Hi from MI

[blackstro]

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!

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Welcome! Sounds like you have a great gameplan in the works.

[T.Low]

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.

[blackstro]

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!

[astroturf]

Welcome...

[okie1]

Welcome & good luck

[completetech]

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

[badassastro]

Welcome from another fellow Michigander

[blackstro]

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!

[Snowgeek]

This is a little bit of a late welcome but....welcome.

Future plans include a truck style tailgate for the lower rotted half of the dutch door,

This sounds very cool. I will be stoked to see what comes of that project.

Ryan

[okie1]

Very nice project you have going there, keep us posted.

[H2OJoe]

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.

[blackstro]

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!

[Stroverlander]

Looking good!

[T.Low]

You'll definitely be able to find plenty of trouble with that rig!