Hi from MI
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:28 am
- Location: mid MI
Hi from MI
This is the story of my 94' astro awd. I bought it from a lady in town for $400.
I towed it home. The van supposedly didn't run, and there was a gob of alarm wiring hanging down from under the dash.
I surgically removed the alarm system, installed a battery, and it fired right up! Lots of blue smoke, and some lifter clatter! The t case was seized up, so i disconnected the front drive shaft and we drove it around the yard for a while. Eventually we started driving it on the road and loved it just as much as our old smoke blue 92' rwd. One hot day last summer the babysitter was taking the kids to the park and one of the main bearings decided to spin. Limped it home. and pulled the engine, then the tranny, then the whole sub frame and transfer case. That's as far as I've gotten.
I'm putting a 4" lift (3 1/2" spacers, 1/2" torsion bar) I've obtained a 231c t-case, and I did an A/C delete. I'll post more pics as I start to put it back together. I'm going to use the van as a daily driver, and for Wheeling and camping trips to the UP with my kids, so I will be setting it up for sleeping. I've been lurking around this forum for a while, and just joined! I am excited to become a part of this online community of Astro van lovers!
I towed it home. The van supposedly didn't run, and there was a gob of alarm wiring hanging down from under the dash.
I surgically removed the alarm system, installed a battery, and it fired right up! Lots of blue smoke, and some lifter clatter! The t case was seized up, so i disconnected the front drive shaft and we drove it around the yard for a while. Eventually we started driving it on the road and loved it just as much as our old smoke blue 92' rwd. One hot day last summer the babysitter was taking the kids to the park and one of the main bearings decided to spin. Limped it home. and pulled the engine, then the tranny, then the whole sub frame and transfer case. That's as far as I've gotten.
I'm putting a 4" lift (3 1/2" spacers, 1/2" torsion bar) I've obtained a 231c t-case, and I did an A/C delete. I'll post more pics as I start to put it back together. I'm going to use the van as a daily driver, and for Wheeling and camping trips to the UP with my kids, so I will be setting it up for sleeping. I've been lurking around this forum for a while, and just joined! I am excited to become a part of this online community of Astro van lovers!
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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: Hi from MI
Welcome! Sounds like you have a great gameplan in the works. ![Applause =D>](./images/smilies/eusa_clap.gif)
![Applause =D>](./images/smilies/eusa_clap.gif)
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 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: Hi from MI
It will make an excellent UP rig.
Where in the UP do you like to go? I've spent a few good nights at 12 Mile Campground outside of Grand Marais.
Where in the UP do you like to go? I've spent a few good nights at 12 Mile Campground outside of Grand Marais.
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:28 am
- Location: mid MI
Re: Hi from MI
Every where in the UP! We went up this fall and took the saturn to crisp pt. It did fine and we had a blast, but you cant sleep 4 peeps in a car.
My sister works at a camp up near crystal falls, so a trip will be in order. The kids love to camp so we will be doing that a lot!
My sister works at a camp up near crystal falls, so a trip will be in order. The kids love to camp so we will be doing that a lot!
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 129
- Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:39 pm
- Location: Grand Rapids MI
- Contact:
Re: Hi from MI
Hello from a fellow Michigander. I'm always in mid Michigan for some of our customers up there. We maintain Internet and voice for one of the largest off campus housing in mt pleasant. But I'm here in grand rapids
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 111
- Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:26 pm
Re: Hi from MI
Welcome from another fellow Michigander
85 pro street Astro, parted & scrapped
98 pro street Astro, 33x22 rear tires, all aluminum 335 hp LS1 motor
PRO STREET 4 LIFE
98 pro street Astro, 33x22 rear tires, all aluminum 335 hp LS1 motor
PRO STREET 4 LIFE
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:28 am
- Location: mid MI
Re: Hi from MI
Just a little update. The van is almost back together. I've changed jobs, and been really busy.
I ended up putting 3.5" of spacers (pipe) in the sub frame, and moving the rear spring mounts down 4" in the back with the stock fiberglass springs. I added air shocks in the rear as well.
I had fiberglass springs on my 92' and hauled plenty of trailers and loads with no problems so I decided to stay with them. I need to fab the linkage for the 231 t case, and lengthen front drive shaft. Future plans include a truck style tailgate for the lower rotted half of the dutch door, and some sort of new bumper/ hitch. I'll post some pics soon. I'm pretty excited to get this back on the road, its been too long!
I ended up putting 3.5" of spacers (pipe) in the sub frame, and moving the rear spring mounts down 4" in the back with the stock fiberglass springs. I added air shocks in the rear as well.
I had fiberglass springs on my 92' and hauled plenty of trailers and loads with no problems so I decided to stay with them. I need to fab the linkage for the 231 t case, and lengthen front drive shaft. Future plans include a truck style tailgate for the lower rotted half of the dutch door, and some sort of new bumper/ hitch. I'll post some pics soon. I'm pretty excited to get this back on the road, its been too long!
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 168
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:10 am
- Location: Boise, Id
- Been thanked: 1 time
- Contact:
Re: Hi from MI
This is a little bit of a late welcome but....welcome.
Ryan
This sounds very cool. I will be stoked to see what comes of that project.blackstro wrote: Future plans include a truck style tailgate for the lower rotted half of the dutch door,
![2 man down :drinkers:](./images/smilies/icon_jook.gif)
Ryan
2004 Astro (was AWD now 4X4) 125,000 miles: purchased April 2012
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:49 pm
- Location: White Salmon, WA
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: Hi from MI
Glad to see you're still at it. Yes, yes, please post pics! Look forward to seeing your handy work on the tailgate and bumper. ![cheers! :cheers:](./images/smilies/smile_cheers.gif)
![cheers! :cheers:](./images/smilies/smile_cheers.gif)
2001 Astro LT AWD "Redneck Edition", 4" Custom Lift, 30x9.5R15LT on stock wheels, Hightop conversion, custom interior, custom roof racks, external solar shower, front recovery points. SOLD
1997 Astro LS AWD Starting build soon.
1997 Astro LS AWD Starting build soon.
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:28 am
- Location: mid MI
progress
I'm on the road finally! Ive got 31" BFGs I love the way it drives.
a few bugs to work out but overall i'm extremely happy and impressed!
Items that still need attention include,
- front drive shaft, and transfer case shifter/linkage.
- steel rear springs.
- new speakers.
- "new" trailer hitch (one that doesn't have a permanently rusted receiver)
- tailgate mods, (but i haven't figured out what i want to do yet)
There is nothing like the looks you get from people when you are driving a lifted Astro!
a few bugs to work out but overall i'm extremely happy and impressed!
Items that still need attention include,
- front drive shaft, and transfer case shifter/linkage.
- steel rear springs.
- new speakers.
- "new" trailer hitch (one that doesn't have a permanently rusted receiver)
- tailgate mods, (but i haven't figured out what i want to do yet)
There is nothing like the looks you get from people when you are driving a lifted Astro!
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 4:18 pm
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- 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