I’ve been lurking on here for a while and finally after years of searching I found my van. My dad always had vans, cars and 4x4’s and boats. My fondest memories were in the vans so it was inevitable that I would have one. I also have a bagged 59 chevy that I built and have owned for 10 years.
Originally I was on the hunt for an adventure van. 4x4, ready to camp, etc… The price tag on those 4x4 conversions really deterred me.
After searching and searching I swooped up a 91 maxi family wagon from az. So far my family loves it! my wife, two boys and I camped in it this past weekend at a relay for life marathon and had a blast!
Things I want to address is the 1. sagging rear end- Air shocks, progressive shocks or add a leafs? (I would like to tow) 2. Wheels – I def want to run 15x10’s in the rear. Can I run 15x10’s up front with a small tire? I do have flares on the van already. 3. Rear end - hums a little and is “wetâ€. Where do I start? 4. AC - doesn't work. Not sure if i want to open that can of worms... 5. Duals - side exit in front of rear wheels...
I’m going to add simple vinyl graphics and of course a bitchin stereo!
Any advice yall could give me would be greatly appreciated!
Also, I have a set of 15x9 progressives and a pair of n.o.s 15x7 Western turbines if anyone is interested locally. I’ll hook you up!
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Noisy axle...realizing that you are riding in a hollow box that extends over the axle, if you think it's excessive, I'd start with checking the fluid. If it;s been leaking, it may be low (best case). Or you could open it up to change it, and see what you find in the fluid.
Sagging rear...I'd add a leaf at a minimum, replace the whole stack at best. If they are already weak, they will not get better with age. And the mounting points on the body for the rear shocks were not designed to carry the weight of the vehicle, which is what air shocks will make them do.
Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro Black Magic: 1985 Dodge B-250 Serenity:1985 Chevy G-20 The Outcast:1983 Ford club wagon Luna 1974 VW bay window transporter Freedom:1990 Ford E-150(parts van) Outcast Vanners van club Support your local 2%
15's are going to be tight on your calipers & the 10" width With the right offset ..... I have 12" on my 4x. its all about the offset on the rim.
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Welcome Fuzznut, and Family! Glad you've joined us with that Excellent find of a Super nice Maxi!
I concur with Dave on the rearend, Also if it's wet at the ends of the axle tubes, at the brake backing plate, that indicates an axle seal leak.
Also rear springs. Saggy is not safe.. I also added Firestone air bags to the rear of my B350. Night and day difference. Plumbed separately, they firm up lean in turns very well. Stiiffest Bilstien shocks I could find all around as well. Plus, it had Hellwig 2500# helper springs from Xplorer.
Better too much, than not enough!
But.15 by 10's in the front is pretty ambitious. LOL! I do know that 8's will work stock on a B250, but you can't run very much tire. I would wonder how much lift you could get? 1 ton would be better... I just read a post on here that said air suspension all around. Rebuild with new coils and stuff a bag in there?
Your Maxi would make an Awesome 4X4. Hmmmmm
Never. Ever. Should I have sold that '59 Impala...