wishful thinking

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astrodamus
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wishful thinking

Post by astrodamus »

ok after many hours of surfing the internet..looking for customizing ideas that will suit me an my budget, this is what I've come up with on how i would like my truck to look!

First off a new pearl white paint job.

These rims & tires 22":
Image
Image

these seats:
Image

the cargo area would look something like this, the wood would be silver Grey:
Image

this color wood trim:
Image

this body kit:
Image

This grill with with the headlights that I already have and a Chevy bowtie:
Image

and my company graphics on the sides:
Image

with a V8 swap later to come..

thank guys for all your help, I'm sure I'll need more in the near future.

"Knowing what you want is half the battle!" :chevy:

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I am not a fan of the wheels. I think that if you will be hauling anything at all in your van, you will be damaging those wheels pretty quickly. I think a 17 or 18" wheel would be max so you keep some cushioning between the frost-heaved, pot-holed roads and your $$$ wheels.

The paint, seats, body kit and bed will be awesome though. When you do the floor area, will you need some sort of anchor system? Maybe an E-Track system?
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

astroturf
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by astroturf »

I agree about the wheels. Unless you are just going to be prancing around, I would go with an 18 inch max.

ihatemybike
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by ihatemybike »

Neighbor of mine had a set of 20s for his work Astro. Very rarely had the complete set on the van, due to a wheel being out for repairs. I can't imagine the roads are any better by you. I personally wouldn't run any larger than 18s.
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
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Kabey's Van
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by Kabey's Van »

I have to agree with everyone, not just for the practicality of a wheel that doesn't get damaged if you happen to hit squirl or something, but I have never been a fan of the "wheelchair look".
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1Gary
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by 1Gary »

If you do decide to use e-track I wanted to tell you I have it in my trailer:

Image

For me I got it off ebay:

http://stores.ebay.com/Mackie-Enterprises-Inc

Pretty good company to work with.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY
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astrodamus
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by astrodamus »

Thanks fellas for your comments, I definitely need the e -track (maybe 24" in the rear) in case I decide to haul something. But for the most part of it I'll only carry my personal tools & uniforms. I have a cubed straight truck for the heavy loads. basically what I'm setting up for is to have a rolling billboard.. I do respect everyone's thoughts on the rims size. The rim size is just for the "wow" factor.

ihatemybike
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by ihatemybike »

astrodamus wrote:"why" factor.
Corrected for my brain.
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

ihatemybike
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by ihatemybike »

Here's another idea for you. I'd love to see an Astro done up similar.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4713713
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

rlsllc
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by rlsllc »

ihatemybike wrote:
astrodamus wrote:"why" factor.
Corrected for my brain.
I'm also a fan of smaller wheels. I actually like lots of sidewall. I ran a set of LT255/85R16E on a truck once, they were my favorite tire ever. Tall and skinny. Like 34"x9.50" or somewhere in there.

On topic: I like the customizing ideas, and it's your van; put 26"s on it if you want. Love the wood floor. I'm nailing down a 3/4" red oak floor in my addition now.

My only customizing ideas orbit around keeping the vans driveable, lol.
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astrodamus
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by astrodamus »

ihatemybike wrote:
astrodamus wrote:"why" factor.
Corrected for my brain.
WOW =D> Why so much flack, what works for you, work for you! how you spend your money, is how you spend your money. You like a green truck, I like mine to be white.. you have your reasons why you do you and so do I. you like little rims..I get that already..but it don't change what I like. customizing is in the eye of the beholder. if you don't like what you see thats fine. there are other trucks you could like. hint hint..lets not be kids about this matter, because in the end we are all vanners and that's what counts.

I get enough already from those who don't like Astros or Safaris period! =;
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reaper
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by reaper »

I dig the rims,Look like 22" Iroc rims.
Do what you want to your ride,Don't be scared to think outside the box.
:partyman:
90 Astro Cargo V-8
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
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astrodamus
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by astrodamus »

reaper wrote:I dig the rims,Look like 22" Iroc rims.
Do what you want to your ride,Don't be scared to think outside the box.
:partyman:
Thank you!

Yes sir "Iroc-Astro"! Thats the whole purpose to customizing "Thinking outside the box". Isn't it bad enough that we roll around in one all day? :dunce: And not to speak of the last box that we'll never get to see. [-o<

astroturf
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by astroturf »

astrodamus wrote:
ihatemybike wrote:
astrodamus wrote:"why" factor.
Corrected for my brain.
WOW =D> Why so much flack, what works for you, work for you! how you spend your money, is how you spend your money. You like a green truck, I like mine to be white.. you have your reasons why you do you and so do I. you like little rims..I get that already..but it don't change what I like. customizing is in the eye of the beholder. if you don't like what you see thats fine. there are other trucks you could like. hint hint..lets not be kids about this matter, because in the end we are all vanners and that's what counts.

I get enough already from those who don't like Astros or Safaris period! =;
What you have mistaken as haters is not true here. After all we drive the same van. What you have found are people who drive and love their vans. Most of us have seen the problems incured due to Clown Sized Rims. I will go and push a little. I dare you, no, I double dog dare you to put the 22 inch rims on first, before you do any other mods. That is where you receive the most flack here from a board that knows for practicality purposes, you will be hurting yourself. So go ahead, put em on. 22s...

ihatemybike
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Re: wishful thinking

Post by ihatemybike »

astrodamus wrote:
ihatemybike wrote:
astrodamus wrote:"why" factor.
Corrected for my brain.
WOW =D> Why so much flack, what works for you, work for you! how you spend your money, is how you spend your money.
Two parts:
Messin with ya. :)

Trying to save you money, based on past observation of these vans with big rims and bad roads.

In the end, it is your money. Please tell us that you have a significant brake upgrade planned to go with the rims.
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
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