well, after way too much searching, it looks like I have finally found someone who has done atleast some of the stuff I am interested in doing... Thank you.
So, I wanted the interior space and versatility of a van, moderate offroading capabilities and the most fuel efficiency possible. Naturally, I first thought of the lifted Astro/Safari, but I have an S10 with the same 4.3L engine and do enough swearing at the pumps.
This is what I really wanted. (Mitsubishi Delica)
This is what I was willing to pay for. (96 dodge caravan)
I wish I at least had the patience to find an awd version, but here I am.
prior to finding this forum i had decided on changing my stock 205/75r14s to 235/75r15s. I guestimated that the 1.4 more inches to the radius would be the maximum i could fit before hitting the strut, so it's good to know i can go a little bigger. i stuck with the 235/75r15s anyway as they are the same size as my truck and if this didn't work, i could just use them on my truck and there would have been no risk. I found 4 used tires on rims for $60. ofcourse the bolt pattern is wrong but i can sell these rims for the rough amount of the purchase of the correct rims (15"x 6" with a 5x100mm bolt pattern, same as dodge neon). the rest of my plan involves the 2" lift blocks on the rear with shock extensions and using extra strut mounts to make a spacer for 1.5-2" of lift in the front, a lot like this guy's mod---
http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?3-Lifted-All-Trac-Previa .
all said and done this should give me 3.4" of lift on the back and 2.9-3.4" on the front, bringing the mid-body ground clearance up from about 7" to over 10". this should mean easily doing simple trails fully loaded or moderate trails unloaded.:friday:
