Search found 44 matches

by Lon
Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:22 am
Forum: SUSPENSION
Topic: Modified shackles.
Replies: 5
Views: 3961

Re: Modified shackles.

I lowered the rear of the van. I did an axle flip with homebuilt axle saddles. I also installed the extended shackles. After one day I put it back stock. A 4" drop on my van was still to low without a c-notch, which I will not do to this van. So the van will have still have the front lowered w...
by Lon
Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:57 am
Forum: SUSPENSION
Topic: Modified shackles.
Replies: 5
Views: 3961

Re: Modified shackles.

I lowered the rear of the van. I did an axle flip with homebuilt axle saddles. I also installed the extended shackles. After one day I put it back stock. A 4" drop on my van was still to low without a c-notch, which I will not do to this van. So the van will have still have the front lowered wi...
by Lon
Wed Aug 03, 2011 6:04 am
Forum: SUSPENSION
Topic: Modified shackles.
Replies: 5
Views: 3961

Re: Modified shackles.

Flipped axles on Astros will nearly touch the subframe. I had a 93 I lowered with a flip and I ended up using C1500 lowering shackles to raise it up. They worked fine but would bump the frame on hard bumps. Check this link it shows how I dropped my old van. The C1500 shackles dont have the curve at ...
by Lon
Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:02 pm
Forum: SUSPENSION
Topic: Modified shackles.
Replies: 5
Views: 3961

Modified shackles.

I'm getting ready to lower my 2000 Astro. I'm broke, and have 2 other project trucks so I dont want to spend a a lot of money on this. I have come up with a nearly free way of lowering the back. I'm going to flip the axle, using weld on Moroso spring perches then to raise it to a 4" drop I leng...
by Lon
Tue May 31, 2011 7:21 am
Forum: SUSPENSION
Topic: Leaf spring question
Replies: 1
Views: 1421

Leaf spring question

I have a 2000 Astro with steel leaf springs. Are these leaf springs built like "normal" leafs with a centering bolt? I'm wanting to lower my van and do it with a home brew setup, before I start tearing everything out I want to know what's under the mounting brackets. I have lowered a lot o...
by Lon
Fri May 20, 2011 11:27 am
Forum: BODY
Topic: reverse folding bench seat
Replies: 17
Views: 13468

Re: reverse folding bench seat

My 2000 American Vans conversion has a folding rear seat. If the hardware holding it to the floor were welded in you could remove 4 bolts and take the seat out. Under then van are 2 pieces of c channel with the seat bolted through the floor. In my experience (5'11") sleeping back there you need...
by Lon
Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:23 am
Forum: Member Vans
Topic: I'm back, with a new van.
Replies: 6
Views: 3445

Re: I'm back, with a new van.

Yeah no rust. I bought it off a used car lot, they had just got it in that week. The car lot didnt have time to detail it before I bought it. We are back in a van because we are expecting another child, funny thing is when I was cleaing out the interior I found a HotWheels, and a clean diaper. So it...
by Lon
Sun Feb 20, 2011 10:22 am
Forum: Member Vans
Topic: I'm back, with a new van.
Replies: 6
Views: 3445

I'm back, with a new van.

I have posted here before, my previous van was a 95 EXT, that I did a homebrew drop on. This Friday I bought my wife a 2000 America Vans Conversion van. So far I enjoy this van more than the 95, the interior is awsome. So far I have debadged the back door, and removed the 3 gold pinstripes that enci...
by Lon
Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:54 am
Forum: SUSPENSION
Topic: 2000 2002 front lowering
Replies: 1
Views: 1332

2000 2002 front lowering

I'm looking at 2002 Astro, I want to lower it 3" front and back. Is there any difference in the front end starting in 2000 and going up to 2002.
by Lon
Mon Sep 07, 2009 5:07 pm
Forum: Casual
Topic: Rod Knock.
Replies: 2
Views: 1188

Re: Rod Knock.

Now I have the ridicule to endure for owning 5.5 trucks, :poke: JK, I hope everything works out for you. Hopefully the rod knock doesn't turn out too bad. One thing you may want to do is check the back pressure of the exhaust. A Cat maybe bad and causing excessive back pressure. This will sometimes...
by Lon
Mon Sep 07, 2009 4:01 pm
Forum: Casual
Topic: Rod Knock.
Replies: 2
Views: 1188

Rod Knock.

Well it's official. I prayed, did rituals to the motorhead gods and still it's bad. Over the winter my 90 Silverado developed a loud knocking. Several friends suggested a cracked flywheel or maybe a busted pressure plate. I pulled the NV-3500 5 speed this morning and everthing is intact. I started t...
by Lon
Mon Sep 07, 2009 3:48 pm
Forum: SUSPENSION
Topic: Homebuilt axle flip.
Replies: 14
Views: 5895

Re: Homebuilt axle flip.

your pics frustrated me so much with our winters, I decided to run out and take a pic of the same spot. let's do a little comparison... you're 93 ext vs. my 93 ext http://astrosafarivans.org/bb2/download/file.php?id=726&t=1 http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/crashyyz/misc%20pics/149-4995_IMG...
by Lon
Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:36 am
Forum: Engine
Topic: Replaced the spark plugs.
Replies: 4
Views: 1719

Re: Replaced the spark plugs.

SoCali, Yep I used AC Delco plugs, and lots of dielectric grease. I did the drivers side from under the van. I was glad to get it over with, I kept knocking against the shifter arm. I gave my daughter my cell phone and told her to stand beside the van and if it rolled to start dialing 911. Gotta hav...
by Lon
Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:30 am
Forum: SUSPENSION
Topic: Homebuilt axle flip.
Replies: 14
Views: 5895

Re: Homebuilt axle flip.

Thanks for the compliments. Larry dont too uppity about the rust freeness of my van. I have replaced a lot of floor pans in southern cars. And my newest toy (V-8 Blazer) is rusty in the strangest places. Above the back window and I found rust last night when I took off the A/C box to convert to heat...
by Lon
Sat Sep 05, 2009 2:18 pm
Forum: Engine
Topic: Replaced the spark plugs.
Replies: 4
Views: 1719

Replaced the spark plugs.

I have completed the most dreaded maintence item on the Astro. I know lots of folks on here has done it before and have read both good and bad reports. Mine went okay. I would rather have another root canal, but I survived. On the drivers side going in through the wheel well wasnt an option, some ge...