Other challeges for Grumpy
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Other challeges for Grumpy
Since I've bought Grumpy for cheap and it seems to be a decent van I keep thinking of stuff to do with it
In addition to it intended purpose the BA/BE Rally, I thought of:
Parking lot autocross (if they'll let me)
Dirt track one on one (seen a Caravan, why not an Astro?)
Tour of Route 66 (I want to do this on bicycle one day, driving would be a good preview)
Making it amphibious (most crazy and probably over my head)
If Grumpy survives Route 66, I'd think about trying to organize a beater rally on it. Might be cool. What to call it? "Beat on 66", "Bang on 66", "The Load on America's Road".....
In addition to it intended purpose the BA/BE Rally, I thought of:
Parking lot autocross (if they'll let me)
Dirt track one on one (seen a Caravan, why not an Astro?)
Tour of Route 66 (I want to do this on bicycle one day, driving would be a good preview)
Making it amphibious (most crazy and probably over my head)
If Grumpy survives Route 66, I'd think about trying to organize a beater rally on it. Might be cool. What to call it? "Beat on 66", "Bang on 66", "The Load on America's Road".....
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
The famous '97 year with AWD ... hey does it have a G80? LOL I think a few members might want that from you. I vote for Dirt Rally!
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:14 am
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
oowhee, yes I'd be intrested in that. One thing my van hasn't got is the G80. 

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I don't understand all I know about that.
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Chris
91AWD 350
and a bunch of other wrecks...
I don't understand all I know about that.
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Chris
91AWD 350
and a bunch of other wrecks...
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
91AWDAstro wrote:oowhee, yes I'd be intrested in that. One thing my van hasn't got is the G80.
Ding ding ding!!! We have a buyer!
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 128
- Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:48 am
- Location: lenox,MA
- Contact:
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
a run of 66 would be an awsome idea...me and my friend are gonna go for it one of these days...

--->2000 RWD 4.3L/4L60E ,3.43 gears.exhaust and throttle body mods....gone =(...
-->1998 kia sportage 3 inch lift 30 inch tires under repairs
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
Oh hell yeah, an "Astro Safari on 66" run is a great idea. Roughly 2450 miles over the coarse of let's say a week. My van would run about $425 for gas one way. Might have to do this next year.
Unfortunately the RPO code sticker is missing so I don't know which rear end it has. I currently have no plans of selling or parting out Grumpy. Grumpy is going to be my project practice van. Any customization that I want to do to my DD that I don't have the skills for yet will be done as cheaply as possible on Grumpy first. Lets me screw things up and learn to fix them, so I can hopefully do it right the first time on the '99.
Unfortunately the RPO code sticker is missing so I don't know which rear end it has. I currently have no plans of selling or parting out Grumpy. Grumpy is going to be my project practice van. Any customization that I want to do to my DD that I don't have the skills for yet will be done as cheaply as possible on Grumpy first. Lets me screw things up and learn to fix them, so I can hopefully do it right the first time on the '99.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
My daydreams can be scary sometimes.
Has anyone ever seen an Astro entered in a truck/tractor pull?
Has anyone ever seen an Astro entered in a truck/tractor pull?
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
No, and with the bone-stock V6!? Be one quick tracker pull ... #-o
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:44 pm
- Location: Birmingham, MI
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
I like all the ideas Im in for 66 grandparents did it in their vette loved it and i loved the pics.
99 sle awd safari
Another addition to cash for clunkers.

Another addition to cash for clunkers.

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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
Just think it would be funny, come out with the A-Team van, get all hooked up, crowd maybe getting into it, go nowhere.
Where the heck is the rolling smilie?

Where the heck is the rolling smilie?
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
Re: Other challeges for Grumpy
ihatemybike wrote:Just think it would be funny, come out with the A-Team van, get all hooked up, crowd maybe getting into it, go nowhere.![]()
Where the heck is the rolling smilie?
Pretty much ... or get a standing ovation for hammering the throttle and have the rear end of van snap lose ....


97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"