Chevy & GMC Vans

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:

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.

Very well done.

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

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.

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

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

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.

GnarliSafari wrote: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

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).

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

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

gabequest wrote: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 ???

blk lt awd wrote: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.

crash wrote:

gabequest wrote: 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.