Facts on the 1979 Chevy Cargo Van

Cargo vans are primarily for carrying various types of loads that weight under one ton.

In 1979 Chevrolet designed and manufactured a series of vans that were either for carrying passengers or cargo. Cargo vans came with just two front seats, a passenger and driver door, a pair of rear doors and no windows in the body. The smaller models usually contained a side door.

Tonnage

1979 Chevy cargo vans were rated as 1/2-, 3/4- or 1-ton vehicles. This rating describes how much weight the vehicle can carry. In general, "cargo van" was a body style that appeared in both the G series and P series, even though these two series types of vehicles differed in appearance and size.

Body Style

P-series vans were larger transporters, also known as Two-Door Forward Control Aluminum Vans or step vans. G series vans were smaller vehicles, simply known as vans. In the G-series the cargo van model style contained a side door located further back than the front doors, while the step van lacked this extra door.

Wheelbase

The 1979 G series cargo vans came with two different wheelbases. The 110-inch base was only available in the 1/2 and 3/4 ton vehicles, while the 126-inch base was available for all three weight classifications. However, the step vans could be built on four different chassis with wheelbase lengths of 102- (1/2 ton),125- (3/4 or 1-ton), 133- (3/4 or 1-ton) or 157- (1 ton) inches.

References

• Faxonautoliterature: 1979 Chevrolet Pickup Blazer Van Suburban Repair Shop Manual CD-ROM
• AC Delco: GM Truck Identification