Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it 4wd


Meterpig
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:06 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by Meterpig »

I am impressed and guessing you got the blown astro for a song given the parts cost. When you are finished...any plans for some killer paint schemes like matte black or camo? :guitar:
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962

Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Thank you Meterpig . Sorry no paint plans for now. I still got tons of work to keep me busy for a long time.Update just installed my new U bolts now i get to measure for rear shocks. Tomorrow i'm changing out the bushings an the ball joints in the control arms cause its time to rebuild the sub frame
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1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

I was able to get some pics of the new U bolts so the rear leafs an shackles are done . I just need to find some a rear shock that's 23 3/4" long

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these are made by Dorman part#35617

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Auto zone shackles with home made bushing spacers

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1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Update I have ordered rear shocks from rockauto.com there Monroe gas magnum shocks part #34687.
The compressed length is 18" The extended length is 31" for a total of 13"of travel. They should arrive here by the 29th . I also ordered prothane body bushing 7-108 BL . Tomorrow is ball joint an control arm bushing replacement day and of course building the 3" body spacers . i will be taking lots of pic's
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1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

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

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Nice. Can't wait to see it! :bounce:
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

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Thank you it has been one awesome learning experience .I'm one who can never afford to buy a kit to do things so i have more fun doing it piece by piece from wrecking yards an using replacement parts from auto parts store
Image

1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Update - This weekend i spent removing upper an lower ball joints which was a blast loads of drilling Then i got to play with fire an melt all the bushing out of the upper an lower control arms. Then i used a body saw an cut out the metal sleeves an pressed in new moog runner bushing mounts so the control arms are done!.I also started cutting my 3"body spacers which i will get welded up next weekend . Ok picture time

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fun drilling time

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burning the bushings out
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cutting my 3" body spacers

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waiting to weld the top an bottoms on
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ready for new bushing
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new bushing installed
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1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Update time I got my new rear shocks in an installed .Wow they really firmed up the ride . The rear lift is done except for the brake line needs to be lengthen. Ok pic time

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part#

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oh so pretty

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Installed

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rear lift done

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1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

Slicky
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 76
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:06 am
Location: Surrey B.C.

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by Slicky »

I have been enjoying your build , and am glad you elected to build your own leafs over using the lift blocks . With the new u bolts it looks very solid . Keep up the good work.

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Thank you Slicky I didn't like the way the rear sat with one leaf pack almost flat . That is why i did my own leaf pack. i had to get rid of the lift blocks cause with my new leaf pack the rear of the van sat way to high. Now i feel things are better an stronger back there . This weekend im taking a break need to work on my 2000 astro
Image

1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Update : I finally got my prothane body bushing today ! Also
my cylinder heads are done so i get to assemble some heads real soon and in a couple of weeks its going to be balls to the wall on weekends to get this project done!!!!!
Image

1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Update:Today I started to assemble the sub frame. I put new bushings and ball joints in the control arms.I also mounted the s-10 front differential and my re indexed torsion keys. I also got new CV axles but i spent like 2 hours trying to figure out why the left axle would bind up while i was tightening up the torsion key. it turned out it was the wrong axle in the right box. The part # matched on the box but the part was an inch to long okay pic time
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wrong axle 1 inch to long causes it to lock up when torsion keys was tighten

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Well that's it for now except going to the parts house an getting the right axle
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1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

SilverBullet1997
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 1:40 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by SilverBullet1997 »

Wow, I just read through this whole thread, glad you were able to save a nice looking 95, and build it up to be something awesome
Here is a couple videos of my first van offroading at Tahuya WA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkFaZXo2KL4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1zn5ppLI6g
R.I.P 1997 Astro AWD SilverBullet 4-9-1997 to 2-17-2015 - Cause of death: Rear-ended
1999 Astro AWD SilverBullet II 1-4-1999 - Present

5" lift, 31x1050r15 tires. 7 inches over stock

Topic author
akforceten
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by akforceten »

Thank you neighbor I'm bout an 8 hour drive from you i think. I also sourced just about most of the parts for the lift from the wrecking yard
Image

1997 RWD Astro

1995 GMC Safari 4x4 lifted 5"

SilverBullet1997
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 1:40 pm

Re: Lifting my new to me 95 safari on a budget and making it

Post by SilverBullet1997 »

Well once you get done with the lift, maybe we can meet at one of the southern Washington ORV Parks, and go wheeling.
Here is a couple videos of my first van offroading at Tahuya WA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkFaZXo2KL4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1zn5ppLI6g
R.I.P 1997 Astro AWD SilverBullet 4-9-1997 to 2-17-2015 - Cause of death: Rear-ended
1999 Astro AWD SilverBullet II 1-4-1999 - Present

5" lift, 31x1050r15 tires. 7 inches over stock
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