Im BACK! and want advice

[original_balzer]

Long break from this forum and I kinda missed it. Babe got sidelined for a long time and even became a storage shed for our camping equipment for a while. But now its fixed and designated as a family run about/extra vehicle (by family I mean me both bros mom and dad middle bros GF and my GF and who ever else might need it).

So hes not really MINE anymore, more a ours type deal.

I have a yukon daily driver but my GF uses it most often and I want a second vehicle. I was looking at 88-99 GM trucks, but I havent really seen anything that I really want.

Then it struck me like an anvil........... I want another astro/safari!

I want a AWD cargo van. Im not sure what year range I want but 95+ at least. I want to convert to part time 4x4, lift it high enough for 265x75x17 tires. Home built bumpers, roof rack and interior.

I would like some imput on what years I should look at and a collective on how to lift and convert to 4x4. I would like ot gather everything to do the lift and conversion before I even start on it. Theres several ways to lift and several ways to convert to 4x4. So Id like to hear how you guys have done it and how well it has worked out for you and any thing you would do differntly.


PS is overlandvans still in business? Is dan still kickin strofaris into shape? Last I knew overlandvans was for sale.

[ihatemybike]

As a bone yard picker...

I guess I'd have to say 1999-2002 as it's the greatest span of years without majors changes.

265/75R17 those are roughly 33" tires, which I'm pretty sure requires at least 6" of lift. Quite the expensive kit.

As far as I know Overland Vans is still going.
http://www.overlandvans.com/

Check the site and give them a call.

[original_balzer]

39 views and only 1 of you want to respond? WOW where has the love gone at astrosafarivans.com?

Oh well.......

[ihatemybike]

You threw everyone for a loop with those tires. Most of our brains stop at 31".

[astrozam]

Plenty of luv O.B sometimes peeps just don't have an answer ( like me )

[Cobra]

like Zam said the right people haven't seen it yet. I can't help tou either since i know NOTHING about lifted vehicles sorry

[original_balzer]

yea the tires I guess are usually consitered a 32-33 inch tall tire at least thats what most info claims. My mom and dad both have them on their trucks and they measure 31" on the trucks.

I chose them for the size and in 16" or 17" wheels you can get a heavier duty tire with more plys, which means better puncture resistance weight carring ability and longer wear life.

I am consitering buying the cargo van like I want then buy a van with nicer interior with engine or trans problems on the cheap That way I would have interior parts to swap into the cargo van and just extra parts for the rest of the van.

Seams like the astros and safaris can be had pretty cheap compaired to a 1/2 ton truck.

No worries about the love I was just flingin some crap at yall lol.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

The best years are 1998 to 2005. But it really depends on your style. Do you like the old flat dash or the newer rounded one? Do you want a shorty? Do you like the new front end or the older ones? Do you want a shorty, with flat dash but new front end? If so you need lot's 'o parts!

You are going to have a hard time fitting 265/70R17's (about 31.5" true diameter) without a lot of trimming since the max lift you can do is around 4-5" without going custom. I ran 32x11.5R15 Cooper Discoverer STT's and had to do a LOT of cutting and hammering in the rear of the front wheel wells where the firewall meets the lower body. It is do-able though. Just so you know they won't be simply bolt-on and go.

Really the year van is up to you. The diffs are all the same strength and since you are swapping to a part-time t-case, the stock t-case being mechanical or electric doesn't matter.

How's that for loving?

[original_balzer]

I was thinking 98 and newer if I can find one for a good price. I am expecting a pretty healthy tax return for this year because I shut down my trucking business and took a big loss. Plus I can claim my girlfriend as a dependant. At least my tax man thinks I can claim her. I plan on useng it for a second vehicle and I am pretty dead set on another astro/safari.

I have been seeing used cargo vans on www.ksl.com for pretty cheap. At least the ones I have been interested in. I actually think I will try to get the newest one I can find that fits my criteria. What ever is left after that will go into a lift for it. Then tires then other stuff if there is still funds.

I am basically caught up on all my bills so I shouldnt need any of that money for bills.

BUT Im not counting my chickens before they hatch either. Time will tell.

[original_balzer]

Oh I had a few questions too. I have been reading everything I can on here about the part time x-case swaps and it seams everyone is using s-10 stuff.

I have a 94 gmc 2500 6 lug(basically a glorified half ton) out back that is dead. It has a blown engine, new 4l60e with around 3000 miles on it, an NP241 x-case, the 14b semi floating rear axle and 4.11 gears. I am sure I can use the trans and transfer case but what about the rear axle and front diff housing? It would be sweet if I could use the axle and diff housing with 4.11's already in them. Plus the rear axle is a lot stronger than the 10b in these vans. But is it too wide? is the dront diff housing too wide as well? can a guy swap the pass side axle housing from a s-10 onto the fullsize diff housing?

[LiftedAWDAstro]

That 94 LD2500 will be a great vehicle to grab parts from. The t-case will be perfect. The 94 4L60E won't work with a PCM from any other year except 93 or 94. The torque converter won't work right. The rear axle in an astro is a full-width axle. The 6 lug 9.5" 14 bolt will be the correct width. The problem will be in the offset of the pinion. The M/L vans are offset about 4" to the passenger side. The front diff is not interchangeable with anything from an S-10.

How are you going to mount a front diff in the 2WD subframe?

[original_balzer]

I want an AWD astro or safari. From what I read everyone has been using the s-10 axle half in the front to get the part time axle disconnect stuff. Rather than the vans AWD unit.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Oops my bad. I guess I was thinking of another member who is doing a 4x4 on a 2WD.

There have been a couple who have done the S-10 front diff swap. It should be covered in the AWD/4x4 section.

[original_balzer]

I have seen the S-10 front diff stuff I was wondering if the LD 2500 front diff stuff would work. I dont know if its too wide or the same size as the s-10 front diff. I do know that s-10 half shafts are shorter than full size rigs but is that the only place the width between a s-10 and a full size differnce is made up?

Also you said the rear axle is ofset 4" is that enough to make a big differnce? I would like to lift the van at least 6" maybe 8" so would the 14b clear the gas tank that high?

Theres a lot to think about. I could also get a pass drop NP241 out of a newer K5 or suburban that would have the VSS and use a 10b front in a solid axle swap.

Then again maybe I should "kiss" it (keep it simple stupid)

[LiftedAWDAstro]

The 2500LD will have either the 8.25" or 9.25" front diff in it. I would imagine it is physically too big to fit. Only way to know would be to try it.

If you lift the van 6", there should be enough room for the driveshaft. Worst case scenario is you install a smaller gas tank like Rebel did so he could fit the Corvette IRS.