lift options?

[loopie]

You are correct flyboy...the "lowering" shackle for the 2wd trucks can be repurposed as a lift shackle for our vans.
However...you get what you pay for. You want the stronger models that won't bend.

[rider]

Okay, I did a search and didn't see that anyone else had mentioned them, but I'm wondering if anyone has looked into the Chevy "lowering shackles" at Autozone, part #13-4100 to use in place of the OLV 2" lift shackles. I've seen these same shackles used to lift Dodge trucks and Ford Rangers with no problems, but no one has mentioned them here.

There on the shelf at my local Autozone for $35, but I cannot find them on their website to show, so here's a link to a random website, for reference:

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/64 ... e_kit.html

The Overland Vans shackles are made really nicely and I trust them not to collapse. I wouldn't put anything that's $35, made in China, and sold at Autozone on a moving vehicle.

[El_Fuego]

Hello everyone!

Improving of some cars features usually causes decreasing of reliability. So, I'd like to improve off-road ability.
Particularly, install 2" sub-frame spacers and rear leaf springs Chevy S10, and jack stock torsions bars up to 1".
It gives 3-4" rear lift and 3" front lift.

How strong will it decrease durability of suspension and steering parts?

Thanks in advance.
Sorry for my English - I'm just learning it.

[mdmead]

Hello everyone!

Improving of some cars features usually causes decreasing of reliability. So, I'd like to improve off-road ability.
Particularly, install 2" sub-frame spacers and rear leaf springs Chevy S10, and jack stock torsions bars up to 1".
It gives 3-4" rear lift and 3" front lift.

How strong will it decrease durability of suspension and steering parts?

Thanks in advance.
Sorry for my English - I'm just learning it.

Going with the lift you suggest, using proven parts, you aren't really affecting any of the suspension or steering parts from a durability standpoint. But...

The main reason to do the lift is to fit larger tires. Tires will affect suspension and steering durability. But I wouldn't worry about it.

The biggest problem you are going to face is with the idler arms wearing faster. But honestly, the idler arms wear too fast with a stock front suspension, and if you use quality parts and don't bash the front end too hard, you'll be fine (and just have to replace them a bit more frequently).

Wheel bearings might also wear quicker, and the front axle half-shafts too, but there haven't been any reports on this being a real problem with this amount of lift and slightly oversize tires.

As you mentioned, improving performance can affect reliability. In this case, I'd guess most would say the results of the modifications outweigh any negative impacts from accelerated wear of parts.

[doyoulikeithere]

Hello everyone!

Improving of some cars features usually causes decreasing of reliability. So, I'd like to improve off-road ability.
Particularly, install 2" sub-frame spacers and rear leaf springs Chevy S10, and jack stock torsions bars up to 1".
It gives 3-4" rear lift and 3" front lift.

How strong will it decrease durability of suspension and steering parts?

Thanks in advance.
Sorry for my English - I'm just learning it.

I think you have the best plan for a reliable lifted van right there !!

The Only other thing I would add to your plan, in order to keep it reliable and good steering, is an upper ball joint re-location.
Thats where you take the upper ball joints off, and re-locate them to the bottom sides of the upper a-arms instead of the top sides of the upper A-arms.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I agree the steps posted will keep it quite reliable. One other thing you need is an auxiliary transmission cooler. Keeping the speeds down when wheeling will help reliability as well.

[El_Fuego]

Thanks for the replies)

I forgot to write about tires. I suppose the most suitable tires for this lift is 225/75R16. They are taller than 235/75R15. And they may fit without cutting.

And as option shock absorbers Rancho. Does anybody know it is a big difference between Rancho 5000, 7000, 9000? I know the 9000 is adjustable. But is it really need?

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I have run both the 9000 series and the 5000 series. The 5000 series work very well for our vans. No need in spending the extra on the 9000 series unless you buy the remote controller so you can adjust them on the fly. I had them on my truck and it was nice being able to adjust on the fly for different road/towing conditions.

[doyoulikeithere]

Good call on the trans cooler. Maybe a temp gauge too just for fun.
It slipped my mind, being a 5 speed wheeler. lol...
BTW, I like my Rancho 5000s for a long long time now.