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what have I done to improve my Astro over the years.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 9:19 pm
by markinnh
V8 swap, rebuilt/upgraded transmission, made various different hoods with different hood scoops, added louvers to fenders, rebuilt rear axle with posi unit. Added 11 drum brakes from a Buick Roadmaster. welded in license plate box and added door handle and lock from passenger side door. removed stock rear bumper and added bumper from el camino. removed stationary glass and replaced with windows that open in rear doors after replacing rear doors. replaced slider door due to dent i could not fix.replaced fuel pump with better pump for IROC Z-28. installed trap door for access to fuel pump. Built the 350 that is in my van. Added extra reverse lights and back up camera. Added spare tire carrier to rear door. Replaced all body mount bushings with polyurethane. replaced engine and trans mounts with polyurethane. Replaced suspension bushings with polyurethane.
Re: what have I done to improve my Astro over the years.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 4:56 am
by Captn. Crunch
Nice list of upgrades! El Camino rear bumper huh? I’ve been spending quite a bit of time under my van lately needle gunning and rust proofing. I’ve been staring at the rear hitch and bumper set up looking to shorten the whole thing up. I’ve never really liked the way it protrudes sooo far past the rear of the vehicle. You wouldn’t have a pic of that rear bumper swap would you?
Did you ever have hood scoops tied directly to the engine air intake of the engine?
Re: what have I done to improve my Astro over the years.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 5:34 am
by Captn. Crunch
Never mind the bumper pics-just found them on the other site-nice
Re: what have I done to improve my Astro over the years.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 7:36 am
by markinnh
My cowl induction scoop is tied to the engine -however the scoop is fiberglass and the hood is steal and it keeps cracking due to the temperature changes so it will be replaced once again in the future. I used the 2 part epoxy I was told to use , it cracked, I grinded it down added rivets then refinished again and guess what it still cracked so I am going to go stock hood and run the air intake into the tiny firewall to grab air from the area where the wiper armature is at the bottom of the windshield so it will not even be seen unless you open the hood.
Re: what have I done to improve my Astro over the years.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:45 am
by Captn. Crunch
I’ll keep an eye out for that one!
Re: what have I done to improve my Astro over the years.
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:35 am
by markinnh
I will have to install a screen to keep leaves and such from going into my air intake and since its winter now this whole idea will have to wait till spring.
Re: what have I done to improve my Astro over the years.
Posted: Wed May 26, 2021 7:02 pm
by Astrophysics
Hi Captain,
Do the fender louvres cool the engine compartment or the front brakes?
Currently, I have fitted a 2014 Jeep Wrangler JK front bumper on my 2003 AWD Astro.
Thank you,
AP