Looking for info on a lift

[JMyerz]

Hey Everyone,

Long time no post, life has gotten in the way of building up Vandito. We were contemplating selling it for this reason but just can't do it. I'm currently doing some research on lifts for the Chevy Express AWD and came across the attached photo.

It would appear that this is a fabtech lift of sorts but I can't find any info on their site. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Justin

 

[ujoint]

It's gonna be tough to ID unless you can talk to whoever put the kit on... Could be from a 2500HD, or a Suburban.

I'm not sure if the AWD van suspension is closer in relation to the trucks or the Sub/Avalanches.

 

[TroySmith80]

Jmyerz, any updates on this? Where did you find the original image? Did you do anything with your van yet?

 

[chasespeed]

Okay, I am wondering if that is a Sportsmobile conversion....

I remember that they use a FULL 3/4-1 ton Chevy TRUCK suspension under their van. I will also say, that those control arms look like 3/4-1 ton control arms.

If that is the case, that would be that.

I have been digging, and watching, and listening... as I am VERY interested in snagging one of these, an Astro, or....

Chase

 

[TroySmith80]

It is a roadtrek interior conversion, or at least that's what the roof says. I guess that doesn't mean that sportsmobile couldn't have done the 4x4 though.

 

[1sweetvan]

I know nothing about this stuff, but that picture and some company from SLC seem to come together in my memory. Advanced 4WD? or something like that?

 

[JMyerz]

No update on that lift, found it randomly on the internet. I did talk with Revtek briefly and it sounds like the torsion bars for the Avalanche (blue label) would work for a light lift.

I actually just sold our van though Something the wife and I really did not want to do. We are however looking for a good van that will be a better DD and weekend warrior for us.... just needed to downsize.

J

 

[shovelbill]

perhaps you you garner some info here:

http://quigley4x4.com/TechnicalCenter/GMProducts/GM4x4Components.aspx

 

[JMyerz]

I should state that clearer, the blue label torsion bars should work with the avalanche stuff from Revtek. Simply swapping out OEM avalanche items won't or shouldn't do a thing.

J

 

[chasespeed]

Hmmm... maybe I am confusing Quigley with Sportsmobile?

Either way...

Chase

 

[TroySmith80]

Has it been confirmed that avalanche parts will fit on an express?

 

[nely]

i can confirm that the lower control arm for a 2000 3500 chevy express is the same in design as pre 99 suburbans, tahoes and pickups. Thats according to to napa. i can pull up a list of what the parts will fit so thats how i determined that.

i did a quick look up on a 2005 3500 express and the balljoints seem to fit 2000 and up pickups 'burbans avalanche and h2 hummers

hope this helps someone. i can look up fatory replacement parts and see what other vehicles they will fit. this MIGHT help determine what lifts can be used for the express vans

note. i havent looked up allwheel drive parts. if someone can gimme a year for the AWD i can look it up. but i dont know much on chevys, i own 2 fords :coffeedrink:

frame dimensions are probably the best. next time i have an express van and suburban in the shop i work at, i can take some measurments

 

[TroySmith80]

I believe (not certain) the AWD was an option beginning in 2003 on the 1500 and 2500 series only, never on the 3500.

 

[nely]

`I kinda assumed they never came awd 1 ton, but wasnt sure. Ill did checking on 03 2500 awd

coil springs and axle shafts are van specific. upper control arm fits 2000+ 1500 suspensioned avalanche, suburbans, pickups tahoes

that control arms specifys 7300 gvw vans

 

[zuren]

I'm glad to see a dedicated thread on this.

As for the Roadtrek picture, Roadtrek offers a Quigley converted van. I'm not sure if Quigley uses Fabtech suspension parts or if the owner of that van added hardware.

I was under my van this weekend. It is a 2005 Chevy Express 1500 AWD and here are the numbers I pulled off of the torsion bars:

Right (orange) - 2LK 484, R 720, P/N 15750720
Left (blue) - 2NE 075, L 719, P/N (unreadable, believed to be 15750719)

I'm not sure why my torsion bars have 2 different colors on them. The keys are rusted so I have no idea what they were. I have been poking around FullSizeChevy.com and was pointed to this webpage:

http://www.gmfullsize.com/tech/torsion401.html

It was helpful and not helpful at the same time. None of the numbers on my bars appear on that list of GM pickup torsion bars. I take this to mean that the AWD vans have bars that are specific to them. The thought is that installing a torsion bar with a higher rating will lift the front easier but may make the ride harsher. Adjusting the torsion keys on mine yielded zero lift. I'm considering 2 different reasons:

A. The torsion bars could be tired at 120,000 miles and won't lift the van.
B. According to Photog (member here), GM independent front suspensions have limited travel so the shocks may already be sitting at maximum travel. Turning up the torsions bars won't yield any lift because the susp. has no where to go.

To test B, I need to unbolt the top of the shock and see if the suspension travels down further than what the shock allows. If it does, keeping the current bars and installing longer or adjustable shocks may be the answer. I haven't had time to do this.

Dwalt, another member here, has an AWD 1500 van with blue-coded torsion bars and was able to get some lift with doing nothing more than turning the adjustment screws. He has a newer model and uncertain why his bars work and others do not. I'd be interested to know what codes are pressed into the ends of his bars.

Nely - would you be able to look up those codes/part numbers I listed above and see if there is any mention of what their load rating is? At least that may give us some starting point for the 1/2 vans. I've been looking and can't find anything.

Thanks!