Pro street LS1 98 Astro

[badassastro]

Here are a few progress pictures of tubbing my Astro

Narrowed frame from my now stripped 85 pro street Astro

Narrowed frame being installed into my 98 Astro

narrowed frame all welded in and stock frame rails cut out

wheel tubs mocked up & interior pieces being fit for roll bar and tubs

wheel mounted and set about actual ride height to check clearences

[badassastro]

Sorry, a few pictures are hazy from torching and grinding

[astroturf]

Great pix, Thanks.

But, The real winners will be vids of the other guys face as you launch off the lights.

Good Job, Jim

Edit: splelin

[mdmead]

Too cool!

[1Gary]

The key about back hafts with Astros is the raise of the frame rail is real fast and brief.The way it comes backdown is as fast and short,but doesn't matter much beyond the shock mount because the back part is just a support for the body.The shock mount/ladder bar/four link controls all the torque applied.Brace support side to side in the area of the shock mount is kind of important to maintain square."X'ing that in is a no fault method.It could get more involved setting preset wts side to side with keeping the offset of the Astro driveline.Scaling each wheel would be the telling factor.Not impossible,but harder than a on center driveline.I would think you would really have to preload one side abit.

[badassastro]

Thank you for compliments.

This is my street driven toy, probably never see the track, built more for show. I am really stoked to get it done. I have the best of both worlds, tubbed & V8 - ac, cruise, tilt and power windows. The look of a drag car, but still have the comfort.

[1Gary]

Thank you for compliments.

This is my street driven toy, probably never see the track, built more for show. I am really stoked to get it done. I have the best of both worlds, tubbed & V8 - ac, cruise, tilt and power windows. The look of a drag car, but still have the comfort.

Please don't take my comments the wrong way.It takes tons of talent to build what you have.And you have done a great job bud.I am saying if you scale it,you might be able to preset the coilovers.

[badassastro]

No worries

My friend has been building drag cars for 30 years and knows how to do all that stuff.

I stomped on it, it squats and launches and gos straight down the road, I am happy.

[doyoulikeithere]

Wicked Nice !!

[1Gary]

I suggested to Mark in a PM(Astroracer)that he designs a CAD jig to build back haft kits for sale.As far as I know no one offers one and there are still tons of Astro/Safari vans out there.It is kind of a specialized back haft.Might be something for you to consider..........

As I think about this more.Maybe the two mounting positions for the front spring hangers where they bolt in could be considered as mounting positions for a back haft and the rear holes for the rear spring hangers as the other ones making a totally bolt on back haft kit. Thing is through the only thing that makes a back haft solid is tie'ing it to a roll bar/cage.

[badassastro]

Mark lives about 2 hours away. I will be checking out his van, in person, pretty soon. I sold him some parts, offered to deliver, so I could see his masterpiece.

The problem, with building kits to back half, its just to expensive. I dont think enough would sell to make it worth while. Sure, there will be a lot of Astro/Safari owners that what to do it, but they dont really know the expense. Just in rear end, suspension and wheels/tires, I have $4000, that is just the rear, not everything I have spent. Unless it is owner built, labor would be nuts.
When I am finished tubbing, I will have over $13,000 into my LS1 Astro. That is pretty much just parts and I had to buy my friend a nice welder.
If just wanting the look, the stock leaf springs can be moved in, but that will not hold the rear down.

[badassastro]

The leaf springs can be moved in. I did this the first time, on my other Astro, about 15 years ago. When I added a serious V8, it was all over the place, tires wouldnt stay flat. kinda bounced. I switched to ladder bars & coil-overs in 2003. The narrowed frame rails pictured, are 15 years old.

[1Gary]

I got a shop in Utica,NY that builds 9"'s for circle track cars that committed to build a 9" for my project with all the attaching points and nodular center section with corrected size alloy axles whatever spine I want for $1,200.00.I figure after a locker center chunk and gear set I have invested about $2,000.

I am going with leaf springs,but a copy of the old Mopar super stock springs.

[badassastro]

Finished up the center piece, for over the axle

I spent about 3 hours sanding on the roll bar, really sucked, but it looks brand new with fresh paint.

[1Gary]

Curious.How come the bend in the one side of the rear hoop??.What is that for?.