Community Forums

Houseboat · 12-25-2009, 04:23 PM

Looking for info on drive train set up,and what shocks to use?

Long story short I travel around to bike rallies selling my leather goods that I manufacture and was getting tired of living in a 14 ft Homesteader trailer with 2 Harley's and all of my stuff.While the F150 would tow ok it did not offer a lot of comfort for sleeping,storage,etc.
So in an attempt to find the right tow vehicle for the trailer,and to have some space for creature comforts, I settled on a 1994 Utilimaster Step Van.All aluminum
First off it is a 1994 Chevy P30 step van,over all length is 20 foot.This will fit in my garage.Dimensions behind the drivers seat 11'6" long,6'3" wide,and about 6' in height.
The power plant runs but has seen better days it is a 350 chevy with a 3 speed automatic tranny with dual tires on the rear.With low compression on the motor,and wanting a automatic transmission with overdrive and maybe a mild cam upgrade for towing I have started looking in to all of this,and if it is possible to switch the tranny set up around,with out changing out computers and all.The u joints squeak,and the shocks dive bad,the bakes pull to the side,and lets not forget to mention the ball joints..So if you need to contact me you can probably find me under the truck..
So if any one has any great ideas for floor plans,where to find parts,our any been there done that all ready stories..Please let me know..
Thanks for all of your help

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max49 · 12-25-2009, 07:04 PM

Looks like a good start for a toy hauler.
I found this site, from another another member here. It could be a great source for parts for you, if you didn't already know about it.

max49 · 12-25-2009, 08:53 PM

Parts that fit Workhorse Chassis
Forgot to put the link in

Houseboat · 12-26-2009, 12:19 AM

Thank you..Have it book marked..Looks like they will be getting in too my wallet..

Brazel's RV Performance · 12-26-2009, 12:53 AM

Call Mike Bronzini at Brazel's RV Performance he knows the P Chassis very well and we stock a lot of parts for them as well! 877-786-1576

Houseboat · 12-26-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonBrazel

Call Mike Bronzini at Brazel's RV Performance he knows the P Chassis very well and we stock a lot of parts for them as well! 877-786-1576

Will Do..Looks like I am not the only one that never sleeps

Houseboat · 12-26-2009, 02:50 AM

I figured this was a good pace to start for the rear air bag set up so I ordered the http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/t...uestid=3340439 FIRESTONE AIR SPRINGS GM P30,

cj5 jeeper · 12-26-2009, 12:26 PM

Just a thought, you might look for a wrecked workhorse chassis motorhome with the allison. You would have a big block with all the electronics a killer shifter and many useful parts. Most are low milage and well maintained.

Houseboat · 01-02-2010, 01:32 AM

I have been spending too much time on this truck but that is how I get things done..
I was able to find out that the transmission is in fact a 4L80 E .It is a rebuilt with a Jaspers sticker on it so I did give them a call and it is in fact the tranny that I was looking for just need to get it right.
I have gone thru the front and rear brakes completely,had the drums and calipers turned.Replaced everything from the hoses back on the front and from the wheel cylinders back on the rear.
On the drive shaft replaced 3 u joints,and the mid ship bearing,and new fluid in the rear end.
After putting the front end up on blocks you were able to move the tires back and forth a good 2 inches,so all new tie rods,pitman arm etc..oh yea the top seal for the steering pump is on the list..
In my spare time my heat gun and a plastic scraper is the way to go with removing all of the stickers..what a pain in the but.

George Schweikle · 01-02-2010, 05:45 AM

Hi Houseboat,

That's a nice truck with the aluminum body. Regarding the 1994 chassis; the earlier GM chassis had lots of something called "Bump steer". This means the toe changes as the independent front suspension moves through it's travel; requiring steering correction. My 27 ft. 1983 Winnebago Chieftain had this condition, and was a real handfull in side winds. GM had corrected the condition by the time I bought a 1995 Safari TREK, so I don't know if your van has the revised suspension geometry. I didn't think anything about this until reading of a bump steer correction kit several years ago in Motorhome magazine. I bet Mike Bronzini at Brazel's knows all about this