans have alot of sheet metal to cut at the fenders if you want to. What year is it that will make a differance. In the early 80 - 90's they have very little room for engines. Most had a 4-6 cyl sidways so it may be hard to fit. I'd probably find an older 4x4 with a good frame and go from there. You can probably find that cheaper than building the frame out of new material. You may find it easier to cut out sheetmetal to work around a frame vs. working a frame around sheet metal. If the drivetrane already works then fitting the body would be easier. Send me some pic's I used to own an 80's voyager called "the mystery wagon".
 
im sure those drugs you are taking are illegal :flipoff2:

tyler :beer:
 
I smell a flex-e-van from the top truck chalange a few years ago. It would stand up on the front wheels in the brake test.
 
I'm definatly going tofind a frame andmake the body fit, i was thinking a older blazer? or jeep wrngler or old cj with striaght axles. My van is a 94 (250k with oringnal trans and engine has only had head gaskets done)and there is alot of sheet metal and it has the front wheel drive v6. I just want to have that unique monster that everyone stops to look at.

I have been looking at it andit isn't that much work to get the body away from th chassis, it is unibody but the drivetrain is bolted on for the most part. I'll get some pics up when i get started, first i got to find another ride

Thanks for the help
 
If a 1979 Blazer frame will work for you, I'll sell you a bare frame for $25. You can have the stripped cab/rear body too if you want it. No axles, springs, or drivetrain.

Located in Burlington, NC. We can use my tractor to load it on your trailer.

The 73-91 Blazers like this have 106.5 inch wheelbase. You can adjust that some by your spring hangers and type of springs used. And the good thing about using a GM frame is that your engine and trans will bolt in.

K5 ................ 106.5"
Shortbox Pickup ... 117.5"
Suburban .......... 129.5"
Longbox Pickup .... 131.5"
Crewcab Pickup .... 164.5"
 
Buy a Bronco. It's already to go for less than you will spend putting it together. I've got a 78 Frame which had a d44/9" under it for $100 an will even include half a bronco for other small parts you will need. PM me if interested.
 
Measure the wheelbase of the van and see what is close.
 
GubNi said:
Buy a Bronco. It's already to go for less than you will spend putting it together. I've got a 78 Frame which had a d44/9" under it for $100 an will even include half a bronco for other small parts you will need. PM me if interested.
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I may be intrested in those axles if you still have them and want to get rid of them for $100.
 
Hey!!!!!!!

I will buy those AXLES NOW!!!! I got a $100 bill with your name on it. HAHAHA let me know. pm me or something. THANKS!!!

KRAWLER
 
I am looking for conversion kit`s to buy for my 96 caravan to twinturbo on a 350/t350 12b r,e. also go all time 4x4 on it. and race suspension, but it seems like you really do have to go from scratch with em, in reguards to the frame. I have found all kinds of kits for oem tuning but nothing for something like this. I think we are stuck with doing some hard core steel work bud. the dodge caravan I have noticed is not the most common thing for any kind of custom work, as it is after all just a grocery getter. I do like the response of the other guy there, in reguards to the jeep. that frame might be worth a shot to try to make fit, even if things have to be cut all to hell. I just say if it dont fit Im sure as hell gonna find a way to make it fit. go to pick n pull and just walk around and use your eye balls and a measuring tape. thats what I do anytime first off with something like this.
 
I just read all this and was thinking wtf and get down to the bottom and see that its 6 years old lol. Well anyone know how this turned out?
 
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