2004 Safari production van

Post photos, video of your van
Post Reply

Topic author
Ocho Lobo
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue May 30, 2017 4:18 pm
Location: New Orleans
Contact:

2004 Safari production van

Post by Ocho Lobo »

New member, first time poster. I am a freelance Director of Photography and just purchased a 2004 Safari passenger van to haul my camera gear and lighting equipment. I built shelves on the left side for gear in an effort to leave a rear view out my back window and to allow for even more gear, at times, on the right side which now results in a slight list to the left because of the weight. Can I add a beefier rear left shock or another leaf spring to counter balance this lean? Any answers or advice will be helpful. Thanks!

David Wolf
2004 GMC Safari
Attachments
Safari production van 1.jpg
Safari production van 2.jpg
Safari production van 3.jpg
Safari production van 4.jpg
User avatar

WoodButcher
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 409
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:01 pm
Location: Woodbury, CT.
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: 2004 Safari production van

Post by WoodButcher »

If you carry that weight full time you'll want to replace both springs with the heavy duty packs.
You shouldn't load any vehicle all to one side regardless of sag, even weight distribution is a safety issue that suspension can't compensate for, you make an emergency stop with a right hand turn and your on the side in a heartbeat.
if you made a raised platform the full width of the van w/ hatches on top you could store underneath what you use everyday and have a full 4'x8' plus cargo area on top. Your load would be evenly distributed and hidden from prying eyes.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'69 G10, straight 6, 3 onatree, jumped at me when I had a pocketful of cash looking for a spare astro. :)

Astrophysics
I sleep in my van
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:23 pm
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: 2004 Safari production van

Post by Astrophysics »

Hi,

Yes it is easy to get extra weight on the left side. The driver is on the left and so is the fuel tank.

You could try to move some heavy gear to the right side.

You also could add Monroe air shocks and have a separate air line for left versus right. Or could install Air Lift or Firestone air bags and have separate left and right Schraeder air fittings to put more pressure on left side to level vehicle.

AP
User avatar

Smiliesafari
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2667
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Re: 2004 Safari production van

Post by Smiliesafari »

My vote is for air shocks also. I carry an extra 1k pounds of hot air balloon equipment. My air shocks do exactly what I need them to do.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
Post Reply