'97 GMC Safari AWD BackCountryVans maiden voyage

[Loopie]

Finally have the 2.5" kit dialed...this testing ground is literally 2min from my house. Took'er out for a rip :smiley_drive:
These pics and video don't do this trail justice...I'll be working on better footage to really showcase it. A regular 4x4 with an open rear diff would have a very hard time climbing this trail in sections.
In this van (with the factory G80 locker)...it was a cake walk! :costumed-smiley-007

 

[Loopie]

 

[Loopie]

Sorry about the audio, forgot to edit it out...just wind noise...turn your speakers down.

 

[RocKrawler]

Nice - how do you like those new Goodyear Duratrac's?

 

[r_w]

2.5 looks about perfect on the Astro. Tall enough to handle rutted fireroads, but you wouldn't notice anything was done to it unless it is sitting next to a stock lowrider.

 

[Loopie]

Liking the DuraTracs so far. Quiet on-road for such an aggressive tread...corners well.
Off-road so far...not a hint of slip. The real test will be mud...we'll see how well they clear at low rpm.

 

[chasespeed]

What size tires are you running there?

Any rubbing issues?

Chase

 

[Loopie]

235/75R15 on stock steelies. Some trimming is required. I can post pics later.

 

[Loopie]

Lookin' at the area from across town.(I live in the area just above the roof of the van)

The view from my computer chair :coffeedrink:

 

[T.Low]

You are lucky we don't live nearer to each ther; we'd have so much fun we'd screw up our vans; then you'd wake up the next morning and your front grill would be missing. I'd photo shop it into my pics and say "See, I'f had the same one all along". :sombrero:

 

[chasespeed]

I tell ya, I keep eyeballing these AWD Astros... if I could get a 31 inch or equivalent under it....

I wouldnt need a WIDE tire under something so light... just, I find, even with my current 2wd service van(which, it appears will replaced with a Quigley finally), my biggest limit is break over angle, and ground clearance. I would imagine with the shorter wheelbase, the 31s should get me most places I would care to Venture with my whole family.... I have a tank, er... Cummins to get me in the good places....

Doable? I was going to post a thread asking questions... but, since have a suspension thread going....

Sorry for the hijack...

Chase

 

[Loopie]

You are lucky we don't live nearer to each ther; we'd have so much fun we'd screw up our vans; then you'd wake up the next morning and your front grill would be missing. I'd photo shop it into my pics and say "See, I'f had the same one all along". :sombrero:

It's a little known fact that the Safari is superior to the Astro in every way, not the least of which is appearance..."Back away from the grill!" :littlefriend:

 

[Loopie]

...these AWD Astros... if I could get a 31 inch or equivalent under it....

...my biggest limit is break over angle, and ground clearance. I would imagine with the shorter wheelbase, the 31s should get me most places I would care to Venture with my whole family....

Doable?

Sorry for the hijack...

Chase

No worries CS.
Exactly...approach/departure angles are great on these vans and ya, the breakover angle is very reasonable.

31's are doable. Been done many times.

I'll be really showcasing this van(my '97) over the summer and revealing exactly how far a 2.5"/235's equiped van can go without breaking a sweat.(ok, ok...I might show you guys some sweat...but nothing too hard on this van )

My '96 AWD is going up 6" and I'd like to run a 31" Interco(really measures about a 32") or else a metric 16" rim tire at about 32" diameter....

 

[chasespeed]

Yeah, I am thinking a 235/85/16.... enough height, pretty narrow.... the E rating would be a bit much in such a light van... but...

Is it possible to run a 4 inch, and the 235s on some stock wheels(I know the tires will fit the rims)?

At the end of the day, it just needs to drag my boat to the river as well... pretty light, 19 footer, and get me and family to some nice, out of the way places.

As stated, I have my tank/Zombie Assault Truck(my neighbors 8 year old son started calling it that) if I want anything truly out of the way.


Chase

 

[RocKrawler]

I tell ya, I keep eyeballing these AWD Astros... if I could get a 31 inch or equivalent under it....

Chase

So was I, and looking for a better way to get the 31's under it myself. Loopie - light the fire under the taller kit buddy!