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Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 5:52 am
by photo_van
Marktainium wrote: I rechecked the catalog as I couldn't remember why I wouldn't have done that. Then I remembered. They quote different capacities, but the spring part numbers are the same.
That's a good reason! Ordered mine last night. Thanks!
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:34 pm
by inu
Any tips on rear spring installation, your axle looks pretty well centered, did you have to re-orient the front of rear hangers?
did you re-use the original leaf spring saddle mount, rubber isolators and u-bolt?
Cheers!
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:44 pm
by Marktainium
The rear leafs are a direct bolt in. I did have to shorten the leaf pack bolt or else it would have prevented the axle from seating onto the leaf properly. The leaf pack bolt is right in the middle of the leaf. It just has too much thread showing past the nut so I cut it down with a zip disk on a grinder. I'll try to do the full write up before the weekend. I re-used everything.
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:55 pm
by MountainManJoe
Look what I spotted on my way to work this morning ...
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 3:26 am
by mdmead
timelessbeing wrote:Look what I spotted on my way to work this morning ...
Well, you could have at least rolled your window down to take the pic....
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:03 pm
by astroturf
timelessbeing wrote:Look what I spotted on my way to work this morning ...
Stalker...
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:28 pm
by doyoulikeithere
Deja-Vu
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 11:48 pm
by MountainManJoe
mdmead wrote:timelessbeing wrote:Look what I spotted on my way to work this morning ...
Well, you could have at least rolled your window down to take the pic....
I always try to capture the moment with my photos. I want you to see what I see LOL.
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:56 pm
by Firefly
Well I followed your instructions verbatim and this is the end result. I have no rubbing issues, alignment issues and the the van rides smoothly. It also helped to have a father who is a gun smith and had a lathe. Thank you. You saved me a ton of money with this forum and I could not be happier with the results! Hats off to you!
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 5:03 pm
by Marktainium
That's great! I'm glad it worked out. Looks good! I just finished installing my transfer case and wiring too, works awesome and almost looks stock... I'll write another thread on that too.
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:23 pm
by Slicky
Now that you have some miles on the Van are you happy with the lift ? Is there anything you would change?
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:47 pm
by Slicky
Bump , for those of you BC's lower mainland .The listed bolts on the first page are available through your local Fastenal store for $32 , although they need to order them in . North Shore Offroad sells the body lift blocks for $3.50 a piece so that's less than $25 for the set
I now have everything I need for the lift except for the time to do it !
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:04 pm
by Tegnus
Slicky wrote:Bump , for those of you BC's lower mainland .The listed bolts on the first page are available through your local Fastenal store for $32 , although they need to order them in . North Shore Offroad sells the body lift blocks for $3.50 a piece so that's less than $25 for the set
I now have everything I need for the lift except for the time to do it !
Doesn't take that much time and can be done in stages. Good luck and looking forward to see pictures and another lifted Astro in Metro Vancouver
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 6:04 pm
by rvflyfish
photo_van wrote:
We have very close to the same overall miles re: idler arms. Thanks for the greasing tip.
I'm curious why you went with the s10 truck springs (1350#) rather than the s10 Blazer springs (1450#). Not a huge difference, but inquiring minds??? I've never been able to find a rating for my stock 2+1 springs, only 3+1 rated at 1410#s.
I rechecked the catalog as I couldn't remember why I wouldn't have done that. Then I remembered. They quote different capacities, but the spring part numbers are the same. I was happy with the ride quality of my stock springs, so didn't do the HD springs. I didn't want to need to wear a kidney belt when the van had no load in it. If I have a load issue I will turn to air bags or air shocks.
Why didn't you go with the '95-'05 Astro replacements? Would not give enough lift?
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/leaf-spri ... /astro-van
Re: DIY lift kit 2003 Safari
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 6:19 pm
by photo_van
The S 10 springs have ~3" more arch than the Astro springs, so ~3" of lift....