Funny how life repeats itself

[WACK]

Hello van people. I sit here in front of my computer at 6:30am in the great state of Washington reflecting on the past 10 years of my life. fond memories of a simpler time and a simpler forum running through my head. Through some strange twists of fate and due to many circumstances both of and beyond my control the past decade has brought me from a 14 year old full of big dreams and seemingly unattainable ambitions to the somewhat cynical and pessimistic 24 year old man-child that sits here today. I think back to the days of the Vmag forum and its occasional purple haze followed by the inevitable, and unbearable, withdraw from what we collectively referred to as our Astro-crack. I remember late nights in the chat rooms with some nut with a zz4 in his van, a well-armed guy from MO, a Vegas card dealer with a propensity for off-roading his 2wd van, some crazy Canadians, A guy from Southern Cali with a funny accent, and countless other characters. I remember the frustration of being a 14 or 15 year old with an old 89 shorty van with 265k miles and a blown head gasket as my first car (thanks Mom and Dad, no seriously). I recall the many lessons learned in life, patience, and the pursuit of mechanical excellence (if anyone does remember me that well that last one will have made you laugh, hah). Most of all I remember the good times I had when I turned 18 and got my license. Between myself, my Mom and my Dad we had a 2 89 astros (one stock one lowered), a 92 EXT with some suspension and stereo mods, a 96 for towing the quad trailer, an 86 safari for parts, and my Parents had owned an 85 Astro they bought new. After I turned 18 my life got a little out of control due mostly to my lead foot and youthful indiscretions with drugs and alcohol. I lost my license at 20 due to a dui and took that combined with several other alarming situations that had hapened in the past year as a wake up call and went to rehab for my drug and alcohol issues. I haven't driven since. My family has no More Astros now and my Mom has even swapped to a Ford e-series (at least its a diesel). I bought a 78 f150 from my weekend boss to drive when I get my license this Summer (took a very serious look at my life after rehab and decided to not drive again until all of my bills were paid, I had been sober at least 2 years, and I could be responsible enough to be on the road. I have lost too many friends and family to drugs and alcohol on the road or otherwise to take any more chances). Anyway, that about brings us to present day. I am working nights and have been going pretty hard for a while now so this weekend is the first I have had off for a while. Since I am trying to get my Ford ready to be a dependable daily driver I was on Craigslist searching for a donor truck or some miscellaneous parts. My tax return money has been burning a hole in my pocket for a couple weeks now and I had been planning on spending it on the pickup. I then got side-tracked looking for a 4x4 to buy as a winter truck...then for a commuter car...then just at vehicles. Then I saw it. The very reason for my trip down memory lane and the reason you are all being subjected to my rambling late night post. For sale in Seattle (a scant 36 miles from me) I found a 1988 Astro shorty that I couldn't live without. The price was right, looked real clean, and had a bunch of receipts with it. Ad said to call even if it was late so I did and my old man was driving it home for me hours later. She has 137K miles and runs great. Idle is a little rough and the tilt mechanism on the column is busted but other than that a pretty nice rig. Recent work includes new wheels, tires, idler arms, plugs, window tint, water pump and belt, fuel system check and cleaning, and various other things I cant remember (long day) totaling 2600 dollars. I took it off the nice ladies hands for 800 bucks and am REALLY happy it is in my garage. The memories I have in these vans go back my whole life and it really is a perfect fit for me. I can't wait to start wrenchin on it. Anyway

TL;DR I bought another Astro van and its funny how life repeats itself. There is currently a beat up old pickup, an Astro van, and soon to be a non-running motorcycle in my garage. It feels like I'm 16 again, lol. I would like to re-immerse myself in the Astroworld, if you'll have me.

-Riley

[SoCalli V8]

Hey Riley, Welcome back bro, I`m happy that you have turned your life around, Congratulations on 2 years sober.

Yes I am that same British / SoCal funny sounding guy from the OG purple pages....

You are an old skool member, of course we are gonna welcome you back, no probs there.

[kings-x59]

wow man, I think you've set the bar way too high for new member introductions.
Watch out, the next decade goes faster than the last, and the one after that even faster.
Welcome to the site! or, as the case might be Welcome back!

[Smiliesafari]

Well, it sounds like you have gotten a taste of the real world. You can live responsibly or you can pay the consequences. Life can send you all of the twists and turn you can handle without adding any bullsh-t of your own. OK, done with the fatherly crap. Welcome back. I'm happy for your turn around. Have fun with your van. And Astro crack still exists. In my case it's Safari crack but it's all the same. I'm in the beginning stages of the V8 swap. Still collecting parts and pieces. Keep us posted on your upgrades.

[mdmead]

Welcome back and congrats on making some significant life changes!

[astrozam]

Welcome back Wack, its hard to believe that this community goes back 10 yrs but for some that is true. Good to hear that you stuck the course and worked hard at making positive changes, and as Darren mentioned you're always welcome around here, throw up some pics of the van when you get a chance, signed: one of the crazy Canadians

[NotDadsW41]

Welcome back WACK. Glad to see you again.

[mdmead]

Welcome back Wack, its hard to believe that this community goes back 10 yrs but for some that is true.

More than 14 years. I joined the purple haze of VMag right after buying my van in '96 and the group was thriving then! Wow, that is a long time...

[Kidhauler]

thanks for making me feel old. I didn't realize that was all 10 years ago. Welcome back.

[thevalleyboy]

Welcome - I was not around the old pages but I lurk here and there now... Congrats on the new to you Van and your life changes - when you get a chance post some pics of that new to you rig. From another friendly crazy canuck...

[WACK]

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys! I have always thought that it is hard to find a better group of people than the Astro/Safari crowd. I was sitting out in the van last night giving it a thorough looking over. This old van brings back a ton of memories. I learned to drive, lost my virginity, got into my first car accident, got my first ticket and have had many other good times (and some more not so good times, lol) in these vans. My new 88 appears to have been very well cared for all its life with only a couple minor body dings and some flaking black paint near all the windows that I will touch up. Aside from that the interior is remarkably clean and only the headliner and front seats show wear. The tilt steering is buggered up and I think it needs the EGR cleaned or replaced and/or an o2 censor. Small things. The Astro-crack pulled me back in. It sure would make a great candidate for a smallblock, haha. I have learned from the vin and some rpo browsing that it is a US van built in Baltimore. It has the factory G80 locking rearend with a 3:42 gearset and appears to be all original. I am very excited to start working on it and to focus on making it my daily driver. I can't bring myself to part with my old Ford either though so it will keep its spot at the front of the garage leaving the van a spot right behind it. My Brother (roomate) will have to keep parking his car outside, lol. Hard to believe the Astro is almost a foot shorter than his Camry. Pics to follow after we run some errands. They will be camera phone pics though so don't expect too much.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Welcome back Wack! It is awesome to hear you are still keeping it straight. Since you own an Astro now, throw some pics up in the members van section.

I got on board after the purple haze days...some where around 2002-2003 and it is hard to believe how much has happened and how many mods I did to our 98.

[Cobra]

14 years that's older then my van you people are sick (not in a good way btw) lol

welcome back? Wack

i didn't know there was so much history behind this community i've only been around since..... 2004 wow time flies

[rlsllc]

Alright! I always got a kick out of you, WACK. Glad you're still kicking and here to tell about it!

[WACK]

So, I had an eventful day. I decided to make the best of the first weekend I have had off in some time. My Brother/roommate wanted to drive the van so we went out for a nice lunch at the local Irish pub and then made a detour to the local tribal casino to take some pics of the van on top of the parking garage. After I snapped some pics of the van I thought while I was there I would play some slots. This turned out to be a good choice for once as I walked out of the casino 750 dollars richer! an hour well spent, lol. As we went out to get in the van and head for home it dawned on me that my neww 800 dollar van was now, essentially, a 50 dollar van. So from 6am Sat. when I got off work til now I have been quite sleep deprived but also very productive. There is an Astro in my garage and my bank balance is basically unchanged...life is good!
Click link for pics.

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