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Project Astrolade
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:16 pm
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Project Astrolade
Wow Martin-just like it was made by GM.Looking good,hoping to see you soon.
Gary
Gary
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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- Retired
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: Project Astrolade
Nice step by step pictures, here`s some of mine.
I preferred the look of my Cadditails to sit higher up, so I had lots of extra cutting to do because there is some major reinforcing behind those top door hinges.
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails4.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails5.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails6.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails7.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails8.jpg)
I preferred the look of my Cadditails to sit higher up, so I had lots of extra cutting to do because there is some major reinforcing behind those top door hinges.
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails4.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails5.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails6.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails7.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/SoCalliV8/cadditails8.jpg)
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
Re: Project Astrolade
Yeah, I found that major reinforcement. I had to deal with it a little bit, but your right, setting them lower was easier. Plus I didn't want to deal with that body line, so I stuck it in between. I like how deep yours are, I was only able to set the buckets so deep cause of the structural stuff in there.SoCalli V8 wrote:Nice step by step pictures, here`s some of mine.
I preferred the look of my Cadditails to sit higher up, so I had lots of extra cutting to do because there is some major reinforcing behind those top door hinges.
Martin
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/new-sig.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/new-sig.jpg)
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- Retired
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: Project Astrolade
No lie, it takes about an extra 4 hours to cut-out that extra reinforcement (using professional airtools) to beable to sink the lights deeper into the body. A Plasma cutter would certainly help, but I ain`t got that kinda ca$h......
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
Re: Project Astrolade
I had a plasma cutter when I body dropped my Sonoma, I wish it was still around. They make it much quicker.SoCalli V8 wrote:No lie, it takes about an extra 4 hours to cut-out that extra reinforcement (using professional airtools) to beable to sink the lights deeper into the body. A Plasma cutter would certainly help, but I ain`t got that kinda ca$h......
Martin
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/new-sig.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/new-sig.jpg)
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2009
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:24 am
- Location: Evergreen, Al. 96 mile marker, where life is slow and there are no rules.
Re: Project Astrolade
For future reference to those who do this mod. After clearing out some of the obsticles, you can use a 3 in. hole saw, works pretty well for the areas that need to be deeper for plug clearence.
89 Astro, 350 V-8, Shaved doors, Filled Slider, Corvette IRS, 94 Mustang GT Rack & Pinion(Thanks to Skip), Cad Tail lights from SoCalliV8 ( RIP) Miss you my friend.
VIDEO
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VIDEO
![Image](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/astrohotrod/ASTRO%20UPDATES%202005/th_033.jpg)
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
![smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Image](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/miniStates_both/language/www/US/AL/Evergreen.gif)
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:01 pm
- Location: Vienna, VA
- Contact:
Re: Project Astrolade
Looking good, can't wait to see future progress. Is he getting a bodykit (sideskirts and rear bumper) on there, or at least a smooth roll pan? I assume some lowering and wheels will be in order. Looks good so far. And that's what happened to my mustang, bought it off a guy from work who wanted a bmw convertible, sold it to me for $1000, after I was done with it, he said never to bring it by his house his wife would kill him. ![yell :yellin:](./images/smilies/smile_yell.gif)
![yell :yellin:](./images/smilies/smile_yell.gif)
![Image](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kQeODxqIYmU/UP00BZdrURI/AAAAAAAACIg/OdfFnGduNSE/s707/astrobanner2.jpg)
1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
Re: Project Astrolade
Got the tail lights and back door done. Time to start the front end swap. I mounted the chrome trim piece that goes on the hood. I also fabricated up some brackets to hold the grill on. I wanted to make them as stock looking as possible, and function well. idk about stock looking but, they do work good.
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0846.jpg)
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![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0845.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0844.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0858.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0857.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0856.jpg)
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![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0850.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0849.jpg)
Martin
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/new-sig.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/new-sig.jpg)
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- Retired
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: Project Astrolade
That little bracket looks pretty slick.
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Project Astrolade
Seems to be coming together nicely.I was very suprized how well the Caddy grill fit the Astro.Cool looking brackets.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
-
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2009
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:24 am
- Location: Evergreen, Al. 96 mile marker, where life is slow and there are no rules.
Re: Project Astrolade
Like the little bracket,,very clean.
89 Astro, 350 V-8, Shaved doors, Filled Slider, Corvette IRS, 94 Mustang GT Rack & Pinion(Thanks to Skip), Cad Tail lights from SoCalliV8 ( RIP) Miss you my friend.
VIDEO
![Image](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/astrohotrod/ASTRO%20UPDATES%202005/th_033.jpg)
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one![smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Image](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/miniStates_both/language/www/US/AL/Evergreen.gif)
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
VIDEO
![Image](http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/astrohotrod/ASTRO%20UPDATES%202005/th_033.jpg)
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
![smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Image](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/miniStates_both/language/www/US/AL/Evergreen.gif)
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
Re: Project Astrolade
thanks for posting the progress... great work .. too bad you weren't around here. i'd love to have that front end on my 99. i know lots of paint/body guys but nobody that will do anything custom without bending you over first
Rob ![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/crashyyz/emots/coffeepc.gif)
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/crashyyz/emots/cry.gif)
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/crashyyz/emots/coffeepc.gif)
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/crashyyz/emots/cry.gif)
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
Re: Project Astrolade
I made lower grill brackets, and got the passenger head light brackets all done. There are two pull pins and one bolt to remove the headlight. I cut the passenger side of the hood to follow the headlight lens, and cut the fender. I'll have to pull both in to the headlight.
Not too bad so far.
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0886.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0885.jpg)
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![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0876.jpg)
Not too bad so far.
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0886.jpg)
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/Astro%20Van/100_0885.jpg)
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Martin
![Image](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n102/1lowGMC/new-sig.jpg)
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