New Safari in CT
New Safari in CT
Hi all... I've been searching for an Astro/Safari van for the last 3-4 months and finally found one with everything I wanted at the right price. This past Saturday I purchased a 2000 GMC Safari SLE with AWD. An honest old lady driven, well maintained gem with only 60,000 miles on it for $3,000. Besides the loose arm rest, missing seat belt, missing 3rd row seat and minor cleaning this thing is perfect. I am now the proud owner of my first van.
I came across these boards during my search. Now that I have a van of my own I plan on spending more time here learning and getting help from those of you that know way more than I do. I have not done a lot of work on my own cars in the past, but I'm willing to learn!
Anyways, thanks for having me.
EDIT: Does anyone have any recommendations for preventive maintenance at this point? Also, any pointers for increasing gas mileage? Thanks.
I came across these boards during my search. Now that I have a van of my own I plan on spending more time here learning and getting help from those of you that know way more than I do. I have not done a lot of work on my own cars in the past, but I'm willing to learn!
Anyways, thanks for having me.
EDIT: Does anyone have any recommendations for preventive maintenance at this point? Also, any pointers for increasing gas mileage? Thanks.
2000 GMC Safari SLE AWD
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: New Safari in CT
Search my posts, I became a mileage geek when the prices went so high.
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
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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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: New Safari in CT
Oh, just noticed you have an AWD. Watch the axle seals on the front diff, replace as soon as you notice a leak. I lost two front diffs due to lack of fluid, second one stupidly.
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
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
Re: New Safari in CT
ihatemybike: Thanks for the advice on the front diff, as I begin to get into and under my car I'll be sure to check that. I'll also take a look some of your posts for better MPG pointers.
2000 GMC Safari SLE AWD
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: New Safari in CT
Welcome to ASV! You will definitely find out anything you want to know about these vans here. Post up pics...we LOVE pics!
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
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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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1290
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:14 pm
- Location: Exeter ON
- Contact:
Re: New Safari in CT
Welcome. If you are like most of us, you will find this gets addictive.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat
http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat
http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
Re: New Safari in CT
Thanks guys...
Here are some photos (let me know if they don't show, they were hosted on Facebook).
(driver's side step has already been removed)
Here are some photos (let me know if they don't show, they were hosted on Facebook).
(driver's side step has already been removed)
2000 GMC Safari SLE AWD
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2009
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:24 am
- Location: Evergreen, Al. 96 mile marker, where life is slow and there are no rules.
Re: New Safari in CT
Welcome Ct. from way down south at the 96 mile marker.
89 Astro, 350 V-8, Shaved doors, Filled Slider, Corvette IRS, 94 Mustang GT Rack & Pinion(Thanks to Skip), Cad Tail lights from SoCalliV8 ( RIP) Miss you my friend.
VIDEO
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
VIDEO
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
Re: New Safari in CT
welcome to the site. great looking van. I think something very similar is my next quest. AWD
Rob
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
Re: New Safari in CT
Philly758, What a deal. 60,000 miles, at $3,000.00. You stole that thing. Looks good outside. Jim
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- ASV Supporter
- Posts: 2153
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:45 pm
- Location: Selah, WA
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- Contact:
Re: New Safari in CT
Welcome to the site!
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 2770
- Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:57 am
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: New Safari in CT
Hey Phillly, van looks good, was she able to provide the maintenance records to you? if so post up the last things that were done to it and we can help you a little more with what you should probably do.
Re: New Safari in CT
She did not have any of the maintenance records for the car nor did I do a carfax. Basically the original owner of the van was an old women whos husband was a mechanic. The old lady died and left the van to a friend, who I bought the van from. She assured me the van was mostly garage kept and well maintained (due to the husband being a mechanic). So I don't think a carfax would do any justice.astrozam wrote:Hey Phillly, van looks good, was she able to provide the maintenance records to you? if so post up the last things that were done to it and we can help you a little more with what you should probably do.
With my limited know how it looks that the oil is current, according to the sticker on the window. The transmission fluid is bright red and is at the correct level, looks good to me. Now based on what ihatemybike posted above I think the one thing I really should check is my differential fluid, but i don't know the first thing about that. I've been reading a little on the boards about using synthetic fluid and whatnot, especially if I plan to do some towing, so this seems to be a good place to start.
Thanks again everyone.
2000 GMC Safari SLE AWD
Re: New Safari in CT
Also, found the oil change and fuel filter change how to's on the Tech Gallery... These should be very helpful as I've only been under the car for a total of 5 minutes now.
2000 GMC Safari SLE AWD