lifting 94 AWD

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Topic author
68gmc780
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:13 pm
Location: LaGlace,Alberta, Canada

lifting 94 AWD

Post by 68gmc780 »

Hi! I'm new here,been driving AWD Astro vans(2) since 1991.I'm making a plan to do a home made 2" lift for my 95,I've found spacers and longer bolts to drop the cradle,but am wondering about pinion angle on the rear diff if I use a 2" block between the rear spring and axle.I thought I would use a 6" long piece of 2x3 channel,ends capped off for strength,just wondering if they will need to be tapered to compensate for pinion angle or is 2" diff in height going to make enough difference to worry about?Probably not much different than going from old sagged springs to a new set.What do you think?My van will not be used for off roading,just think it would look cool a little higher and get rid of the puny 215/75R15 tires.Replies?

lockdoc
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 704
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:50 am
Location: Plymouth Township, PA

Re: lifting 94 AWD

Post by lockdoc »

You'll get a different answer from each person probably. Obviously you are going to change the pinion angle slightly which "could" cause some vibration. In other words, some people have complained about and some not. Most people have used longer shackles due to the fact that using blocks with the clamshell design mounts and composite springs make it difficult. If you are able to I would taper them to avoid vibrations.
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: lifting 94 AWD

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

As Bill says, you may or may not have vibration issues. In theory, using a 2" lift block should not change the pinion angle at all since you are keeping the leafs at the same angle and the axle will remain at the same angle, just 2" lower. The hard part will be keeping the axle mounted tight enough to the leaf springs to keep from getting axle wrap which could cause vibration on take off.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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