Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD


SAS H3T
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Post by SAS H3T »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote: My next design will have the fron converted to a 3 or 4 link with either coils and shocks or coilovers ($$). I think for about $1k the front can be slung with coils, shocks and a link type suspension. I am very seriously considering getting an AWD subframe, another D44 solid axle and doing the conversion. Then I would sell the subframe with axle, but I would make templates or drawings of all the brackets so I could do more swaps. I know there could be a few sold that way but I don't know if the time to fabricate would pay off in the end.
Dean, you need to come out here and see this one. It looks like a factory effort. (even if I do say so myself.)
I used radius arms and Explorer towers with 1979 Ford F-150 Coils. We used another fabrication to extend the radius arms back to the stock crossmember's torsion bar holes and modified them.
I won't share the idea with many....(for patent reasons), but I would share it with you. It'll work out much cheaper than the 4 link, and just as snazzy, too.
There are manufacturers who now make a conversion radius arm kit for the Dana 60, too. It is two pieces. One welds directly to the axle tubes on each side of the truck, and the second part is a bolt-in piece, using bushings at the top and bottom where it meets the first piece, and a heim joint and bracket at the crossmember. If you loosen/remove the top bolt on the driver's side, you get mad flex. It's a dirivitive? of the "wristed" design.
I'll be fabricating my own bastard edition this winter for my new Super Duty front axle.
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1995 Astro
Solid axle conversion
1 ton axles
Hummer front clip

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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Just wanted to throw in a couple recent pics as I picked up set of 34 x 10.5 R16 Super Swamper TSL's and got them installed!

Image

Image
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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peter
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by peter »

You're sick! :rolleyes:

:supz:
"Just keep swimming..."
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"


Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson

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LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Yes I am! :muhaha:
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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potskie
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by potskie »

Swamper TSLs WOOT WOOT. :supz: :supz:
Image 98 Safari RWD. Stock.
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Cobra
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by Cobra »

i'm a little jealous of you lifted....
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone
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peter
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by peter »

Yeah, well...he's got his crosses to bear as well, pally. He is, after all, married to Lynne. They say that when you do something crappy in your life, you pay for it in the next life. Deano musta been a mass murderer :muhaha: :muhaha:
"Just keep swimming..."
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"


Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson

BLAZER
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by BLAZER »

peter wrote:Yeah, well...he's got his crosses to bear as well, pally. He is, after all, married to Lynne. They say that when you do something crappy in your life, you pay for it in the next life. Deano musta been a mass murderer :muhaha: :muhaha:
Something I actually agree with Peter on :-$ #-o
Tires look good, need some wheel though, but I guess those are winter beaters. Those off a military vehicle? they seem to always have those tall,skinny tires

Fire Cakes
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by Fire Cakes »

BLAZER wrote:
peter wrote:Yeah, well...he's got his crosses to bear as well, pally. He is, after all, married to Lynne. They say that when you do something crappy in your life, you pay for it in the next life. Deano musta been a mass murderer :muhaha: :muhaha:
Something I actually agree with Peter on :-$ #-o
Tires look good, need some wheel though, but I guess those are winter beaters. Those off a military vehicle? they seem to always have those tall,skinny tires

What in the heck did you do in your previous life Peter? Were you a prostitute wanna be so you are making up for it in this life? 8-[
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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peter
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by peter »

You're kidding, right? That's it? That's the comeback. Fer cryin' out loud Lynne, that's pitiful...
But, I suppose I deserve it. After all, I haven't yet addressed you in NECO yet. Let's get workin' on that this weekend, then :supz:

:yawinkle:
"Just keep swimming..."
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"


Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson

Fire Cakes
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by Fire Cakes »

peter wrote:You're kidding, right? That's it? That's the comeback. Fer cryin' out loud Lynne, that's pitiful...
But, I suppose I deserve it. After all, I haven't yet addressed you in NECO yet. Let's get workin' on that this weekend, then :supz:

:yawinkle:
Hey it has been a long week and you know I have to have a comeback. I can't let these things sit idle.

oh BTW Deano will agree with me....................I am the best that that happened to him. He would definitely be lost with out me. :heart:
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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potskie
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by potskie »

Fire Cakes wrote:
peter wrote:You're kidding, right? That's it? That's the comeback. Fer cryin' out loud Lynne, that's pitiful...
But, I suppose I deserve it. After all, I haven't yet addressed you in NECO yet. Let's get workin' on that this weekend, then :supz:

:yawinkle:
Hey it has been a long week and you know I have to have a comeback. I can't let these things sit idle.

oh BTW Deano will agree with me....................I am the best that that happened to him. He would definitely be lost with out me. :heart:
Of course he would be. All men are lost without women. Seriously. Men wouldn't know what to do with all their hard earned cash and all that free time if women weren't around! :butthead:
Image 98 Safari RWD. Stock.
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!

Fire Cakes
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by Fire Cakes »

potskie wrote:
Fire Cakes wrote:
peter wrote:You're kidding, right? That's it? That's the comeback. Fer cryin' out loud Lynne, that's pitiful...
But, I suppose I deserve it. After all, I haven't yet addressed you in NECO yet. Let's get workin' on that this weekend, then :supz:

:yawinkle:
Hey it has been a long week and you know I have to have a comeback. I can't let these things sit idle.

oh BTW Deano will agree with me....................I am the best that that happened to him. He would definitely be lost with out me. :heart:
Of course he would be. All men are lost without women. Seriously. Men wouldn't know what to do with all their hard earned cash and all that free time if women weren't around! :butthead:
No lost in that sense you silliy.................Men we have to spell everything out for you.
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
User avatar

potskie
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by potskie »

Fire Cakes wrote:Men we have to spell everything out for you.
Nope! you just feel you do because you don't understand male code. Remember we can communicate all with just a nod of the head!
Image 98 Safari RWD. Stock.
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!

Fire Cakes
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Re: Solid Axle Swap into a 1998 Astro AWD

Post by Fire Cakes »

potskie wrote:
Fire Cakes wrote:Men we have to spell everything out for you.
Nope! you just feel you do because you don't understand male code. Remember we can communicate all with just a nod of the head!
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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