Chevy & GMC Vans

As the subject title asks?

Wish I had production numbers but don't. Since I've been a member here and before on AS (about 4 years or so) I can only remember a total of maybe 2 or 3 that were owned by members or someone knew where one was located and was asking questions.
Maybe someone else can get ya production numbers.

I don't have any numbers but, they have to be very rare. I've only ever seen one, and I've seen alot of cars, trucks and vans. I worked in the quick lube industry from 90 - 2000 and parts stores and garages since then. I even own a junkyard now. The one I used to service came from a fleet somewhere. The guy bought it at auction for less than a grand in about 1991. As I remember it had a bunch of miles. Regardless of the original number there can't be many left!

dunedog wrote:As the subject title asks?

You have a much better chance of seeing a couple more moose before you see an 86 5 speed Papa-Dune ,

I used to work for the emmissions testing centres here and drove thousands of astros and safaris. The only standard transmission astro I ever saw had a V6. I questioned the guy and he said it is the only one made as far as he knew because he had to factory order it with the 5 speed. I beleive it was about a 88-89 he said the salesman thought he was nuts but it went like stink with the 5 speed in it.

dunedog wrote:As the subject title asks?

dunedog-got ask you.Do you have a line on one??.

I had an 85 with a 4 cylinder and 4 speed. POS, found an 89 with a 4.3 and 5 speed, swapped engine, tranny and dash and had a van that would go sideways from a stop smoke second and third gear and chirp fourth. then I swapped the rear end to the V-6 one and got 20 MPH. It still burned first gear and spin the tires in second.

1st Astro I ever drove was one,I tried from the local Chevy dealer's used lot.
It was a '86 or so cargo with a 5 five and as 'Kid & Mike' said ,"Went like stink!".....

Gary,Yes,...there's an '86 window 5 speed about 25 miles from me for sale.
The woman knows what she's got, and is asking $1150.00

dunedog wrote:1st Astro I ever drove was one,I tried from the local Chevy dealer's used lot.
It was a '86 or so cargo with a 5 five and as 'Kid & Mike' said ,"Went like stink!".....

Gary,Yes,...there's an '86 window 5 speed about 25 miles from me for sale.
The woman knows what she's got, and is asking $1150.00

It does kind of sound like a investment for the future. AKA-collector van.

I have an '89 5 speed that I'd like to sell now that I have my '02. It looks just like GEJ's van but all black. I'd be willing to take $1000 for it. It's a little bit of a project but it runs/drives and it's all there plus I'm throwing in A LOT of extra parts with the sale.
If you have any interest, PM or email me.
ryanhettenbach@hotmail.com

It looks just like GEJ's van but all black.

Are you saying it's a raised roof cargo and if so,,do you have any pics.

just sent you an email for pics.

As I remember a lot of the early vans with 4 cyl had manual transmissions. I replaced clutches in a couple of them for a florist who used them for deliveries. I wasn't aware that any of the V-6's had manuals. Probably special order??

TheHarv wrote:As I remember a lot of the early vans with 4 cyl had manual transmissions. I replaced clutches in a couple of them for a florist who used them for deliveries. I wasn't aware that any of the V-6's had manuals. Probably special order??

From threads before I have read,the 4 speeds are more common and will not hold up to 4.3's or 5.7's.Bellhousings are not the same either.5 speeds had a slight tilt to them for proper shilfter location and did have a common bolt pattern to the V8's.

Rebel wrote:

It looks just like GEJ's van but all black.

Are you saying it's a raised roof cargo and if so,,do you have any pics.

just sent you an email for pics.

yeh. it's a raised roof cargo.


I just got my new digi cam so i'll take more pics and post them this weekend.

Look Yellar,Look-your long lost bro.