Chevy & GMC Vans

violent b wrote:
what lift kit did you go with? I have a '95 RWD Astro and I think I'm going with the Overlandvans or the Boondox kit. is there any other choices for lift kits?

The Boondocks kit is, I believe, the same kit as Overlands. There was some discussion a while back that boondocks is actually the old owner, Steve, of Overlands, and he gets his kits from Dan and the resells. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems it was the consensus. I built my 5" lift with some of Overland parts, some of my own.
Here's my trimming of the rear fender lip on a 95 RWD with 5" lift & 31's....

BLAZER wrote:

violent b wrote:
what lift kit did you go with? I have a '95 RWD Astro and I think I'm going with the Overlandvans or the Boondox kit. is there any other choices for lift kits?

The Boondocks kit is, I believe, the same kit as Overlands. There was some discussion a while back that boondocks is actually the old owner, Steve, of Overlands, and he gets his kits from Dan and the resells. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems it was the consensus. I built my 5" lift with some of Overland parts, some of my own.
Here's my trimming of the rear fender lip on a 95 RWD with 5" lift & 31's....

OH, that kind of trim job! Sorry, my bad.

Hey 9Dawgs, if you're out there, how does your spare tire carrier mount? I've been looking for a swing away because I have dutch door/hatchback then I noticed you have barn door. My door can't possibly be strong enough to mount to, mine must need to be swing away.

Note: I don't want to carrier the spare underneath the van because eventually I want to put a water tank there for an exterior shower. I'm leaving for Mexico in an hour, will be incommunicato for 11 days.

Hey 9Dawgs, if you're out there, how does your spare tire carrier mount? I've been looking for a swing away because I have dutch door/hatchback then I noticed you have barn door. My door can't possibly be strong enough to mount to, mine must need to be swing away.

Note: I don't want to carrier the spare underneath the van because eventually I want to put a water tank there for an exterior shower. I'm leaving for Mexico in an hour, will be incommunicato for 11 days.[/quote]

Great post,I'm in the market for tires also,and plan on the same lift kit as your doing.
I also have dutch doors and want to mount a spare on the back.Have you seen any swing aways that might work? The hinge placement seems the same on barn doors and dutch doors.I thought it might be possible to do something like 9dawgs did.But,even if the dutch door could handle the weight,it would block the liftgate from opening.It would probably open enough to allow you to open the doors,but would be a hassle for accessing the back.
Peace, Bill

I have the 235-75-15 size BFG At's and feel the wet weather traction is good. Also the stock 215's and 225's I ran were squirmy and the van seemed to wander a lot. I really like the look and performance so far.

Just returned from Mexico this week. Very nice get away.

My lift kit has arrived. My brother in law's hoist is tied up this weekend, and its killing me...he promises next week end.

Here's the only Astro specific tire carrier I've found. They give minimal info, but looks to be a fixed mount, not a swing away. I wonder how much fab would be required (if possible)to make it swing. http://www.go-fast-parts.com/5701343.html

Still have not bought tires. Need to do that today or monday. Decisions, decisions. If they still have the set of slae priced Kelly Springfields, I'll get them; if they don't, I'll order the Toyo Open Countrys. Yeah, good plan.

T.Low wrote:Just returned from Mexico this week. Very nice get away.

My lift kit has arrived. My brother in law's hoist is tied up this weekend, and its killing me...he promises next week end.

Here's the only Astro specific tire carrier I've found. They give minimal info, but looks to be a fixed mount, not a swing away. I wonder how much fab would be required (if possible)to make it swing.

yhst-53601346160019_1979_156286307.jpg

http://www.go-fast-parts.com/5701343.html

Still have not bought tires. Need to do that today or monday. Decisions, decisions. If they still have the set of slae priced Kelly Springfields, I'll get them; if they don't, I'll order the Toyo Open Countrys. Yeah, good plan.

Actually, that looks like a swing away to me. I think the two open bar ends attach to the hinges.

Actually, that looks like a swing away to me. I think the two open bar ends attach to the hinges.[/quote]



I agree that it must mount to the door hinges, but I can't see how the other side mounts and opens. i hope you're right. Hell, I'm gonna order it and find out.

T.Low wrote:Actually, that looks like a swing away to me. I think the two open bar ends attach to the hinges.

I agree that it must mount to the door hinges, but I can't see how the other side mounts and opens. i hope you're right. Hell, I'm gonna order it and find out. [/quote]

I,ve been curious about that same carrier for awhile.Had one seller tell me no problem for dutch doors,seen another site that specifically said no.Guess,I'll let you be the guinea pig!
Good luck,I'll be watching for your input on this as well as your lift & tire posts!
Peace,Bill

snapple wrote:

T.Low wrote:Actually, that looks like a swing away to me. I think the two open bar ends attach to the hinges.

I agree that it must mount to the door hinges, but I can't see how the other side mounts and opens. i hope you're right. Hell, I'm gonna order it and find out.

I,ve been curious about that same carrier for awhile.Had one seller tell me no problem for dutch doors,seen another site that specifically said no.Guess,I'll let you be the guinea pig!
Good luck,I'll be watching for your input on this as well as your lift & tire posts!
Peace,Bill[/quote]


So you don't know if it swings or not, either?

Sorry, not sure if it swings or not.I always assumed it mounted on the hinges somehow,and would just pivot on them when you opened the door.If that makes sense,probably not!

snapple wrote:Sorry, not sure if it swings or not.I always assumed it mounted on the hinges somehow,and would just pivot on them when you opened the door.If that makes sense,probably not!

Yeah, that makes sense, its kinda what I thought, too. I figure I'll get it and between me, the power of the internet, and all my bros, someone ought to be able to adapt a good swing kit to it. We'll keep ya posted. 9Dawgs is lucky that his van is a 2wheeler or i'd save a lot of money and time just flying out to Florida and stealing his van!

Received the tire carrier and guess what, it bolts into the door itself. The open ends line up just under the top hinge and above the bottom hinge, and are to be drilled and bolted to...I assume the frame of the door. Same with the single end peice. Hmm. So yeah, it swings alright, WITH the door! May goof around with it this weekend to see how it may fit with my spare on it.

Have a 9am appointment on my brother in laws hoist to install the Overland 5" lift kit tomorrow. Will try to take pics before during and after.

Bought the Kelly Springfield Pathfinders.

My Fiancee took this picture of me and my owner both praying that the kit is accurate and complete and that the job goes smooth (smooth enough, anyway) and that I'm driving a lifted Astro come Monday! (That reminds me, I got to get seat covers cuz I shed on the driver's seat all the time):D

Cool,sounds like a great weekend ahead for you!
I look forward to all the great pics of your lift and spare tire carrier details!
Anything in the directions in regards to dutch door models?
Good luck,Bill

snapple wrote:Cool,sounds like a great weekend ahead for you!
I look forward to all the great pics of your lift and spare tire carrier details!
Anything in the directions in regards to dutch door models?
Good luck,Bill

Well,we got the usual dilly dally late start, 10am. Its 4:15. We got the front body lift in, the bumper relocated up. The fan showd trimmed, the bumper back on, the shocks installed, the leafs in, the brake lines remounted above the rear axle. Jason (bro in law) is tig welding the shock relocation brackets so I'm on the other side of the garage posting this while he is sparking to his hearts delight. Will take a while to run the shock adjustment remote lines and mount the air pump. .we're getting there. Spare tire carrier may get returned. gotta go. Pics tomorrow.