Mods
7.3 Powerstroke 4x4 chassis under a 1988 Chevy step van
Rear door on gas struts for awning
Full spray foam insulation job keeps it warm in the winter and cooler in the summer
Camper interior with diesel heater and propane stove bed and eventually fridge.
Rear door on gas struts for awning
Full spray foam insulation job keeps it warm in the winter and cooler in the summer
Camper interior with diesel heater and propane stove bed and eventually fridge.
Build story
88 Grumman with a 7.3 shortened power stroke 4x4 drivetrain swapped in. Ready to drive but still needs a bit of work
This is my 1988 Grumman step van that started its life as a postal truck, then was a gabrbage removal truck, then was turned into an ice cream truck. It was a dead 6.2 diesel that wasn’t running when I bought it with a trans that wouldn’t shift. I fixed it up and converted it into a camper about 6 years ago and used it to travel around with my girlfriend. Last year I begun the process to swap the body onto a ford frame and make this a 4x4 camping machine.
This build is a driveway body swap. I used camper jacks to lift the body and remove the old frame then insert another frame under. The only part of the ford body thats left is the rad support. I used my suzuki samurai to push the ford in and out to get it into place. I basically do 99% of the work solo unless I really need to place something awkward and can’t use an engine crane.
The original ford was a runner and I cut the body off to get rid of it. It was from the local log sort so had been maintained but also incased in 2" of mud front to back. I had the motor running under the grumman body before pulling the wiring away to work on the doghouse. Its still a few steps away from completion but getting close.
It has space for AC to be functional and a custom doghouse had to be made and a new crossmember for the body fitted as the new engine and trans sits further back into the cab.
Eventually the plan will be for it to go offroading and camping but also be able to haul a motorcycle and race car to events. Its got a 2’ section of frame extending from the rear of the van which will be a small deck to hold bikes. Currently the things holding me back from driving are the steering shaft, and flipping the wheel wells around so they accommodate the new longer wheelbase.
This is my 1988 Grumman step van that started its life as a postal truck, then was a gabrbage removal truck, then was turned into an ice cream truck. It was a dead 6.2 diesel that wasn’t running when I bought it with a trans that wouldn’t shift. I fixed it up and converted it into a camper about 6 years ago and used it to travel around with my girlfriend. Last year I begun the process to swap the body onto a ford frame and make this a 4x4 camping machine.
This build is a driveway body swap. I used camper jacks to lift the body and remove the old frame then insert another frame under. The only part of the ford body thats left is the rad support. I used my suzuki samurai to push the ford in and out to get it into place. I basically do 99% of the work solo unless I really need to place something awkward and can’t use an engine crane.
The original ford was a runner and I cut the body off to get rid of it. It was from the local log sort so had been maintained but also incased in 2" of mud front to back. I had the motor running under the grumman body before pulling the wiring away to work on the doghouse. Its still a few steps away from completion but getting close.
It has space for AC to be functional and a custom doghouse had to be made and a new crossmember for the body fitted as the new engine and trans sits further back into the cab.
Eventually the plan will be for it to go offroading and camping but also be able to haul a motorcycle and race car to events. Its got a 2’ section of frame extending from the rear of the van which will be a small deck to hold bikes. Currently the things holding me back from driving are the steering shaft, and flipping the wheel wells around so they accommodate the new longer wheelbase.