Chevy & GMC Vans

Folks, I'm going to have to remove the flip kit on my 97' Astro.

With just 20% of the actual weight of stuff in the van its about 1" from the bumpstop bottoming out.

I have no history on this van, i bought it how i saw it.

Heres some pics of the rear suspension i took.









Not sure what that setup is.. anyone know?

OK, so to revert it to stock ride height (only on the rear), Can I flip the axle under the leafs? Remember I have no stock parts so not sure if i need anything from the original setup to do this.

Heres how's she sits with the winter wheels, the billets in my sig have been sent off to be refirbished and some run flat tyres mounted.



TIA

Before unflipping, I would try adjusting to the lowest set of holes in your shackles. By lowering the spring in them, it should give you a slight lift. I don't know how much is there, but I would estimate an inch to an inch and a half. That may be enough to do what you need.

I wondered that too..

Rear is stripped out, have put in around 800lbs of sound deadening and MDF in. So you can see how it sits in the pic above.

Still the following to go,

650lbs of Batterys
800lbs of Speakers
200lbs of Amps
+ another 1000lbs of MDF and Steel.

So 1 to 1.5" is probably going to fall short

I have an Airlift kit to help but the stock ride height on the rear will help no end!

Thanks

hello Am,
It looks like a full air ride setup in the back is what you will need. with all that weight even if you went to stock height you'll have a dumpy rear end.

Bill

Hi Bill, hows things?

I considered it but to be honest we've gone over budget on this build. The kitty is close to empty..

Full suspension will hurt i'm sure if i get it done here.. $5k best price supplied and fitted from some of the best in the UK

I agree with 77bc , drop your springs in the shakles to thier lowest point first to see how that works out for you .

Mr Singh wrote:Hi Bill, hows things?

I considered it but to be honest we've gone over budget on this build. The kitty is close to empty..

Full suspension will hurt i'm sure if i get it done here.. $5k best price supplied and fitted from some of the best in the UK

haha, I've never worked on a project that was under or at budget, but that's how things go. $5K is a lot of loot especially if you don't have it available. maybe someone out there has another way of keeping the back end from sagging. maybe some kind of lift kit would have strong enough suspension parts to help the back end.

good luck either way and post up some pics.

I have this already - http://www.jegs.com/i/Air%20Lift/022/59521/10002/-1

We'll weld the brackets instead of the self taping bolts they supply.

I'll try the shackles but i'd still prefer getting it back to stock height on the rear..

You will need the stock clamshell bracket and bolts/u-bolts to flip the axle back over. For stock height you would need to take out the spacers on the front of the spring and reinstall the stock shackles in the rear. If you just put the axle part back to stock, you would end up with a couple inches of lift which might not be bad for your situation. Good luck getting the ride height squared away.

dean89 wrote:You will need the stock clamshell bracket and bolts/u-bolts to flip the axle back over. For stock height you would need to take out the spacers on the front of the spring and reinstall the stock shackles in the rear. If you just put the axle part back to stock, you would end up with a couple inches of lift which might not be bad for your situation. Good luck getting the ride height squared away.

Good advice.

Anyone have these stock parts available?

Mr Singh wrote:

dean89 wrote:You will need the stock clamshell bracket and bolts/u-bolts to flip the axle back over. For stock height you would need to take out the spacers on the front of the spring and reinstall the stock shackles in the rear. If you just put the axle part back to stock, you would end up with a couple inches of lift which might not be bad for your situation. Good luck getting the ride height squared away.

Good advice.

Anyone have these stock parts available?

where do you live? i might be willing to trade you from my stock 99, i live in Mt. Hood Oregon, let me know.

Thats the problem right there... I'm in the UK

Hi, Mr Singh try a P.M to socalli v8 Darren and tell him i sent ya...Johnny

What in heck would shipping be?????

Depends on the weight. I can ship upto 10kilos to the US for around $45

I guess it would be easier to ship to one of my suppliers in either Las Vegas or Ohio, then have them put it in one of my containers or pallets