Bertjuh`s 92 Astro

[chevy57bert]

Taffy. don`t cut all the roof away, leave something to hold her strength.
Here some pictures from the JY astro.





This how mine Astro looks





There are some small differences , but that won`t be a problem..
Your Dad is doing a great Job. Buy him some BEER

[Taffy25]

il get my mate to help me lift my roof off later or tomorow and get you some pics, the company has cut more on the front off the roof, think if i had a crash and i lifted off my chair id cut the top of my head off on the old roof.

Thanks for the support pics, went and double checked, nope they didnt reinforce anything on mine they did leave about the same around the sides though.

Thanks again mate, really appreciate it.

[chevy57bert]

Today I did some rear axle spring cutting and measurements.
was curious how far the rear axle would get in the wheel well . let me tell your this. Not very far.
when the rear axle is as far as possible up against the frame, I measure 13 inch.
from center line rear axle to underside wheel well. that leaves to much space between car and road.
So I have to change plans..... 2 or4 link and cut up the rear floor to get the axle higher in to the Rear end.
A set airbags,fabricate a gas tank. and some minor stuff.





The tires on the left side are 195/65-15 on regular steel Astro rims.



Glass fibre springs cut like butter
The right one was already past away..

A friend has a spare set (Surburban) leaf springs. The width is the same and the length is almost similar to the old leaf springs.
They need just a little modification. The biggest problem is to get some front hangers for the use of steel leave springs.
(The Netherlands don`t have JY full of Astro/safari`s)

Maybe some can help me out?

[$uperJoe]

i have not measured it yet but look into a tank from a 87 to 91 blazer or suburban through i believe 99. also an s-10 blazer from 87 to 95. i think these tanks will fit in the space a spare tire goes behind the axle and have the correct fittings and sending unit on them for everything to work properly. all that would be needed is hose and wire extensions. just an idea to save a coin or two

[chevy57bert]

Thanks Joe. I take to old fuel tank out and let it cut in height. (if possible)
I save all the original fittings and wiring. I mainly run on LPG. The fuel tank is just a back-up.
Only I have to mod the fuel pump, because it goes higher in the Tank..

[Taffy25]

Any idea how much you cut for every inch of drop bert?

That looks damn nice in the pics, just weld the axel to the frame haha.

[chevy57bert]

Any idea how much you cut for every inch of drop bert?

That looks damn nice in the pics, just weld the axel to the frame haha.

No, I haven`t Taffy. I measure it this evening.
Think I `am 10 inches short.. first I get those Surburban Leave springs to day.

I will make some Pictures later.....

[chevy57bert]

8 inch short

Got some Surburban leave springs. just have to get some leaves out. 3 will do the job..

[chevy57bert]

I decided to Baggin the Van.. I would have the option to lower it when driving.
Going for 2 heights. one very low (3 inch clearance) , the other normal height when driving.
first I make the rear bags set-up.
I`am just not clear if I go for a 2 or 4 link.. the 2 link would be easier to do. less welding and modification.
And would look much better when going for the RDW (Dutch Technical Inspection).
The pinion angle would be good when normal drive height is being set. if lowering the car to 3 inches, the speed would be cruising at max 30 MPH.

The real problem are the Bags. what bags should i get?
The 2 or 4 ply. double chamber or single? and there`s the travel of the bags.
How much do I need? they are around 7 inch of travel..
I would like to put the bags behind the rear axle.. not on top..

AA photographs shows where I could install the shocks.. that means I have to get clearance on both sides of the wheels..
that won`t be a problem.
Just know that I have to get everything working together..

The rear axle a took out Sunday.





Together with the Fuel-tank (need another Fuel cell for ground clearance)
The old Tank is not suitable to modify. to many plastic components in the Tank.

[$uperJoe]

there are lots of bags available to suit your needs. usually you pick a location that you want your bag and see what kind of clearance is available there. then find a bag similar to the requirements you want. here is a page with a few specs and a few styles. this is not by any means all of them though. just a local place by me

http://www.airbagit.com/v/vspfiles/page ... s_PAGE.htm

[chevy57bert]

Thanks Joe. I was gathering some bags info from BPW axles.
We have some Lift axles on our 18 wheel truck and trailers.
They use the 2 chamber model. but are not very flexible, and they have a limited travel..

Thanks for that link. I will dive in to it.
It`s difficult to get small bags with great travel..

[$uperJoe]

an option especially if you are considering a link system is putting them on a cantilever. mount the bag up the arm some. you will gain more travel out of the bag but will also limit the available lift spec equally.

say a bag is rated at 3.5 inches closed and 9.5 inches open. this same bag will lift 2000 lbs. there is a total travel of 6 inches. if you mount it halfway between the arms axle mount and arms frame mount it will have a total of 12 inches of travel but only be able to lift 1000 lbs

[chevy57bert]

Yes I now that. some guy here has it on his S-10.
But there`s a heavy load on the Arm..
I prefer the bags low behind the rear axle. It`s more stable driving.
Don`t would like to cut up the floor to much.

[94 Van Guy]

Looks like you got it under control!

[chevy57bert]

Looks like you got it under control!

Under control? The only thing I still have under control is my wife ....(NOT)

It`s just thinking and thinking. how to do this, how to do that.
I make astro noises when I sleep

Joe is a great help for me.. even he drives his Van high and I very low.
The Basic and Love is the Same.. Astro Safari dot Com

[94 Van Guy]

OK it's back to the corner for me.

[chevy57bert]

:dunce: OK it's back to the corner for me.

NONO Keith. Some times I need other mans input..

[94 Van Guy]

Bad joke no problem

[AstroCan]

Bert, this might be a little off topic but I'm asking anyways: What's the deal with the high roofs in the Netherlands? I saw it so often - not only on vans but also on station wagons and cars. I am originally from Germany and I can't remember seeing a high roof on a regular car neither there or in Canada.

Van looks nice tho.

[chevy57bert]

Very easy.. ROADTAX.. If you drive a cargo Van/Car, (inside at least 130 cm. Max 3 passengers) and follow some tax-rules you get a Gray-License. it`s way cheaper (3 times) then the normal Yellow-License.
5 years back there was a big change for private Gray-License owners.
They pay for Yellow-license these days.
One more Tax-rule, If you make a camper from your car (high roof, bed. kitchen,) you pay a 1/4 Gray each year..
If you run on LPG you pay more than Petrol. and less than Diesel.
My Van with Camper-License/ LPG = 400 euro a year. That is the cheapest option..
For the Non-Private drivers there are other rules (Willkommen in die niederlande )

Grusse Bertjuh