Allow me to introduce The Van

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sixsix
I am smitten with my van
I am smitten with my van
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Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
Location: Edgewood, Ky.

Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by sixsix »

Hello, My name is Mike. My wife and I are the Caretakers of a 1992 Astro LT that we were granted Stewardship of in 1994.
We anticipated a long road trip out west back then and started with "The Van" 6 months prior to Iron out any Kinks.

There were no Kinks and the 6,000 mile trip was an enormous success.

... Well that was 200,000+ miles, 6 other big trips and 20+ years later. We have taken very good care and PMed the heck out of it - so, here it is - still kicking. But needing a bit of "Out of the Ordinary" care and repair and could use a little updating.

Now - here we are - looking for tips and ideas to better our "Old Ride". We have been to other Forums and belong to a couple as members. I am looking for some "FRESH" thoughts.

Here are a few photos of "The Van" prior to our Retirement and it's "Revival":

Image
Image
Image
Image

One of the Major areas that We were concerned with was the Front end Plastic, Grille, Lights, etc.:

Image
All of the Top Tabs had to be reconstructed and all 3 major Parts had cracks and parts missing - Paint was horrible, Silver all but gone. A lot of work was done under the Hood - And it Shows. We also did an Enormous amount of work on the Interior - Headliner, Overhead Console, Lighting, Carpet, etc - rinse and repeat as needed...



Mike
1992 Astro LT CPI/W Motor
210K - Very Slowly Revived

Engine Compartment and Grill & Hdlight Bezel Tabs - Showing off !!
Image
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doyoulikeithere
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by doyoulikeithere »

every time i see a pic of the engine bay and firewall, like that, I think holy cow,,,,
that just looks so naked without a clutch master cylinder sitting in that empty spot.... ;)
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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WoodButcher
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Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by WoodButcher »

You know you can buy the grill and bezels for the astro new on ebay. When I got the one to cut up for my phantom grill I think it cost less than $100 shipped.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'93 cargo, work in progress
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Topic author
sixsix
I am smitten with my van
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
Location: Edgewood, Ky.

Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by sixsix »

Oh... I'm sorry... nodded out there for a day or so. Good to hear from you Woody !!!

Uh, thanks for the advice - next time ( yeah, right... ) I will order it or them online or buy one locally.
FLEABAY has them way, way cheaper than $100 - even "Already Broken" ones. Such a deal awaits you...
A few hours repair, sanding, $20 in paint & supplies - these 3 look like new. The Masking for the Silver sucked monumentally, tho.

Now, let me get back to my nap while I wait for the next post...



Mike
1992 Astro LT CPI/W Motor
210K - Very Slowly Revived

Engine Compartment and Grill & Hdlight Bezel Tabs - Showing off !!
Image
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Topic author
sixsix
I am smitten with my van
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
Location: Edgewood, Ky.

Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by sixsix »

doyoulikeithere wrote: ... sitting in that empty spot.... ;)
Now that's really funny - 1st I have ever heard anyone say "empty spot" when referring to under the hood of these vans.
Believe me - as soon as the engineers saw where that vacuum canister sat - they had plenty of things in mind.
There is NOT ONE SPOT that a baseball could fit or sit easily.

It's a good thing these older Vans don't have much go wrong with them under the hood. You would never be able to fix them.



Mike
1992 Astro LT CPI/W Motor
210K - Very Slowly Revived

Engine Compartment and Grill & Hdlight Bezel Tabs - Showing off !!
Image

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

Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by ihatemybike »

Nice looking 92.

Almost makes me miss my 94, almost.
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
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okie1
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Location: central Oklahoma

Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by okie1 »

Very nice van, you should be proud. :supz:

bruce27
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by bruce27 »

Darn nice. and I thought my daily driver '92 was clool with the 108,000 miles on it.
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Smiliesafari
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by Smiliesafari »

Really nice shape. You take good care of it.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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Topic author
sixsix
I am smitten with my van
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
Location: Edgewood, Ky.

Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by sixsix »

ihatemybike wrote:Nice looking 92. ...
okie1 wrote:Very nice van, you should be proud. :supz:
bruce27 wrote:Darn nice. and I thought my daily driver '92 was clool with the 108,000 miles on it.
Smiliesafari wrote:Really nice shape. You take good care of it.
I thank you all from the guy who's head is too big :yellin:
now to fit on the EDIT/COMPOSE page anymore

So... next is ALL the doors - Electrics & Mechanical.



Mike
1992 Astro LT CPI/W Motor
210K - Very Slowly Revived

Engine Compartment and Grill & Hdlight Bezel Tabs - Showing off !!
Image
User avatar

Topic author
sixsix
I am smitten with my van
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
Location: Edgewood, Ky.

Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by sixsix »

Hello, My name is Mike. My wife and I are the Caretakers of a 1992 Astro LT that we were granted Stewardship of in 1994.
We anticipated a long road trip out west back then and started with "The Van" 6 months prior to Iron out any Kinks.

There were no Kinks and the 6,000 mile trip was an enormous success.

... Well that was 200,000+ miles, 6 other big trips and 20+ years later. We have taken very good care and PMed the heck out of it - so, here it is - still kicking. But needing a bit of "Out of the Ordinary" care and repair and could use a little updating.

Now - here we are - looking for tips and ideas to better our "Old Ride". We have been to other Forums and belong to a couple as members. I am looking for some "FRESH" thoughts.

Here are a few photos of "The Van" prior to our Retirement and it's "Revival":

Image
E03 The Van Front Left

Image
E04 The Van Front Right

Image
E05 The Van Back Left

Image
E06 The Van Sliding Door Open

One of the Major areas that We were concerned with was the Front end Plastic, Grille, Lights, etc.:

Image
E01 1992 Astro Fr End
All of the Top Tabs had to be reconstructed and all 3 major Parts had cracks and parts missing - Paint was horrible, Silver all but gone. A lot of work was done under the Hood - And it Shows. We also did an Enormous amount of work on the Interior - Headliner, Overhead Console, Lighting, Carpet, etc - rinse and repeat as needed...



Mike
1992 Astro LT CPI/W Motor
210K - Very Slowly Revived

Engine Compartment and Grill & Hdlight Bezel Tabs - Showing off !!
Image
User avatar

WoodButcher
Deputy
Deputy
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 449
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:01 pm
Location: Woodbury, CT.

Re: Allow me to introduce The Van

Post by WoodButcher »

Such a clean little van. I have never been able to keep any vehicle clean and tidy for more than a day.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'93 cargo, work in progress
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