Composite to steel leaf spring swap

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snapple
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Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by snapple »

While working on taking out the composite leaf springs on the drivers side,I came across a little snag.Got the leaf out,but can't remove the front hanger because I can't get the bolts all the way out because they hit up against the side of the gas tank! Seems to me it should have been fed from the other side,because there looks to be plenty of room! Anyways, I guess I either have to cut the bolts (tight spot) or lower the gas tank way down! Anyone else run into this before?
Thanks, Bill
'94 Astro AWD EXT LT - Over 211,000 ,parts van now!
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TheChopFather
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by TheChopFather »

they are all like that you gonna have to lower tank or cut em! but when ya put em back turn em around like the rest of us did...
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Bill, if you lower the tank to remove them, put them back in the same way. This will make the installation of the new rock rail bracket easier in a few weeks.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

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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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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by SoCalli V8 »

Lower the gas tank.
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by GEJ »

This thread invertionly helped me out.I got to drop the tank to put in a fuel pump for my TBI V8 swap.Seems like a good time to do the springs at the same time.Thanks guys.

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snapple
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by snapple »

Okay,guess I'll lower the tank.Figures, the tanks about full! :-({|=
Thanks for the fast replies folks.
'94 Astro AWD EXT LT - Over 211,000 ,parts van now!
DHC Rock rails
Overland Vans 4" lift kit and bumper w/grille guard
Fiamma awning

'95 Astro AWD EXT CS - Just over 99,000 miles
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by SoCalli V8 »

Siphon the gas first..... IT will make it Sooo Much Easier...... > less weight.....
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....

A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by dafrogtoad »

Dropping the tank wasn't too bad...helps if you have a hitch..you can see the puddle near the tank left from the fuel pump test..
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by snapple »

SoCalli V8 wrote:Siphon the gas first..... IT will make it Sooo Much Easier...... > less weight.....
Got it done! :guitar:
Went and got a siphon pump,that was the easy part.Those strap bolts were a son of a :-#
Thanks for the input everyone! :cheers:
'94 Astro AWD EXT LT - Over 211,000 ,parts van now!
DHC Rock rails
Overland Vans 4" lift kit and bumper w/grille guard
Fiamma awning

'95 Astro AWD EXT CS - Just over 99,000 miles
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by SoCalli V8 »

Thats what we do here.... share the info
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....

A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc

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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Where's the pics? Don't make us wait until NECO to see it! LOL
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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snapple
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by snapple »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Where's the pics? Don't make us wait until NECO to see it! LOL
Still a work in progress,been working all weekend.Wrenching on the van when I get a chance.Pics coming soon. :guitar:
'94 Astro AWD EXT LT - Over 211,000 ,parts van now!
DHC Rock rails
Overland Vans 4" lift kit and bumper w/grille guard
Fiamma awning

'95 Astro AWD EXT CS - Just over 99,000 miles

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Cool...can't wait!
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

safariman28
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by safariman28 »

i am looking to do this swap as well, do I remove the clam at the front of the comp spring then use the bastard bolt hole by the fuel tank to replace the new spring pack? I think I have to but not sure last time I had to do this was 6 years ago with my uncle 2wd astro van.
I ll keep looking through the site but keep me informed thanx.

safariman28
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Re: Composite to steel leaf spring swap

Post by safariman28 »

navigating through this site is tricky but i'm getting it.
Anyways I found what I was looking for in acordance to the leaf spring swap thx though.
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