Stretched VW Vanagon on GMT400?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Mildphil

I'm Awesome
Joined
Mar 25, 2018
Messages
145
Reaction score
55
Location
FL
In Wikipedia it specifically says that the 92-94 suburbans...
"Width 73.6 in (1,869 mm) (1992–94 Chevrolet) – 77.0 in (1,956 mm) (1995–96 GMC)"

Given that they are the same, I can only assume that the Chevy was measured from wheel to wheel, while the GMC may have been measured from something like wheel flares, side mirrors, side steps, etc.
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,245
I'm cool with a bit wider if I can use the slider. Great info! I'm guessing this applies to 8 lug as well? I want a 3/4+ set up.

Not sure on the 8 luggers. Is your 400 frame 4wd? The 2wd I believe are full bolt on front and rear to upgrade, but don't quote me. The 4wd are definitely more of a project to convert on the front end, but @98chevy2500SS has done the swap so he's the man to ask for specifics. It involves welding on upper control arm mounts and 3 of the 4 front diff mounts.
 

Mildphil

I'm Awesome
Joined
Mar 25, 2018
Messages
145
Reaction score
55
Location
FL
I'm cool with a bit wider if I can use the slider. Great info! I'm guessing this applies to 8 lug as well? I want a 3/4+ set up.
I don't think so, 8 lug SF and FF should remain width the same whether in 2wd or 4wd configs. I think the 2wd 1500s only have a varying width because 2wd is a 10 bolt and 4wd should be the 14 bolt SF. This will also vary on engine choices too as I believe the BBC and diesel are always 14 bolt FF (although the BBC isn't available on 1500s AFAIK). Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is my understanding.
 

Tyce Ferwerda

Newbie
Joined
Oct 21, 2019
Messages
16
Reaction score
3
Location
Utah
Given that they are the same, I can only assume that the Chevy was measured from wheel to wheel, while the GMC may have been measured from something like wheel flares, side mirrors, side steps, etc.
I know
I don't think so, 8 lug SF and FF should remain width the same whether in 2wd or 4wd configs. I think the 2wd 1500s only have a varying width because 2wd is a 10 bolt and 4wd should be the 14 bolt SF. This will also vary on engine choices too as I believe the BBC and diesel are always 14 bolt FF (although the BBC isn't available on 1500s AFAIK). Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is my understanding.
Cool! Great info! People have said with the size of the rig that going 8 lug with 4L80 trans is a better combo vs 6lug. Any opinion on this? 6lug is much more common
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,245
I don't think so, 8 lug SF and FF should remain width the same whether in 2wd or 4wd configs. I think the 2wd 1500s only have a varying width because 2wd is a 10 bolt and 4wd should be the 14 bolt SF. This will also vary on engine choices too as I believe the BBC and diesel are always 14 bolt FF (although the BBC isn't available on 1500s AFAIK). Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is my understanding.

Both 2wd and 4wd ran the 10 bolt. 14 bolt was an option , came with the F44 heavy half ton package.
 

454cid

Sooper Pooper
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
8,004
Reaction score
8,888
Location
The 26th State
8-lug 4wd trucks are quite wide in the front. I think wider than the 6-lug 4wd trucks. I don't think those vans are very wide... I think you're going to have your wheels on the outside of the body.

Often times widths are wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface. I don't know what you're looking at, but it might not be what you think it is.
 

Tyce Ferwerda

Newbie
Joined
Oct 21, 2019
Messages
16
Reaction score
3
Location
Utah
8-lug 4wd trucks are quite wide in the front. I think wider than the 6-lug 4wd trucks. I don't think those vans are very wide... I think you're going to have your wheels on the outside of the body.

Often times widths are wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface. I don't know what you're looking at, but it might not be what you think it is.
I measured a mid 90's 4x4 truck today. Roughly 76" wide in front. I have yet to measure an 8lug suburban. The wheel arch on the VW is 72" outside lip to outside lip. 6lug's seem to be, regardless of year right close to 74" so one inch each side which is not bad. Plus I can screw around with wheel offset...I may just have to go 6lug and put a 4L80 in it.
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,245
You can still have the 14 bolt 6 lug in a half ton, so that and your 4L80 are probably the 2 items you were after anyway, right? Just hydroboost that setup and I think it'll meet your needs.
 

Tyce Ferwerda

Newbie
Joined
Oct 21, 2019
Messages
16
Reaction score
3
Location
Utah
You can still have the 14 bolt 6 lug in a half ton, so that and your 4L80 are probably the 2 items you were after anyway, right? Just hydroboost that setup and I think it'll meet your needs.
Sounds good. I Just looked at a Tahoe and it looks like I can cut 22" our of the low center part of the frame and put it under a stock length Vanagon. Truck frame won't work. Torsion bars too long. Bed platform too long. I'm jazzed. For the Tahoe system. Have a shorty for off-road and long one...just because.
 
Top