Astro/Safari computer & trans questions

[markmitchinnh]

I have an older computer that came from my 92 Astro and the chip is custom burnt. That van was totaled and now I have both an 89 and a 94. my original plans were to build the 89 cargo but now I am thinking of building the more complete and optioned 94. The 94 has A/C tilt, cruise, power windows, door locks, and mirrors, dark tinted windows & seating for 8.
Whereas the 89 is a cargo with no extras. So my questions: will the older computer work in the 94 and can i use the 700R4
that is all rebuilt with shift kit in the 94? The wiring schematics appear to be different but I also have the complete wiring harness from both the 92 and the the 94 ( I am driving the 94). Thank you for any help on this project.

[doyoulikeithere]

I think its safe to say that you can not change the computers if: the vans have different fuel systems.

You'll need to run the same type of fuel system the original 92 computer had. either VIN Z or VIN W.
For example, if you 92 is a VIN Z TBI injected motor, and your 94 is a VIN W multiport injection system its not gonna work.
If they are both VIN Z, well maybe. Chances are defiantly better at least. I believe the chip should stay in the box it was burnt for, no matter what van that box goes into.
Dont pull the chip from wher it was, and pop it into the 94 computer.
I believe 92 700R4 were just controlled by a cable, but I could be wrong. 94 might be more computer controlled.
Not my strong point, automatics. I like my 5 speeds.

That being said, if the 89 is rust free and straight, I would prefer it as a candidate for fixing up a bunch. I like the pre 90 vans best for lottsa reasons.
but the 94 engine block has better heads,and if its a VIN W it has a better cam, crank rods and pistons too!

I just put a 95 VIN W engine, into an 87 van with the 87 fuel system on top, and it has a lot better performance than the 87 engine did.
My 2 cents? The pre 90 vans have a simpler cleaner less cluttered layout under the hood, a place to hang a clutch pedal, and a nicer dash, The heater controls work with push/pull cables instead of vacuum lines, and the insurance is cheaper.

You could easily install the tilt & cruise into your 89 also, but I hate AC & power windows, So I wouldn't use those if I had a choice.

[markmitchinnh]

The 94 is TBI I have no idea about the trans but the 89 is basically stropped as I was going to use all the interior from the 94.
The 94 also has 251, thousand miles on it so the trans is very tired. Thank you , Mark

[LiftedAWDAstro]

The 94's trans is definitely computer controlled whereas the 89's is not.

[markmitchinnh]

OK I opened my Haynes manual and took a look at the schematics for the 94 and the 92 (I have the wiring harness from the 92) the 94 is much more complex then the 92 so either I build the 89 with the best of all the parts or I swap the wiring harness from the 92 into the 94, do away with the airbag steering column and just go with it, now the only problem I forsee
is the legality of this. Is it illegal to remove the airbag steering column? See the 89 is a mutt and has no brackets for the rear
seats but other then that I can finish the bodywork install all the extras and interior from the 94. Can I just cut the seat pockets out of the 94 and weld them into the floor of the 89? Never done this before has anyone here ever done it?

[doyoulikeithere]

Ironically, i just received my custom chip from harrissTBIchips today for my 87. Hope it does lottsa good!

for legality, I have no idea where you live, or even if I did??
Where I live its all good as long as you have papers that match the VIN. We can cut off the cat or whatever.
I'm not sure about the airbag, if your wanting to keep it or not. Personally, I don't like airbags, and wont have one.
You can just change the steering wheel and keep the column. Or, Pull the fuse too.
Putting airbag into an 89? no idea, woulnt wan too.

The 94 has a better frame and cylinder head design and exhaust system too, but the trans is computerized.
I took the frame & eng etc from a 95 right out, and swapped it under an 87 body. Then I re-used the 87 fuel system and computer. I use a 5 speed. Works real nice!
I got rid of all the airconditionong, power windows/locks etc and have the plainest blue plastic interior you can get.
But thats just me.

I've thought of welding in a set of seat pockets too, cuz my 87 is only a 5 seater. I would make long re-inforcements for the bottom, under the floor, and cut the hole and lay the pockets you cut outta the otter van on top from inside and weld or drill and bolt it all together so the bolts go thru the new pocket, the floor and a long reinforcing plate underneath. make them long so-as to prevent a rocking chair. 3/16x1.5x how ever long you can fit would be lottsa. Shouldnt be too hard if your into that kinda stuff.

[markmitchinnh]

I never thought of that - I could simply cut a large section from the floor of the 94 and install it into the 89 body. hmmmm I will have to look into that one. Thank you.

[doyoulikeithere]

Well, I was trying to say that you would make 4 smaller holes, one for each pocket, cut out a bit of extra floor around each from the donor, but if you wanna try it in 1 or 2 bigger peices go for it. I suggest you have a good Look under the van first at the floor area and see what your up against. Some of them are a bit close to crossbeams in the sheetmetal, but you can put them wherever you like I guess. Good thing is the blank spots are stamped in the floor if you want the stock location.

[markmitchinnh]

good point, I could use the blanks and then beef it up underneath, I will figure that all out when the snow is gone.