Sneak Peak at a 2.5" Astro/Safari lift
- Thread starter Loopie
- Start date
Loopie
Adventurer
Herbie...the other end:ylsmoke:
It's basically a lift block that also acts as a traction bar (think old school muscle car "slapper" bars)...a bump stop will be out at the front tip there.
I've also speced it to relocate the axle rearward 3/8"...between that and the traction bar limiting the spring wrap = No tire contact to the front of the rear wheel opening:victory:
Stock setup for reference and you can see why the u-bolt nuts must stay low for clearance.
It's basically a lift block that also acts as a traction bar (think old school muscle car "slapper" bars)...a bump stop will be out at the front tip there.
I've also speced it to relocate the axle rearward 3/8"...between that and the traction bar limiting the spring wrap = No tire contact to the front of the rear wheel opening:victory:
Stock setup for reference and you can see why the u-bolt nuts must stay low for clearance.
Loopie
Adventurer
Within the scope of where these vans will go with a 235-31" tire, the articulation remains adequate. The up-travel is quite short anyways...droop is unaffected of course.
Spring wrap on these vans is due to the soft spring. It isn't uncommon to have the larger tires actually contact the front of the rear wheel opening under hard acceleration or under load like in an offroad situation.
carcrafter22
Adventurer
I know nothing about astro vans but those look nice 
Loopie
Adventurer
ver1.0 was just my bad...made the tolerance too exact over the spring...couldn't get it down the last inch or so.
ver2.0...the 1/4" and no brace flexed more than I liked while getting the U-bolts to torque spec. While it probably never would have actually broke, I definitely didn't like it and I'm sure someone who payed good money for them wouldn't have been happy either.
So 3/8's and a brace it is :Wow1:
ver2.0...the 1/4" and no brace flexed more than I liked while getting the U-bolts to torque spec. While it probably never would have actually broke, I definitely didn't like it and I'm sure someone who payed good money for them wouldn't have been happy either.
So 3/8's and a brace it is :Wow1:
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
So when is the 4"-5" kit coming?
Loopie
Adventurer
RK...I suppose the 4" kit is available right away too. Now that I have the rear bracket sorted...adding material to the Add-a-Lift-Traction Bar is easy for any desired rear lift height...2.5+
The front is a 2" subframe/body spacer...all additional lift must come from adjusting the torsion bar preload....up to 2" from stock...3" if using aftermarket 'keys' and imposing absolute havoc on your steering components.
I'll be having steel risers welded in on my second van to give a 5" 'body lift'...but this is very custom, not sellable, and I expect that most will have a very hard time finding a shop that would even do it if they couldn't confidently do it themselves.
So a 5" BL and a middle ground 1" torsion bar tweak...6" lift in the works for my '96:drool:
The 2.5" in my '97 is now complete and ready to roll. Reproduction in progress:chef:
The front is a 2" subframe/body spacer...all additional lift must come from adjusting the torsion bar preload....up to 2" from stock...3" if using aftermarket 'keys' and imposing absolute havoc on your steering components.
I'll be having steel risers welded in on my second van to give a 5" 'body lift'...but this is very custom, not sellable, and I expect that most will have a very hard time finding a shop that would even do it if they couldn't confidently do it themselves.
So a 5" BL and a middle ground 1" torsion bar tweak...6" lift in the works for my '96:drool:
The 2.5" in my '97 is now complete and ready to roll. Reproduction in progress:chef:
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
What torsion keys does the Astro AWD use - is it the full size truck set and if so what year?
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Just curious as I have access to popular applications at my employee cost through work.
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