[maxmilian_mares]

Hello.
I was looking for an Astro for over a year and finally found nice one for a good money. 1997 AWD with the square headlights which i prefer. Around 170xxx km on it. In Europe it´s really pain to get them. So I already changed all the brakes, had a guy to weld rusted parts and i´m waiting for new fuel injector to make it MFI.

Now i want to do a like 5cm, 2 inch lift and can´t decide which way to go.
I know i´ll do pucks in the front and maybe little bit of torxion preload. But in the rear, i don´t really like the shackles, because from what I read it can mess up the pinion angle and here in Czechia no one wants to work on these cars, so I have to do everything myself and I don´t want to play with the pinion. SO, my options are either re-arch leafs, ad-a-leaf or blocks between leaf and axle. Which way would you guys go?

* those unmatching color spots on the pockets are not there anymore, the welder did really good job with finding matching color


Thanks a lot!

 

[WoodButcher]

It depends on the condition of the leaves and hore much weight you carry normally. If you add a leaf you will alter the way it rides and handles empty dramatically but if you carry a load all the time it may not be noticable.
My '05 was lifted 2" using pucks in front and airbags in back, it is infinitely adjustable and I have it loaded with tools most of the time but if I have reason to run empty it is as easy as letting air out of a tire.
The '97 I had years ago (2 WD) I added springs and bigger, heavier tires in the rear to carry weight on a daily basis. When empty it rode like a horse drawn buckboard.

 

[LumaWJ]

Zdar at to jezdi!

 

[maxmilian_mares]

It depends on the condition of the leaves and hore much weight you carry normally. If you add a leaf you will alter the way it rides and handles empty dramatically but if you carry a load all the time it may not be noticable.
My '05 was lifted 2" using pucks in front and airbags in back, it is infinitely adjustable and I have it loaded with tools most of the time but if I have reason to run empty it is as easy as letting air out of a tire.
The '97 I had years ago (2 WD) I added springs and bigger, heavier tires in the rear to carry weight on a daily basis. When empty it rode like a horse drawn buckboard.

Thanks for the reply.
Well i´ll be adding lpg tank instead of the wheel reserve, since paying for gas is unreal here. So that will be some constant load. And i´ll make camper conversion that will be sitting in it most of the time.
I´d like to get the airbags, but from what i´ve seen they are 500 bucks and more. Which seems quite a lot when i won´t be carrying heavy loads and towing a lot. The leafs are in somewhat good shape. The rear is not sagging in comparison to front, but of course the torxions saged a bit too probably.
Overall i´m leaning foreward to the option of blocks between axle and suspension, because it won´t affect stiffnes but will add the height i want for the least money.

Thanks!

 

[maxmilian_mares]

Zdar at to jezdi!

Nazdár! Dík

 

[sixsix]

Zdar at to jezdi!

Nazdár! Dík

I could not have said it any better.

And Welcome to you, max...

 

[LumaWJ]

Thanks for the reply.
Well i´ll be adding lpg tank instead of the wheel reserve, since paying for gas is unreal here. So that will be some constant load. And i´ll make camper conversion that will be sitting in it most of the time.
I´d like to get the airbags, but from what i´ve seen they are 500 bucks and more. Which seems quite a lot when i won´t be carrying heavy loads and towing a lot. The leafs are in somewhat good shape. The rear is not sagging in comparison to front, but of course the torxions saged a bit too probably.
Overall i´m leaning foreward to the option of blocks between axle and suspension, because it won´t affect stiffnes but will add the height i want for the least money.

Thanks!

Putting blocks between leafs and axle is one of the worse idea how to improve height. Leafs are for sure sagged it they are more than 20 years old. Look for options: new original leafs, from other car S10 or buy leafs from states. There is also option to put additional springs on the axle, but this does not look nice. Aibags is another good option.
L

 

[Sailing_Faith]

It is a beautiful van, very best wishes to you on getting her in shape! 🙏🏼

Don’t be too afraid of using shackles, for a small lift they work out just fine. I
Am sure you have looked, but in case not here is a good place to read up.

Lifted Suspension

Lifted Suspension, 4x4, Leaf Springs, Lift Kits, Coils, Gas Shocks, Suspension Lift, Body Lift, Sport Utility, Off-Roading.

www.astrosafari.com

 

[tungtide]

When you lift the body you do not change pinion angle. I prefer new springs to shackle lift, but don’t be afraid of small shackle lift.

 

[gwd]

If you are concerned about pinion angle, then before doing any work in the back of the , take a magnetic angle gauge and measure it.
Save the information for a future reference to compare the angles after changes.
Then you will know better what to do if a problem occurs.