New member: San Jose, CA
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:42 am
- Location: San Jose, CA
New member: San Jose, CA
Hello, just wanted to get in a quick intro before I started posting, I just purchased a 99 Astro with 40k miles. It was previously a Fed vehicle out of Sonoma County with very limited usage. I am a Jeep kinda guy and have had Cherokees for years so a van was not really what I was planning on and the wife was very much against a minivan of any type. I am recently married (2yrs) have a 1yr old daughter, and trying for 2nd child, hopefully a boy to even out the odds, also my dog Cooper, a Catahoula Leopard Hound who is growing to be a bit bigger than expected, needless to say, wife, daughter, dog and camping/baby gear are getting to be a bit cramped for simple camping trips, even with roof rack packed, mainly because of the spare and hi-lift jack being on the roof. I started looking at crossovers and trucks but decided not put myself in debt for the next 20yrs with the outrageous prices on new vehicles, then I came across this Astro and decided for what it is, it would be perfect for my needs (camping/fishing/hiking/biking) and a growing family, not to mention that it cost 1/10 of a new king cab truck or smaller crossover vehicle. When I showed my wife a pic of the Astro, she really wasn't impressed or interested, so I embarked on journey to find pics of modified vans, (since I always modify my vehicles anyways) so she could see the potential that it had and that's how I managed to come across this sight. I decided to show her Peter's ZZ, since it is close to the same color as mine, and is an all around bad-ass customization job. She liked it! In fact, she said I could only purchase the Astro if I modified it with a lift and put a roof rack on top! So it was a done deal and I purchased it within 2 days for a very modest sum. So far, after going over it with a fine tooth comb, the only problems I found are the following: needs new rear shocks and tires, a 2in rip in drivers side armest, 1 dash bulb is out behind rear A/C controls, needs 1 gray vent cover for rear air/heat, a small ding in pass side wheelwell lip and that's it, it drives like a new vehicle, it is comfy and so far I love it in it's stock form. Just this weekend I used it to truck people, gear, tables and chairs for an event, and it was perfect, I didn't event have to take out the 3rd row seat, I am thoroughly impressed with it as is my wife, it is a true Multi-Purpose Vehicle.
My list of upgrades will be the following as time/money permits:
Trans cooler
Air intake/High flow cats/muffler
3.73 gears
4in lift
wheels/tires
Tow hitch
Composite style grill assembly
Roofrack/Lightbar
Paint
a V8 swap on the wishlist
some pics of it, since everybody likes pics
Some pics of my other ride
My list of upgrades will be the following as time/money permits:
Trans cooler
Air intake/High flow cats/muffler
3.73 gears
4in lift
wheels/tires
Tow hitch
Composite style grill assembly
Roofrack/Lightbar
Paint
a V8 swap on the wishlist
some pics of it, since everybody likes pics
Some pics of my other ride
1999 Astro 7-Passenger Van
Federal Government Fleet Vehicle
Cadet Blue 4.3L V6
Rear A/C & Heat
RWD G80 posi with 3.42 gears
40,000 miles
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Welcome! You definitely picked the right vehicle for pretty much all reasons! Nice, clean van and a VERY nice Cherokee!
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
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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- ASV Supporter
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Welcome to the site, Slim. What a great find. And only 40k. We'll be watching the mod progress. And pics, pics, and more pics.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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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: New member: San Jose, CA
Welcome,,,you're in the right place for sure.
Love the sleeper hub caps and wheels on the van. If you ever get rid of those, let me know,,would look great on a V-8 powered panel. All I'm saying about a panel right now.
Love the sleeper hub caps and wheels on the van. If you ever get rid of those, let me know,,would look great on a V-8 powered panel. All I'm saying about a panel right now.
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
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
VIDEO
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Welcome to the board! I'm fond of the jeep cherokees as well - have two. I got the first cherokee for the same reasons you got the van. I couldn't drive with two toddler car seats in the ford ranger I had at the time.
'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....
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Welcome Slim!
You'll fit right in! Nice new project. Definitely keep the pics coming, its inspiring!
I got into these vans for the exact same reasons. Hauling 3 kids and lots of gear to camping destinations and soccer practice! See you got a G80 too. I was also sure to mention to my wife about your wifes prerequisites for buying your van!!
You'll fit right in! Nice new project. Definitely keep the pics coming, its inspiring!
I got into these vans for the exact same reasons. Hauling 3 kids and lots of gear to camping destinations and soccer practice! See you got a G80 too. I was also sure to mention to my wife about your wifes prerequisites for buying your van!!
'94 Astro AWD EXT LT - Over 211,000 ,parts van now!
DHC Rock rails
Overland Vans 4" lift kit and bumper w/grille guard
Fiamma awning
'95 Astro AWD EXT CS - Just over 99,000 miles
DHC Rock rails
Overland Vans 4" lift kit and bumper w/grille guard
Fiamma awning
'95 Astro AWD EXT CS - Just over 99,000 miles
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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: New member: San Jose, CA
Welcome!
Good lookin' van!
Good lookin' van!
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!
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Nice van! Looking forward to seeing your mods.
1995 2WD Astro 165K+
2000 AWD Astro 142K+, fully loaded
1995 Dodge 2500HD V10 4X4 reg cab 75K+, BFG all terrains (nice truck, everything is perfect on it)
1994 Honda Magna 4K+
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:42 am
- Location: San Jose, CA
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Thank you all for the warm welcome, my biggest obstacle for the mods will be one thing only, money of course, so I'm off to the salvage yard, just to see what's out there in the way of these vans, mainly looking for a composite grill assembly, haven't really decided upon Chevy or GMC style, and I need a vent cover, the yard is about a mile from where I have to run an errand anyways, so off I go, and I'll be sure to take pics of any substantial mods
1999 Astro 7-Passenger Van
Federal Government Fleet Vehicle
Cadet Blue 4.3L V6
Rear A/C & Heat
RWD G80 posi with 3.42 gears
40,000 miles
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
welcome slim .... you guys and your super clean salt free vehicles
Rob
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
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*
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
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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- Retired
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Welcome to Our World.... Because we got all your V8 answers here.
`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: 83
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:42 am
- Location: San Jose, CA
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Hahaha, no V8 yet, I still have the 4.3 that's barely broken in, once I tire it out a bit the V8 will become a serious consideration, plus I have to convince wifey of the much needed conversion, it'd be pretty hard to hide that one!
1999 Astro 7-Passenger Van
Federal Government Fleet Vehicle
Cadet Blue 4.3L V6
Rear A/C & Heat
RWD G80 posi with 3.42 gears
40,000 miles
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- Retired
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
It will get better gas mileage, under a light foot. But how can you keep a light foot on the gas with all that new-found torque....?
`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: 83
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:42 am
- Location: San Jose, CA
Re: New member: San Jose, CA
Haha, yeah right, maybe if I kept it stock, I think my mileage will take a hit with bigger rims/tires and 3.73 gears, but I'll try that one as a selling point to the wife. I mainly want the V8 to pull a 5500lb old tri-hull boat, haven't tried it in the van yet but my slightly modified Cherokee pulls it without much trouble, curious to see how the van does
1999 Astro 7-Passenger Van
Federal Government Fleet Vehicle
Cadet Blue 4.3L V6
Rear A/C & Heat
RWD G80 posi with 3.42 gears
40,000 miles
-
- 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: New member: San Jose, CA
Darren,,did ya check out the sleeper wheels and hub caps ? Love those things on the right vehicle.
Reminds me of a buddy of mine who ordered a new 62 BelAir,,,409, 2/4's,4sp,bench seats with the clear plastic covers. Had black wall tires with the small caps. One bad ride and looked like "Old Blues" ride,,,our blue haired English teacher in High School.
Reminds me of a buddy of mine who ordered a new 62 BelAir,,,409, 2/4's,4sp,bench seats with the clear plastic covers. Had black wall tires with the small caps. One bad ride and looked like "Old Blues" ride,,,our blue haired English teacher in High School.
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
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
VIDEO
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words