Vancouver Safari, AWD

[Red sled]

Hi, thanks to everyone who has posted such good information about the vans.
I have been a van fan since my brother got his 1967 chev van in 1976. I got a 1974 Ford van in 1978. Hauled the dirt bikes around in the back. A few Vanless years and then worked for a company that had a 1986 Astro for deliveries. The young delivery drivers ran the hell out of it and the Van took all they could throw at it. Astro's seemed to be tough as nails.

Own a 2002 Astro RWD, bought new and now with 197,000 km. Great van, but I wanted a AWD.
Now I own a 2002 Safari AWD, with 92,000 km, which I want to lift and build a bed in the back. If I use it enough, then perhaps look at a pop top in the future.

I am looking at a 4"-5" do-it-your self lift such as Marktainium and Snodrtrider have done. Thanks to both of you for the great info. Tire size has me going in circles as I do not want to trim much, if at all. A bit more reading of lift posts to sort out the details.

I have just been doing some general maintenance, greasing, cleaning, as well as making a mechanical latch for the interior of the rear Dutch door. Once Christmas visa bills get sorted out, then it is order time for the parts for the lift.
Seems to be a few lifted AWD's in the Wet Coast area, hope to see some of the lifted vans around.

[MountainManJoe]

Welcome. Very sweet van with all the goodies. I'm jelly.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Very nice van! Wish mine were that clean!

[Red sled]

There seems to be a few must haves for these vans to perform in more extreme conditions. I experienced some overheating issues last summer with the RWD when pulling a 17' Bigfoot trailer. So one of the first upgrades would be the Trany cooler for either hauling or off road climbs and then lift.

I experienced some clunky steering in tight turns, so changed the oil in the transfer case and that cleared up. Will start spraying lube on suspension bolts to get them ready for removal.

I plan on keeping the stock transfer case to see if it performs well enough in the terrain that I take it on. Anyone have any insite on what or where the limit is ?
My Xj jeep can be used for the more extreme trips.
K.

[MountainManJoe]

You'll only run into problems in 4-Low territory, ie extremely steep terrain, or very deep snow or sand. The tranny will slip and begin to heat up. Other than that, it works great. I like how the TC operation is transparent to the driver and it works both on and off road. You just step on the gas and go!

I wouldn't go too crazy with the tire size unless you plan to do a gear swap as well. You lose even more torque that way.

[thegreenmachine]

nice to see another member from the neighborhood.

Welcome from chilliwack

[doyoulikeithere]

Welcome Aboard Neighbour!
Nice Van.
Wow, the BC Wet Coast membership is getting bigger, and a lot of us are driving lifted vans too! Awesome.
Good Luck with your new toy.

[Red sled]

A Wet Coast back road rally coming up with all the local vans.

I was thinking of a 29" tire and the make has not been decided. Between BF Goodrich and Cooper at this time.

[doyoulikeithere]

Just Imagine, every lifted astrosafari in BC all in the same parking lot.

[thegreenmachine]

that would be awesome.

[Red sled]

Does any one have a rough count of lifted vans in the lower mainland ?
It would be interesting to see a few of them together.

As I mentioned before I was going to do a do-it-yourself lift. Any pros (cost) or cons for going this way vs overland lift kit ? More interested in the rear spring difference between overland and a S-10 spring.

[mdmead]

Welcome aboard!

That's a nice low-mileage van you have there!

[thegreenmachine]

i think there are 4, (you'll be 5)

i would go with s10 springs, for the cost of shipping, i got mine used at pick-a-part in chilliwack, stock arc on the s10 spring is 7.5", whereas stock safari is 3.5". thhink i paid 99.95 each for them. just remember that the s10 springs have to be slipped front to back. (front of the s10 spring becomes the rear when installed in you van) the bolts you can order through fastenal, i have part numbers somewhere.

north shore off road has the pucks, think it was 2.99 each (you need 6) you also might need to get the steering shaft out of a rwd van as it is longer than the awd's.

doesnt even have to be a meet between lifted vans, all vans would be awesome Though watching a convoy of lifted vans doing 100 on the hiway would be awesome,if vedder mountain was safly drivable right now, id volunteer to lead the pack up and around the mountain!

[MountainManJoe]

Any pros (cost) or cons for going this way vs overland lift kit ?

Which do you have more of: time or money?

you also might need to get the steering shaft out of a rwd van as it is longer than the awd's.

I think this is only some years. I didn't need to change mine.

[thegreenmachine]

Any pros (cost) or cons for going this way vs overland lift kit ?

Which do you have more of: time or money?

you also might need to get the steering shaft out of a rwd van as it is longer than the awd's.

I think this is only some years. I didn't need to change mine.

mine worked fine as well, and i had more time than money......