This is the little van that started it all. It was the first substancially lifted IFS Astro/Safari we know of. This van became the test platform for OVERLAND's AWD suspensions. For more information on this van see our "Test Van" section.
Engine.........L35 4.3 V6 with custom air box, K&N Filter, 3" Flowmaster
Tranny..........4L60 with B&M shift kit
T-case......... BorgWarner 4472
Axles...........F Stock IFS 3.73:1 open/ R Stock 10 bolt with 3.73:1 G80
This section is dedicated to you and your vans. By clicking on the pictures or owners names more information can be found. If you would like to submit your picture and information we would love to add it to the site. CONTACT US
GMC Safari Z71?
Jeff took one look at a lifted AWD and he knew that it would be the perfect vehicle for his hunting and fishing needs. A few months later he was driving his own lifted "Sport Utility Van".
Engine.........L35 4.3 V6 with K&N Filter, 3" FlowTech
Tranny..........4L60
T-case......... BorgWarner 4472
Axles...........F Stock IFS 3.73:1 open/ R Stock 10 bolt with 3.73:1
Good ideas catch on fast
Bill likes to take to the desert on his time off. He finds his lifted Astro is just the ticket to get him and his gear there and back. Thanks for all the nice pictures and keep them coming.
Jesse likes to take his Astro to the limit. A fan of desert racing, rock crawling and street racing he makes sure his van is never mistaken as just a grocery getter. Click here to visit his web site.
Axles...........GM 10 bolt with 4.10:1 and G80 posi
Astrovanoffroader's 2 Wheel Drive
Mike say's he loves the way people stare at his lifted and custom styled Safari. Mike actually hand cut the pattern in the side stripes. Nice looking van Mike!
Owner.........Mike Carrerra / Maple Shade, NJ
Model..........1996 Safari AWD
Lift F/R........OVERLAND 5" front and rear
Wheels........15x8 Prime
Tires............30x9.50 BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA
Engine.........4.3 V6 Vortec
Tranny..........4L60E
T-case......... BorgWarner 4472
Axles...........GM IFS/10 bolt
New Jersey Custom
MK was tired of having a run of the mill "minivan". The lift and oversize tires took care of that problem. "It is way cool to pull up next to some snotty nose kid in his lifted toyota and I'm looking down at him from the 'stro !! I'm lovin this."
Owner.........Mike Keller / Cannon Beach, OR
Model..........1992 Astro AWD
Lift F/R........OVERLAND 4" front and rear
Wheels........15x7
Tires............255/70R15 All-Terrain
Engine.........4.3 V6
Tranny..........4L60
T-case......... BorgWarner 4472
Axles...........GM IFS/10 bolt 3.73:1
Oregon
David is not one to leave well enough alone either. As a winter project he not only lifted and outfitted his van with new wheels and tires but also threw a brand new 350 V8 in it.
Owner.........David Ochsner / Stevensville, MT
Model..........1990 Astro AWD
Lift F/R........OVERLAND 5" front and rear
Wheels........15x8 CenterLine Hell Cat
Tires............31x10.50 Wildcat All-Terrain
Engine.........SBC 350 V8
Tranny..........4L60
T-case......... BorgWarner 4472
Axles...........GM IFS/10 bolt
Mountain State Rig
Always loaded with tools and materials this van use to look like a low rider. Now with the lift and larger tires it stands tall even when loaded. It often hauls loads well over 1 ton.
Owner.........Men@Work / Whitehall, MI
Model..........1994 Astro 2wd
Lift F/R........OVERLAND 5" front and 6" rear with added leaf
Wheels........15x7 AR Outlaws
Tires............30x9.50 Grabber All-Terrain
Engine.........4.3 V6 TBI with K&N and 3" exhaust
Tranny..........4L60
T-case..........N/A
Axles...........10 bolt 3.42:1
Real Work Van
Picture Coming Soon
Nick named the "Flex Monster" this long travel beast is a celebrity. In 1999 it compeated in the FourWheeler Top Truck Competition. It was one of 10 chosen from around 300 rigs. Definately not just a "soccer mom" mini van. Nice job Bill.
Lift F/R.........Totally Custom 4 link coil front semi eliptical rear
Wheels........15x12 Bead Lock
Tires............39.5" Boggers
Engine.........468 CI V8
Tranny..........TH350
T-case......... TwinStick NP205
Axles...........F:Dana 60 with TrueTrack R: 14 bolt with Detroit Locker
Top Truck Contender
Steve Regula's blue cargo is definately not a stocker. As soon as he gives us more detail on this rig we will post them here.
Owner.........Steve Regula / Utah
Model..........Astro 4x4 Conversion
Lift F/R.........
Wheels........
Tires............Swampers
Engine.........
Tranny..........
T-case.........
Axles...........
Moab Rock Crawler
Send Us Yours
Here you see the first step of a multistage project. Stage one was the lift, euro lights and some extra tires that were laying around. Stage 2 will be some 16" rims with big off road tires. Stage 3 will see lockers and 4.10:1 gears. Touch picture to see the differance.
Owner.........OVERLAND vans / Twin Lake, MI
Model..........1993 Astro AWD Shorty
Lift F/R.........OVERLAND 5" F/R
Wheels........Stock Steel Rally (soon to change)
Tires............235/75R15 Trailhandlers (soon to change)
Engine.........stock 4.3 HO with K&N
Tranny..........4L60
T-case..........BorgWarner 4472
Axles...........Stock 3.42:1 open
Project Shorty
Al is kind of a private guy, in fact, he didn't want to tell us his last name or what state he was from. But if you ever meet up with him he will be more than happy to tell you about all the work he put into this beast. Just don't line up with him at a stoplight.
Owner.........Al (No last name) / Northeast USA
Model..........1987 Astro AWD
Lift F/R.........ownerbuilt custom 10" (8" body & blocks)
Wheels.........unknown
Tires............33x12.50 Mud terrains
Engine.........1988 350 V8 TBI with 194 heads, Torker intake,
Tranny..........TH350 with 2500 RPM stall TC
T-case......... NA
Axles...........GM G-10 Van rear axle
Northeast 2WD Terror
After lowering his van to the ground Brian decided bigger was better and went from one extreme to the other. Brian's ongoing project will soon be converted to a SFA 4x4.
Owner.........Brian Tardie / Georgia
Model..........Astro 2wd
Lift F/R.........5"
Wheels........16 x 8 Eagle Alloys
Tires............265/75 R16 Cooper Discover
Engine.........
Tranny..........
T-case.........
Axles...........
Georgia Bowtie
Owner.........Arnold Ellender / Texas
Model..........1990 Astro 2wd
Lift F/R......... 4" but going up to 9" (OVERLAND)
Wheels........
Tires............
Engine.........
Tranny..........
T-case.........
Axles...........
Bigger in Texas
Soon to have... 33x13.50x15, 9 inch body and suspension lift kit, 5.7L V8 (380 HP) aiuminum heads, Edelbrock F.I, 4:11 posi, and more. As Arnold puts it, "I'm just building one mean astro".
Owner.........Wes Wong / Hawaii
Model..........1998 Astro AWD
Lift F/R......... 5" OVERLAND lift
Wheels........
Tires............
Engine.........
Tranny..........
T-case.........
Axles...........
Hawaii
Wes uses his lifted van to take him and his furry K9 friend to remote areas of Hawaii for fishing and relaxation and he has outfitted it appropriately for his lifestyle.
Owner.........Dean Harper / NY
Model..........1998 Astro AWD
Lift F/R......... 5" OVERLAND lift
Wheels........
Tires............ 30x9.50 Cooper Discoverer ATs
Engine......... 4.3 Vortex with K&N, duel elec. fans
Tranny..........4L60 with B&M shift kit, Hayden cooler
T-case......... OEM
Axles...........3.42 (4.10s in future)
New Yorker Snow Plow
Dean is the first to tell us he uses his van to plow with. In the winter he oufits it with a Snowbear plow. He says it sure beats shoveling. Nice looking van Dean.
Owner......... Bob Childs / NJ
Model.......... 1995 Astro AWD
Lift F/R......... 5" OVERLAND lift
Wheels........ 15x8
Tires............ 31x10.50 Timberline AT
Engine......... 4.3 V6
Tranny.......... 4L60
T-case......... OEM
Axles........... OEM
Coast to Coast Fishing Rig
Bob brought his van to us and had it outfitted with a 5" lift before he traveled all over the country on a fly-fishing expedition. Inside he has a custom made bed, overhead pole holders and even a refrigerator. Glad we could share in making your trip a success.
