1988-90 vs. 1996

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pengyou
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:20 pm

1988-90 vs. 1996

Post by pengyou »

What are the practical differences between a 88-90 stretch awd Astro and a 96 awd astro? Ok, Ok, before every gets out their calculator, I know it is 6-8 years =D> I am talking about more practical things like torque, fuel efficiency, cost and availability of parts, interior room, etc.

I am guessing that with the 88-90 it would be easier to work with smog laws to do an engine swap. On the down side, I think the newer vans are a little bit safer - air bags, safety beams in the doors, etc.
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ

astroturf
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Re: 1988-90 vs. 1996

Post by astroturf »

Here is a small list of differences link. http://media.gm.com/division/chevrolet/ ... tbkgnd.htm Hope this helps, Jim

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

Re: 1988-90 vs. 1996

Post by ihatemybike »

I'm a fan of the ODBII system. It's nice plugging something in and having the van tell me what's wrong.
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

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: 1988-90 vs. 1996

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Well first thing 88 and 89 vans were all RWD and shorties. The AWD's and ext's came out in 1990. Engine power was 150 hp with a 200 hp HO available and the trans was a 700R4 which was mechanically controlled. Interior dashes and front ends were different as well.
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
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