2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

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wkastro
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 69
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Brighton. Michigan

2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by wkastro »

Good to find an active group of like-minded eccentrics who appreciate the M/L vans! I have had a 1992 RWD Astro, which I traded in for a 1994 AWD to better navigate Michigan winter roads. Traded the 1994 in a couple of years later when I got a company car. Now that I am retired, I picked up a 2003 AWD passenger Astro last week to haul and tow stuff. I don't plan any modifications except those that will help reliability and tow capability. It's a baby at 70,000 miles. My first problem was dealer-caused, a frozen windshield washer bottle, which I removed and thawed in the laundry tub. My next problem is random door lock actuation, which I will scope out when it warms up a bit.

More than a dozen years ago, there was a concept Astro built at the Milford Proving Ground, and when I saw it in Building 26, I was awed. Lift kit, 'roo bars, nice paint, off-road tires, on a slant-nose (1994 and earlier) body. It looked tough, probably was tough, and it should have been an option package. I better stop here...
Last edited by wkastro on Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
2003 Astro AWD bought in January 2009
103,000 miles, Trucool 4590, ScanGageII, Michelin LTX 215/70R16, Tekonsha P3

2009 Chevrolet HHR
2001 HD XL1200S
1970 Austin Cooper 'S'

Retired:
1994 Astro AWD (sold in 1996, 50,000 miles in 2 years)
1992 Astro RWD (bought from GM fleet, traded for AWD in 1994)
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Cobra
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Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by Cobra »

welcome just so you know you've come to a dangerous place the people here will show you how to make that concept van your spoke of....
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone
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WVKayaker
I sleep in my van
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Location: Bowie, MD
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Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by WVKayaker »

Welcome and take a look at the lifted vans in here: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2540 and you will be headed to overlandvans.com to dream or get 'er done!
1999 AWD Astro purchased January 2007
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels

Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.

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ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
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Location: Elgin, IL

Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by ihatemybike »

Welcome aboard! Here's to your 2003 having a long life. :cheers:
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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dunedog
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Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by dunedog »

Welcome and 'Shine On' old man ! :rock:
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
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Smiliesafari
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Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by Smiliesafari »

Welcome aboard. I worked for Phil Glebe at Renaisance Balloons up there in Brighton. Nice town. Very friendly people. I've flown over the proving grounds in Milford several times. Well...you're at the right place. There's a world of info at this site. And a lot of great people. Some a bit more eccentric than others. I won't mention any names. You'll find out soon enough. \:D/
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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kings-x59
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Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by kings-x59 »

Welcome to the site!
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.

name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
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LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
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Location: New Haven, NY

Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Welcome! First mod for reliability and longevity must be an aux tranny cooler and a full synthetic fluid change out. Just keep reading and we'll have you doing all sorts of mods for reliability and tow capacity. :D
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Topic author
wkastro
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 69
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Brighton. Michigan

Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by wkastro »

kings-x59 wrote:Welcome to the site!
My brother-in-law lives in Cypress, cousins in Houston, and were planning a trip this spring to see the bluebonnets.
2003 Astro AWD bought in January 2009
103,000 miles, Trucool 4590, ScanGageII, Michelin LTX 215/70R16, Tekonsha P3

2009 Chevrolet HHR
2001 HD XL1200S
1970 Austin Cooper 'S'

Retired:
1994 Astro AWD (sold in 1996, 50,000 miles in 2 years)
1992 Astro RWD (bought from GM fleet, traded for AWD in 1994)
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Rebel
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: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by Rebel »

Welcome, only advise I have is trash the receipts,,you don't want to know, trust me.
Some a bit more eccentric than others. I won't mention any names.
Skip,,that word, eccentric,,is that some sort of metric measurement or what ? :yawinkle:
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.

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If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
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9dawgs
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Re: 2003 AWD Passenger Astro, my Third

Post by 9dawgs »

Welcome aboard!! :usa:
Jim<><

'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
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'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
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