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timh916
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Jan 11, 2014, 9:55 PM
Post #1 of 16
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Hello, I was wondering if it is at all possible to swap the bodies of two completely different vehicles, (Different make, model, and year), only with minor modifications assuming the wheel base is somewhat identical. I want to swap a 1983 Toyota pickup longbed with a circa 2000 Windstar minivan body. My idea was to turn the minivan into a Camper and still keep the Toyota chassis, trans, and 22r. What sort of issues could I run into? any info would be great, thanks
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GC
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Jan 11, 2014, 11:05 PM
Post #2 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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I dont think minor modifications will get that done.
____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob
(This post was edited by goiserclause on Jan 11, 2014, 11:06 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 12, 2014, 5:56 AM
Post #3 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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You gotta be kidding.......................
You wanna put a front wheel drive uni-body on a full frame rear wheel drive of a different make. You couldn't do that and make it work for $100,000
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 12, 2014, 7:06 AM
Post #4 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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Did someone put something in my coffee? OMG, T
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timh916
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Jan 12, 2014, 1:07 PM
Post #5 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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Damn. I'm a noob and thought it might be possible. O.K. heres a better question. What Make, Model, Year minivan is the easiest to repair when stuff goes wrong. Thanks again
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 12, 2014, 1:32 PM
Post #6 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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They all have their problems and they all have easy and hard things to do.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 12, 2014, 1:56 PM
Post #7 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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With all the hassle of converting something like that, why don't you just get a nice pop up camper or a camper that can be towed?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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timh916
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Jan 12, 2014, 9:43 PM
Post #8 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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My goal is to be very discreet so no one knows its a camper. I want to be perceived as a soccer mom, family man etc. to keep the cops and crooks off my back. I will be parking in various public places so it is important to not stand out. I'm very limited on my mechanic skills so something that is "easy" to fix is a must
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timh916
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Jan 13, 2014, 2:15 AM
Post #9 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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Dodge caravan? Chrysler Town & Country? Good vans?
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GC
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Jan 13, 2014, 8:05 AM
Post #10 of 16
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IMO good vans, not too bad to work on. Just about everything nowadays is not "easy" to work on and requires quite a few tools and service information.
____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob
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timh916
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Jan 14, 2014, 9:12 PM
Post #11 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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I've narrowed it down to three vans. Dodge Caravan, Chevy Astro, and Toyota Sienna. Thanks for all the input
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 15, 2014, 6:02 PM
Post #12 of 16
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Which years?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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timh916
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Jan 15, 2014, 6:43 PM
Post #13 of 16
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for the sienna - 2004 and newer (i dont like the trim at the bottom with the 2003 & older ones) but would sacrifice for engine/trans with a good reputation.
Caravan - 1998 or newer
Astro - any year
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 15, 2014, 7:07 PM
Post #14 of 16
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Astros and Safaris, surprisingly, are good vans and fairly easy to work on because they are similar to S body trucks. The 4.3L is a good engine, but they did have issues with intake manifold gaskets leaking which is resolved by installing permadry gaskets. Newer model 2002-2005 year deleted the injector poppet valve design, which was a great move on GM's part. Cooling system maintenance is a must because Dex-cool was really prone to sludging in those engines. Forget the Dex-cool 5 yr servicing and go with 2 year servicing. Flush it out each time and use distilled water. Water pump was a common failure item, but really isn't that hard to change once you get the fan clutch off. The parts are relatively cheap too. Try to get one close to the 2005 model year. They can also tow more weight because they are RWD and also come in AWD, but havn't really seen too many AWDs rolling around here.
Dodge crapovans are good with the 3.8 and 3.3L, but the 41TE transaxle was el junko when they get around the 80-100K mile mark. Stay away from the 2.4L and the 3.0L(smoker motor). If it wasn't for the transaxle, the van would be pretty much bulletproof. Don't know much about the gen V caravans with the 62TE, but time will tell.
Sienna is a good van with the 1MZ-FE, 3MZ and 2GR, but the 1MZ and 3MZ have timing belts that needs maintenance. Typical timing belt job is around $600-800. To early to tell how the 2GR is holding up. Frequent oil changes are a must on the VVT engines. Parts are going to be more expensive on the electronics side if something goes wrong.
Anything that you decide on have your mechanic check it over before you make a purchase.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jan 15, 2014, 7:38 PM)
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timh916
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Jan 16, 2014, 4:56 PM
Post #15 of 16
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Awesome great info thanks. looks like the Caravan is out
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timh916
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Jan 16, 2014, 4:57 PM
Post #16 of 16
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Re: Truck Body Swap
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Problem resolved! Thanks to the repliers. Its the Sienna FTW. Peace
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