[ryan13]

Hey all, I have a question about the basic lift for the Astro's. I used to have a few trucks that we did body/block lifts just to clear some bigger tires. I know that you can either extend the rear shackles a few inches or do a block under the rear leafs or do a add-a-leaf. SO the rear is covered...but what do you guys do with the front? I know that we used to just use hockey pucks inbetween the body mounts :lol: , but is something like this possible? I looked at the overlandvans spacer lift but what exactly is that lifting in the front?? is it just the front body mounts?? Any instruction or direction would be awesome and appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[$uperJoe]

you could put body spacers in. if its awd turn the torsion tension. if its rwd then ad a spring block similar to what jeeps have

 

[ryan13]

its AWD. I had an S-10 and thats what everyone said to do...turn the torsion...but I honestly have no idea how to do that. I will have to do some research on that. So if I crank the torsion in the front and throw a block in the rear I should get something a little noticible?

 

[ryan13]

okay, torsion bars I think I can figure out...if I want to do a small body lift, do you do the whole body/all body mounts? or just the fronts?

 

[unrreal]

you do all the body mounts which is only six of them.

 

[$uperJoe]

i am doing a 4 inch. i will have pics soon in my build thread. maybe a couple of days. how much of a hurry are you in

 

[ryan13]

i am doing a 4 inch. i will have pics soon in my build thread. maybe a couple of days. how much of a hurry are you in

I'm not in too much of a hurry, I can wait to see how your build comes out first...i think haha. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

If you do a body lift on front of a AWD then you will want to hit the boneyard up for a 2WD steering linkage as they are 2" longer(thats why overlands AWD kit more then the 2WD kit). Then of course cut the fan shroud.

I got some questions too........ :lol: Here goes:
You guys crank on the torsion bars your going to need an alignment correct?

Anybody know if the fullsize Chevy body blocks will work? I found some online cheap for like $5 a piece, but now I can't find the website.

I was thinking for a budget lift I would use 2" blocks up front, turn the torsion bars up a little(do you need keys for this?), steering linkage from 2WD, some used steel springs off a new Astro with shackles and blocks. Still going to cost about $300 for around 3-4" of lift? All I want to do is fit some 30" tires under it.

 

[ryan13]

If you do a body lift on front of a AWD then you will want to hit the boneyard up for a 2WD steering linkage as they are 2" longer(thats why overlands AWD kit more then the 2WD kit). Then of course cut the fan shroud.

I got some questions too........ :lol: Here goes:
You guys crank on the torsion bars your going to need an alignment correct?

Anybody know if the fullsize Chevy body blocks will work? I found some online cheap for like $5 a piece, but now I can't find the website.

I was thinking for a budget lift I would use 2" blocks up front, turn the torsion bars up a little(do you need keys for this?), steering linkage from 2WD, some used steel springs off a new Astro with shackles and blocks. Still going to cost about $300 for around 3-4" of lift? All I want to do is fit some 30" tires under it.

X2. That is roughly the road that I want to take. I'm lookig to get the most lift by piecing parts together and staying at or around the overland's price. Looks like a trip to the boneyard is due.

 

[rotor]

I got my body lift blocks from http://zoneoffroad.com/product-acc?ki=91&gr= they have free shipping

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Did you use the 3"X3" blocks you linked us to? If so, did you have to do anything extra besides the steering and fan shroud, since you went 3" high instead of 2"? What did you use for the rear? I see that site sells leaf spring blocks too. :think:

OK, so I've been adding up the differences and I think the best way to go for a budget 2" lift is to buy the 2" lift for a 2WD from Overlands for $160(body blocks & shackles). Then get a steering linkage from a 2WD at the junkyard. That should keep it under $200 for a 2" lift on my AWD Van. Thats the cheapest I can come up with. After that I could always get torsion keys and lift blocks for the rear if I want to go higher. :shrug:

 

[rotor]

I went with the 2" tall X 3" wide, was like $18 to my door. You could also use the 2 inner leafs from a S-10 blazer leaf pack to replace the 2 inner leafs in your stock pack. The S-10 blazer's have more arch in them and will give you about 1 1/2" - 2" lift. They are also a lot cheaper then an add a leaf or overland's shackles. S-10 shackles will NOT work for an astro as I found out. :screaming: You could also use lift blocks in the rear.

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

I almost bought S10 shackles for the rear a couple of months ago, but found out they wouldn't work. Too bad cause they are cheap online.
Do lift blocks for the S10 work with our rear leaf springs? Should if the leaf pack will work.

What did you use for you steering shaft? Or do the newer Van not need a longer steering shaft?

SO MANY CHOICES OF HOW TO LIFT YOUR VAN ITS DRIVING ME NUTS! :banghead:

 

[rotor]

I also went with 225-75r16's from TreadWright if your trying to go on the cheap. I just could not find a good set of used A/T's. They make a good tire if you don't mind running retreads.

 

[ryan13]

Wow there are really a ton of choices. I think I will be ordering those body lift blocks from that site that rotar posted. I didn't check out the rear leaf blocks but if some of you do not know, they have Lift blocks and Lift shackles at most Autozone/Pepboys or any other auto store. The lift shackels are about $25 for the set and the blocks are $20 for a 2" and $30 for a 3".

So with all these options, it seems like a 3-4" bidget lift can be had for around 200-300 (not includind new rubber) if you do your shopping smart!

Thanks everyone that posted up. Keep the ideas coming!

 

[91astroluv]

SO MANY CHOICES OF HOW TO LIFT YOUR VAN ITS DRIVING ME NUTS! :banghead:

If you keep bangin your head like that your gonna drive your doc nuts too!

<Trip throws Mr. Bowtie a helmet and asprin>

 

[91astroluv]

Umm could you relocate the rear shock brackets on the rear and install air shocks thus
Allowing you to choose the hight in the rear at will?

air shocks or bags in the front too?

anyone seen a ride control system from say a licoln or caddy installed in one of these bad boys?
hmmmmmm?

 

[rotor]

If you search google for T.Low, you should find one. he lifted his van 4", has Rancho 9000 shocks relocated the shock mount and has the ride control. Really nice van!

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Wow there are really a ton of choices. I think I will be ordering those body lift blocks from that site that rotar posted. I didn't check out the rear leaf blocks but if some of you do not know, they have Lift blocks and Lift shackles at most Autozone/Pepboys or any other auto store. The lift shackels are about $25 for the set and the blocks are $20 for a 2" and $30 for a 3".

So with all these options, it seems like a 3-4" bidget lift can be had for around 200-300 (not includind new rubber) if you do your shopping smart!

Thanks everyone that posted up. Keep the ideas coming!

But, can you use any rear lift blocks? :banghead: :lol:

 

[ryan13]

Wow there are really a ton of choices. I think I will be ordering those body lift blocks from that site that rotar posted. I didn't check out the rear leaf blocks but if some of you do not know, they have Lift blocks and Lift shackles at most Autozone/Pepboys or any other auto store. The lift shackels are about $25 for the set and the blocks are $20 for a 2" and $30 for a 3".

So with all these options, it seems like a 3-4" bidget lift can be had for around 200-300 (not includind new rubber) if you do your shopping smart!

Thanks everyone that posted up. Keep the ideas coming!

But, can you use any rear lift blocks? :banghead: :lol:

Yeah I would assume so as long as the blocks were the same width as the leafs. When I had trucks before hand the generic ones worked fine. The only really slight issue would be the pitch...but Overland sells the shims if there ends up being an issue with the pinion angle.