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G20 lift
#739664 August 22nd 2018 1:39 am
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Dw89xj Offline OP
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Okay I've been all through the site searching how to lift the front on a g20. I'm a bit confused as to how to go about it. There's alot of mixed info and it seems square body pickup spindles are the only true bolt in. The problem is I cannot find lift spindles for anything but 88 and newer 2wd trucks. Im going to be locking the rear and will not be looking to do a 4x4 conversion anytime soon, I don't intend on any offroading that I'd need 4x4, it would be nice in the winter but not a necessity at this point just looking for more clearance and to get the right stance. I'm planning on 33s without trimming the fenders.
The van in question is a 95 5 lug g20. I will be using it to camp with and tow a small trailer with ATVs occasionally. I'm already planning to regear for tires. So the clearance will be nice for those certain rocks and ruts so I'm not bottoming out or hanging up. I may get a winch just in case but not soon. My goal is to get this van all tip top running and put a lift on it, there's zero cool handicap vans in my area, well I should say lifted badass looking because I have seen some cool ones.
From reading I understand the 88-91 spindles will work, with that though, I was wondering if anyone found a solution for the lower ball joint besides cutting and welding the ball joint mount? I read metals whole thread and will cut and weld if need be but would much rather it be bolt in if it's possible with out dropping everything up front to swap all g30. It's a bitch getting off the ground since I'm a paraplegic now. I do as much as I can but I'm very particular on how stuff gets done so it's hard for me to find anyone to help who doesn't wanna cut corners, front suspension is not where I want a hack job the most.
Can anyone give me a definite on how to accomplish this without cutting the lower control arms? Keeping in mind I do not want to do a 4x4 swap at this time. If I don't need to drop the crossmember I'm 99% sure I could do it all myself. I saw mention of another van using the 88-91 c1500 parts without any major Fab work and built in a driveway with no fancy tools. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, thank you all.

Attached Files image-2018-08-20-08-50-16.jpgimage-2018-08-20-08-50-05.jpg

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: G20 lift
Dw89xj #739668 August 22nd 2018 2:31 am
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Here's a vanner converting a G20 to right hand drive & making it a 4x4....

https://www.vanning.com/threads/ubbthreads.php/topics/727747/5

The 1st 5 pages is L to R the last 5 is him doing the 4x conversion... the whole thread is good reading tho


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: G20 lift
Dw89xj #739671 August 22nd 2018 3:22 am
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Dw89xj Offline OP
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I do not want to convert to 4 wheel drive is my issue, there's nice kit Boulder sells for 2700 but I understand that's just the brackets. Then I need to source a transfer case, axle, have driveshafts made, change the out put on the trans, at which point I might as well do a rebuild and shift kit since it will be apart, and may as well upgrade to 14 bolt or Dana 80 rear, that is just a bit more than I want to spend and I don't want a shifter sticking up in the middle of the floor because it will get in my way since I'm in a wheelchair. Just a lift, tires, and locker for now.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: G20 lift
Dw89xj #739672 August 22nd 2018 8:35 am
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After digging around on the truck stop forums and a couple Chevy forums it seems as though the only way to use the g30 lower arms is to use the cross member as well. Does this sound about right? On Metals thread it is stated that the g30 lowers do not fit the g20 crossmember well enough to be safe.
How much of a feat is swapping the crossmember and lower control arms? Is the engine attached to the crossmember or to the unibody?
Is there a ball joint available that will work to avoid tearing it all apart or is cutting and welding or swapping everything the only ways to do it and not have to worry about ill fitting parts or sketchy setups?
It seems 88 to 91 spindles is the ticket since I guess the 73 to 87 lift spindles have been discontinued for some time. Are the 4inch spindles enough to clear 33s no rubbing or cutting? I'm going to be removing the running boards, they're just rust traps in Pennsylvania, maybe add springs or spacers later if I decide to go bigger.
I'm planning on 4.56 gears so with a 33 inch tire in overdrive I should be about 2400 rpm or so at 70 mph, according to the gear calculator I used. That leaves plenty of gear if I want to go bigger later. I'm set on just lifting and locking, this won't be my daily driver since I have the Dodge, the six cylinder gets okay mileage if you can go easy and stay off the highway. I want the look and the benefits of the added clearance for the Chevy. I'm hoping someone has a solution for the ball joint issue, but it is sounding like swapping the crossmember is the "best" way to not have to do any serious Fab work.

***Edit*** I talked to the moog tech line, their number is 1-800-325-8886 if anyone needs it. They say they only sell application specific, no custom ball joints due to liability, the gentleman on the other end said he doesn't have a list of dimensions nor could he give out the dimensions due to liability. So swapping the crossmember I think is what's going to happen. Or my other option is to take both sets of lowers to my buddy's shop and do what metal did, I'd rather be able to use off the shelf parts just in case I need of a failure. So this project is going to be more major than originally anticapted.

Last edited by Dw89xj; August 22nd 2018 9:17 am. Reason: Discovered new info

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: G20 lift
Dw89xj #739690 August 23rd 2018 2:15 am
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I appreciate all the help, I think I've found the only bolt on. I will poost pictures and details on what I find.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: G20 lift
Dw89xj #739691 August 23rd 2018 2:17 am
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Dw89xj Offline OP
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I'm glad there's so much information. The downfall is there are no 73-87 lift spindles.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: G20 lift
Dw89xj #739748 August 24th 2018 2:16 pm
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Dw89xj Offline OP
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After looking at ball joints it seems as though the the g20 and g30 are the same where they mount on the control arm but the stud is different.

Attached Files image-2018-08-24-14-08-39.jpgimage-2018-08-24-14-08-28.jpg

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: G20 lift
Dw89xj #739749 August 24th 2018 2:21 pm
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Dw89xj Offline OP
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And here is the c1500 vs the g30

Attached Files image-2018-08-24-14-16-17.jpgimage-2018-08-24-14-16-25.jpg

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: G20 lift
Dw89xj #739750 August 24th 2018 2:25 pm
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Dw89xj Offline OP
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G30 vs c 1500 lower ball joint nut

Attached Files image-2018-08-24-14-24-11.jpg

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
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