Chevy & GMC Vans

just been driving around town. I'm still pretty happy with my van
sooner or later I'll get around to making a custom center console for a new radio
I've also been thinking about mounting another radio and maybe a CD changer where the TV used to be and mounting some of my extra speakers in the high top.


cadillac will be going in for a new engine and trans later this week. all the parts are in and the car was driven to the shop without incident (well it made it but thats all I can say for it)
It was 7 miles from my house to my mechanics. As time went on, the car went slower and slower. If I pushed the throttle down past 1/3 way the engine would protest. It would wind up but not go anywhere (like hitting a brick wall).
After 2 miles, white smoke started rolling out from under my back bumper. I was wondering why all of a sudden all the other cars kept 30+ feet back even though I was barely doing the speed limit. then when I got to the shop, my dad informed me that smoke was rolling off my back bumper and it looked like my car was about to blow up. lol
after about 5 miles, the car started to lose compression noticeably. top speed (when the engine started protesting) dropped down to about 30-35 Oddly though, the engine was still completely silent (you could not hear it), even as I came up to my mechanics. No knocking, no rattles. and it still idled normally. good old gutless oldsmobile engine.

heres what I have got going into it:
GM goodwrench 350- 4 bolt main
flowtech afterburner ceramic coated headers
pypes impala ss stainless dual exhaust system
94-96 roadmaster dual exhaust crossmember
edelbrock performer intake (weight saving if nothing else)
bowtie overdrives stage 2 street/ strip transmission

I mostly vegged out this weekend since it rained like crazy. Today I did seal up my clearance lights on the cab so hopefully they won't leak anymore.

I also ordered a Rancho MyRide system with new RS9000XL shocks all around. With all the weight I will have after the lift and with the rack and spare tire on the back it will be nice to have some easy adjust-ability in the suspension.

I got some new tools on order. Too many to list. Everything I could think of that I might need and didn't have for when I do my lift, brake upgrade, front end service and axle overhaul.

The UPS guy must hate me:











Pretty much everything made in China. Everything had good reviews though. I have some Craftsman flare nut wrenches (3 different types: standard, crows foot and swivel head) coming too. Oh and some hex sockets for the brake calipers. I want to be self sufficient.

Drove through a snow storm, again.
Next it will be April showers...

This morning I slid on black ice thru an intersection, and bent an Astro Rim up real good!!

Rule 6B

today, i removed my transfer case and got my tranny ready to pop out.
Then after dark, I went into he basement and pulled the heads off my engine cleaned everything up real good and put new head gaskets on and torqued the cleaned up heads back down.
Tommorow, I hope to pull the trans and clutch assy.. then get ready to pull out the engine.
No Pix, sorry TB...

All first time things for me: Transmission Filter and fluid change (no flush), Front Differential Fluid Change, PCV Filter, Fuel Filter.

I have 100000K miles so am doing a bunch of stuff for that and a trip south. I am planning a poor mans flush in the next couple weeks, which works out well cause my trans fluid was nassssty. Since these were relatively easy and I dont have any info on maintenance from the previous owner any reason I shouldnt also change the front, rear, and trans case fluids again as well? Im not having problems, but will be working the van the next few months through various terrain with a loaded van as I head to Central America (this time for real haha), and figure I dont mind spending a bit of money to flush the fluids out before departing. Is it a waste of time for the ones not counting transmission flush?


ps, I am joining the club...I need to get a torch for the rear diff :(

I drove my van 100 miles in nasty weather to buy another project, a 1976 BMW 2002. It's in nasty shape but I feel like I got a decent price for it. It's not driveable and half of it will go straight into the dumpster but I have wanted one for a long time. This one is so trashed I don't feel even slightly compelled to keep anything on it stock. So, RACECAR! Vrooom! Vrooom! I'm gonna gut it and trick it out. It will be a backburner project until my van is up to par.

i finally realized i hadn't checked in here on astrosafari for far too long. i was in my van.

Wiley wrote:I have 100000K miles so am doing a bunch of stuff for that and a trip south. I am planning a poor mans flush in the next couple weeks, which works out well cause my trans fluid was nassssty. Since these were relatively easy and I dont have any info on maintenance from the previous owner any reason I shouldnt also change the front, rear, and trans case fluids again as well?

Since you just did the front diff, it is good to go. I would do the rear diff and t-case. You might also want to just do a filter and fluid change on the tranny after 500 - 1000 miles. Let the fresh fluid clean it up a little and then change it out. No need to do a complete flush unless you want to swap to synthetic fluid. If you put too much fresh tranny fluid in there, you could burn up the tranny from loosening up all the dirt and sludge that has built up over 100k miles.

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:

Wiley wrote:I have 100000K miles so am doing a bunch of stuff for that and a trip south. I am planning a poor mans flush in the next couple weeks, which works out well cause my trans fluid was nassssty. Since these were relatively easy and I dont have any info on maintenance from the previous owner any reason I shouldnt also change the front, rear, and trans case fluids again as well?

Since you just did the front diff, it is good to go. I would do the rear diff and t-case. You might also want to just do a filter and fluid change on the tranny after 500 - 1000 miles. Let the fresh fluid clean it up a little and then change it out. No need to do a complete flush unless you want to swap to synthetic fluid. If you put too much fresh tranny fluid in there, you could burn up the tranny from loosening up all the dirt and sludge that has built up over 100k miles.

Aewsome thanks man, did the transfer case last week, will do the rear diff as soon as I get the torch. Will do the transmission filter/fluid once more following your advice, was unsure about a flush as I have seen people on both sides of the fence. Appreciate the help, I will stop cluttering this thread with questions and stick to what I have done.

Feels good to finally contribute to this thread, there is no way I could have gotten where I am now without this site!



97cargocrawler, you better not let that BMW take time away from your epic Astro build!

last fall I stored my project Safari and loaded all the non mechanical parts inside. Today I moved my van to my work area and cleaned it all out. Now I have to start putting her back together.
I plan on starting the interior first as soon as I get the carpet cleaned. I will be taking pictures as I go.

I drove my rolling toolbox to the job. I did my thing. Then I drove my rolling toolbox home, used it to jump start my car, locked her down and put her to bed! Overall, good day!

Got an alignment done and had the tires balanced and rotated since it was on the lift. Bought oil and filters for 2 upcoming oil changes in the next month. Gonna be putting 2700+ miles on her in the next week and a half!