Finally joining the pack!
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Topic author - ASV Supporter
- Posts: 674
- Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Has thanked: 12 times
- Been thanked: 4 times
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Finally joining the pack!
After months of lurking and research, I finally picked up my own Astro. It took a lot of looking to find an AWD passenger van with low miles, so I ended up flying from San Diego to Tucson to get it! Brought her home this weekend and now I begin the process of converting it to an overland camper. Its a 2003 AWD with just 52k miles on the clock.
Planned mods are a 4" Overland lift, NP233 (or maybe even an NP236?), pop-top sleeper (like T.Low's GTRV top), and a host of other interior camping mods so I can take my wife and young daughter camping in all the places that I used to go backpacking.
Build thread will commence as soon as I start tearing into it.
Cheers everyone and thanks for making this forum such a great resource!!
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Bellingham, Wa
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: Finally joining the pack!
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I have no doubt that with your engineering background, love of the outdoors, and need to tinker and improve, you'll be another great asset for ASV.
I can't believe anyone would buy a van that color, though. Sheesh!
I have no doubt that with your engineering background, love of the outdoors, and need to tinker and improve, you'll be another great asset for ASV.
I can't believe anyone would buy a van that color, though. Sheesh!
Re: Finally joining the pack!
I thought you had a picture of my van. lol
The 03 is a good year. Only problems I've had it frequent fluid change on the Transfercase (shouldn't be a problem in your case. ) and the rear brake caliper bracket rusting up and locking up the caliper slide. With it down south and that area it shouldn't be a problem.
Can't wait to see your builds.
The 03 is a good year. Only problems I've had it frequent fluid change on the Transfercase (shouldn't be a problem in your case. ) and the rear brake caliper bracket rusting up and locking up the caliper slide. With it down south and that area it shouldn't be a problem.
Can't wait to see your builds.
2003 AWD ASTRO Personal van
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 704
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:50 am
- Location: Plymouth Township, PA
Re: Finally joining the pack!
Welcome! Can't wait to see the build up. San Diego? I lived in OB for a couple years.
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
Re: Finally joining the pack!
Welcome to The Site Herbie
'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....
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
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- ASV Supporter
- Posts: 2153
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:45 pm
- Location: Selah, WA
- Been thanked: 1 time
- Contact:
Re: Finally joining the pack!
Welcome!
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
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- ASV Supporter
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Finally joining the pack!
Welcome to the family, Herbie. Glad you found us. Nice find on the Astro. We'll be watching. Lots of pics are required.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:37 pm
Re: Finally joining the pack!
Welcome Herbie!
CD_S
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!