Chevy & GMC Vans

is it safe to do a 10" weld in body lift? how should i do it?

ANY input is appreciated

No! There is no full frame so you will only raise the front end up.

ive got the rear end lifted. i just need the front to match.
would 6" spacers work and then 3" springs?
could i do 10" if i reinforce it all?

I don't see why not. As long as the spacers are welded in so you retain the stock length bolts and body mounts. Peter did 5" ones and Lockdoc has 4.25" welded spacers. You will need to re-pipe the trans fluid, engine oil and coolant lines though. The radiator will stay with the body. not the subframe.

I agree it is doable and not really a safety issue with the blocks welded in. I'm just not sure it will look good... That's a lot of space between the body and subframe...

do you think i could fit a 33"X12.5" tire if i did 3" springs and 6" blocks?

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.

I'm curious as to how you raised the rear up that high? Got any pics?

If I was to increase the spacer height from my present 5" to anywhere near 10", I'd definitely try to increase the contact area where the spacer was welded to the frame. In other words, rather than go with (I'm going from memory here) 4" diameter spacers, I'd try to increase the diameter down at the frame. Even if it meant creating an oval footprint. I'm worried about the amount of stress you'd be putting on a 10" high spacer.
Of course, I may be wrong. It's already happened a few times in my life

By the time you modify up a large enough spacer to do a 10 inch lift you could do a straight axle swap and mount some leafs to the front end. It would be stronger and really not that much more work. Like Peter said I would be worried about the spacers crushing and bending in any kind of a accident or even with some good body twist off road. If no one sells a kit that big maybe there is a reason.

[quote="peter"]I'm curious as to how you raised the rear up that high? Got any pics?

shackles and progressives springs on the axle for stability

peter wrote:I'm curious as to how you raised the rear up that high? Got any pics?

If I was to increase the spacer height from my present 5" to anywhere near 10", I'd definitely try to increase the contact area where the spacer was welded to the frame. In other words, rather than go with (I'm going from memory here) 4" diameter spacers, I'd try to increase the diameter down at the frame. Even if it meant creating an oval footprint. I'm worried about the amount of stress you'd be putting on a 10" high spacer.
Of course, I may be wrong. It's already happened a few times in my life

I used Dand 5 inch lift springs w/ his hi performance hangers for 9 inches of lift and added 2in blocks to get my 11 inches of lift in the back

I Made 5 inch lift blocks to get my front up even with the back

heres a pic of the front showing the blocks in place

THANKS CHOPS

May I please suggest you post the pics you have in detail of your van for all the members to see what you are talking about.

Just to make it clear...I drive a 2WD not 4wd