Rear Spring Lift Question.

[truC]

Hi everyone,

Wow this site sure has slowed down from what it was. I have been searching and searching and learning tons.


Thanks to all who have contributed.


Ok so I am not new to mods of any type, or thinking out side the box. I built a trail Jeep from the ground up. Full mod, with 40" Micky Thompsons, four wheel disks, Dana 44s, 401 AMC, T-18 Tranny, etc etc. only thing stock was the frame and steering colum.


Here's my question.

Why doesn't any one mount extended front spring perches and the shackle extensions when doing the rear spring lift.
You could do a 3" suspension lift doing this. Lowering the front spring perch and the shackles then add a 1" axle block, this would give you the added height for the rear and then run a 3" body lift.

When I lifted my CJ I had a 4" body mount without any issues.

I have read the concerns about the height of using taller blocks. This concern can be addressed by using 5" long blocks and putting the chassis mounting bushings on top of the blocks.

Simply by cutting sights holes in the side of the blocks and adding a simple retaining washer to locate the bolt you would be able to run proper length bolts instead of one crazy long one.
This is what I plan on doing.

All comments and thoughts welcomed, good or bad.

I look forward to hearing what you all have to say.

[ihatemybike]

http://journeysoffroad.com/ makes front spring hangers for the Astro/Safari. I've seen some custom ones too.

Several bigger and welded in sub-frame spacers have also been done.

[truC]

Thanks Aaron. Totally the way to go! Will be doing this to mine. Love how these vans look with the lifts and bigger tires.

[Captn. Crunch]

Lifting the rear isn't the problem. I got like 5" with HD S10 springs. The trouble is gettn the front to match. Body lift will get you 2-3" and now your extending steering shafts and tranny cooling lines. You crank the T-Bars for a couple more and your axle angles are way out of spec so your relocating your ball joints so your not snapping axles on the first rock covered hill you climb due to t-bar crank and bad axle angles. I agree they look great but it's at a cost. I'm gonna be pulling the shortest one of the four leafs to drop the rear a bit so I'm not stressing the crap out of the front trying to match.
We're always looking for fresh perspective so rock on man! Take lots of pics and post up your results!

[truC]

Thanks Captn C for the feed back.

The rear is always the easy part.

I have read many of your posts (very informative stuff man) and seen the photos of the flipping of the ball joints.

Steering shaft, tranny lines, brake lines, rad hoses, flex lines, exhaust.

I really need to get this thing up on a hoist and see how/what needs to be done to fab longer control arms.

I can't believe some company hasn't fab up a good front sis kit for these.

I work in a fab engineering shop as a machinest, so I have access to water jet cutting, CNC machine, etc. so a one off build is possible.

I'm thinking boxed out control arms.

Does anyone know what half shafts from any other GM trucks will fit our axles?

I know too many questions. Just do my own search/research. I am sure you guys have all thought of anything I am going to think of.

[Astrophysics]

Hi,

I like your enthusiasm for Astro updates.
The longer control arms on the front would be nice. Are you also thinking of doing coil springs to replace torsion bars on front of the AWD Astro?
It would give a softer ride and more suspension travel hopefully.
I have 2003 Astro AWD with Overland 2" lift kit and 225/70-16 tires.
I have a NP232 with electric shift that I plan to install.

Lift and big tires does drop gas mileage though.

AP

[Captn. Crunch]

Thanks Captn C for the feed back.

The rear is always the easy part.

I have read many of your posts (very informative stuff man) and seen the photos of the flipping of the ball joints.

Steering shaft, tranny lines, brake lines, rad hoses, flex lines, exhaust.

I really need to get this thing up on a hoist and see how/what needs to be done to fab longer control arms

I work in a fab engineering shop as a machinest, so I have access to water jet cutting, CNC machine, etc. so a one off build is possible.

I'm thinking boxed out control arms.

Does anyone know what half shafts from any other GM trucks will fit our axles?

All right you really wanna do this? You my friend need to come with me to the DARK SIDE!

Here is a link to a ZR2 long travel build that I think will get your creative juices flowing

http://www.zr2usa.com/mboard/index.php? ... try1039636

After that, check out vanr's 7.25 front diff and custom axle build on that same site. All things are possible. Some just have access to way cooler toys. Good for you dude!

[ihatemybike]

I've daydreamed of a long travel IFS Astro. Spent too much time laying under a Raptor at the Ford dealership seeing the differences to the F150.

Now I just need time, space, skill, money and a van with a body still worth making those mods to.

[Captn. Crunch]

AHHHHH yes the Raptor! I am gonna steal the torsen front diff idea thing from them. I was worried about how it would handle in the snow but if ford is doing it in the raptor thats good enough for me