Big Orange

[meetthespeakers]

Not sure what to call this van so I will go with Big Orange for now since the old one was Big Blue. Anyway, been a while since I have really been able to post. Went through being in the hospital for a few weeks, wife getting cancer, losing my job, etc etc. Working at a Performance shop, getting let go, and now I am back doing Electrical Engineering. Anyway, I have been restoring my 4th Mini, and that has been taking up most of my time, plus the other 15 Mini's I worked on over the summer. So thats the back story, and here is my new van I have been working on for the last 6 months or so...

-2000 Astro, RWD. Two Tone House of Kolors Tangerine Orange mixed with something else. Black with flake, and a 2006 GTO hood scoops molded into stock hood, all metal, however scoops non functional. 18"x8" Boss 338 wheels, 235/50 18 tires. Lowered 2" in the front, 3" in the rear. Springs, and drop leafs (previous owner, would def do spindles and flip kit if I did it). Anyway, will need to take even more pictures since I have been pimping the van since these were taken. I just welded in some 2005 Black leather and suede PT Cruiser GT/Turbo Heated Seats. On to the pictures:

[meetthespeakers]

[meetthespeakers]

Here is the hood

Here is a box I made for a 10" Kicker sub for the rear, so it would be hidden behind the panel. Lots of angles, also the amp is mounted back there. Note: I do not have rear heat/AC so I had more room to work with. Don't mind the box mess, it cleaned up fine, and it sounds fantastic.

[Smiliesafari]

Very well done.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Gorgeous! I absolutely love the colors, the hood and the wheels!

[meetthespeakers]

Okay here are the seat pics, just snapped them down in the garage here at work. Notes, I grinded the stock sliders off the astro base. That took all of 10 minutes with the 4" angle grinder. Then I simply tacked the base to the sliding tracks of the PT Seats. Don't mind the welding, I only have flux-core at this point, so it ain't pretty. Will paint the base black when Spring is here, as well as swapping in some fresh black carpet. I have still not been able to figure out the wiring for the heated seat portion. I have the wiring diagram, but still no dice yet. Also BONUS, the passenger seats folds all the way down. Good for lumber, or putting a laptop or something on.


2005 PT Cruiser GT/Turbo Seats

Passenger seat folded down

Awesome Flux-Core welding.

[crash]

i'm not a fan of orange on any vehicle.. but that van I love!! that's saying alot

[mdmead]

Wow, this van is sweet! I love the Orange!

[GnarliSafari]

nice work so far, you did the hood yourself? however i hate how dodge uses the same ugly foam armrests on every seat they have. my mom had a 95 caravan with those things and every ram van ive ever been in has them also, even my buddies cummins has them, would've never guessed the pts had them too.

[crash]

nice work so far, you did the hood yourself? however i hate how dodge uses the same ugly foam armrests on every seat they have. my mom had a 95 caravan with those things and every ram van ive ever been in has them also, even my buddies cummins has them, would've never guessed the pts had them too.

I hear you on the armrests.. nice seats, dodge armrests LOL btw, meet.. I want your 4 bay garage!!! it's bigger than my house (almost) LOL

[meetthespeakers]

Okay, not great pictures but I was able to get the winter wheel setup on last night... 19 degrees out! Anyway here are the specs: 17x8 Cragar Soft 8's ($75 each), 235/55-17 Federal Himalaya Snow Tires ($80 each), Black Center Caps ($5 each), and Orange Pin Stripping I did with my buddy ($7).

[blk lt awd]

the van looks great however truth be told i think i'm in love with your garage!

[gabequest]

WOW! Very cool...but "Big Orange" doesn't do it justice. It needs a proper name....more badass like "Wicked" or something like that

[crash]

WOW! Very cool...but "Big Orange" doesn't do it justice. It needs a proper name....more badass like "Wicked" or something like that

I agree!!

how about HELL'O'WEEN .. hey, it's orange and black! hmm, easily changed to WEEN-Y .. ok ..scratch that.. go with wicked or badass .. LOL

great job on the pinstripe. how'd you get it so straight, in a circle ???

[meetthespeakers]

the van looks great however truth be told i think i'm in love with your garage!

I wish it were my garage! It was my buddies garage where I was restoring his 59 mini from scratch. All original, 850 motor. We do have one guy in the club that has 3 lifts in his garage, lounge, etc.... total sq ft of garage....3200 sq ft!!! He has us over for a Mini "Lift Day" once a year.

how about HELL'O'WEEN ...great job on the pinstripe. how'd you get it so straight, in a circle ???

Well it was a pain in the ass doing the pinstripe. I did the first wheel, and had my buddy finish the other 3! I will be curious to see how it makes it through the winter. But I think it gives the wheels some contrast.