Chevy & GMC Vans

Hi Guys, I wanted to post on the original AstroSafari site but it seems to be down again. I took a few pics this morning of the new install. It took a week to figure out how to put those tall front coils in without loosing a limb but it's done! WooHoo!! The only "issue" is the close proximity of the right rear leafpack to the exhaust. It doesn't bump it, yet though. I still have to install the new tires, hopefully today. And man, is it a stiff ride!! I could probably load a car in there if I had the room and still not squat.

The finished project!

Left rear.

Right rear showing exhaust.

Right front.

Left front.

Left rear quarter.

That looks like mine when I lifted it. Don't worry, those front springs will soften up in oh say a year or two hahahahaha. Seriously it took mine probably a good 2-3 months before it stopped jarring my teeth. I put on 31's and did minimal cutting on the front wheel wells, just a little on the back side, some on lower front bumper corner. I used the stock rear springs and the 3" lift shackles and my original exhuast was almost touchiing, but never hear it banging back there.

BLAZER wrote: I put on 31's and did minimal cutting on the front wheel wells, just a little on the back side, some on lower front bumper corner.

Cool, I was wondering about the cutting. I've seen some major cutting jobs that kind of scare me. Are those stock steel wheels painted black or after market? Also, what brand of tire are you running. I was thinking the BFG 31X10.50 but they are kind of spendy down my way.

Also Blazer, did you put the tires on prior to cutting or after. I'd like to keep it to a minimum and just cut what's needed. Let me know. Thanks

Looks great!

Hi Guys, It's a done deal. New BFG AT T/A KO 31X10.50/15 all around! Tire rub is a bummer. Plus I'll have to take it to a 4X4 shop to get it aligned as Sears couldn't do it.

not meaning to step on your thread but has anyone ever attempted with success on centering our rear wheels to the opening hope that makes sense

Here is my cutting of the rear part of the front fender, I took off as little as possible. I do recommend filling the hole though with some metal as the road grime goes up behind mine and actually get's in the door jam.
Make sure you bend over the little sharps ridges or you can shred those nice new tires....I'm speaking from experience
Seabee, my rear tires sits a little forward because of the rear shackles which cause them to move forward as the springs are lifted, not much you can do, but maybe have new holes drilled in the front spring brackets, but then you would have to have the old ones welded up as it would make it weak in that area. I am running FBG's in the rear and some no tread off brand up front. Wehenver I get the front BFG's. I will have to do some more trimming.
How much did you pay for the tires, if I can ask?

Oh, forgot, I'm running fullsize van stock rally wheels. Mine are the 6 1/2", but they also come in 7" and 8".

i figured if you center the wheel you would have to do something with the driveshaft

BLAZER wrote:How much did you pay for the tires, if I can ask?

Thanks for the pics. I tried to trim a bit this afternoon with a cutting wheel on my dremel tool. Looks like I need to break out the Sawszall... Did you get any rub in the rear. Mine rubs when I accelerate. If it was centered in the wheel it wouldn't rub at all. Still looks good though

I paid $126.00 ea. for the tires but with tax, labor, environmental fees, road hazard, etc... it came out to $687.00

I like it,nice job

To eliminate the rubbing in the rear there are 2 things you can do. 1. trim the front part of the wheel well or 2. get a set of OLV's performance spring hangers. The hangers are a replacement for the leaf spring hanger but there are 2 differences. The first is that the holes are centered which means you will move the axle back about 1/2" the other advantage is that there are 4 holes for verticle adjustment for lift and/or pinion angle.

Lockdoc turned his stock hangers around and it did eliminate the rubbing as I recall but it made the driveshaft way too short. I would think with the 1/2" rearward movement, the drive shaft would be ok.

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:2. get a set of OLV's performance spring hangers.

Are you talking about the HiPo Hangers and Chassis bars? Man, I don't know if I can stand to spend another $325 at this point. I may have to do that later. It would do the trick though and sounds like it would make a semi-solid frame.

I may just go with the trimming for now. Thanks for the tip though. I never noticed those on the OLV site.

Looks great. Gotta love those lifted vans!