Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it 4wd

[Meterpig]

I am impressed and guessing you got the blown astro for a song given the parts cost. When you are finished...any plans for some killer paint schemes like matte black or camo?

[akforceten]

Thank you Meterpig . Sorry no paint plans for now. I still got tons of work to keep me busy for a long time.Update just installed my new U bolts now i get to measure for rear shocks. Tomorrow i'm changing out the bushings an the ball joints in the control arms cause its time to rebuild the sub frame

[akforceten]

I was able to get some pics of the new U bolts so the rear leafs an shackles are done . I just need to find some a rear shock that's 23 3/4" long



these are made by Dorman part#35617



Auto zone shackles with home made bushing spacers

[akforceten]

Update I have ordered rear shocks from rockauto.com there Monroe gas magnum shocks part #34687.
The compressed length is 18" The extended length is 31" for a total of 13"of travel. They should arrive here by the 29th . I also ordered prothane body bushing 7-108 BL . Tomorrow is ball joint an control arm bushing replacement day and of course building the 3" body spacers . i will be taking lots of pic's

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Nice. Can't wait to see it!

[akforceten]

Thank you it has been one awesome learning experience .I'm one who can never afford to buy a kit to do things so i have more fun doing it piece by piece from wrecking yards an using replacement parts from auto parts store

[akforceten]

Update - This weekend i spent removing upper an lower ball joints which was a blast loads of drilling Then i got to play with fire an melt all the bushing out of the upper an lower control arms. Then i used a body saw an cut out the metal sleeves an pressed in new moog runner bushing mounts so the control arms are done!.I also started cutting my 3"body spacers which i will get welded up next weekend . Ok picture time


fun drilling time




burning the bushings out



cutting my 3" body spacers


waiting to weld the top an bottoms on





ready for new bushing

new bushing installed

[akforceten]

Update time I got my new rear shocks in an installed .Wow they really firmed up the ride . The rear lift is done except for the brake line needs to be lengthen. Ok pic time


part#


oh so pretty


Installed


rear lift done

[Slicky]

I have been enjoying your build , and am glad you elected to build your own leafs over using the lift blocks . With the new u bolts it looks very solid . Keep up the good work.

[akforceten]

Thank you Slicky I didn't like the way the rear sat with one leaf pack almost flat . That is why i did my own leaf pack. i had to get rid of the lift blocks cause with my new leaf pack the rear of the van sat way to high. Now i feel things are better an stronger back there . This weekend im taking a break need to work on my 2000 astro

[akforceten]

Update : I finally got my prothane body bushing today ! Also
my cylinder heads are done so i get to assemble some heads real soon and in a couple of weeks its going to be balls to the wall on weekends to get this project done!!!!!

[akforceten]

Update:Today I started to assemble the sub frame. I put new bushings and ball joints in the control arms.I also mounted the s-10 front differential and my re indexed torsion keys. I also got new CV axles but i spent like 2 hours trying to figure out why the left axle would bind up while i was tightening up the torsion key. it turned out it was the wrong axle in the right box. The part # matched on the box but the part was an inch to long okay pic time

















wrong axle 1 inch to long causes it to lock up when torsion keys was tighten







Well that's it for now except going to the parts house an getting the right axle

[SilverBullet1997]

Wow, I just read through this whole thread, glad you were able to save a nice looking 95, and build it up to be something awesome

[akforceten]

Thank you neighbor I'm bout an 8 hour drive from you i think. I also sourced just about most of the parts for the lift from the wrecking yard

[SilverBullet1997]

Well once you get done with the lift, maybe we can meet at one of the southern Washington ORV Parks, and go wheeling.