Found 4x4 van, need advice!

[Paul E350]

Looks like I may have a lead on an '87 E350 4x4 van. Gasser, I assume it's a 460. C6 auto, only 73K on it however the body is rusty, not worth fixin'. I understand the 460 and 7.3 IDI bell housing patterns are the same, I know I'd have to do some rework on the housing for flywheel clearance and the large inspection hole in the bottom. From the pix I've gotten it looks like it is a Quigley conversion.

What can ya'll tell me about:

Can I swap out just the tailshaft/transfer case ans mount them to my existing C6 in the diesel?

If I <have to use the gasser tranny>.........are there differences internally in ratios between the gasser and diesel C6's? I think there might be as the powerbands are different between the 2 engines?

Last but not least...anyone got any thoughts over what series Dana they used in the front?

Thanks in advance! This could be next summers project for big green!

Best,

Paul

 

[towcat]

Looks like I may have a lead on an '87 E350 4x4 van. Gasser, I assume it's a 460. C6 auto, only 73K on it however the body is rusty, not worth fixin'. I understand the 460 and 7.3 IDI bell housing patterns are the same, I know I'd have to do some rework on the housing for flywheel clearance and the large inspection hole in the bottom. From the pix I've gotten it looks like it is a Quigley conversion.

What can ya'll tell me about:

Can I swap out just the tailshaft/transfer case ans mount them to my existing C6 in the diesel?

If I <have to use the gasser tranny>.........are there differences internally in ratios between the gasser and diesel C6's? I think there might be as the powerbands are different between the 2 engines?

Last but not least...anyone got any thoughts over what series Dana they used in the front?

Thanks in advance! This could be next summers project for big green!

Best,

Paul

you are mostly correct but not completely on the 460/diesel bellhousing. the lower four bolts do bolt up with minor mods but not the top two. diesel C6 trans are unwanted stepchildren due to the lack of OD, so getting one won't be too tough or even expensive. The diesel internals are stronger and has more clutch elements.
most of the 4x4 van conversions I've seen had D44's under the fronts. a very rare few had D60's.
if you can find one that's rust-free or rust minimal and you can afford it as a project....get it!!!

 

[82F100SWB]

The conversion outfits often used a 2wd auto with a special tailhousing to convert it to 4x4 rather than swapping to an actual 4x4 trans. You will want to check the legnth on that tailhousing before you source a diesel trans.

 

[Devon Harley]

There's a nice cheap 4x4 6.9 van in San diego