Chevy & GMC Vans

A 235/75R15 will do well as a spare. It is only going to be used to get you to a repair station to fix the good tire. If you have a posi rear axle and you get a flat there, you will want to put one of the correct sized front tires on back and the spare up front with the open diff.

T.Low wrote:

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")

Oooo you're nice and close, but alas I'm looking for 30x9.5 R15.
...
On second thought ... if it comes with the 16" rim then it might work. Not sure what effect that will have on driveability though.

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:A 235/75R15 will do well as a spare. It is only going to be used to get you to a repair station to fix the good tire. If you have a posi rear axle and you get a flat there, you will want to put one of the correct sized front tires on back and the spare up front with the open diff.

I agree with Lifted. I have the 31" tires on my '99 and use a 235/70R15 as a spare. Anything is better than the donut that is stock equipment. It might ride a little funny until you make it to the shop but at least it'll get you there

I found a free pair of 15" Astro rims, as well as a new looking 30x9.5 tire ($40) both on Craigslist so I'm all good now. Thanks anyways.

timelessbeing wrote:I found a free pair of 15" Astro rims, as well as a new looking 30x9.5 tire ($40) both on Craigslist so I'm all good now. Thanks anyways.

Great find! Make sure you post some pictures when you get it installed

9dawgs wrote:Great find! Make sure you post some pictures when you get it installed

Posting the photo here for completeness.

Cool. How did you mount your High-Lift?

9dawgs wrote:Cool. How did you mount your High-Lift?

It's kind of nifty actually. It's as if these jacks were made for our vans.
You just take the ground plate off the jack. The bumper brackets have holes in them so I just slide the jack into them (I have the 60" version I think). Then you put the plate back on and put the cotter pin back through it. That locks it in place. Then you just need to fasten the handle down so it doesn't flop around, and I tied rags around the bumper bracket so the jack doesn't bang around when you go over bump.

I try to take better photos when I get the chance.

Dude, we totally need to hook up. Even it's it's just for a drive around Chiliwack Lake or something. Even if it's just at Tim Hortons for a two lifted Astro photo op.

I'm game. I might even be going down to Baker this winter for some ski touring.

So far, mine is the only lifted Astro I have ever seen with my naked eyeballs. I get comments at gas stations all the time. My ex-girlfriend used to get stopped when she borrowed to van to go to the island.

9dawgs wrote:Cool. How did you mount your High-Lift?

My 16's are all mounted on 6 lug rims.

Nice looking van Timeless.
How about an update? Been driving it a while now.
What do you think of the OLV kit?
Take it up McNutt out Mission way? We used to Jeep up there.

My 95 lifted AWD was on the streets of Coquitlam a couple times too, and your right everyone has to come look. Gets a bit annoying at times, but I'll live.

Thanks for the compliment DYLIH.
My van has lost it's gloss and has early onset cancer so it aint pretty anymore, but it certainly is different. I still get looks almost every day driving to and from work. It's probably a bit intimidating in the rearview mirror of someone's hatchback, coming at them. I get a little guilty pleasure every time they move out of the way.

I could still use another inch or two in front, but this is probably the way it's going to stay. Overall I'm very pleased with the kit. It gives me more confidence when going offroad ... sometimes a little too much. I wish I had the time to do more mods, but already I have been able to get to many hard to reach places.

Due to its "unrefined" appearance and less than ideal fuel consumption, I've been mulling the idea of relegating my Astro to bush-and-utility-vehicle status, and buying a little car for city driving. For $1000 in insurance it may just be worth it. We'll see.

I don't think I've been to McNutt. What is there to see? Maybe one of you guys can show me sometime.

Access to McNutt is at the end of 256th up by the old Alouette Corrections Centre, but I'm sure it's all been gated off years ago.