Chevy & GMC Vans

Should I hang on to the old springs? Would they be of use to anyone (maybe those with the old fiberglass ones?) or should I just chuck 'em?

timelessbeing wrote:Should I hang on to the old springs? Would they be of use to anyone (maybe those with the old fiberglass ones?) or should I just chuck 'em?

If you place to keep for a while hang on? Maybe someone will need it - make a post in the "buy/sell" thread.

Yeah, if you have the stock steel ones and can hold on to them, you might be able to help someone out later on.

OK I'll keep them in storage for now. I've got the old shocks too which have lots of life left in them.

Hey timelessbeing, nice job on the lift. Your van looks great!

Thanks 9dawgs! This was the biggest automotive project I've taken on since the head gasket went on my old Grand Prix (RIP).
And it definitely won't be my last!

lockdoc, after my trip in the snow ( viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3719&p=38139#p38139 ) I can definitely see what you're saying about the t/case.
I'm going to hang on to my NVG136 for now.

Just a tip to those who want to lift their van:

I went to Midas to see if they would bend my tailpipe so it wouldn't rest against the rear leaf springs, causing the whole van to vibrate.

Using an oxy-acetylene torch, one guy heated up the pipe right behind the muffler, while the other guy cranked down on the end. Problem solved, and best of all, they do this service FREE OF CHARGE!

So the vibrating is gone now? Cool!

Great thread! Just got around to reading it all!
Nice work timelessbeing!

I'm actually considering lifting the front a bit more because:
1. level out the stance
2. make extra room for the wheels in case I want to put chains on.
3. Reduce rubbing. I don't like the idea of cutting out the well too much. (it looks micky mouse, encourages rusting etc.)

I don't think I want to lift the suspension more, because it will stress the moving parts, and because installing reindexed keys will be a PITA (torsion bars are probably rusted in there good)
Could I squeeze another inch or two out of the body lift, without running into problems with steering shafts, shifter linkages, brake lines etc? Could I get away with putting more spacers in there, or should I just weld in tubes?

Thoughts?

At one time, Steve at Overland Vans (old) was working on a 3" subframe lift. I e-mailed him about it at the time and he didn't think it was going to be marketed as it required many more changes over the 2" lift.

I've always been concerned with safety over 2" just using bolt in blocks. I've always been worried about the side to side load on the blocks and bolts. While 3" body lifts used to be real common on 4x4 trucks, and I performed them on three of my own 4x4s, I feel it is an apples and oranges comparison. On a truck, the blocks seperate the body from the structural frame. On our vans, the blocks essentially seperate one part of the frame (subframe) from anothe part of the frame (unibody) and I think this is an area to modify with great caution.

That being said, I think welded in blocks are a great solution. Assuming proper materials and welding skills, you aren't affecting structural integrity and in fact can reuse the original (shorter) factory bolts. This seems a win/win to me. Also, the sky is the limit regarding lift... OK, not really, but up to 5" has been done with no complaints that I'm aware of. Obviously this will require many other modifications as wiring, brake lines, steering shafts and etc are going to come into play.

And if you think you just want one more inch... add two, maybe three. It will certainly be easier to do it now than to have to come back and redo later.

Good luck!

I didn't know the extra 1" would make such a difference. Sounds like it could be more work than it's worth. I really don't want to have to fabricate steering shafts etc. Guess I'll just have to get creative with my fender cutting.

In retrospect, I should have gone with a standard size tire, like 245/75. I'm having a helluva time finding a used 30" tire for a spare.

timelessbeing wrote:In retrospect, I should have gone with a standard size tire, like 245/75. I'm having a helluva time finding a used 30" tire for a spare.

Exactly what tires are you looking for? I have some wornies that could be used as a spare (16")