GM fullsize AWD Van Info thread

laz 1 · May 5, 2025

Mike @ JOURNEYS OFF ROAD has done this conversion. He adds a switch on the shifter that tells the computer when you are in LO. He can sell you a kit for this.

Vandy_B · Monday at 8:35 PM

Introducing my van...first post. Picked up this 2011 AWD last fall. 97K miles with aftermarket Sportsmobile pop-top, so "downstairs" it's a stock passenger van, with a bedroom "upstairs" in the Penthouse. Sliding passenger side door.

One of the previous owners put an add-a-leaf on the back and cranked up the front torsion bars and put the new wheels on it. The guy I bought it from had a lift kit, but never installed it so he gave it to me. The wheels are American Racing and best I can gather they are 17x8.5 I think with offset 18. It has 235/80/17s on it and the G80 locker.

I want to replace the tires and was planning to put on 265/70/17s. The diameter compared with the tires it has there's only 0.2" difference and with the smaller wheel offset, the ~1" wider tread should fit no problem. I actually was going to install the lift kit, and started with the torsion keys but the ones that came with the kit ended up being exactly the same as the stock keys (???) so that was a wasted afternoon installing them. I think as long as the 265s fit ok I'll keep it as is. There's probably less than an inch between the existing tire and the slider when it is open. I'm really hoping that adding 0.5" on each side it still clears!

ThundahBeagle · Tuesday at 5:47 PM

Vandy_B said:
Introducing my van...first post. Picked up this 2011 AWD last fall. 97K miles with aftermarket Sportsmobile pop-top, so "downstairs" it's a stock passenger van, with a bedroom "upstairs" in the Penthouse. Sliding passenger side door.

One of the previous owners put an add-a-leaf on the back and cranked up the front torsion bars and put the new wheels on it. The guy I bought it from had a lift kit, but never installed it so he gave it to me. The wheels are American Racing and best I can gather they are 17x8.5 I think with offset 18. It has 235/80/17s on it and the G80 locker.

I want to replace the tires and was planning to put on 265/70/17s. The diameter compared with the tires it has there's only 0.2" difference and with the smaller wheel offset, the ~1" wider tread should fit no problem. I actually was going to install the lift kit, and started with the torsion keys but the ones that came with the kit ended up being exactly the same as the stock keys (???) so that was a wasted afternoon installing them. I think as long as the 265s fit ok I'll keep it as is. There's probably less than an inch between the existing tire and the slider when it is open. I'm really hoping that adding 0.5" on each side it still clears!

Nice score. I love the sliding side doors.

I actually used to know a guy named Vandy B.

whith · Wednesday at 8:30 AM

Score, great rig! Looks like maybe a -18 offset? If you have a positive offset you’ll be fine as well as a zero. To me a zero is about right on these with a slightly bigger tire. You can shim out the slider track to make it progressively slide the door out further as it goes back. Bolts are inside the panels in the van interior. I’ve done it with mine and can fit a 285 with zero offset wheel and minimal rubbing of the door when it goes all the way back but I do believe my van has a different rear axle although potentially same width.

Willsfree · Wednesday at 1:48 PM

Vandy_B said:
Introducing my van...first post. Picked up this 2011 AWD last fall. 97K miles with aftermarket Sportsmobile pop-top, so "downstairs" it's a stock passenger van, with a bedroom "upstairs" in the Penthouse. Sliding passenger side door.

One of the previous owners put an add-a-leaf on the back and cranked up the front torsion bars and put the new wheels on it. The guy I bought it from had a lift kit, but never installed it so he gave it to me. The wheels are American Racing and best I can gather they are 17x8.5 I think with offset 18. It has 235/80/17s on it and the G80 locker.

I want to replace the tires and was planning to put on 265/70/17s. The diameter compared with the tires it has there's only 0.2" difference and with the smaller wheel offset, the ~1" wider tread should fit no problem. I actually was going to install the lift kit, and started with the torsion keys but the ones that came with the kit ended up being exactly the same as the stock keys (???) so that was a wasted afternoon installing them. I think as long as the 265s fit ok I'll keep it as is. There's probably less than an inch between the existing tire and the slider when it is open. I'm really hoping that adding 0.5" on each side it still clears!