Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans kit?

Post Reply

Topic author
atomizer
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:55 pm

Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans kit?

Post by atomizer »

Hey everyone,
I'm new to this forum and have a lift question. My van is a 99 GMC Safari AWD. Is it possible to get 2 inches of lift using something other than the Overland Van kit? I'm going to stay with the stock 15 inch rims and want to add a bigger tire. I'll also be carrying a dirtbike on the rear hitch and tons of camping gear. Any and all info would be great. Thanks, Atom... :cheers:
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by doyoulikeithere »

No. You cant lift these vans unless you buy the parts only from overlandvans.com

Psych: Look here viewtopic.php?f=48&t=7588&hilit=home+brew+lift
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
User avatar

1Gary
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 2743
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:18 am

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by 1Gary »

doyoulikeithere wrote:No. You cant lift these vans unless you buy the parts only from overlandvans.com

Psych: Look here viewtopic.php?f=48&t=7588&hilit=home+brew+lift
What ever happened to the idea of drilling out hockey pucks??. :yikes: :-k

Aaaa-nope,that one didn't work. :rolleyes: :dunce: :muhaha: :muhaha:
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY
User avatar

MountainManJoe
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 3088
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
Location: The Pacific North Wet
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 24 times

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by MountainManJoe »

Your best bet is to put spacers between the subframe and body (and longer bolts to go with it), and extended leaf spring hangers for the rear. All of these items should be fairly easy to find locally or online.
User avatar

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

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by Smiliesafari »

Larger tires will work without any problems. I have used 235's without any interference. If the added weight in the rear is what you want to compensate for then air shocks will work fine.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

Topic author
atomizer
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:55 pm

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by atomizer »

Thanks everyone for the reply's and info.
Looks like I will be buying some extended leaf springs and 2 inch spacers for the front. I hate Rancho shocks, piece of crap in my opinion. So any other shock recommendations out there? And will stock size still work? Thanks again. Atom...

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

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I would suggest you do an add-a-leaf in the rear for the lift and extra weight capacity. It will make the van ride better and also hold the bike better.

As for shocks, I just put some KYB Gas-a-just on and while much better than the worn out stock ones, I don't know if they are better than Rancho's. Bilstiens are really good and the guys that run them are happy.
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
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by doyoulikeithere »

atomizer wrote:any other shock recommendations out there? And will stock size still work?
If you read through the link i posted in my first reply you will see the easy way to use stock size shocks.
Oh and Gary,,, GFY.
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

Topic author
atomizer
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:55 pm

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by atomizer »

Thanks again everyone,
After reading all the responses and links and chatting with other folks I decided to use the 2 inch kit from Overland after all. Gerald was really helpful via email and that sealed the deal for me. I don't mind spending a bit more money to support his business. He is a cool guy.
However, if I was going to do a 4 inch lift I would do as suggested with the above mentioned link.
I'm also going with Bilstien HD shocks. I'll post a bunch of before, during and after the lift install photos. Thanks again. Beers, Atom...

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

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I hope you went with the add-a-leaf instead of the extended shackle or axle block. You will be carrying a lot of extra weight and if your springs sag now with the weight, it'll sag just as bad with the extended shackle or block.

What parts did you order?
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
User avatar

MountainManJoe
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 3088
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
Location: The Pacific North Wet
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 24 times

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by MountainManJoe »

Lifted's right. I was giving the least expensive option, just as a starting point.

Topic author
atomizer
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:55 pm

Re: Can I do a 2 inch lift without using the Overland Vans k

Post by atomizer »

I ordered the 2 inch lift from OLV. Heavy duty shocks also. Stock leaf springs from Safari are rated for more weight than the S-10 springs suggested in the link above. The S-10 springs are just arched more thus creating the lift. I'll see how it all works out. Thanks again, Atom...



LiftedAWDAstro wrote:I hope you went with the add-a-leaf instead of the extended shackle or axle block. You will be carrying a lot of extra weight and if your springs sag now with the weight, it'll sag just as bad with the extended shackle or block.

What parts did you order?
Post Reply