What I have been doing lately...

Non technical and off-topic discussion

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
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Location: New Haven, NY

What I have been doing lately...

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

As most of you know we don't have an Astro or Safari and have mostly converted to the Dodge side. I say mostly cause as of a couple weeks ago we had only 1 GM brand in the driveway. Well, actually Jessie has it at college. She is running the Buick while she is in school and then for how ever long she wants. A couple weeks ago we added another GM to the stable. :D Lynne's Grandparents had a 1986 Caprice Classic Brougham. Lynne's Grandpa died in 1992 and Gram died in 2002 and the car was parked in a tool shed on the farm since then. We finally inherited it. :muhaha: It was covered in 7.5 yeasrs of dust and dirt and hadn't been started in 4 or 5 years. The battery was completely toast so we ran to wally world and bought the cheapest one they had and installed it and the car fired up and ran! :yikes: =D> I wish I would have grabbed the camera before leaving home but I didn't. #-o

We pressure washed the car after airing up the tires and backing it out of the shed. Only blew 1 brake line and she was running at a high idle but we drove it on the trailer for the ride home! Once home I started adding up the costs to get road worthy and figured it would be worth it. Parts are CHEAP!

Work done:
New calipers, wheel cylinders, shoes and h/w kit. Rotors, pads and drums were in great shape. New brake lines on the rear axle, new tailpipe from muffler back (deleted the resonator). I then found the radiator leaking so it got a new radiator, rad cap and thermostat. Hoses and belts are in good shape. After that I pulled the Rochester Quadrajet and rebuilt it. Found the reason for the high idle...choke heater coil was bad. New choke, fuel filter and air filter and she is running good. I also installed a tranny cooler and did a lube, oil and filter. She is now on the road! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Some pics:

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Actual mileage!

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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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Rileysowner
I plan to be buried in my van
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Location: Exeter ON
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Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by Rileysowner »

Looking good. Not bad to get it road worthy either.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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1Gary
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Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by 1Gary »

Nice looking car Dean.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

NotDadsW41
I sleep in my van
Posts: 280
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:37 pm

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by NotDadsW41 »

Looking for more info on those cars??? See my sig...
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!

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Thanks guys.

I registered on B-Body and had looked through there some already.
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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Smiliesafari
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Location: Orlando, FL

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by Smiliesafari »

Those are really nice cars. That one is a real honest to goodness "Barn Find". \:D/
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

Fire Cakes
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Location: New Haven, NY

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by Fire Cakes »

yes, as Dean says I am spoiled by my parents, my grandparents used to spoil me, but now my parents have taken over. Nothing wrong with that. We have gotten lots of great things from them. It sure is nice :D
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Been figuring out what it has for drivetrain. So far I know it has a 700R4, limited slip and 2.56 gears according to the RPO codes. No wonder it is doggy off the line. Surprisingly it isn't totally gutless...I am used to my truck. Once rolling about 10 - 20 mph she picks up nicely. Has the G80 code and a LS tag on the 8.5" rear. Also has the 5 x 4.75" bolt pattern and 9.5" rear drums.

Total cost so far is only $416.10. :muhaha: Insurance for the year is more than that! Still debating on getting a new set of tires. These have been on the car since at least 1991 but have lots of tread left and are just starting to weather check.
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
User avatar

Smiliesafari
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Location: Orlando, FL

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by Smiliesafari »

I think the standard engine was the 305. Right behind the left head on the block you should see either 5.0 or 5.7 cast in the block. You might need a flashlight and a mirror.
My 1987 Monte had the same feed back Q-Jet on a 305. It ran great. \:D/
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

NotDadsW41
I sleep in my van
Posts: 280
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:37 pm

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by NotDadsW41 »

Is that an original NY state car? It's in super shape if it is...

BTW - You have been made active.
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!

Fire Cakes
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Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by Fire Cakes »

NotDadsW41 wrote:Is that an original NY state car? It's in super shape if it is
Yes, the car is an original NYS car. As Dean mentioned it has sat in my Dad's tool shed since mid 2002.
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4

astrozam
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Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by astrozam »

Nice score, I remember those cars well, nice little diamond in the rough :supz:

ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by ihatemybike »

Looks nice.

The local hood rats want to lift it and run 28s or something goofy like that.
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

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

ihatemybike wrote:The local hood rats want to lift it and run 28s or something goofy like that.
Well....if they pay enough for it they can do anything they want and I will grab an AWD Astro or Safari. :muhaha:
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

Fire Cakes
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Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: What I have been doing lately...

Post by Fire Cakes »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:
ihatemybike wrote:The local hood rats want to lift it and run 28s or something goofy like that.
Well....if they pay enough for it they can do anything they want and I will grab an AWD Astro or Safari. :muhaha:
Don't think so ................................You have to drive that car into the ground. Way cheaper than a van :swords:
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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