The Man Van is Dead...

[9dawgs]

Well guys, it's been a while since I posted last and a LOT has happened since then. First off we sold my wifes '98 Astro to get her a newer vehicle. Picked up a sweet 2004 Volvo XC70 AWD Turbo. It's a very nice car. Secondly we've had 3 new grand children. 2 boys and 1 girl. And lastly and most sadly the '99 Astro was in an accident and didn't make it.

My youngest son was driving home from church a couple of Wed nights ago and was side swiped but a lady in a Toyota Corolla. The impact was so great it knocked the drivers side rear wheels back about 2 feet. She basically hit at the drivers front fender and went all the way back. Both cars were totaled.

She was cited by the deputy sheriff who investigated for going too fast and crossing over into the opposite lane. Fortunately no one was hurt. It could have easily been a head on collision and this would have been a much different post. The Lord was truly looking out for all involved.

Currently I'm looking for a new project. I'm not sure if I'll go the Astro route again. You just can't replace perfection :>) I'm interested in a '84 Jeep Grand Wagoneer near me. If I can ever hook up with the owner to look at it I'll probably buy it. It's lifted 6", has an AMC 360 in it with a Dana 44 in the front and an AMC 20 axle in the rear. I've had two of these full sized wagoneers in the past and loved them. In fact my very first car was a '66 Jeep Wagoneer with a 327 Vigilante V8. It was awesome. I guess things have come full circle for me...

Good luck to all with your Astro addiction. It's tough on the old body when you have to stop cold turkey.

Oh, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY. Remember it ain't about the hotdogs and hamburgers but about the men and women who have willingly laid down their lives for our freedom.

Semper,
Jim<><

[astrozam]

Glad to hear your Son was o.k, vans come and go! ( but that was a really sweet van ) congrats on the Grandkids, they are a lot of fun aren't they.

[T.Low]

Glad everyone was ok. Too bad about the van, of course. It was an inspiration to many an Astro builder including myself, and thanks to ASV and the internet, it will live on in images and text to inspire countless more.

And thanks again for all the personal correspondence when I was an Astro van newb.

T.Low Tom

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Congrats on 3 more grand babies! Too bad about the van but thankfully your son was not hurt. I love the Wagoneers...If you do get it, come back here and post up lots of pics. You are still more than welcome as you are part of the ASV family.

[tribri1]

Condolences, I feel your pain. Mine was totaled last weekend while I was floating a river. The shuttle driver ran off the road and rolled it. He is in the hospital and improving the van however is dead. I'm at a loss, I don't want to go through the process of building a new one. Not sure what vehicle is next. On that note, if someone is interested in a tri-fold bed that fits an Astro, I got one almost ready to install...

[mdmead]

Wow, so sorry to hear about the loss of BOTH vans! It's bad enough to lose a vehicle, but one that a person has a lot of 'blood sweat and tears' in is really tough.

Geez, it is almost like there is a conspiracy to destroy cool vans..

[photo_van]

Oh Man! I'm so sorry you guys. It's our worst nightmare, with all the energy we put into these things.....

Good luck on the road ahead!

[9dawgs]

Condolences, I feel your pain. Mine was totaled last weekend while I was floating a river. The shuttle driver ran off the road and rolled it. He is in the hospital and improving the van however is dead. I'm at a loss, I don't want to go through the process of building a new one. Not sure what vehicle is next. On that note, if someone is interested in a tri-fold bed that fits an Astro, I got one almost ready to install...

Oh man, yours is definately "more" totalled than mine was. But I guess totalled is totalled... Either way we both lost our rigs. Hope your insurance company does good by you brother. Mine would not even consider the 4" OLV lift or the new tires I had just installed on it. They told me that the new tires were listed as in "excellent" condition and that I'd gotten $110 for them. I paid right around $700 about a month ago... Anyhow, looks like I'll be getting my money today or tomorrow sometime. They gave me $3100 for it. Looks like you had more into yours. The KBB listed mine w/172000 miles on it with a low (fair rating) of $2600 and a high (excellent) of $3400. I guess they shot somewhere in the middle. The good thing is that before it was hauled off to the insurance inspection lot I removed my new $200 Sears Diehard gel cell battery and replaced it with an old Interstate battery I had in my garage. Otherwise that would'nt have been reimbursed either.

Tomorrow I'm going to look at an '84 Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

This is some of what the ad says: "The 360 has the sought after closed chamber heads (dog leg ports), Edelbrock performer intake and 600cfm Edelbrock carb and air cleaner, Mallory billet distributor, Mallory Unilight module, MSD 6AL Ignition box, MSD Blaster 2 coil, MSD Pro 9mm wires, I have Headman headers for it, but they are not installed at the moment. Transmission is a 999 (almost identical to a 727 Torqueflight) that shift perfectly, Transfer case is a NP 249 with new chain and seals. Front axle is a Dana 44 with manual hub conversion, Rear axle is a big spline Dana 20.Leaf springs are custom built packs with a shackle reverse in the front and a shackle flip/ relocate in the rear. "

I've had two of these in the past and I'm getting a bit excited about it :>P If it's in as good a shape as the owner claims, I may just bite. They are really capable 4x4s. Here's a picture:

[1Gary]

Condolences, I feel your pain. Mine was totaled last weekend while I was floating a river. The shuttle driver ran off the road and rolled it. He is in the hospital and improving the van however is dead. I'm at a loss, I don't want to go through the process of building a new one. Not sure what vehicle is next. On that note, if someone is interested in a tri-fold bed that fits an Astro, I got one almost ready to install...

I just don't get it.A shuttle driver can't just drive the van without flipping it.I am a emotional kind of guy and that would bring tears to my eyes. Ya know insurances aside,I would become "that guy" with a lawyer to get as much as possible from the company he works for.

[9dawgs]

Well I took a look at the '84 yesterday and it wasn't what I had expected. You can't tell from the photo but it had a LOT of rust issues and the interior was a total disaster. It was a lot more project than I wanted to tackle. The engine and drive train were in exceptional condition though. What a shame...

Anyhow, I'm heading north about an hour to check out an '86. It looks pretty good from the photos but you never know until you actually look at it. I'll keep you guys posted.

[tribri1]

I just don't get it.A shuttle driver can't just drive the van without flipping it.I am a emotional kind of guy and that would bring tears to my eyes. Ya know insurances aside,I would become "that guy" with a lawyer to get as much as possible from the company he works for.

After car shopping yesterday I am pretty close to being "that guy" too. Unfortunately, shuttle companies are not known for having deep pockets. Insurance came back to me with part of my total. They are giving me $5900 for the van (I paid $5500 a year ago) and getting an appraisal for the value including the top, dual battery and other add-ons. I should hear back with a firm number next week. By the sound of it I should be close to what I spent minus the time and effort to find the perfect vehicle and make the modifications.