purchased this '04 Astro AWD cargo van recently. i'm not sure what the stock configuration is for the rear suspension and whether or not the original owner stiffened it up already. here's a shot of the leaf spring...i counted 4 in there total. is there an add a leaf already?
as you can see the rear of the van is quite a bit higher than the front. obviously, i don't think any work has been done with the torsion bars.
Maybe someone will chime in who has the steel leafs, as mine has the mono leaf (fiberglass), but I didn't think a helper leaf jacked it up, just made it stiffer. What do the hangers look like? They might have put on an aftermarket one to raise it up so when it was loaded it didn't sit too far down.
I would think that a VIN check at a Dealer could tell you the configuration. It looks to me that the van has overload springs on it to help carry weight of the cargo. Is it OEM? Don't know. :shrug:
My 99' Cargo has 3 leafs. The fat bottom one looks like an add-on, from the factory ? ? ? I have seen a few cargos running around that have the rear end jacked up like that. I bet it was an option for like the utiliies companies so they could carry a little more.
My 99' Cargo has 3 leafs. The fat bottom one looks like an add-on, from the factory ? ? ? I have seen a few cargos running around that have the rear end jacked up like that. I bet it was an option for like the utiliies companies so they could carry a little more.
Look at the spacing in the upper and lower sandwich brackets for the springs. Do you see the space? Remove the smaller Portion of spring, It will just slide out. Get it back to stock or rework the top portion to have full contact with the bottom. It is a weak spot in the axle attachment points. As with anything I say... Just my two cents. Here is a pic of a properly seated sandwich so to speak...
Nice catch on the bracket, Jim. Yeah, I'd pull them out of there, unless you plan on running your van really loaded. That much rear lift has got to play hell with your handling and front end alignment, and it must ride like a rock!
so at the bottom of the stack is a thick piece of rubber. there are thin pieces inbetween the each leaf and another somewhat thicker piece on the top. so what you guys are saying is crank down the sandwich bracket so they're all tightly in contact with the axle. BTW i'll be using the add a leaf provided to me by overland here in a bit when i do the 4" lift and i'll get rid of that short one. what about creaking/squeeking noises without any rubber? will the sandwich bracket be able to squeeze down enough to make tight contact with the leafs and the axle?
yea, it's stiff, but the shocks are so beat that i'm bouncing around alot and swaying back and forth. not for long...thanks!!!!
Dang. Learn something new everyday. Now I want a 03-05 ! So they wait till the last 2 years for that and then take it away. Will the rear end out of a genIII slide under a Gen II ?
Dang. Learn something new everyday. Now I want a 03-05 ! So they wait till the last 2 years for that and then take it away. Will the rear end out of a genIII slide under a Gen II ?
Nice catch on the bracket, Jim. Yeah, I'd pull them out of there, unless you plan on running your van really loaded. That much rear lift has got to play hell with your handling and front end alignment, and it must ride like a rock!
well, you know, i like the lift and i will be installing interior cabinetry and stuff and the high top to make it a campervan. i've got Overland's 4" kit and i'm debating on whether or not to use Dan's add a leafs or keep those in there. i've just installed the 2" body lift and cranked the torsion bars and now the front is about even with the back. still have to install the shackles.
is it riding like a rock? hhhmm, since this is my first astro i have no reference. i guess i like stiff suspension!
kirk out
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