Chevy & GMC Vans

Thanks photo_van, good thing you were able to find a camber bolt.

Here are measurements for Rancho RS5000 and RS9000XL stock and longer shocks, I don't have the Bilstein HD specs handy.

RS5150 Compressed length: 11.500" Extended length: 16.125" Travel: 4.625"

RS999150 Compressed length: 11.500" Extended length: 15.750" Travel: 4.250" Body diameter: 2.18"

RS5152 Compressed length: 11.625" Extended length: 17.750" Travel: 6.125"

RS999152 Compressed length: 12.250" Extended length: 17.875" Travel: 5.625" Body diameter: 2.18"

Even though the RS999152 is 5/8" longer in compressed length than a stock-ish length shock, I was more concerned about the extended length, of which it has plenty along with enough additional travel. The dimensions seems to suit my setup well with the torsion lift extending the shock and additional travel with relocated upper ball joints so having the additional shock stroke where required. Based on cycling the control arms, I was confident the shock wouldn't top or bottom out before control arms hits stops and haven't had any indication of doing so.

Thanks for that! So you have relocated upper ball joints?

No problem and yes, I relocated upper ball joints.

Did you knock out the the "slugs" in the frame at the upper control arm pivot bolts for alignment? Have you gotten an alignment?

photo_van wrote:Did you knock out the the "slugs" in the frame at the upper control arm pivot bolts for alignment? Have you gotten an alignment?

His van is a 2004, he may not have the knockouts. My 2003 didn't, though that didn't stop me from unbolting the upper control arm to look for them... I had a full slotted mount from factory, near as I can tell.

Herbie wrote:

photo_van wrote:Did you knock out the the "slugs" in the frame at the upper control arm pivot bolts for alignment? Have you gotten an alignment?

His van is a 2004, he may not have the knockouts. My 2003 didn't, though that didn't stop me from unbolting the upper control arm to look for them... I had a full slotted mount from factory, near as I can tell.

Herbie is correct, my '04 did not have knockouts (no previous alignment, bought van with 35k), I removed to check as well.

Got it! It will be good to hear if the slots give you enough adjustment with the joints relocated.

Apologies to the OP, we really hijacked this thread......

Yes, apologies but at least it is all useful info!

No worries. I appreciate all the info and it's definitely all useful.

I just talked with reps at Bilstein. They suggested the 5125 series shock, part number 33–062518. It has the following dimensions:

Collapsed length 12.07"
Extended length 18.5"
External diameter 2"
Damping rate 255 over 70

That damping rate might be an issue. According to the rep, stock damping on Astro vans is 251 over 122 (the latter number is the compression rate, higher is firmer).

Bilstein offers custom re-valving to give you damping rates you want. I talked to one of their techs about it and he said he would try it without re-valving first. He said he puts this shock on Ford Excusions all the time with great results.

Anybody have any thoughts?

You don't know 'til you try!

They are reasonably priced too.

My preference would be to start with closer to Astro spec valving than not.

Not sure if Bilstein does this... one thing I like about Fox shocks is that they give you the first re-valve free (on custom anyway), otherwise can start to get pricey unless you're doing it yourself.

True. Re-valving is $75 a shock.

My buddy and I did the lift yesterday. Getting the new leaf springs in was kind of a PITA, but we finally accomplished it.

One issue though: the rear axle has rotated about half an inch forward on the passenger side and half an inch rearward on the driver's side.
I'm thinking I'll loosen the shackle bolts and use a ratchet strap from the axle to the trailer hitch to pull the passenger side rearward until both sides are even and then retighten the shackle bolts.

Did anyone else have this problem? If so, how did you fix it?

Ugh, sorry those pics aren't right side up. I don't know what happened there. The orientation is right when I look at them on my computer.

For some reason GM made the perch indexing very sloppy on the Astro. You'll need to loosen up the clamshells and ubolts and either push the axle all the way forward or pull it all the way back (I recommend the latter)