Thread: Bad Ast Astro Van Build

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Well, I have gotten a few things done on the computer the past week or so. I had to rebuild my big computer at and lost a lot of data in the process. I think it was a good thing though as I found a few more mistakes on my part...
After a big hiccup with geometry points earlier this year I have finally gotten the data where it needs to be. After plotting all of my spindle points from the actual parts I found my first design wasn't as far off as I had thought. It was off but only by 1/4" or so and not the 2" I had previously thought. I spent the last couple of days verifying my points are correct and redesigning the upper and lower control arms.
Here are a few pics of my 3D Data.
http://images19.fotki.com/v26/photos...rtsusp2-vi.jpg
http://images16.fotki.com/v31/photos...rtsusp3-vi.jpg
http://images19.fotki.com/v353/photo...rtsusp4-vi.jpg
Everything looks good right now. I need to rebuild the motion file to check clearances but this suspension isn't far off from the original so I'm not real concerned...
I also need to rebuild the front cradle and rear frame but those are pretty straight forward now that the front is complete.
Thanks for looking,
Mark

I've been following your gallery and your build, really nice workmanship. Your shop is sure a lot more organized than mine.

Don

Thanks Don, the kudos are appreciated. As far as the shop goes, getting it cleaned, painted and organized was an all winter project this past year... Before that there was only a path through the heated side... I love my shop now and it is really nice to go out there to work...

I have gotten a lot of 3D work done in the past week. Getting the front suspension done was top priority and, with the completion of that, I moved on to the front cradle and rear frame designs. I finished those up (to a point) last night so I snapped some pics...
This is the front cradle as it sits right now.
http://images19.fotki.com/v27/photos...sm_0001-vi.jpg
http://images17.fotki.com/v28/photos...sm_0003-vi.jpg
I plan to add some triangulation between the upper and lower rails but haven't decided how to do it yet.

This is an overall shot with the left front suspension in place.
http://images16.fotki.com/v31/photos...sm_0002-vi.jpg
And a close up of the cradle/suspension assembly...
http://images16.fotki.com/v29/photos...sm_0003-vi.jpg

I am hoping my back eases up a bit so I can get back out into the shop this weekend...
Thanks for looking
Mark

Can you believe it's been over 5 years since I started working on this van? Lots has happened from then till now. Layoffs, new jobs, massive O.T. and life I guess...
If there is any interest I can post up some of the build pics... I finally got this van off the computer and onto the jig tables. Starting the work in ernest on Memorial day weekend we have the chassis and front suspension 90% complete and the van is a gutted hulk sitting on the hoist waiting for the chassis to be stuffed into it.
Here are a few pics as she sits right now.
http://images50.fotki.com/v1526/phot...MVC021F-vi.jpg

http://images15.fotki.com/v235/photo...MVC010F-vi.jpg

http://images110.fotki.com/v109/phot...MVC011F-vi.jpg\

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photo...MVC019F-vi.jpg

Thanks for looking at all of my stuff.
Mark

This is one of the lower front shock mounts ready to be tacked to the arm
http://images12.fotki.com/v616/photo...MVC008F-vi.jpg
Mocked up and ready to tack. You can see the rear tab which wasn't as big because it didn't stretch out to the LBJ cup.
http://images56.fotki.com/v168/photo...MVC004F-vi.jpg
The uper towers took a bit of set-up to be comfortable with the location and alignment to the lower mounts.
http://images15.fotki.com/v230/photo...jpg?1311548170
After tacking. EVI will get the job of finish welding these dudes. I know my limitations...
http://images52.fotki.com/v729/photo...jpg?1311548305
I mocked up the shock (no spring) and control arms for thr RH side. What do you think?
http://images56.fotki.com/v168/photo...jpg?1311548456
The lower arm brkts are not in place here but they were next on the list.
http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photo...jpg?1311548538
The outer brackets are shown in place. The two inners , seen to the right in the pic, needed to be fit to the center angled tube. I'll get better pics if anyone is interested.
http://images9.fotki.com/v114/photos...MVC005F-vi.jpg
Body mounts prior to cutting the mount hole
http://images115.fotki.com/v607/phot...MVC018F-vi.jpg
Thanks for looking
Mark

Here are some teaser shots of the van at approximate ride hgt. The front is too high as the van is level on the hoist and the actual stanch will have a bit of rake built into it.
http://images115.fotki.com/v607/phot...MVC005F-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photo...MVC006F-vi.jpg
http://images115.fotki.com/v607/phot...MVC004F-vi.jpg
What do you think? Look okay?
Mark

looks good. ever get your engine built ?

Hi Pat,
Man, I'm sorry I never got back to you. Right after I started talking to you I got a line on a motor from a co-worker. It took about a month of talking and researching but I ended up buying a complete BBC, which was exactly what I wanted, for a KICKAST deal. Included EVERYTHING but the intake manifold and flexplate... I just couldn't turn my back on it.
I should have gotten back to you but you know how time flys... Once I had the engine in my shop I just couldn't let the project lanquish any longer. A buddy got me committed to getting it started and we've been hitting it hard ever since.
I do need a rear end narrowed. Do you do that kind of work? Nine inch ford out of a '75 pick up.
Thanks Pat

i still have setup to narrow the ford 9.

What kind of cost? Can you work up a price for a package deal? Detroit TrueTrac, 3.90 gears and axles? Thanks
Mark

On my Astro build I found a shop the will build a Ford 9" exactly to the one of a kind Astro offset and copy the mounting.It is a alloy axle with a nodular center where you add your gears and posi with any bolt pattern you want.The shop's name is Spraker Racing in Schenectady,NY.Oh you have a choice of a 28 or 31 spline.Just got to provide them with a copy of stock Astro rear end.PM me if you want their phone number.I do think the price was in the range of $1,200 bucks which is a pretty good deal.

Originally Posted by 1gary

On my Astro build I found a shop the will build a Ford 9" exactly to the one of a kind Astro offset and copy the mounting.It is a alloy axle with a nodular center where you add your gears and posi with any bolt pattern you want.The shop's name is Spraker Racing in Schenectady,NY.Oh you have a choice of a 28 or 31 spline.Just got to provide them with a copy of stock Astro rear end.PM me if you want their phone number.I do think the price was in the range of $1,200 bucks which is a pretty good deal.

Stock Astro doesn't apply. I have centered the engine in the chassis and moved the springs inboard about 10 inches per side. Also, I am looking for a local shop to do the work so I don't have to spend a couple hundred or more on shipping...

If you look at a Currie or Mosier,I do think you would spend more for them.In fact spend more with almost anyone else.Might worth a call just to shop it.These guys have been in the business in circle track deals for a long,long,time.Real quality product done right at a decent price.

BTW-have you done a search for Astro sites??.A good one is Astrosafrivans.

well i see guys like to talk you right out of talking to me ? to cut a ford housing down is $120 . and $20 to hot tank the housing out

You got two??.How about the axles??.Flange any one you want??.