Bought what I thought was a parts van.

[HPbyStan]

I answered an ad on Craigs List for a '03 Astro LT AWD that sounded like junk but it was only $500 so I called the guy and got directions to his place. I saw an Astro in the driveway on that street but drove right by the house because I couldn't believe "that" could be the one. If this works, Here's what I bought:
http://s296.photobucket.com/user/HPbySt ... all&page=1
Sorry, with the new & improved Photobucket, what's written at the top of the page doesn't always let you post the link. I do not know why :-(

I emailed the link to Skip. Hopefully he can figure it out for us, Stan Millard

[Smiliesafari]

Cherie is actually the guru. I hope this works.

[Smiliesafari]

Nice score, Stan. What's the plan for this one?

[HPbyStan]

Thanks Skip, I don't really have a plan. The description was so bad and $500 seemed so low I just thought I was getting a parts van. I saw it on his street when I got there but drove right by the house as I couldn't believe THAT was the one he was talking about. I don't know the background on why he "sold" it so cheap but it runs like a watch and drives like a new one. He said his mechanic thought maybe a bearing was washing out so 1st thing I did when I got it home was do an oil change because if you don't fill the filter before you put it on, the engine runs without oil till the pump gets the system filled back up and if the bearings are bad it will "rattle" like crazy till it gets some oil. Thankfully our Astro filters screw on straight up so we CAN fill the filter 1st but I put it up dry this time as a test and not a sound so I think I'm good there as well. When he 1st put up the ad, he said it didn't run and kept blowing the 40A starter fuse so they put in a 60A and then the motor seized. What seized was the worn out starter so they put on a new one and now it doesn't blow fuses and starts almost before you can let off the key. It would seem like I just made a killer deal to me. His ad made it sound so bad he said I was the only one to call even at that price.

.

[doyoulikeithere]

The AstroSafari Gods are watching over you and that lost van, my friend !
Congrats. You could sell the leather seats for 5 bills.

[Smiliesafari]

Good for you. Everyone likes to get a deal once in a while. Without much effort you can turn that one for a nice profit.

[mdmead]

Very nice! I'm jealous!

[doyoulikeithere]

I'll give ya 600 bux for it !! Lol....

[HPbyStan]

I went to register it today and everything was going well till I went to write the check and there were none in there. I get to stand in line again tomorrow, y e a h. I hate it when it's my fault. I figured the DMV guy would get red cheeks when he saw the $500 in the price line but he either missed it or figured that's all it was worth I guess.

[doyoulikeithere]

Hey Stan, If ya get a chance, would you mind snapping a photo of the way that the mid row seating attaches to the floor please?
I am really curious to know if those kinda seats can clip onto the things that all my vans have on the floor, of if you have something different on the floor, and whats that look like?
Thats a beauty ov a van with all the leather and everything. Are you looking for a used red hood and a home brew lift kit yet?

[HPbyStan]

The 2ed row seats bolt right to the floor. There seems to be something missing for the right 2ed row seat. I looked in the owners manual and GM shows a guy clicking the seat belt like anybody couldn't figure that out. I think the PO may have unbolted the rt seat to haul more fire wood and not reinstalled whatever the belt needs to hook to the seat or floor or where ever it does hook to. Maybe I can find an Astro with the quad seating and see what is missing

[T.Low]

[chesehd]

The 2ed row seats bolt right to the floor. There seems to be something missing for the right 2ed row seat. I looked in the owners manual and GM shows a guy clicking the seat belt like anybody couldn't figure that out. I think the PO may have unbolted the rt seat to haul more fire wood and not reinstalled whatever the belt needs to hook to the seat or floor or where ever it does hook to. Maybe I can find an Astro with the quad seating and see what is missing

Why not try and see if the front passenger seat belt clip will fit on the right, middle seat? If so, find one at a boneyard. Just a thought.

Ken

[HPbyStan]

The 2ed row seats bolt right to the floor. There seems to be something missing for the right 2ed row seat. I looked in the owners manual and GM shows a guy clicking the seat belt like anybody couldn't figure that out. I think the PO may have unbolted the rt seat to haul more fire wood and not reinstalled whatever the belt needs to hook to the seat or floor or where ever it does hook to. Maybe I can find an Astro with the quad seating and see what is missing

Why not try and see if the front passenger seat belt clip will fit on the right, middle seat? If so, find one at a boneyard. Just a thought.

Ken

Thanks Ken, I found the missing piece at my local Chev stealership for $17.01 and it seemed easiest to just buy it.. Stan

[donh97]

i just bought what I thought was a 97 Safari AWD parts van for $350. & it may be one. Has 250,000 on odom. I'm gambling though, and am putting a tranny in it. It drives good except that after tranny warmed up, it quits. Park it for a few minutes & drive it again. AC even blows cold. Everything else works but driver door window. Has a good body except for dent on sliding door which is large enough to mostly push out. Doesn't affect operation of it. This is the cheaper body style & if it proves to be worth it, I'll give it a lift and maybe some more goodies because I'm in Colorado. Oh yes, I just put new rotors & pads on front.

I really am enjoying this Astro/Safari site. You all are great!