[markmitch]

I was watching an autocross show and many of them cars are AWD so I was just curious if anyone succesfully lowered an AWD
and how does it ride compared to the stock AWD? Also how low can an AWD be lowered without major mods?

 

[1lowcab]

I know they have been lowered, I've just never had one or done one. There was a guy in here not long ago trying to sell his lowered awd.

I think the they look pretty good lowered, when i get my next one that is probably what i will do...then i can have the best of both worlds, lifted and lowered. Bwahahahah!!! :twisted:

 

[Duckstar]

I've lowered my AWD, its probably about a 3" drop all round. I used a DJM flip kit out back with custom shackles, lowering torsion keys up front and belltech shocks all round. It does handle better than stock but at the same time I did install a hellwig rear sway bar and had the mounting brackets welded to the frame.
The only downside is the lowering keys retain the stock ride so its far too soft and bouncy up front for tight aggressive cornering, I'm looking into ways to fix this but not sure which way to go. I had considered some timbrens for the front but dont know if they would be too much of a tight fit with the drop!

 

[Duckstar]

found a picture,

 

[AstroWill]

Never been done, lol

 

[srdragonusa]

Hmmm, might be fun to Autocross a Lowered Astro/Safari.... We had a guy that would show up with the weirdest vehicles and either get fastest time or damn close to it. i.e. a Pickup, a Station wagon, an Impala... All of us with Miatas, S2000, Boxsters were like, "WTF!?"

 

[1lowcab]

Get low! I like it!

 

[Duckstar]

I've always loved the concept of the pro-touring scene, taking a big hunk of junk that doesn't handle and turning it into something that can out corner a modern car is something I find really appealing. Especially being from the UK where we have a lot of tight and winding roads(not to mention badly surfaced!) and US vehicles having a bad reputation for handling, I could barely drive my old camaro in the wet and we get a lot of rain! I wanted something practical that could still handle well.
I've got a way to go yet, like I said earlier I need to stiffen up the front end a bit, got a set of 20's to put on too that should help (although staggered on an AWD is another thing that "shouldn't be done"). If anyone is thinking of dropping an AWD I would say go for it, its nice to have the confidence to blast round corners in the wet without the fear of losing the rear!

 

[markmitch]

I personally hate the huge wheel low pro tire look and they handle like crap and feel like your off roading, To each there own but the dubb look is not for me. I started this topic because I own a 89 Astro RS and wondered if going AWD would help in cornering but I would not do the huge wheel thing to make it better. Thanks for your answers though. Mark

 

[WimpTech]

Sorry, not my bag bayybeee.

 

[1lowcab]

I personally hate the huge wheel low pro tire look and they handle like crap

Actually larger rims and low profile tires help handling. Thats why cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche have them, they aren't just for looks.

A pro touring Astro would be kick ***!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[astroracer]

A pro touring Astro would be kick ***!!!!!!!!!!!!

You've got some reading to do...
viewtopic.php?f=127&t=12461

 

[astroracer]

I am working on the '94 AWD LT1 Astro I just bought. The new MegaSquirt computer kit just arrived today. I would like to drop it three and run some 18's on it. Probably 255's in front and 275's in back. I need to figure out back spacing but that won't happen until I get it running right.

 

[Duckstar]

I feel like this thread has gone a tad off topic due to my wheel choice. Its about lowering an AWD van for better handling not my wheel preference! I think 17's or 18's would probably give me a better compromise between handling and comfort, but I'm a fuck it kinda guy, its my van and I wanted to run 20's, they might not be to everyone's taste but they aren't so big or blinging that they look like they belong in a hiphop video and they have to handle better than those balloons on 15" rims that are on it in the first pic I posted!
I Can't believe nobody's said I'm gonna kill my transfer box in a blaze of glory while increasing global warming and opening a portal to hell by running staggered wheels! Anyway this is one of the reasons I don't frequent too many forums nowadays' things get off topic and bitchy too easily, people are too quick to slag someone off or disagree with something, we're all into the same thing here and should be here to help each other out regardless of personal taste! If anyone wants any serious tips on doing this then I'm happy to help with anything I can advise you on.

Cheers!

 

[Duckstar]

Sorry Astroracer, I'm a massive fan of your project, wish I had the time, money, resources, and skills that you have. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[AstroWill]

Anyway this is one of the reasons I don't frequent too many forums nowadays' things get off topic and bitchy too easily, people are too quick to slag someone off or disagree with something

I disagree

 

[astroracer]

Don't worry about it. It IS your van, do as you see fit. The vans are big enough that a set of 20's with the appropriately sized tires look good. Do it but keep the sidewalls reasonable. A 255/35-20 has the same diameter as a 255/50-18 and the sidewalls are still tall enough to protect the rim AND give a reasonable ride.
These plus size rollers are still the same O.D as a stock 215/75-15, so they will fit and they will look good.
Mark

 

[Duckstar]

Thanks for the positive comment Mark. I still feel there's not much suspension talk going on!
Love your project as I've already said, if I could have gone lower I would have gone with smaller wheels but for an AWD 3" is about the maximum drop.
I need help on stiffening the front even if it's from the lifted guys, not sure I have room for coilovers and as I mentioned before I think the front timbrens would be no good on a lowered van!

 

[1lowcab]

You've got some reading to do...

Trust me, I've already been through that thread and it is awesome, can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[srdragonusa]

found a picture,

Hey Duck,
Do you have a side pic with the 20's on your van? I noticed this weekend that my friends Tahoe has 20's they seemed huge next to my 16s.

-Paul