Lifting your AWD astro/safari

[Someone]

Info Needed

[Spike99]

For up to 1.0" - 1.5" "front end" lift.

On my 2001 AWD Safari van, I also lifted in front via torsion bars adjustment. Over time, my van's torsion bars started to loose their support strength, and its front starts to natually go down. Visualize "front end" sag. Adjusting its torsion bars to make the van's "stance" look better is a good thing to do. And if natural sag over time (like with my van), adjusting its front torsion bars to make its front axle alignments more horizontal is a good idea. Having horizontal front axles creates less front CV, bearing and boot wear. After Torsion bar adjustments, a wheel alignment is always recommend. Great idea....

Hope this helps others...

.

[CDGsafari98]

ok I recently decided to lift my van, and i checked in with Dan over at overland. He is selling the company and is not welding anymore due to health reasons! Is there any other recomended kit or person that can assist me with lifting my van.

My intent is to get a moderate amount of additional clearance! $ inches, however "The Van" is my daily driver also, as such it will see a lot of highway miles so I would like to keep the handling fairly stock.

???????????

[LiftedAWDAstro]

So Dan isn't selling kits anymore?

[CDGsafari98]

He is only selling the kits that dont require him to weld, or at least thats how jis email read to me. I was looking to get the 8 inch kit and not use the body spacers as i am not looking for that much of a lift.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Ok let me ask you a couple questions first.

1. What size tires are you planning on running?

2. Are you planning to regear both diff's?

3. If not are you prepared to install a new tranny?

4. How are you going to get around the NJ inspection requirements? (I am under the impression they are VERY strict about lifts)

[CDGsafari98]

Ok let me ask you a couple questions first.

1. What size tires are you planning on running?

2. Are you planning to regear both diff's?

3. If not are you prepared to install a new tranny?

4. How are you going to get around the NJ inspection requirements? (I am under the impression they are VERY strict about lifts)

Tire size maybe 29's
I was thinking of going to 4:10's
will I need to put a new tranny in? If so then yes there are 125k miles on the current one anyway
The Van is registered in NY and I wasnt aware that I would have to go around it. That might require more research thanks for the heads up

[stomp13]

29inch tires with 8inchs of lift? Maybe Im missed something but you only need 2inchs of lift to fit 29s. And if you dont want to use the lift blocks, use Overlands t-bar keys. They should net you 2inchs.

[T.Low]

My 30" ATs clear with the 2.5-3" body lift in front and 4-5" spring lift in rear.

I never did put in the new torsion bar keys in the front.

And I so love the 4:10 gears you guys recomended.

[T.Low]

So Dan isn't selling kits anymore?

Hmmm, sounds like he needs to job that out to somebody...

Anyone know anybody that is a capable fabricator that also has a vast knowledge of lifting Astros? Anyone?

[stomp13]

So Dan isn't selling kits anymore?

I hope he has some back stock of the basic lift kits like the 2inch and 4inch. My wife told she would get me the 2inch lift for Christmas. I hope she ordered/orders soon

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Thanks for the answers safari98. With 29" tires, just do a 2" lift and drive the heck out of it! Your van would look quite crappy with a 6" or 8" lift and tiny donut tires. You will also get away with not messing with gears or stressing the tranny too much.

[CDGsafari98]

Dan is actually looking to sell Overland. So if there are any capable fabricators out there that also love Safari/Astros then check it out. For all those who are curious I called and asked about the 8 inch lift kit with the intent of not using the body spacers. I was only going for the 4 inches.

My original thought was to go only 2 inches but I keep hearing that I might as well go 4 and not waste time. But this is my daily driver/family vehicle so I cant afford to have it offline for too long and I need it to be accessible for the family (My wife drives it when necessary)

Anyway Dan said he is not welding at the moment, so I took that to mean he wills till sell kits that don't invole welding, if there are any?

Lifted, so going 2 inches only what else should I to do "The Van" to keep its ride optimal? Thanks for the input And just because I havent been around why are you stro less?

[LiftedAWDAstro]

My original thought was to go only 2 inches but I keep hearing that I might as well go 4 and not waste time. But this is my daily driver/family vehicle so I cant afford to have it offline for too long and I need it to be accessible for the family (My wife drives it when necessary)

Go with the 4" lift and run a set of 30's or 31's. Either way you will need to some trimming in the front wheel well area under the firewall. A 2" to 3" lift and some 29's (235/75/15's) will look awesome too and won't kill your power as much.

Lifted, so going 2 inches only what else should I to do "The Van" to keep its ride optimal? Thanks for the input

Best bet for optimal ride is a set of Bilstein shocks, 29" LT rated tires, and a rear sway bar. The van will look great and perform much better. If you do a 2" lift use an add-a-leaf for the rear and don't do the shackle. This is my preference as it stiffens the soft rear springs to a point where they should be.

And just because I havent been around why are you stro less?

I sold the SPB to Lockdoc. I will be getting another by spring though.

[dilly]

i have the 2"lift on my 95 with shackles and have a low to moderate vibration due to the altered pinion angle so i also recomend add a leafs instead.