1999 AWD Astro LS 3" DIY Lift Build

[Costman13]

So it begins...

Parts Purchased -
4 - M12-1.75 x 130mm class 10.9 hex head bolts
2 - M14-2.0 x 130mm class 10.9 hex head bolts
6 - 2" tall x 3" wide lift blocks
2 - SD Truck Springs s10 leaf springs (22-687)
2 - Extended Exhaust Hangers
5 - 30/9.5R15 BFG T/A KO2
1 - Long Tru-Cool LPD Transmission Oil Cooler 4590
2 - Rancho RS5147 (rear)
2 - Rancho RS55150 (front)

Better photos to come.

Cam

 

[jdreier]

Pretty sure i've got those Rancho shocks on my DIY lifted astro, almost all the same parts as yours. They've been great the two years i've had em on my rig.

 

[Costman13]

Pretty sure i've got those Rancho shocks on my DIY lifted astro, almost all the same parts as yours. They've been great the two years i've had em on my rig.

I went ahead and ordered them.

Did you relocate your rear mounts?

 

[jdreier]

I haven't relocated my rear mounts yet. I don't do a whole lot of rock crawling in the Astro, so i'm not too worried about hitting the shock mounts. From what i've seen it looks like a fairly easy mod though.

 

[Costman13]

Here it is!

 

[Nesquik]

Looks fantastic.

What gears do you have?

How are you loving it so far?

 

[Costman13]

Stock 3.42 gearing. The gearing as not been an issue at all.

I love how it stiffened up the entire van. It rides much more like my Tacoma did, in terms of stiffness. It always felt extremely soft and washy before.

 

[Jo_Duval]

that Astro is looking so rad! so mint! id love to find one for a daily around here they are all rusted to death

 

[winmag4582001]

After I sell the 99 E350 I'm building, I want to do an Astro. Unfortunately they are expensive here in Denver.

 

[Billy_Bottle_Caps]

Great looking rig!

 

[Costman13]

After I sell the 99 E350 I'm building, I want to do an Astro. Unfortunately they are expensive here in Denver.

I found this one in Utah. It was less than half of what i would have paid here in Portland for an equivilant van!

It was pretty dirty inside, but nothing more than a little surface rust elsewhere.

 

[goin camping]

After I sell the 99 E350 I'm building, I want to do an Astro. Unfortunately they are expensive here in Denver.

There are a ton of them here in Los Angeles and affordable too. And we are in a no rust zone.

May be worth a trip down here to snag one.

 

[Van on the Run]

Sorry if I missed it, but what wheels did you end up going with after the lift? Your van looks awesome!

 

[TheVagabondMBA]

Here it is!
View attachment 446084

BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[Costman13]

Sorry if I missed it, but what wheels did you end up going with after the lift? Your van looks awesome!

They are Crager Soft 8's 15x7.