Lifted 4X4 GMC Safari van overland build off-road test
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- čas přidán 20. 04. 2021
- We took Eric's lifted and 4x4 swapped GMC safari van out to Prairie City off-road park to test out the new tires and suspension setup. Keep in mind this van was built for overlanding/adventure off-roading, not running the Rubicon. Overall Eric was happy with the extra ground clearance and articulation the new suspension setup added as well as grip that the new General Grabber ATX's provided
Suspension walkaround:
• Lifted 4x4 GMC safari ...
Tires:
generaltire.com/tires/light-t...
Lift kits:
www.journeysoffroad.com/awdas... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
THIS IS THE VIDEO THAT ASTRO/SAFARI FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!
Glad we could make it happen! Well have more in the future!
I wish these were still being made. Contractors, travelers, hunters, large families would buy these up.
Me too!, They run forever, ride and handling is so so, but they're decent looking mid size vans, MUCH better than the FWD shit mini vans!
I feel the same; I'm amazed that you only have AWD stuff...like Honda's Element, or at the other end, a Quigley conversion-type. I think there's all kind of DEMAND for a 4x4 van...without looking like a RV home on wheels.
اتمنى اعادة تصنيعها
كان عندي سفاري جي ام سي
موديل ٩٥
عملية جدا ومريحة استهلاك وقود ١٤٠ كم بالتنكة
I've always been a van man - from the 70's and early 80's mostly. But these late model Astros have always turned my head. Just something clean and simple in the lines. This one has a very nice looking footprint.
Man with a rear locker, that would be one hell of an overlanding rig!
Yeah a locker would be optimum. I've had two different LSD's in the rear and I concluded that an LSD is useless at the crawl speeds where I need it most. Thanks for watching!
@@ericschulte1853 I put a Powertrax in my 95 AWD Astro and it became a completely different vehicle in the mud and snow,,,, Totally worth the $ and occasional weird noises.
Nice to know that our 2000 Astro AWD has a cousin named Safari 4 x 4 that can kick rocks like this one!!
Kudos to you!!!
Mesmerizing. I love the dubbed in sounds of the California Red-Winged Black Birds at 7:20. Beautiful production. Bravo!
Sweet ride and video. Wish I had some place like this to wheel my van. I went with a 236 transfer case. Thx for sharing 👍🏻
Nice... I've owned 4 of these over the years and usually retire them after 450,000 kilometres. Current one, a 1999 AWD has 260,000 and still running strong
That's the post I've been waiting to see. I have the astro 04 with 306k. I was nervous about dumping $ into it for overlanding.
Great Van! Super clean! Love your off-road setup. Great video too. The gimble was money well spent!
Thanks! 👍
Those goofy yellow poles are new since the last time I was at Prairie City.
Fun stuff!
Nice run. Very clean body and color. I miss my 92 ext gmc safari, black/charcoal. Very reliable great for weekend trips. I went through 3 sets of M/S tires. Very reliable.
Great video. These things make good mountain goats. Looks like the only thing it could use to up the ante is a rear posi diff.
Nice work. It's like the van was made for this.
Seems like a capable build. He just needs practice with momentum and left foot braking to really take advantage of that LSD. Nice job!
Excellent work
I love 4x4 trucks but a 4x4 Van brings it to another level! :)
Amen!
Bad ass Safari dude
I think these vans were perfect size vans. Good for family daily driver and weekend long haul as well. Fully capable and easy in city driving as well. Now vans are big and tall, and too much sun rays in cabin. Drivers complain about sun burns many times.
Closed Caption????...NICELY DONE ✔+ 👏 👍 👌 😀
Nice van/color/ and condition, my '01 AWD Safari is rusty here in Ohio, but keeps running. Need some lockers on that baby!
Thanks! These look good in pretty much any color. Clean, high mileage 2wd vans pop up for reasonable money from time to time, if you had the space and tools you could pull off a body swap in a few weekends and be back in business with a clean AWD.
Awesome! 👏🏻
VERY impressed; been looking at it's cousin, the Chevy ASTRO for past two years; AWD is the game changer....and I'm shocked that NOBODY is making a current van model offering the same or real 4x4. Or you could buy a Dolica!
The reason is a fairly open one: mileage and emissions are a class-killer for American automakers. They skimp by on whole-line numbers. Vans are already not great and AWD ones push the average too high. Someone will do an EV AWD.
woow amazing
Great rig , need some sliders to protect the rocker panels
Mine is a 2003 2wd metallic dark red? She feels heavy and strong,,,, your 4x4 looks great 👍
Been waiting for this :)
Thanks for watching!
@@WAROFFROAD maybe you can help explain what happens differently re a stock AWD and the 4x4 upgrade that is available. I always thought that AWD was actually better than traditional 4x4 - is it just the advantage of being able to "lock" the rears (or the fronts too?)
@@jmm1000 Good question! Yes, mostly...The AWD transfer case has a built-in slippage capability in power distribution between front and rear axles, which is helpful in normal on-road driving where the surface can be slippery (great inclement-weather vans). The 4x4 transfer case, however, has no slippage provision built in, so you get constant equal power delivered to front and rear, which is helpful in more dicey off-road driving where equally gripping drive wheels is prized. AWD can be engaged full time on hard, dry surfaces, thanks to the engineered-in slippage of fore/aft power distribution, whereas the 4x4 should only be engaged on slippery/loose surfaces. BUT....the biggest advantage the 4x4 T-case has over the AWD is the 4x4's ability to shift into a "low" range (gear-reduction) for slow crawling while getting max torque to the wheels, which is something that can't be done with the AWD. This again, is purely used for dicey off-roading. Thanks for watching!
@@ericschulte1853 What a thoughtful reply! Thanks Eric! Isnt it remarkable how people have come to see what a really great design the Astro/Safari was. Such a great niche of size and strengths. And the clearance & drive upgrades are as great as on any larger platform. Sexy little beast that ought to be brought back with feedback from knwoledgable people like you and others.
Nice
Sweet
This reminds me That little game called:Hill clim racing
Fuckin love this rig mint whoever built it!! They say the freaks come out at night haha
Alot of the drivetrain parts from the blazer zr2 from that era will bolt onto that van for the most part.
The transfer case and transmission to I believe, just a thought.
nice van tho!
Hi yeah, the transfer case is from a '99 blazer. Wouldn't mind a front axle with the disconnect, maybe in the future...Thanks for watching!
Nice and clear van! What is right name of small plastick trim on fender between front wheel and door to find on ebay? Thank you.
good idea))
I love this! I wonder how “off road” I can make my safari that is 2WD
there are lift kits for 2wd drive as well. Add a rear differential locker and go find out!
@@ericschulte1853 thanks for this comment, totally forgot i was even thinking about doing this! i’ll do some research
I've been trying to find one of these AWD safaris for a while now, do the part-time t-case swap, a lift and enjoy a sweet little overland rig. Sadly, in Canada, all rusted or overpriced.
ive been looking for over a year sadly no luck saw one the other day pristine awd not selling :(
@@skyhawk470 Yep, seen a few around my town - one was handicapped accessible converted (door and roof line cut), another rusted to crap. The ones for sale are abused, or panel versions (I want windows!)
S. Fla crawlin with
Adtro.vand
Ra
I love what you've done with all your suspension mods especially upfront. But I have a serious question, at 4:07 into your vid it made a quick grind sound that our van makes so frequently and I need to know what it is? It happens so much in our van even in normal driving with little to none of a twist or bind in the suspension. Thanks so much in advance!
I think it is the engine's spinning crankshaft pulley briefly contacting the steering center link due to a combination of engine torqueing over and the steering linkage positioning at that very moment. If it only happen to you when the steering is full right or left, that's probably what you have going on. The engine mounts sag and that is the root cause of the engine/steering interference. Alternatively it may be the front driveshaft yoke momentarily contacting the transmission cross-member. Thanks for watching!
listening to the frequency of the sound, I'd bet on engine crankshaft rather than driveshaft hitting something
Sway bay My friend
I thought it sounded like the tail pipe dragging on the rocks. It happened twice
Awesome. Do you have a skid plate?
He does! Skip to 7:39 and you’ll get a detailed view of the skid plate he built
czcams.com/video/dzUPvLgZaKQ/video.html
LOVED EVERY MINUTE! SUBSCRIBED! In your opinion, best year to buy when it comes to Astro or Safari 4X4? Seriously wanting to build a van! Thanks!
I'd look for a 2003-2005 first. These are the only years with the 6-lug hubs, which are a bit beefier. Failing that, 96-2002 would be fine substitutes as they are basically the same as the 02-05 but for 5-lug hubs. I am not having any problems with strength of my 5-lug hubs, btw. These vans only come in 2wd and AWD, one must replace the AWD transfer case in order to make it a true selectable 4x4 with 2 hi and 4 low options. Thanks for watching!
@@ericschulte1853 hi are ur lift and 4x4 conversion from Journeys ? What size lift did u go with?
@@boony97 I used Journey 2" subframe spacers and re-indexed torsion keys for the front. I flipped the upper ball joints and put on longer front shocks. For the rear I used new S-10 leaf springs with stock safari shackles and stock length shocks. I estimate this set-up yielded about 5" of lift. I bought the journey 4x4 swap kit too and picked up a used transfer case at the local wrecking yard.
@@ericschulte1853 i so far have done the 3-5” journeys lift kit.
But I don’t even understand what “re-indexed torsion keys” do. 🤦🏻♂️ I was told that my leaf springs were good, no need to change out. And finally, I think by summer time, I’ll do the 4x4 swap!
Does the journeys lift kit require that “re-indexed torsion keys? Is that part of the kit process?
I’m going to look into longer shocks next.
@@boony97 the re-indexed torsion keys allow for additional lift from the torsion bars. You don't need to change the keys if you can get the desired lift by adjusting your torsion bars with the original keys in place. As for longer front shocks, they are only needed to gain the additional front suspension drop allowed by doing the upper ball-joint flip. We've got a video on this channel with a detailed walk-around of the suspension on my van, check it out.
I love that van. Does it have the g80 rear locker?
No it was a stock open 3.73 unit but I installed an aftermarket clutch-type Auburn limited slip carrier.
Im sorry im lost. Did GMC make a stock 4x4?
man those tires is bananas. how much they set you back for.
about 6 bananas!
I knew this guy was serious when he busted the gloves out
is it stock other thsn the lift kit? whats the specs?
We have a full walk around of what’s been done here! He added a posi and electric fan as well as a transfer case swap. which we don’t cover in this video. Thanks for watching!
czcams.com/video/dzUPvLgZaKQ/video.html
Just the torsion bars cranked and S-10 leaf springs? No Journeys lift kit correct?
For the front, the subframe is spaced down 2" with the Journey's lift kit. The torsion bars are also cranked up a bit. For the rear it's just the S-10 springs on stock Astro/Safari shackles and hangers.
awesome! which awning do you have and how did you mount it ?
Thanks! Its a rhino rack sun seeker #32133 8' awning. Very easy to use design even for one person. I had to make a set of small adapter brackets from 1" 90-degree angle iron and I secured those to the inside channel of the factory roof rack. I then bolted the awning mount brackets to my brackets.
It doesn't look like it has a G80 in the rear or if it does it is not working properly. My 90 Safari GT had the G80.
Good eye! No G80. Instead an Auburn limited slip differential is installed in the back. Operation is different than the G80.
UNDERRATED channel ‼️👽🆒
I couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching.
is that stock 4.3 and transmission???
It is!
Have you done the 233 transfer case conversion??
Yes. Thanks for watching!
@@ericschulte1853 I have been looking for a van got the bug 😆 LOL
👍
With those sway bar pins, is the suspension noisy?
Yes. Despite my efforts to make a tight-fitting DIY disconnect system, I still get clatter from the end links. I put up with it for a while, but have more recently just left the bars disconnected entirely, even for daily street use.
@@ericschulte1853 I thought that might be the case. How is the handling affected for regular driving? Any noticeable change?
@@dodgeplow Yes. low speed driving over speed bumps and uneven surfaces is a little softer and more forgiving. At speed, the van leans more in turns and that takes some getting used to. I grew up driving 60's cars that were not ever equipped with sway bars, so it's a familiar feeling to me. The freeway ride is good and stable, but with the lift and lack of sway bars, emergency maneuvers at high speed could be very tricky and require a bit of luck/skill to pull off successfully.
@@ericschulte1853 thank you. appreciate the time for the reply.
Looks like looks more like 3 Wheel Drive than 4-wheel-drive 🧐
do you have a g80?
No it has a torsion LSD which is basically useless for low speed off-roading. A locker is on the horizon.
did you make that sway bar?
It's the original sway bar that's been modified. I cut the bar ends off and welded on different ends to accommodate the disconnecting heim-joint end links, which were sourced from a 2000-ish corvette rear sway bar
also check out the "walk around" vid on this channel for a closer look at those modifications for more info
Cool man, thanks. I might do that some day. I am planning subframe swap when I hit 200k to move to 5.3LS and a fresh tranny and tcase, 30k miles off so a couple more years out of this one
@@ericschulte1853 Next Level.... Would you have any more specifics on that removable bolt system? And any chance of paying you for the modification of the sway bars? Basically, I want what you have :) and I don't weld... I live in Truckee
G80 in this rig?
In this vid it's got an Auburn cone-type LSD. I have since swapped in a Detroit tru-track torsen-style LSD. They both have proven fairly useless at the crawl speeds where I need them most. A proper locker would be in order.
Do you sell it?
No she's not for sale.
All ways take a little air out of your tiers.
I have one chevrolet astro van, 2002 AWD I love my van.you whant to buy my van 199,000 miles.
какого размера шины?
30x9.50-15 LT
Is that Prairie City?
It sure is!
@@WAROFFROAD it’s dope to see a van out there! I just picked up a 97 Ford E350 v10 for a camper / light off roading set up I’ll have to do some testing out there
Nice! That’ll be a cool rig for sure.
Yea it’s a great place to test your stuff before hitting the trail if you live in the Sacramento area. Better to break there than in the middle of nowhere haha!
Why gloves tho? Are your hand fragile just wondering?
Great question. It may not be obvious to some people, so you're not alone here! The undercarriage and suspension system on a vehicle like this can get quite dirty and greasy, particularly when used off road. SInce I am going to hop back into the driver's seat and touch the steering wheel, various knobs, buttons, levers and soft bits of my clean upholstery, I use the gloves to keep that undercarriage grime off my hands, so I can then remove the dirty gloves and operate my van while maintaining a clean cabin area. There are no stupid questions.Thanks for watching. Stay in school and don't do drugs!
@@ericschulte1853 hahahahahahah
They are not Mini-Vans,,,
They are Maxi-Vans!
People Want GM to Make These again? They Stopped Making Them Because They Lasted To Long With Little Repair, Durable & Dependable and There's No Money In That! If They Made It Again, It Would Have LED Lights and Cameras But The Quality Would Be Re-Engineered To Fail! The Original Vans Had Junk Lines Made To Rust Out In 100K Miles and Zero Undercoating So The Van Would Rot Out. If They Make It Again It Will All Have a Best If Sold By Date. Everything These Days Is Trash! I have Owned 5 Of These Vans, All Went between 400k-500K Before Rust Made Me Sell Them! I'm In The Salt Belt Of New England!
I Now Have a 1995 LT AWD With 50K Miles That I Bought With 38K In Showroom Mint Condition Other Than The A/C Leaked.
I Wouldn't Think Of Changing Anything That Didn't Need To Be Changed! LEAVE IT ALONE! Change The Oil and Use Tuff-Oil! It's A Van Made For Roads! Lift Kits Rip The CV Boots So More Problems! Everything Engineered On This Van Was For Driving ON ROADS in the Snow! Making It an Off Road Rock Crawler Will End It's Life Very Fast. The Engine Will Last Forever and Uses No Oil If You Take Care Of It But The Mechanics Of This Was Not Engineered To Climb Rocks! If You Want To Make It Last UNDERCOAT IT! Change All The Lines To Stainless and Stainless Exhaust! The Rear End Diff Will Get a Wherr In Many Of These Vans So Fill It With Tuff-Oil 100% Before It Gets Warn.
Thanks for the comment! be sure to like and subscribe!
Garbage truck)
Awesome insight! thanks for the comment!
What would happen if you left the sway bars connected?