i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

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patgizz
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I get chills without my van.
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i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Post by patgizz »

the 96 blazer failed emissions and has a dead OBD port(no, its not a blown cig lighter fuse) so it is extremely tough to diagnose. i got sick of throwing parts at it and still failing the test, so i transferred the dead astro's commercial plates over to it so i wouldnt have to do emissions testing.

then while looking for trucks/vans on CL i got mad and eliminated anything newer than 25 years old from my search, and bought this


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it's a 68 C20 with a 292 and 4 speed. it runs very well, i had to adjust the carb in the seller's driveway for it to do so. i drove it about 8 miles to my sister's house and parked it for a few weeks until i can get rid of my dead astro and parts blazer to make room for it.

no huge plans in store. just want to do power brakes and steering, discs up front, 14 bolt in back with 3.73 to replace the 4.56 HO52 rear so it can do more than 55 without revving the heck out of the engine. then mild bodywork and paint. no v8, i always wanted a 292 and loved it when i drove it. the brakes are kinda scary, i have never driven anything with 4 wheel manual drums before. and the only reason i want to do power steering is to get a smaller steering wheel on there because the original is so huge it rubs on my thighs while driving.

i've always wanted a 67-72 truck and have never had anything from the 60's before. i've had vehicles from every decade from the 40's to the 00's but this is my first 60's anything.

best part was the price, which was slightly less than i'll get for scrap + the converter when i take in the rotted out astro.
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HPbyStan
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Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Post by HPbyStan »

It's a beauty.....
'04 White AWD Astro cargo
'00 Astro / El Camino
'61 BSA Super Rocket
'71 BSA B50 engine in a '67 C25 250 chassis
Impossible is just a degree of difficulty....

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Actually in pretty good shape for being well over 40 years old!
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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Smiliesafari
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Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Post by Smiliesafari »

Very COOL. I have a '68 C20. Rusty but trusty. V8, truck 4 speed. Tough old truck.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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HPbyStan
I sleep in my van
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Posts: 601
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:15 am
Location: Janesville, Wis

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Post by HPbyStan »

Smiliesafari wrote:Very COOL. I have a '68 C20. Rusty but trusty. V8, truck 4 speed. Tough old truck.
I'm impressed at how little rust this guys seems to have for its age.
'04 White AWD Astro cargo
'00 Astro / El Camino
'61 BSA Super Rocket
'71 BSA B50 engine in a '67 C25 250 chassis
Impossible is just a degree of difficulty....
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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: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Post by doyoulikeithere »

I Love It.
I want a short box step side 4x4 of the same era.
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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JTalley
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Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Post by JTalley »

Nice! My mom had one of those, but I think it was a '70, and it was green. The brake booster was out, and that thing was nearly impossible to stop.
Jake

Image
Ed- 1992 Astro, RWD, 4.3l V6 (purchased Feb. 2011)
FlowTech Red Hots glasspack exhaust (finally got it put on there!)
Old rides (earlier to later)
2004 Honda 250 Rebel (my dad's bike, he let me use it)
Neko- 1991 S10 Blazer, 4x4, 4-door (SOLD Feb. 2011)
Custom (aka failed) diy paint job- red with black stripe

Topic author
patgizz
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 65
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:57 pm

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Post by patgizz »

yeah the manual brakes don't inspire much confidence when stopping. supposedly the astro hydroboost booster/master is compatible with the booster bracket i found to mount to the firewall. so i will pull that from my 96 before i take it in. i'll have to keep the pump too. i am a hydroboost fan, i always loved the feel of my astro brakes and have the system in my 90 dually and had it in my 76 dually as well.

the rockers have been replaced and are hand made. someone did a great job bending them, but the metal is too thin. i'm planning to buy the cab corner/rocker/floorpan/floor support kit and do it all. the corners are a bit soft.
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