Chevy & GMC Vans

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?

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

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

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

Nice. Can't wait to see it!

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

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

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

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.

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

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!!!!!

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

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

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

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