Hello from Midland Tx.
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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
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- Location: Midland Texas
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Hello from Midland Tx.
Don't have an Astro yet but I did put a deposit on one. Should be in my possession by mid week.
I've been looking for a good overnight capable vehicle that could also handle some dirt roads. I think I've found my weekender after a years search, bang for the buck I don't know if I could do any better.
Got a low mileage 04 AWD that is the extended version with towing package and some sort of limited slip rear. A don't plan any rock crawling so the extra 19" of length should do me more good than harm. Time will tell if this turns into my perfect "escape pod"..
Well, it would take a Cummins 4BT conversion to get close to "perfect"..
I'll be scouring the forums for camper conversions and probably asking a lot of silly questions. Hope I can eventually contribute something as well. Arlon in Midland Tx.
I've been looking for a good overnight capable vehicle that could also handle some dirt roads. I think I've found my weekender after a years search, bang for the buck I don't know if I could do any better.
Got a low mileage 04 AWD that is the extended version with towing package and some sort of limited slip rear. A don't plan any rock crawling so the extra 19" of length should do me more good than harm. Time will tell if this turns into my perfect "escape pod"..
Well, it would take a Cummins 4BT conversion to get close to "perfect"..
I'll be scouring the forums for camper conversions and probably asking a lot of silly questions. Hope I can eventually contribute something as well. Arlon in Midland Tx.
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
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- ASV Supporter
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Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Welcome! You just about can't go wrong with an AWD Astro/Safari. When you look up multi-purpose in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of our vans....
(And if you look up procrastination... you'll find a pic of my van....)![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
(And if you look up procrastination... you'll find a pic of my van....)
![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
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
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Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Nice work. 2002's an up are the best of the bunch IMO, and the posi rear is good for getting you out of tricky situations. I'm looking forward to your conversions too. Welcome.
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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
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- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:56 am
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Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
After looking around on here I see it has a G80 differential and 3.73 gears (part of the tow package I assume). Anything else to look for (good or bad) on the build codes?
Any thoughts on what tire sizes will fit the std wheels and still work with the 3.73 gears? I think tires are going to have to be replaced pretty soon.
Do the extended vans have a longer wheel base or are the boxes just longer?
Any thoughts on what tire sizes will fit the std wheels and still work with the 3.73 gears? I think tires are going to have to be replaced pretty soon.
Do the extended vans have a longer wheel base or are the boxes just longer?
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Technically, the 04's are not "extended" vans. GM used to offer a short body and the EXT but stopped around 1992-1993. All Astros and Safaris since then have been the longer body and they dropped the EXT designation.arlon wrote: Do the extended vans have a longer wheel base or are the boxes just longer?
Welcome to ASV.
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)
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)
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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:56 am
- Location: Midland Texas
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Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
I thought it looked a lot like all the others I'd seen. It was just advertised as extended.. Hope I can still fit some kind of mattress in there. After looking around on here a little, I have a lot of inspiration.
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Welcome !!arlon wrote:Any thoughts on what tire sizes will fit the std wheels and still work with the 3.73 gears? I think tires are going to have to be replaced pretty soon.
Here is my opinion on tire sizes.
215/70R16 are the standard size.
235/65R16 for a wider tire footprint. This size has the same diameter as the standard 16-inch Astro tire and will fit on the factory wheels.
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
There is room for a queen above the wheel wells.arlon wrote:Hope I can still fit some kind of mattress in there.
Nah. Pretty standard stuff. If you have rear heat and/or A/C you will be able to tell.arlon wrote:Anything else to look for (good or bad) on the build codes?
I would say that with the 3.73 gears, you have room to go bigger if you want. But I recommend sticking to the metric sizes because it will give you more tires to choose from. You may be able to go up to 245's. I don't think you can go any taller without a lift.
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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:56 am
- Location: Midland Texas
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Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Van made the drive home (500 Miles @ 16.7 mpg) with out a hitch. A few rattles and squeaks but nothing serious. The side door squeaking about ran me out of the car, I assume there is some adjustments or lubes to help that. That's going to be the first problem that gets addressed. Tires have some dry rot, looks like the van may have sat for a long time (dry rot, new battery and a few other clues). Guess that's why it only has 42k miles on it.
I'm official now..
I'm official now..
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3145
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: The Pacific North Wet
- Has thanked: 48 times
- Been thanked: 25 times
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Nice! Since it has low mileage, it's time for some needed maintenance. Do the transmission first thing...drop the pan, change the filter, clean the pan, re-install and put in fresh fluid. No need for a complete flush. Then figure on the t-case Auto Trak 2 fluid. Then it's whatever else is needed.
Now throw up some pics of her!![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
Now throw up some pics of her!
![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
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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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:56 am
- Location: Midland Texas
- Contact:
Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Van on day 2..
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/arlon/image/140748806/large.jpg)
Very expensive looking "boulder buster"!
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/arlon/image/140748812/large.jpg)
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/arlon/image/140748806/large.jpg)
Very expensive looking "boulder buster"!
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/arlon/image/140748812/large.jpg)
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3145
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: The Pacific North Wet
- Has thanked: 48 times
- Been thanked: 25 times
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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:56 am
- Location: Midland Texas
- Contact:
Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Hmm, that's just what I was thinking. I'm in rock country and I think a skid plate of some sort will be high on my priority list.. What were the Chevy engineers thinking??
As to "pristine", I would guess it would be as close as one might be able to find. It sure hasn't been abused..
As to "pristine", I would guess it would be as close as one might be able to find. It sure hasn't been abused..
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
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- I am smitten with my van
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:00 pm
- Location: North of Toronto
Re: Hello from Midland Tx.
Nice van! Good color too - looks like Cadet blue, just like my 2005 Astro RWD, only mine isn't two tone. The silver on the lower part goes well with the dark blue upper part. Wish my mine had the posi rear end! I don't think it does. When I get stuck in snow, one wheel spins while the other stays still. Sometimes I wish I had gone for AWD. Maybe I'll see if I can upgrade the rear end sometime. Enjoy your van! BTW, I agree a Cummins diesel swap would make for one sweet van!
2005 Astro RWD, base model, ex-cop van, cadet blue