New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
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- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:01 am
- Location: Columbus, OH
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New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
Hey folks, I'm 28 years old and have owned my Astro for at least 6-7 years now. It used to be an old "installer van" for my dad's work (vehicle glass installations). Unfortunately, that's the reason I've joined here...as the thing is starting to show it's age and I've come to tap the keg of infinite wisdom of this board.
The van is my daily driver and being a low income family I haven't been able to put a lot of TLC into it. It's been a good van, however, and I'm very proud it's still alive and kicking. As little things go out here and there I figured I'd read up on the mechanic sections of this forum to help get some tips and tricks on repairs.
On a lighter note, I did get to have some fun with it last year and decked it out to resemble the "Ecto 1" from Ghostbusters (complete with lights and siren) and walked in the Columbus 4th of July "Doo Dah Parade" with my friends (pictured below, I'm the one in the middle with the hat):
My hope is to keep the thing running and eventually give it a new paint job and redo the roof rack and lights so it makes a proper Ectomobile (minus the rust stained roof and chipped paint). Of course, that'll probably take a few years of saving up some cash so I can pump into it.
Anyways, thanks for checking out my intro post. Hope you enjoy.
The van is my daily driver and being a low income family I haven't been able to put a lot of TLC into it. It's been a good van, however, and I'm very proud it's still alive and kicking. As little things go out here and there I figured I'd read up on the mechanic sections of this forum to help get some tips and tricks on repairs.
On a lighter note, I did get to have some fun with it last year and decked it out to resemble the "Ecto 1" from Ghostbusters (complete with lights and siren) and walked in the Columbus 4th of July "Doo Dah Parade" with my friends (pictured below, I'm the one in the middle with the hat):
My hope is to keep the thing running and eventually give it a new paint job and redo the roof rack and lights so it makes a proper Ectomobile (minus the rust stained roof and chipped paint). Of course, that'll probably take a few years of saving up some cash so I can pump into it.
Anyways, thanks for checking out my intro post. Hope you enjoy.
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- ASV Supporter
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Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
Welcome to ASV!
Looks like you guys had a good time in the parade!
Looks like you guys had a good time in the parade!
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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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
Welcome to the forum.
I nominate "Ecto 1" as van of the month for creativity.
I nominate "Ecto 1" as van of the month for creativity.
Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
Nice, we def need more pics of that van!
2guys1truck.com: 2004 AWD Chevy Astro from California to Colombia!
want to follow along, or think our paths may cross, Facebook kjswiley
want to follow along, or think our paths may cross, Facebook kjswiley
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:01 am
- Location: Columbus, OH
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Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
I've got more pics...but they aren't the greatest looking.
I never finished the "roof rack" gear...I needed to add so much more "science equipment" and junk to it...but I didn't have time before the parade...so it was kind of bare. The crowd got the idea though.
Here you can see more of the bad shape the paint is in. Some rust forming on the bumper...hood is chipping...roof is rust stained. Also...you'll note that the door here says it's a Safari but below the other door says Astro. Yeah, I had a little incident with a stereo theif that left me having to find a new door...unfortunately the only donor was a Safari.
For the parade I "blacked out" the rims...basically just removed the hubcaps and sprayed them with black spraypaint. I think it makes the rims look much nicer now...although nowhere near "professional".
As you can see, the rack is pretty bare. Missing tanks, junk, and other equipment. It was a rush job.
THIS was my goal. I had a friend photoshop the roof rack from the ACTUAL Ecto 1 onto a pic of my van. Unfortunately I just never had the time/money to get it up to this level of detail.
I never finished the "roof rack" gear...I needed to add so much more "science equipment" and junk to it...but I didn't have time before the parade...so it was kind of bare. The crowd got the idea though.
Here you can see more of the bad shape the paint is in. Some rust forming on the bumper...hood is chipping...roof is rust stained. Also...you'll note that the door here says it's a Safari but below the other door says Astro. Yeah, I had a little incident with a stereo theif that left me having to find a new door...unfortunately the only donor was a Safari.
For the parade I "blacked out" the rims...basically just removed the hubcaps and sprayed them with black spraypaint. I think it makes the rims look much nicer now...although nowhere near "professional".
As you can see, the rack is pretty bare. Missing tanks, junk, and other equipment. It was a rush job.
THIS was my goal. I had a friend photoshop the roof rack from the ACTUAL Ecto 1 onto a pic of my van. Unfortunately I just never had the time/money to get it up to this level of detail.
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:01 am
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Contact:
Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
It might even be more feasable to change it into this:
Note the Astro-ish looking van above. This was some concept art for the GB cartoon that never made it into the actual tv show. Of course the big gun robot arm thing is a bit far fetched for reality.
Note the Astro-ish looking van above. This was some concept art for the GB cartoon that never made it into the actual tv show. Of course the big gun robot arm thing is a bit far fetched for reality.
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- I get chills without my van.
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Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
Welcome to the site. I got a picture Of my safari with an astro grill because that what the donar vehicle after the crash was.
90 astro parts van gone.94 safari SLE.68 chevelle SS clone.
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Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
Welcome to ASV, BigJon. Looks like you're having a lot of fun with your van. That's what it's all about. The Safari door gives it a little added class.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
Welcome! That van is bad-ass! I would drive it around town like that EVERY day!
1997 SAFARI 2WD CARGO
"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." Nikola Tesla
"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." Nikola Tesla
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: New to forum, proud owner of an Astro
Welcome! Cool van. Looks like you had a blast in the parade.
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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- I sleep in my van
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- Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:35 am
- Location: Victoria B.C.