ihatemybike
Explorer
This is what I spent my weekend doing.
Saturday remove rear axle and disconnect lift spring shackles from body.
Sunday remove shackles from springs. Whole afternoon spent on to freakin bolts, argh.
Grumpy the Astro van - One man's delusions, a love story.
- Thread starter ihatemybike
- Start date
This is what I spent my weekend doing.
Saturday remove rear axle and disconnect lift spring shackles from body.
Sunday remove shackles from springs. Whole afternoon spent on to freakin bolts, argh.
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Uh, why?
ihatemybike
Explorer
Two very good reasons. Lift shackles and limited slip.
No progress made today, can't get the lower shackle bolts I need locally. Heading to a McMaster-Carr distribution center tomorrow.
I did position the limited slip axle under the van and mount wheels to it, but that's only to keep local code enforcement from bothering me.
No progress made today, can't get the lower shackle bolts I need locally. Heading to a McMaster-Carr distribution center tomorrow.
I did position the limited slip axle under the van and mount wheels to it, but that's only to keep local code enforcement from bothering me.
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
What LSD did you go with, the stock gov lock?
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.
ihatemybike
Explorer
Yeah, the GM/Easton G80.
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
I have never owned a vehicle with one, how well do they work and how strong are they?
ihatemybike
Explorer
Not sure, guess I'll find out.
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Paging tlow and herbie... Please come to the information desk immediately.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.
Herbie
Rendezvous Conspirator
Hehe, don't think I can answer this one. I don't have the G80. As for how strong, well the ring & pinion should be the same as the regular 7-5/8" rear, so it will not be any stronger than the regular astro "soccer duty" axle.
T.Low had an aftermarket Eaton locker for a while, I think, and eventually blew it up. Not sure if the failure was because it was "weak" or because he put it through some serious use.
For myself, when I get to the point of needing a locker, I'm looking into whether or not I can fit a 12-bolt/14-bolt from a fullsize van so that I can have a selectable locker. With the van's passenger-side offset and relatively wide width, not just any axle will fix under there.
Bummer about spending so much time on the shackle bolts, though!
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Toyota FZJ80 axle is 6 lug, wide, passenger offset and available with factory electric locker. Contemplating it for mine pending measurements but.then would have to swap front to same bolt pattern.
Edit: quick research online says the astro has a 62.5" rear width, and the fj80 is about 63.5, so about 1/2" wider per side
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.
Edit: quick research online says the astro has a 62.5" rear width, and the fj80 is about 63.5, so about 1/2" wider per side
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.
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RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
9.25" ring gear, full floating axles, disc brakes on 93 & newer, drop out center section, and same six lug pattern. Electric lockers were an option but not too difficult to find. Another thing I was thinking about is adapting the transfer case from one as well. Has Awd with viscous coupler for snow and an optional center diff lock to turn the Awd to 4wd, and it has a decent low range as is with aftermarket lower gears available too.
Sent f rom my HTC Thunderbolt.
Sent f rom my HTC Thunderbolt.
ihatemybike
Explorer
Grumpy supports it's own weight again.
