Chevy & GMC Vans

Here's a shot that I used a laser level to get my measurement on how far the rear had to be moved to the left so dif. would be centered. May not be enough light but you can get an idea of how far it was off which was 2 1/4 in.

Here's another with the IRS bracket removed showing the offset on right side. This was done to clear gas tank but after installing the S-10 tank there is more than enough room for driveshaft. With IRS centered, all I'll need are two spacer/adapters 4.75 to 5/5 and 1 3/4 thick to locate my AR Atlas wheels in correct location in wheel well.


Maybe this will all be over soon.

That yellow wire is to the gas gauge sender that I had to install when I changes out my factory gauges. None of this is totally complete by the way.

Larry, I am blown away by the magnitude of the job you are doing.
Swapping in a small block V8 is nothing more than tightening bolts by comparison.
=D>

I'm sure this'll work out for the better, Larry. I can just imagine how much it musta pained you to take everything apart when you were so close to finishing. But it was a wise choice. I'm sure the spring rates, total travel specs etc.. would have been all screwy if you'd kept the diff where it was. Takes alot more courage to disassemble now than to have stuck your head in the sand and pretended not to see the potential problems (which no one else saw right off the bat either, I might add!)

Hey Rob,,it's blowing me away also. I can't wait for this to be over.
Headed to machine shop now.
Peter,,you're right,,will be much better and will make some since. The offcenter deal just wasn't the way to go at all.
Anyway,,live and learn,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I guess.

Hey Larry, how about some info on the S-10 tank swap? Like tank capacity, tank size, how much room it cleared up, etc. I am thinking that may be a way that a rear triangulated 4 link coilover suspension might fit.

I'll get ya some info. on the tank tomorrow and let ya know. Easy swap,,can even use one of the Astro straps ( rear one ).
Think I have a pic with the Astro tank and one with the S-10 showing how much room after S-10 swap.
Will get ya more info and update tomorrow.

Ok,,sorry,,little late getting back with ya.
The dims. on the S-10 tank are 11in. wide x 12in. deep and 25 in. long.
I'll try to get a few pics to give ya a better idea of the room it takes.

Here are a few pics showing location of S-10 P/U gas tank in 89 Astro. Maybe by looking at what's located around tank you can compare to yours and get a general idea as to how much room is cleared up.





Hope this helps ya out.
None of this is complete by the way. Still need to re-run gas gauge sender wire and install other tank strap.

Thanks for the info Larry. =D>

Got the upper shock mount bar welded up today and looks ok. Still have another piece that will be welded in the middle of this that runs down to top of dif. and is bolted there for dif. front support and to maintain pinion angle.
Machine shop still having trouble lining up front and rear holes on carrier bracket so made him a template from a 2x4 with holes drilled out in correct location . Will pick that up Monday and moving Tuesday so looks like Astro will be in the garage untill I get back up here to put it all back together. If I just had one more day,,she'd be on the road.
Here are a few pics of the upper shock mount bar.

Lookin' good, Larry. So big deal, you pick up the truck next time you're down. We sometimes stress ourselves for the dumbest reasons (with myself being the grand master, of course).
I wish you lived in the same town as I. I woulda helped you weld that sucker up and fab the plates etc... It woulda been great. How sad that you picked the "wrong side of town"

Would of been good Peter, living in the same town down south but I'm afraid I'd of worried the crap out of ya over this deal. Would have been fun doing so though.

Larry, I still can't get over how rust-free the undercarriage of your van is, and it's an 89, just like mine.
Must be nice!

Hmmm, maybe I should slide down your way to find my next Astro.

By all means Rob. Welcome here anytime.
It is nice to have a rust free vehicle, so whenever you're in the market for another, just let me know.

lookin good, the coil overs are a good idea as to help out the vette spring that is rated for a lighter car... she will be on the road before you know it =D>