RK's MANi-Van - UP FOR SALE

[RocKrawler]

Ozarker;
Mine is a 1996, I wanted the more modern front end compared to the 95 and older front end. The 96+ also has the more desirable steel rear leaf springs and shorter front torsions ( although mine happened to come with the early torsions somehow ) needed to lift it properly. I will be adding skid plates later along with custom bumpers and sliders on the side that double as steps for the vertically challenged wife, our shorty in the family. next up is a paint job so the wife can drive it proudly and then I will be starting on my Sidekick project.

 

[suntinez]

Mama mia!! That looks GREAT. :bowdown:

I'm not gonna show this pic to my Tiger though, it's already starting to want that lift again.

The only other astro I've owned was the same year/color as yours. It was new back when, but it didn't look as nice as yours. Great job.

Curious - was your interaction with OV and the new owner timely, and price-fair? I missed out on ordering with Dan (previous owner) by literally a few days last year.

Was at the San Bernardino pick-a-part yesterday if you're still looking for stock steel wheels. Thought about you and your torsion bar dilemma while there poking about, I swear it looks like an Astro parking lot these days.

I'm in for an astro west coast tour too, if it works out!

 

[Herbie]

I have looked for the referrences to T.Low's van (not sure if I have seen T.Low's van, searched threads he started but no luck there) but you have a list of mods that seem pretty much what would be needed.

Start here for T.Low's van:
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/.../Astro Mini Me SMB build/?albumview=slideshow

 

[Ozarker]

Start here for T.Low's van:
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/.../Astro Mini Me SMB build/?albumview=slideshow

Thanks Herbie! I really did spend some time looking for the van and got to read comments without pics....thanks, now I can get caught upto what'sup! :Wow1:


WOW! NICE, I WANT THAT TOO!

 

[RocKrawler]

Curious - was your interaction with OV and the new owner timely, and price-fair? I missed out on ordering with Dan (previous owner) by literally a few days last year.

I'm in for an astro west coast tour too, if it works out!

it was good. He had some issues with the company that manufactures and drop ships the torsion keys slacking a bit but it wasn't too bad. He never promised what. He couldn't deliver so I think he was very honest and fair with his representation of the parts and delivery times. That said, plan ahead and dont order at the last minute and expect a miracle. The parts fit the parts designed for the correct year, unfortunately mine was equipped with the incorrect torsions - not his fault and I had no idea being a new Astro owner what to look for. That said, if you have the preferrable 96+ you need to make sure before ordering that the rear leafs are steel multi leaf packs, not the fiberglass mono leaf. And for the front torsions, they should be the shorter 36" and not the 41" extended ones. Mine were so shot they needed replacing anyway so I'm really happy with the outcome after installing the new ones and the great ride they provide.
Thanks for the heads up on the San bernardino yard, it will be a few weeks before I can hit it up. I can't wait to get my new bumpers designed and built to make the approach and departure angles even better and incorporate a winch. My initial test will be the Hollister OHV area in a few weeks for our customer appreciation run in Gorman. Everyone in invited to that by the way, it's free and includes a free BBQ lunch! I also want to hit up lower coyote canyon if the cool temps old out in june. We'll have to see how that works out, and definitely hitting Mojave rd in fall. Any other questions feel free to ask, I'm still learning these things but taking the crash course on it right now! I really want to do the west coast tour, but think it's going to have to be in 2012 - alternatively making it a rotating location event also seems like it could be fun. Hopefully we can start working it out in a few months so we all have plenty of time to plan properly and maximize turnout

 

[Loopie]

Looks awesome:victory:

 

[RocKrawler]

Looks awesome:victory:

Rides and drives great, but the tires are rubbing the rear wheel wells, I can't yet tell where. I wanted to do the full spring pack in the back but the cash was too tight so I went with the add a leaf and I just don't think it's high enough to clear the 31's. That and the noticeable power loss leave me wishing I did the 30's instead, but unless someone locally wants the 31's I'm stuck I suppose. It sure gets looks and positive feedback though! I am glad I went with the solid body spacers from loopie and would recommend them to anyone wanting a two inch lift up front. When you get a chance Loop let me know (PM) what kind of deal you can do on the rear spacer setup, if it's cost effective I might go that route instead of the new spring packs.

 

[Loopie]

...I am glad I went with the solid body spacers from loopie and would recommend them to anyone wanting a two inch lift up front.....rear spacer setup, if it's cost effective I might go that route instead of the new spring packs.

Right on!....because you've mentioned wanting at least a little more load capacity, I highly recommend just going with a spring pack. You should have a number of decent spring shops near you and they can make them up for you easily.

So right now you have shackles and an AAL? The tires could/should be rubbing at the front edge of the rear wheel opening...that's the first place to look.

 

[suntinez]

sent you a PM about those 31s

 

[Toolman]

Looking good Terry. It's gonna be sweet when you get your wish list checked off and everything installed.

 

[ujoint]

Love the name change!

 

[RocKrawler]

Love the name change!

It's a little more manly now that its lifted and on bigger tires. I'm geting the same mileage as my full size but paying 30 cents a gallon less for fuel. Tradeoffs are better turning radius and manuverability bit less interior space and towing capacity. Since I current have nothing to tow it was a good compromise for my situation and for less that 4k total investment Im trailworthy already.

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.

 

[jeffryscott]

Curious how much ground clearance you have with the lift and tires? It looks great by the way.

 

[RocKrawler]

Haven't measured yet, any particular place anyone wants measurements from? Ground to....

 

[jeffryscott]

Haven't measured yet, any particular place anyone wants measurements from? Ground to....

Ground to dif and ground to sills ... Anything hang low to concern yourself with that can hang up?

Thanks!