some thoughts today
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wkastro
- I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Brighton. Michigan
Re: some thoughts today
Not at all offended. Just trying to get my head around explaining a $6k transmission to the Chief Domestic Officer.
2003 Astro AWD bought in January 2009
103,000 miles, Trucool 4590, ScanGageII, Michelin LTX 215/70R16, Tekonsha P3
2009 Chevrolet HHR
2001 HD XL1200S
1970 Austin Cooper 'S'
Retired:
1994 Astro AWD (sold in 1996, 50,000 miles in 2 years)
1992 Astro RWD (bought from GM fleet, traded for AWD in 1994)
103,000 miles, Trucool 4590, ScanGageII, Michelin LTX 215/70R16, Tekonsha P3
2009 Chevrolet HHR
2001 HD XL1200S
1970 Austin Cooper 'S'
Retired:
1994 Astro AWD (sold in 1996, 50,000 miles in 2 years)
1992 Astro RWD (bought from GM fleet, traded for AWD in 1994)
Re: some thoughts today
wkastro wrote:Not at all offended. Just trying to get my head around explaining a $6k transmission to the Chief Domestic Officer.
Ok, fair enough then. I thought you were referring to something else.
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
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wkastro
- I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Brighton. Michigan
Re: some thoughts today
No problem - I should have used the quote feature to avoid confusion.
2003 Astro AWD bought in January 2009
103,000 miles, Trucool 4590, ScanGageII, Michelin LTX 215/70R16, Tekonsha P3
2009 Chevrolet HHR
2001 HD XL1200S
1970 Austin Cooper 'S'
Retired:
1994 Astro AWD (sold in 1996, 50,000 miles in 2 years)
1992 Astro RWD (bought from GM fleet, traded for AWD in 1994)
103,000 miles, Trucool 4590, ScanGageII, Michelin LTX 215/70R16, Tekonsha P3
2009 Chevrolet HHR
2001 HD XL1200S
1970 Austin Cooper 'S'
Retired:
1994 Astro AWD (sold in 1996, 50,000 miles in 2 years)
1992 Astro RWD (bought from GM fleet, traded for AWD in 1994)
Re: some thoughts today
I can't wait to be able to park this thing. After a decade in a honda prelude I feel like a truck driver up in this think. I don't even get it straight when pulling into a parking spot in an empty lot lol...I won't even try to parallel yet!chemist wrote:I forgot to mention one of the best parts. They put it all in a package you can parallel park!
But I agree, as you guys are constantly proving, these vans are solid!
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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wkastro
- I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Brighton. Michigan
Re: some thoughts today
The earlier versions of the Safari/Astro had a tighter turn diameter, because of the stops in the steering gear. Because of the poor Ackerman correction, there were tire wear problems, and the remedy was to steer the front wheels less. I can't recall what model year that hit. There are times with my 2003 that I would take a little more tire noise and wear just to squeeze into that parking spot.Wiley wrote:chemist wrote:I forgot to mention one of the best parts. They put it all in a package you can parallel park!
One of our mates added a back-up camera - one is on my list, too.
2003 Astro AWD bought in January 2009
103,000 miles, Trucool 4590, ScanGageII, Michelin LTX 215/70R16, Tekonsha P3
2009 Chevrolet HHR
2001 HD XL1200S
1970 Austin Cooper 'S'
Retired:
1994 Astro AWD (sold in 1996, 50,000 miles in 2 years)
1992 Astro RWD (bought from GM fleet, traded for AWD in 1994)
103,000 miles, Trucool 4590, ScanGageII, Michelin LTX 215/70R16, Tekonsha P3
2009 Chevrolet HHR
2001 HD XL1200S
1970 Austin Cooper 'S'
Retired:
1994 Astro AWD (sold in 1996, 50,000 miles in 2 years)
1992 Astro RWD (bought from GM fleet, traded for AWD in 1994)
Re: some thoughts today
I thought reading somewhere, the steering stops can be adjusted.
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
Re: some thoughts today
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
Re: some thoughts today
I have to agree that these things are about as dependable as you can get. I myself was surprised by how sharp they could turn. I was used to driving a 1991 Blazer, and I thought it was pretty nimble, but this seems to be able to turn sharper!
I dunno about parallel parking, though... Nobody ever taught me how to do that... And yes, I have a license, they just don't test that or teach it in driver's ed here. Last time I came across parallel parking I freaked out and parked about a block away on a street with diagonal parking.
I dunno about parallel parking, though... Nobody ever taught me how to do that... And yes, I have a license, they just don't test that or teach it in driver's ed here. Last time I came across parallel parking I freaked out and parked about a block away on a street with diagonal parking.
Jake
Ed- 1992 Astro, RWD, 4.3l V6 (purchased Feb. 2011)
FlowTech Red Hots glasspack exhaust (finally got it put on there!)
Old rides (earlier to later)
2004 Honda 250 Rebel (my dad's bike, he let me use it)
Neko- 1991 S10 Blazer, 4x4, 4-door (SOLD Feb. 2011)
Custom (aka failed) diy paint job- red with black stripe
Ed- 1992 Astro, RWD, 4.3l V6 (purchased Feb. 2011)
FlowTech Red Hots glasspack exhaust (finally got it put on there!)
Old rides (earlier to later)
2004 Honda 250 Rebel (my dad's bike, he let me use it)
Neko- 1991 S10 Blazer, 4x4, 4-door (SOLD Feb. 2011)
Custom (aka failed) diy paint job- red with black stripe
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ihatemybike
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: some thoughts today
I fail to see how that could be lying, with proper maintenance since new these vans can do it. It's only 56k miles a year.Meterpig wrote:A 2003 with a claimed 451,000 miles.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-Gre ... 500wt_1182
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
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
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ihatemybike
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: some thoughts today
Do want, do want, do want, do want!Cobra wrote:http://www.compperformancegroupstores.c ... _Code=6XGM
there is your six speed however it blew cheap outta the water
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
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
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Cobra
- ASV Supporter
- Posts: 1750
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: some thoughts today
the more i look at it the more i want it i've adding it to my "win" list
my win list is if i win money this is how i'l blow it
my win list is if i win money this is how i'l blow it
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
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alexalexanders
- I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 4:27 pm
Re: some thoughts today
I really hope they start making astro/safari vans again. Im at 96,000 miles on my 94, so i got a lot of life left in her, but what am i gonna buy after that? I doubt there will be many low miles vans by then.
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safari kev
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:13 pm
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Re: some thoughts today
I gotta say, the safari was one of the best vehicles GM has made in the last decade. and thats saying something since its a mid 80's design through and through. It has the hauling capability of a box truck, the seating capacity of a full size van, the luxuries of a wagon, the drivetrain of an S10, and its 10% versatile. back in 2005, my dad had a tiara conversion safari. he used it as the work van for his plumbing company during the week, then a family hauler on the weekends. we took it camping and never once got stuck or stranded somewhere. my current van ('97) is awesome. I love it. it gets way better gas mileage (18 combined) than my cadillac, is fast and really nimble, looks cool (everyone likes the stripe graphics), and I don't have to worry about hurting it since its a van. I can throw tools, band equipment, etc. in the back and go.
I really don't get why GM stopped making them. I see early 90's ones on the roads still and tons of 2000+ ones. I probably see 10 of them a day at least (and they're different vans too.)
I really don't get why GM stopped making them. I see early 90's ones on the roads still and tons of 2000+ ones. I probably see 10 of them a day at least (and they're different vans too.)
00 safari high top explorer conversion. "shagfari" 235xxx miles on body. 242k on junkyard Jimmy motor.
94 safari hi-top explorer limited. 132k miles.
95 ASTRO choo choo conv. RIP @115K
97 safari slx "surfin' safari" 145k miles RIP
91 safari shorty Tiara conversion. RIP
86 cadillac fleetwood brougham. 67k. It thinks its a hot rod.
83 lesabre limited. 71k miles
66+68 toronados
66 Riviera
94 safari hi-top explorer limited. 132k miles.
95 ASTRO choo choo conv. RIP @115K
97 safari slx "surfin' safari" 145k miles RIP
91 safari shorty Tiara conversion. RIP
86 cadillac fleetwood brougham. 67k. It thinks its a hot rod.
83 lesabre limited. 71k miles
66+68 toronados
66 Riviera
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MountainManJoe
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3145
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: The Pacific North Wet
- Has thanked: 48 times
- Been thanked: 25 times
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T.Low
- 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: some thoughts today
timelessbeing wrote:no posts today? some kind of 04/01 joke?
Oh man! I was workin on an April Fools reply for this thread about how my buddy in GM Truck Engineering said they decided to bring back the Astro in an all new updated package...
Oh well, we can dream anyway, can't we...
