I will soon own a 2001 B3500 van with 318 (5.2L) engine.
I am curious about the extent of compatibility of parts and chassis systems (suspension, front end, transmission, differential, etc.) between the D3500 and a similar Dodge Ram Truck of the same year.
I ask because I've obtained a shop manual for a Dodge Ram Truck 2001, and would like to know if many of the parts and chassis systems are the same for both the truck and the van.
Thanks.

 

There are some interchangeable parts I'm sure however, there was no 3500 that came with a 5.2L that year, only the 1500 truck had the 318. That alone will make for differences but I believe most of rest is interchangeable. I believe biggest difference between van and truck were body styles.

I have a 1990 Chrysler manual for my van, and it says, "Van/Wagon" but nothing about a truck.

 

Thanks. I'm reading the Dodge Truck service manual to educate myself about various of its elements, assuming the explanations apply almost equally to the 3500 van (front end geometry, computer communications, engine and transmission components, etc.). I'm not using the truck manual to order parts or anything, just educating myself on the mechanicals and electricals of a Dodge truck vehicle of that year, assuming that a cargo van (3500) is pretty equivalent chassis-wise. BTW I owned a 96 3/4 ton Dodge truck with Cummins engine a few years ago, but assume a 2001 van has obvious differences (not only the diesel engine). Thanks.

 

If I were you, I'd get exactly the Chrysler manual for the vehicle I owned. The 01 3500 vans and trucks are different enough to need two different manuals.

I'd also supplement with the Haynes manual. Lot of people hate on Haynes but mine has had information for my specific model that the Chrysler manual completely left out and it has saved my butt more than once.

Yeah I have a 92 Cummins D250 and the differences are vast without even considering the engine.

 

Thanks for the advice on the CHrysler manual. And yes, I've had good use from Haynes for various vehicles in the past, to that will be on the list of docs to get!

 

Get a real service manual, and you won't need haynes, or chiltons.