Project Astrolade
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:16 pm
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Project Astrolade
Wow Martin-just like it was made by GM.Looking good,hoping to see you soon.
Gary
Gary
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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- Retired
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I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: Project Astrolade
Nice step by step pictures, here`s some of mine.
I preferred the look of my Cadditails to sit higher up, so I had lots of extra cutting to do because there is some major reinforcing behind those top door hinges.
I preferred the look of my Cadditails to sit higher up, so I had lots of extra cutting to do because there is some major reinforcing behind those top door hinges.
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
Re: Project Astrolade
Yeah, I found that major reinforcement. I had to deal with it a little bit, but your right, setting them lower was easier. Plus I didn't want to deal with that body line, so I stuck it in between. I like how deep yours are, I was only able to set the buckets so deep cause of the structural stuff in there.SoCalli V8 wrote:Nice step by step pictures, here`s some of mine.
I preferred the look of my Cadditails to sit higher up, so I had lots of extra cutting to do because there is some major reinforcing behind those top door hinges.
Martin
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- Retired
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I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: Project Astrolade
No lie, it takes about an extra 4 hours to cut-out that extra reinforcement (using professional airtools) to beable to sink the lights deeper into the body. A Plasma cutter would certainly help, but I ain`t got that kinda ca$h......
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
Re: Project Astrolade
I had a plasma cutter when I body dropped my Sonoma, I wish it was still around. They make it much quicker.SoCalli V8 wrote:No lie, it takes about an extra 4 hours to cut-out that extra reinforcement (using professional airtools) to beable to sink the lights deeper into the body. A Plasma cutter would certainly help, but I ain`t got that kinda ca$h......
Martin
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2009
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:24 am
- Location: Evergreen, Al. 96 mile marker, where life is slow and there are no rules.
Re: Project Astrolade
For future reference to those who do this mod. After clearing out some of the obsticles, you can use a 3 in. hole saw, works pretty well for the areas that need to be deeper for plug clearence.
89 Astro, 350 V-8, Shaved doors, Filled Slider, Corvette IRS, 94 Mustang GT Rack & Pinion(Thanks to Skip), Cad Tail lights from SoCalliV8 ( RIP) Miss you my friend.
VIDEO
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
VIDEO
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 334
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- Location: Vienna, VA
- Contact:
Re: Project Astrolade
Looking good, can't wait to see future progress. Is he getting a bodykit (sideskirts and rear bumper) on there, or at least a smooth roll pan? I assume some lowering and wheels will be in order. Looks good so far. And that's what happened to my mustang, bought it off a guy from work who wanted a bmw convertible, sold it to me for $1000, after I was done with it, he said never to bring it by his house his wife would kill him.
1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
Re: Project Astrolade
Got the tail lights and back door done. Time to start the front end swap. I mounted the chrome trim piece that goes on the hood. I also fabricated up some brackets to hold the grill on. I wanted to make them as stock looking as possible, and function well. idk about stock looking but, they do work good.
Martin
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- Retired
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I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: Project Astrolade
That little bracket looks pretty slick.
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Project Astrolade
Seems to be coming together nicely.I was very suprized how well the Caddy grill fit the Astro.Cool looking brackets.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
-
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2009
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:24 am
- Location: Evergreen, Al. 96 mile marker, where life is slow and there are no rules.
Re: Project Astrolade
Like the little bracket,,very clean.
89 Astro, 350 V-8, Shaved doors, Filled Slider, Corvette IRS, 94 Mustang GT Rack & Pinion(Thanks to Skip), Cad Tail lights from SoCalliV8 ( RIP) Miss you my friend.
VIDEO
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
VIDEO
If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one
If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1289
- Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:18 am
- Location: Woodstock, Ontario
Re: Project Astrolade
thanks for posting the progress... great work .. too bad you weren't around here. i'd love to have that front end on my 99. i know lots of paint/body guys but nobody that will do anything custom without bending you over first
Rob
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:53 am
Re: Project Astrolade
I made lower grill brackets, and got the passenger head light brackets all done. There are two pull pins and one bolt to remove the headlight. I cut the passenger side of the hood to follow the headlight lens, and cut the fender. I'll have to pull both in to the headlight.
Not too bad so far.
Not too bad so far.
Martin