question about doing a 10" body lift

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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I cleaned up this thread because we were way off topic.

zombie...can you post up some pics of your rear lift setup and your van?
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

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zombie{[six]}
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by zombie{[six]} »

:dunce: Heres some pics
I dont have the load springs in right now but they do give an extra 2-3" of lift and stability.
33" tires on rear
ImageImage
ImageImage


ImageImageI want to notch out the yellow section. it is a bumpstop built into the upper control arm. I believe taking it out will give an extra 1 1/2" of lift with coils. Will cutting JUST the yellow area out and welding in a flat piece of steel in place destroy the integrity of the arm?
crate 350 bored .60 over, 700R4, lifted...yada yada yada. Who cares what i have, ITS FAST AND I LOVE DRIVING IT!!!

Topic author
zombie{[six]}
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by zombie{[six]} »

anybody?
crate 350 bored .60 over, 700R4, lifted...yada yada yada. Who cares what i have, ITS FAST AND I LOVE DRIVING IT!!!

lockdoc
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by lockdoc »

I guess it would depend on your welding skills.

I thought you had 10" of lift in the rear. Do you have more to do yet?
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van

Topic author
zombie{[six]}
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by zombie{[six]} »

i actually was guessing on 10" so i went and measured for facts sake and its more like 7"
crate 350 bored .60 over, 700R4, lifted...yada yada yada. Who cares what i have, ITS FAST AND I LOVE DRIVING IT!!!

97CargoCrawler
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by 97CargoCrawler »

It doesn't look like you plan on using any ball joint spacers? I would definitely try spacers before cutting the control arm. They allow you to use stiffer springs without pulling that arm down to a funky angle, which will probably make a wheel alignment afterward challenging. Dan sells the spacers. If you use them be sure to buy the ball joints he specifies.

Also, I like the "open air driving" system you have going there. I suggest removing the rear doors to cut down on drag. And a pair of googles. :poke:
1997 SAFARI 2WD CARGO
Image
"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." Nikola Tesla
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GEJ
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by GEJ »

97CargoCrawler wrote:It doesn't look like you plan on using any ball joint spacers? I would definitely try spacers before cutting the control arm. They allow you to use stiffer springs without pulling that arm down to a funky angle, which will probably make a wheel alignment afterward challenging. Dan sells the spacers. If you use them be sure to buy the ball joints he specifies.

Also, I like the "open air driving" system you have going there. I suggest removing the rear doors to cut down on drag. And a pair of googles. :poke:

FYI-Dan is from Overland vans.
Call me Gary

1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer


Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.

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zombie{[six]}
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by zombie{[six]} »

thanks for the feedback guys.
Yea i haven't had a windshield for about 3 months now. she just stays at my shop and gets worked on a little bit each day.
crate 350 bored .60 over, 700R4, lifted...yada yada yada. Who cares what i have, ITS FAST AND I LOVE DRIVING IT!!!

Topic author
zombie{[six]}
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by zombie{[six]} »

oh. I got my HID kit installed. They look killer behind the phantom grill :supz:
If anyone is interested I sell the HID kits for $125 + shipping. they have a 2 year warranty

Ill post some pictures tonight
crate 350 bored .60 over, 700R4, lifted...yada yada yada. Who cares what i have, ITS FAST AND I LOVE DRIVING IT!!!

97CargoCrawler
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by 97CargoCrawler »

GEJ wrote:Here is one that Dan of Overland did which is 9".

http://www.overlandvans.com/0104_AEllender.html

I do remember a pic of someone who mounted a Astro body I think on a blazer full frame for a .a.k.a monster truck look.Can't find that pic,but maybe somebody will chime in with it.Just another way to maybe getting you that high.
FYI-Dan is from Overland vans. Though there may be a place called Overland with someone named Dan living there.

FYI - GEJ is MASTER of the OBVIOUS!

Anyway, here's a photo of Dan's BJ spacer:
Image

The top plate is supposed to be welded to the control arm for added strength. I say purchase the ball joints (from CarQuest) that Dan specifies when you order because they have 5/16" holes in them to fit his larger beefier bolts, as opposed to other BJ's that have only 1/4" sized holes in them. My heavy duty Moog BJ's had 1/4" holes so I couldn't get the bolts through it, and consequently the BJ's (at least mine were) are made of super hardened steel that is all but impossible to drill through. These spacers are highly recommended if you're gonna stuff 3" lift springs in your van.

Here's a link to them on Dans website:
http://www.overlandvans.com/0104_suspension.html

They're $125, but believe me they are very heavy duty.
1997 SAFARI 2WD CARGO
Image
"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." Nikola Tesla

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zombie{[six]}
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by zombie{[six]} »

\:D/ thanks buddy!!! Ill check that out and order em up
crate 350 bored .60 over, 700R4, lifted...yada yada yada. Who cares what i have, ITS FAST AND I LOVE DRIVING IT!!!

97CargoCrawler
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by 97CargoCrawler »

Would that HID conversion kit work for off-road type lighting. For example: I want to buy a set of KC 6"x9" lights, but I can't afford the $900 HID ones. Have to settle for the $150 halogen ones. With the right bulb and this kit, is it possible to convert them? I assume the halogen bulb is removable. I guess the only issue would be the length of the wires coming from the HID power box. Is there a limit to how long those leads can be?
1997 SAFARI 2WD CARGO
Image
"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." Nikola Tesla

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zombie{[six]}
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by zombie{[six]} »

Yea the lines are specially insulated because they operate between 23,000 - 25,000 volts :yikes:
The boxes themselves are weatherproof so you would be fine mounting them on the light housing

PS...my buddy had a HOT radiator overflow bottle crack and it dumped all over the ballast. ballast is still working and hasnt had any problems
crate 350 bored .60 over, 700R4, lifted...yada yada yada. Who cares what i have, ITS FAST AND I LOVE DRIVING IT!!!
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GEJ
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Re: question about doing a 10" body lift

Post by GEJ »

97CargoCrawler wrote:
GEJ wrote:Here is one that Dan of Overland did which is 9".

http://www.overlandvans.com/0104_AEllender.html

I do remember a pic of someone who mounted a Astro body I think on a blazer full frame for a .a.k.a monster truck look.Can't find that pic,but maybe somebody will chime in with it.Just another way to maybe getting you that high.
FYI-Dan is from Overland vans. Though there may be a place called Overland with someone named Dan living there.

FYI - GEJ is MASTER of the OBVIOUS!

Zombie-Sorry to have to reply to this.


Having talked to Dan and traded emails I am well aware of who Dan is and I wasn't sure this thread's author was let alone what Dan has done.

Surely you have a nice lifted van in part to the pages and pages of help you recently recieved here.

But moreover what is important is who owns these vans and the type of person that owns them.With you comments,truely that is what is clearly OBVIOUS.
Call me Gary

1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer


Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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