Chevy & GMC Vans

Installed two new exhaust gaskets, replaced the serpentine belt, did an oil/filter change and attached some air fresheners to the vents. Went on a few test drives and loved every second. I can't wait to get crackin' on my suspension and steering upgrades. I've got tons of new parts just sitting here waiting to go in!

Meterpig wrote:I went over to Costco today to pick up some new windshield wipers but found out the application booklet did not have a listing for the astro van. Oh these rare vehicles we own...right? Well, I bought every size 16-21. Turns out-the 21's fit. They run right up to the edge and for the first time...the windshield is clear edge to edge. Woot!

thats odd...stock size on an Astro should be 18"

Fixed my back air cond. unit . Now I could take my pet penguin for a drive , just kidding, but I tell you this thing is cold , did I say is cold I ment freezer like . Folks I live in the caribbean and it's hot and humid the climate here and I have to turn the air cond. down . Of course I also installed a brand new compressor and everything else , but the evaporators are the old ones . I tell you worth every penny , I ended up spending around $600 , it seems like a lot but some one else did the job now I have a warrantie , you know just in case .

hi 97CargoCrawler - do you know the source for the front bars on your cargo van? They look great.

Took the Astro to the spring shop and had them re-arc the springs, and add 3" lift. Went back to stock shackles, pinion angle is back to stock again, no more vibes =)

wkastro wrote:hi 97CargoCrawler - do you know the source for the front bars on your cargo van? They look great.

Thank you!

The brush guard is for a 2500HD Series Chevy truck. I bought it on Ebay. Because I bought it on Ebay I don't really know the specifics as far as part number and supplier. I took a gamble and managed to make it work with serious modifications to the hardware that it came with. I bought it over two years ago so I no longer have access to the Ebay info.

Before I purchased it I did some dimensioning of the front ends of chevy trucks. Then I bought the guard with spec's closest to our vans. Whatever make/model you get is going to need some serious mods to the hardware, bumper, bumper fascia and relocation of mounting holes on the guard itself. Maybe even some welding.

I wish I had more info to share.

Had the lower ball joints replaced and the front end aligned. $600.30... Did I mention I'm retired on a fixed income ??

HPbyStan wrote:Had the lower ball joints replaced and the front end aligned. $600.30... Did I mention I'm retired on a fixed income ??

Wow that seems like a lot of money for that job . Next time if I were you I would check a couple of places and compare prices . May be even a buddy from this forum .

Stan, next time come to Elgin. Spend a Saturday BS about vans, cars and women while getting the van taken care of.

justice wrote:

Meterpig wrote:I went over to Costco today to pick up some new windshield wipers but found out the application booklet did not have a listing for the astro van. Oh these rare vehicles we own...right? Well, I bought every size 16-21. Turns out-the 21's fit. They run right up to the edge and for the first time...the windshield is clear edge to edge. Woot!

thats odd...stock size on an Astro should be 18"

I use either a 20 or 21 on the drivers side and the stock 18 on the pass. side...

What did i do with my van yesterday... let's just say it wasn't intentional..

Ouch!

All I did was get a Taurus fan and 70 amp relay. The 2 speed controller should be here Wednesday.

lil red wagon wrote:What did i do with my van yesterday... let's just say it wasn't intentional..

Might be a good excuse to add Caddy lights and a roll pan.

1Gary wrote:Might be a good excuse to add Caddy lights and a roll pan.

Or build a heavy duty steel rear bumper with tow hooks and a hitch, and lottsa strong sharp steel to cut what ever hits it instead of vice versa.

Either way, Sorry bout your van.

man that sucks. does insurance cover it?

get a steel astro work van/ conversion van bumper with a tow hitch. mine has one- and its super solid. I backed into a concrete wall with it. it hit the edge of the wall about a ft from the edge of the bumper. no body damage whatsoever (I put a massive crease in the bumper though and had to remove the bumper cover to open the rear door) I had to beat on it with a sledgehammer and a couple massive pybars to get it to go down, but at least the body wasnt damaged (if it had the lighter bumper w/ no hitch, I would have had to buy a new door and get the quarter redone)

kind of off topic, but...
I've always wondered if silverado/ full size van bumpers will bolt on. might have to check it out next time I go to the junkyard. I really want a massive front bumper and rear bumper (preferably chrome), even if they dont look like they belong there and stick out on each side. I just want it to say stay the f--- out of my way. (I'm tired of people hitting my nice vehicles).