What did you do to/with your van today?

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JTalley
I sleep in my van
Posts: 383
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 11:56 am
Location: Sulphur, Oklahoma

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by JTalley »

I finally fixed my door-won't-open-with-the-window-down problem!!!!


And it broke again... :cry:
Jake

Image
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

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by ihatemybike »

Friday: Installed a brand spanking new ACDelco cap and rotor in Grumpy, now it will start in the rain again. Parts were bought at roughly 40% off. If you live near an Advance Auto sign up for their emails, purchase parts online and pickup in store. Discount codes rock! Temporarily installed Grumpy's replacement rear bumper.

Saturday: Drove Grumpy to Rockford for a junkyard day with some guys from the other site. No G80s, so I grabbed some trim pieces and a radiator fan. Only busted one knuckle!

Sunday: Installed trim pieces and a driver's seat belt latch in Green. Installed lumbar support knob in Grumpy.
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
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icebrrg3rd
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:05 pm
Location: Milwaukee, WI

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by icebrrg3rd »

Hey Aaron! I'm on this site too, just not as much. Seems like too much work to type it twice. Yeah, Sat was a great day, wound up with a lot of stuff. Sunday I got the middle row retracting seat belts installed and put the turn signal cancelling switch in the steering column. Didn't get to much else done as it was a nice day and I wound up playing with the kids. Nothing like nerf gun battles...

-Andrew

p.s. Maybe I should just copy/paste everything to both sites...
81 Yamaha Maxim XJ650, Black & Green, 64k miles
83 Yamaha Venture 1200cc, White, 74k miles
91 Chevy Astro 2WD, 4.3L, Maroon, 229k miles
00 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.8L, Blue, 145k miles

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by ihatemybike »

That's what I do for this thread, fitting seeing that I started it on both sites.
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
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doyoulikeithere
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Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by doyoulikeithere »

drove to work, as usual. Shifted into 5th about a dozen times so far today.. Phoned around pricing out shortening & lengthening drivesahfts. Very Scary!!
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

safari kev
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:13 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by safari kev »

going to junkyard tomorrow for new front door panels and fiero seats. its hard to corner when you keep falling out of the damn seat (side bolsters are completely shot on both seats).
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

safari kev
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:13 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by safari kev »

well- I struck out on door panels and van seats. I did get a new switch for the rear AC (so the van can actually cool itself). also picked up an AC vacuum harness to replace mine.
got a new set of 4 note train horns for the caddy (old caddy horns are going on the van). got a new set of taillights for the caddy to replace my busted lights.
also got a beautiful set of red silverado bucket seats for the caddy. not bad for $30 a seat (other seats not put in yet)
Image
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

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by ihatemybike »

Took Grumpy (form of rolling tool shed) to the LOST Jeeps meet and greet today. Aside from wrenching on many Jeeps, an Excursion was diagnosed with a bad alternator and repaired and Grumpy received a replacement fan and then a throttle blade out of a Cadillac Northstar engine.

Image
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

safari kev
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:13 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by safari kev »

replaced my aftermarket radio with amnother aftermarket radio. afterwords, found mysterious wiring gremlin that caused radio to go in and out (loose pin in hanress adapter)
replaced mirrors with vanity fancy mirrors from conversion safari
re3placed rwear AC switch (it works beautifully now)
also found out seat back adjustment lever on the silverado seats hits seat belt retractor in the caddy, so the silverado seats are going in the van. no more marshmellow seats in the van!
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

safari kev
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:13 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by safari kev »

installed 2 more horns in the van. now I have 2 "F"'s, an "A", and a "D" horn. its crazy loud nd sounds like a boomy (low toned) air horn. my horn pad still doesnt work though (it sticks alot and half the time it won't sound). taking it to the mechanic tomorrow so he can wire another horn button.
changed out my radio (from kenwood to clarion)- sound still cuts in and out on all 4 channels. display still lights up fine and all functions work, but when I hit bumps in the road or sometimes turn the wheel while accelerating (or even just accelerating), the stereo goes out. not sure whats up with that.
also, the brake warning light came on on the dash, and theres plenty of fluid in the reservoir. any ideas? maybe I bumped a connector or something in the steering column?
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
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justice
I sleep in my van
Posts: 875
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 4:00 pm
Location: Keeping a good eye on all you yahoos

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by justice »

cleaned up the drivers compartment, replaced the broken rear door handle (this is soooo much easier on a cargo van), replaced the munged up fuel door, got it washed and installed my black/clear taillights that I have had lying around for several years.

See my new van thread in the picture forum for more Astro porn...
I have a ban hammer and I ain't fraid to use it!


Current - 2004 Astro Cargo


Former
95 Safari (money pit - sold)
93 Astro Cargo (totaled)
85 Astro - (Bought for parts and scrapped)
92 Astro Conversion (sold)
87 Safari Shorty (sold)
User avatar

justice
I sleep in my van
Posts: 875
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 4:00 pm
Location: Keeping a good eye on all you yahoos

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by justice »

found and replaced the blown fuse to get the door lock switches operational again.
I have a ban hammer and I ain't fraid to use it!


Current - 2004 Astro Cargo


Former
95 Safari (money pit - sold)
93 Astro Cargo (totaled)
85 Astro - (Bought for parts and scrapped)
92 Astro Conversion (sold)
87 Safari Shorty (sold)

Cobra
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Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by Cobra »

repaired hanging heat shield inspected spare
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

leadtrombone
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:36 am

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by leadtrombone »

sprayed off the rapeseed crap that was all over the van. Dark blue van was almost bright yellow.

And my nose don't like it either.
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

Image
P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr

The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)

1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon

safari kev
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:13 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by safari kev »

wired up my new "$h!t your pants" horn (thats what my mechanic calls it). 2 safari horns (F and A) and 2 cadillac horns (F and D). gives off a loud deep "WHOOOM!!!!" next on the list is cleaning the ground from the battery up some more. I cleaned it a litle bit and it got rid of most of the radio going in and out.
also- mechanic says I need tune up (cap, rotor, plugs, and wires.) thats about $400.
had water in the oh so wonderful optispark distributor today and the van had miss codes on 5 of the 6 cylinders. of course by the time I got to the mechanic, the distributor had dried out. until then though, the ride was interesting to say the least (no power on the streets- 20-35mph- but fine on the hiway)
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
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