Short, Ugly, Old, Fat, My girl Vanette

Gasoline wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: It looks as if it has a '56 Grille. I think it looks cool, I'd Fix it up and drive it to the local cruise night.

Here is the VIN if we can translate the date?

I did some research and that particular grille was used in 1955. I thought it was a '56, but the guys who custom build those trucks have a tendency of using the '55 grille (or seems to be). Like the cars of the era, the grille was changed every year.

'55

'56

Do this:

Gasoline wrote:

Kenny_McCormic wrote: I would upgrade the driveline to support 60-65 mph cruise speed, should be as simple as swapping the rear end out for one with numerically lower gearing. If the stock 6 cylinder ever goes, swap in a 300 six with EFI. Use for hauling parts, cruising around in, whatever.

I like that idea alot and will look into a EFI 300 6. What transmission do you think?

Not very familiar with ford trans options. I would be looking for something with overdrive and heavy enough that it was used in 3/4 ton work, or at least well regarded by the off road crowd. On account of how crazy I am, I would try to keep the stock shifter. 5 on the tree would freak people out.

Appleseed wrote: Do this:

I really really like that. I am going to research how to swap the 8X6.5" pattern to some neat 5X5" wheels I have. Most 8x6.5" wheels are not very pretty (ugly)....maybe Hummer wheels? What wheel would look good on her?

Ok, I found out a few things off the HAMB. In the serial number P35J7UXXXXX the "7" denotes build year 1957.

They said that the grille has llittle to do with the year of production/build and even though it looks like a regular "55 Ford truck grille it is not. It is more narrow (and rare) only found on a box truck. They said to pull the grille if I leave it in public site/storage.

I found and am thinking about buying a rusty 1989 Ford f250. It has a EFI 460 and a 5 speed......that would work.

That would make an awesome camper rig.

Why, yes it would. Stick a little rooftop HVAC unit on it... cool.

I'm a big fan of the painted steel wheel.

Curmudgeon wrote: Sigh. Dammit Gasoline, you have me rethinking my whole 'tow rig' thing yet AGAIN.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy-Chevrolet-Grumman-Olson-Step-Van-Stepvan-/221065270869?pt=Commercial_Trucks&hash=item3378845655

Aluminum 1951 Chevrolet Grumman Olson

I like this one better

1974 Chevy Step Van - engine not working, good alum body

Price: US $1,000.00 Buy It Now

Best Offer: Make Offer

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-Chevy-Step-Van-engine-not-working-good-alum-body-/360471514126?pt=Commercial_Trucks&hash=item53edc6cc0e#v4-35

Gasoline wrote: I really really like that. I am going to research how to swap the 8X6.5" pattern to some neat 5X5" wheels I have. Most 8x6.5" wheels are not very pretty (ugly)....maybe Hummer wheels? What wheel would look good on her? Ok, I found out a few things off the HAMB. In the serial number P35J7UXXXXX the "7" denotes build year 1957. They said that the grille has llittle to do with the year of production/build and even though it looks like a regular "55 Ford truck grille it is not. It is more narrow (and rare) only found on a box truck. They said to pull the grille if I leave it in public site/storage. I found and am thinking about buying a rusty 1989 Ford f250. It has a EFI 460 and a 5 speed......that would work.

Good to know about the grille. Makes sense.

What size are the wheels? 15"? I imagine that there is a lot of wheel choices.

I don't think there will be any complaints in the power department with a 460. You might want to measure the doghouse and make sure it's wide enough. For the shifter I believe you can just tie shifter cables to the column shifter linkage and run them to a very shortened stock shifter on the trans, pretty basic junkyard hot rodding. Some quick googling indicates that is a ZF5 S5-42, pretty much perfect for your van, stump puller first, fairly deep overdrive on 5th.

Gasoline wrote: I like this one better 1974 Chevy Step Van - engine not working, good alum body Price: US $1,000.00 Buy It Now Best Offer: Make Offer http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-Chevy-Step-Van-engine-not-working-good-alum-body-/360471514126?pt=Commercial_Trucks&hash=item53edc6cc0e#v4-35

It could wind up as a nice tow rig, but I don't see a lot of hot chicks cooing 'Oh, how cute!!!'.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: I don't think there will be any complaints in the power department with a 460. You might want to measure the doghouse and make sure it's wide enough. For the shifter I believe you can just tie shifter cables to the column shifter linkage and run them to a very shortened stock shifter on the trans, pretty basic junkyard hot rodding. Some quick googling indicates that is a ZF5 S5-42, pretty much perfect for your van, stump puller first, fairly deep overdrive on 5th.

Thanks, you are right about the width of a 460. I need to rethink some inline motor? I will look for a EFI 300 and a 5 speed.

The granny 4 speed is on the floor already, looked factory when I glanced at it.

Keep your eyes out for a couple of old seats that would look 1957 period correct. Maybe bus seats?

There are a variety of neat ones out there:

1964 Jeep FJ6 Fleetvan Citroen Type HY