4" OLV lift

[rburnette3]

Recently purchased a 95 AWD Safari, and looking to build a camper. I have done some research prior to the purchase and found this forum. I have reached out to OLV regarding a lift kit but havent had any luck making contact. From reading other posts, looks as though im not alone. Looking for some guidance from some seasoned vets as to how to approach the lift.

Thanks in advance

rburnette3

[Lumpy]

Hi rb -

Consider spending a couple of days reading the threads in this lifted section. Dozens of people have lifted 2-4 inches, several have lifted more. There are several ways to do it. There is more than one source for the parts needed. None of it seems to require any particularly unusual or exotic tools. It never seems to be any kind of "simple bolt-on" job. And EACH van, each lift seems to be a little different. A lot depends on the lifter's experience with and attitude toward working on vans, the workspace availbable, the time available, and perhaps most importantly the ability to remain calm and approach things with a learning attitude. Essentially everyone runs into some glitches. To some, that's a catastrophe. To others, it's an opportunity to buy a new tool and replace something that was near failure in their van.

Essentially -
2" Lift = Front body pucks (look for the low cost alternative to OLV)
Rear leaf shackles (Also look for the alternative for the exact same part)

4" Lift = The 2" lift above, PLUS 2 inches more front and rear. That's where things start to become different from van to van. In front, yours have tortion bars. Read up on the various ways to adjust and/or modify tortion bars. There is more than one style T bar. Each one has it's assets and liabilities. For the rear, blocks, add-a-leafs, air shocks, xtra leafs, new replacement leafs et al. And each one of those has it's own multi option set of possibilities. For example, once you add leaves or change springs, the many options for leaf spring plates and U bolts reveals itself. New, longer shocks may or may not come into play. Moved shock mounts. Longer steering shaft. Relocated front bumper. Relocated parking brake bracket. Trimmed fan housing or replace with electric fan. Ball joint spacers. New, taller tires. Trimmed fender wells. Relocated/lengthened brake lines.

TONS of people have started with the OLV 2" lift. It used to be a lot less expensive. It was, and may still be, a good place to start, especially for people who aren't overly confident rebuilding their suspension. Once you do the 2" lift, you'll want more. And once you do the 2, you'll have experience seeing how AstroFaris are suspended under that box.

Read the threads on all the lifts, even the very large lifts like $uperjoe's monster. There are lots of good pics. Lots of people have already run into the little problems that come up. Lots of people have discovered workarounds, tools, jigs, thought processes that will make the job simpler.

Take pics! Show us your project!


Lump

[Jasen]

I was poking around the interweb recently gathering parts intell for my eventual 2" lift, discovered Amazon sells body pucks for cheap cheap cheap, also found that McMaster-Carr sells grade 9 bolts a lot cheaper then grade 8

[rburnette3]

Thanks guys, I have been looking around at what others have been doing and have done in the past, this forum is a great source of info. I have quite a bit of Jeep knowledge but this is my first van. Looking forward to this one though it is going to be a fun experience, luckily I am in the auto biz and have a shop, tools and master techs to help with the build. Thanks for the help and stay tuned for more Pics to follow.

rb3

Ps, if you have checked out the pics, I will be doing something about the really "awesome" painted graphics down the sides...

[limon]

Hey rburnette3,

I'm late to the party, but, if you're going over 2" with sourced parts; see if you can get the re-indexed torsion keys from OLV.

I bought the whole 4"+ kit from OLV last year and am very pleased with the ride (pretty much like stock). In contrast, I used some keys from another manufacturer on my GMC 4X4 PU, and the ride was so harsh (if I ran over a dime, I could tell you if it was heads or tales), I ended out putting the stock keys back about a year later.

Good Luck

[ssbf1]

There are many options but I went with OLV and glad I did. The first set of torsion keys were cut wrong and needed to return for another set, but other then that it is a rather smooth conversion. OLV AWD 4"+ with Bridgestone 30 x 9.5 x 15 tires on stock Chevy rally rims.

[ProStreet_LS1]

ssbf1: I really like your Astro. I may never have a lifted Astro, ( my pro street V8 Astro takes most of my extra money), but I like how yours looks.

[Lumpy]

Looks good! And I like the rims. Not ghetto twirling, stiletto bladed, skull and crossbones with triple chrome plating.

How's your rear driveline? Any new rumbles/rattles now that the rear axle is lower in relation to the output shaft?

How about rear wheels front to back spacing in the wheel well? Looks like it came forward a tiny bit, which is expectable. Some people turn the leaves around to shift the wheel back a bit. I experimented with both, left it normal, not reversed.


Lump

[Mr_Bowtie]

Looks awesome! Those rims look perfect on there too, nice choice!

[ssbf1]

Drive train is great, angle seems fine, no noise, handles as well or better then original. When I first put the 4+ leaf springs in and had not done the two inch body lift or torsion keys it was making noise and clearly not happy. Once leveled out and full kit installed it's been better then I had imagined. The wheels came from a Suburban, needed some sanding and cleaning, but really gave a OEM look I am really pleased with.

Not much difference in rear wheel placement.

Used OLV bumper relocation kit, cut front bumper down for greater clearance and painted both grill and bumper cover flat black.

[ssbf1]

Working on another AWD Astro, this time an 04. Still lots to do but making progress.

[ssbf1]

Cut some more out of the fender wells and got the flairs back on. Slowly but surly.

[woods94safari]

Im new to this site so bear with me. I have a 94 Safari Lifted about 3-4in, 2in sub-frame spacer+torsion keys in front and shackles in rear from OLV. My rear is sagging, i have recently added OLV shackles. It has steel springs that are roughly 5 years old(done by local spring shop). I am debating weather I should get them re arched + add a leaf or go with the OLV +4" HD Spring Pack and I can fabricate the front mounts. Any help would be great, Thanks.