. If looking for "more mirrors" when pulling a trailer or because you need more visual for safety, do investigate the slip-on towing mirrors. I used a set of slip-on towing mirrors on my previous AWD van. For the few times it did tow a wide load (that I needed to see around), the slip-ons ...

. My previous 2001 AWD Safari van was a "pig on gas" as well. My buddy has a V8 4x4 Pickup and at times, both our AWDs/4x4s got the same MPGs. And, he had much more power under his hood to justify it. At times, my prevous AWD Safari van drank gas faster than the gas tanker truck following ...

I agree with Kabey's Van. The 460LE transmission can slightly slip and remain this way for many months. And sometimes, the 460LE can run great and all of a sudden "bang" (like it did in my previous AWD van - that needed a full $1,200 rebuild). In any case, I wouldn't bet the horses on it. ...

Do "shop around" your local area and compare your selling price against others with simular van. In my area, your "very clean looking" van would probably go for $2,500 to $3,000. A few months back, I "traded in" my lemon AWD Safari Passenger van. Man, I still couldn't b...

My previous AWD van had 1" lift (from torsion bar adjusment) in the front and 1.5" lift (from added +1 "short leaf") in its rear. I added Timbrens SES units in the rear to custom 1.25" steel spacer and they worked great. Felt great at top but felt much firmer on the bottom. ...

. If it were my Astro/Safari van, I would install an LPD (Low Pressure Drop) Design Aux Tranny cooler that is rated tow up to 7,000 lbs. For example: http://www.makcotransmissionparts.com/OC-1679.html As per my local tranny specialist (who rebuilt the tranny in my previous AWD Van), the Astro/Safari...

. To me, I find the front end suspension of Astro/Safari Van's (especially AWDs) are very soft. Too soft / too mushy. HQ/HD shocks help reduce ease of "up/down" movement but Heavy Duty shocks do NOT change load support. Especially if adding more weight on the front - like a front winch &am...

Loose wire/connection could be on the battery. Could also be on your van's alternator wiring or your internal alternator parts as well. As a suggestion, start your van, disconnect the altnerator wire (that feeds onto your battery "+" leads) and with Digital meter still connected between Al...

. I'm from "old school" who still believes that factory wiring should only be tapped into if needed. For example: Electric Brake Controller "switch" wire. When possible, parallel wiring should be installed instead. Especially for "power hungry" electonics. With this in ...

. If my above suggested new ATF fluid/Filter and Lucus FIX additive doesn't work, then perhaps a kit can be installed. For a low cost "kit" that appears to remove slippage surf: http://www.bmracing.com/PRODUCTS/Buick-Chevrolet-GMC-Olds-Pontiac/Shift-Improver-Kits-Chevrolet-GMC-Pontiac-93-0...

. For short term... - Replace with clean ATF. - Replace its Transmission Oil filter. - Dump in some Lucas Transmission Fix. re: http://lucasoil.hodgsoncorp.com/slipping_transmission.htm * Keep your fingers crossed and give it a try. If wondering, some folks use Lucas Transmission Fix and it "so...

In my previous 1995 Safari RWD van, I replaced factory "P" tires with LT tires. Like for like rubber size - except in LT flavor. LT tires have stiffer side walls and are great for towing and/or sharp cornering. I loved the feel of those LT tires. Firm and they removed the "slosh / rol...

On my 2 x previous GM Safari vans, I installed a few 12V "power hungry" items as well. For these items, I left the factory wiring "as is". For my 12V "power hungry" items, I used a thick 10 guage wire off battery - into appropriate sized breaker (located within 12"...

If it were me and knowning what I know today, I would NOT buy another AWD Astro/Safari van again. Yes, their AWD system is awesome - with huge amounts of unbelievable traction in snow, mud, soft beach sand and on ice. But being AWD van, it will be "gutless", it has more expensive steering ...

If wondering "parasitic drain" under 75 MA (.075 on Digital Volt Meter) is great. Many vehicles are between 3 and 5 MA - when its many electrical items are in their natural "sleep states". Adaptive Lamp monitor = 0.5 - 1.0 mA HVAC Programmer = 0.5 - 0.75 mA Gages Cluster = 4.0 - ...