Don't beleive it, all Safaris have gold plating on the back side of all the parts and are hand assembled by holy men. IT"S TRUE!!potskie wrote:Don't quote me on this but i have been told by a few techs that the only diff between astros and safaris aside from the obvious front end is in a safari theres more sound deading material to create a seemingly higher quality ride..
New-to me- Safari
I don't think you're right Potskie. But if you were that would explain why the Safaris are slower than the Astros... more weight 
I worked for both a chevy and GMC dealer in the '98-'00 range and I know for a fact that there was no difference in that sort of thing on the blazer/jimmy, suburban, and tahoe. The upscale Envoy and Denali had more sound deadening and such though, but chevy didn't have equivalent models.
One other difference is the emblem on the air bag cover. They didn't even have different fabrics for the seats in the last few years.
If GM could get holy men to assemble their stuff maybe they wouldn't have all of the problems that they do.... [-o<
I worked for both a chevy and GMC dealer in the '98-'00 range and I know for a fact that there was no difference in that sort of thing on the blazer/jimmy, suburban, and tahoe. The upscale Envoy and Denali had more sound deadening and such though, but chevy didn't have equivalent models.One other difference is the emblem on the air bag cover. They didn't even have different fabrics for the seats in the last few years.
If GM could get holy men to assemble their stuff maybe they wouldn't have all of the problems that they do.... [-o<
-
SoCalli V8
- Retired
-
I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
I don`t care if you own an Astro or a Safari ScottS, I happy that you are still here with us 
(But Astros do
the hardest though)
(But Astros do
the hardest though)`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
Well the van is home, and I actually slept in it ! I pulled in the driveway, shut the ignition off, leaned back in the seat- this was at 10:30. I just woke up at 6:30. Guess I was tired !
Van looks great on the outside, I hate the interior.It is more brown than Irealized. I like the grey in my 97 better. Oh well, the joys of ebay. For $4k at least I have a reliable vehicle I hope.
Van looks great on the outside, I hate the interior.It is more brown than Irealized. I like the grey in my 97 better. Oh well, the joys of ebay. For $4k at least I have a reliable vehicle I hope.
1998 Safari AWD NE OHIO
1995 Safari AWD
1995 Safari AWD
-
crash
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1289
- Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:18 am
- Location: Woodstock, Ontario
you don't happen to live "down by the river" do ya ?ScottS wrote:Well the van is home, and I actually slept in it ! I pulled in the driveway, shut the ignition off, leaned back in the seat- this was at 10:30. I just woke up at 6:30. Guess I was tired !
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*
-
trybe13
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:53 pm
- Location: Artesia, NM -a beautiful desert oasis
- Contact:
crash wrote:you don't happen to live "down by the river" do ya ?ScottS wrote:Well the van is home, and I actually slept in it ! I pulled in the driveway, shut the ignition off, leaned back in the seat- this was at 10:30. I just woke up at 6:30. Guess I was tired !
90 Safari XT Hi Top
Lead guitarist for The Jericho Effect
Click the link to bang that head! http://www.ilike.com/artist/Trybe13
Scott... Do yourself a favor. When I get a vehicle I go completely through it for maintenance.
I change all of the filters (not air if it looks good).
--fuel (clogged filters are the most common cause of pump failure)
--trans
--air
All of the fluids - pay attention to what comes out!
--I save the brake fluid for when I do the first brake job unless it is really nasty
--Empty the P/S reservoir and refill, maybe more if really nasty
--Flush the cooling system and replace the t-stat and test or replace rad cap
--Change t-case and diff fluids
--Trans filter and fluid
--lube all chassis and powertrain
--If you don't change something make sure it is topped off properly
Inspect
--Ball joints - boots and play
--Tie rod ends - boots and play
--Drag link
--Idler arms
--Pitman arm
--Wheel bearings
--CV boots
--Belt
--Upper and lower rad hoses
--As many heater hoses as can be easily gotten to
--Vacuum lines
--Distributor cap and rotor and plug wires
--Spark plugs... learn how to read a plug and it can tell you alot!
--Make note to keep in vehicle of brake % left and miles and rotor thickness
--Brake calipers slide free and lubed
--Drum adjusters and park brake lubed
--Park brake works and is adjusted correctly (this one often will surprise you)
--rear axle/spring u-bolts tight
--u-joints
--if good tread inspect tire sidewalls inboard and outboard
--torque lug nuts when putting tires back on
--jack, lug wrench, tools for removing spare if necessary
--spare tire - often sidewalls are cracked and junk
--look for accident damage and was it repaired correctly
--tires for signs of alignment problems
--all suspension bushings
--motor mounts
--belt tensioner and bearings on idler pulley, P/S, alt, A/C, water pump
--shocks/struts
--leaks or seeps of any fluids and severity
--interior for things that are partially broken or not correctly installed before the kids get to them and break them
--seatbelts... what's the point in having them if they can't do their job
Test
--battery
--alternator
--heat and A/C
--AWD engagement
--ABS (ice if it's winter, gravel in summer)
--fuel pressure and flow rate and pump current draw
--all accessories
I'm sure I've forgotten something...
I know this sounds like a lot of time and work, but when you're done you know exactly what you have. If you are familiar with the vehicle all of it other than the fluid changes can easily be done in a day even if you aren't a tech. The fluids could easily be done in a day also. You now know when everything is due for service again. You know what needs fixed. You know what is going to give you problems and roughly how soon. It allows you to fill up with synthetics if you choose and a good time to add a trans cooler or upgrade the radiator. You can drive with relative confidence knowing that all of the stuff you have control over has been taken care of. It costs a bit for all of those fluids and filters but is pretty cheap for peace of mind in my book, as my wife and kids are dependent on my vehicles. I never trust the owner telling me what was done and when, and I don't trust shop receipts either (remember I've worked in several shops and there are a lot of incompetent techs). Also important is it lets you know when the brakes are going to wear out so you have an excuse to upgrade them, this applies to other mods as well
That being said I didn't have time to do absolutely all of those things when I bought the Astro a couple of months ago. In a perfect world this is my list, and if I don't get to something right away I try to in the first couple of months. I also don't buy vehicles that are a year or two old and have 40,000 miles or something. This Astro is one of the newest I have gotten and was 5 years old and 105,000 miles. My last purchase was a '92 transport 4 years ago. After going through it I knew exactly what it was. The only things that broke unexpectedly were a water pump and a roller lifter went bad. Both were unforeseeable. I feel alot better knowing what I'm sitting in when I'm driving down the road.
I change all of the filters (not air if it looks good).
--fuel (clogged filters are the most common cause of pump failure)
--trans
--air
All of the fluids - pay attention to what comes out!
--I save the brake fluid for when I do the first brake job unless it is really nasty
--Empty the P/S reservoir and refill, maybe more if really nasty
--Flush the cooling system and replace the t-stat and test or replace rad cap
--Change t-case and diff fluids
--Trans filter and fluid
--lube all chassis and powertrain
--If you don't change something make sure it is topped off properly
Inspect
--Ball joints - boots and play
--Tie rod ends - boots and play
--Drag link
--Idler arms
--Pitman arm
--Wheel bearings
--CV boots
--Belt
--Upper and lower rad hoses
--As many heater hoses as can be easily gotten to
--Vacuum lines
--Distributor cap and rotor and plug wires
--Spark plugs... learn how to read a plug and it can tell you alot!
--Make note to keep in vehicle of brake % left and miles and rotor thickness
--Brake calipers slide free and lubed
--Drum adjusters and park brake lubed
--Park brake works and is adjusted correctly (this one often will surprise you)
--rear axle/spring u-bolts tight
--u-joints
--if good tread inspect tire sidewalls inboard and outboard
--torque lug nuts when putting tires back on
--jack, lug wrench, tools for removing spare if necessary
--spare tire - often sidewalls are cracked and junk
--look for accident damage and was it repaired correctly
--tires for signs of alignment problems
--all suspension bushings
--motor mounts
--belt tensioner and bearings on idler pulley, P/S, alt, A/C, water pump
--shocks/struts
--leaks or seeps of any fluids and severity
--interior for things that are partially broken or not correctly installed before the kids get to them and break them
--seatbelts... what's the point in having them if they can't do their job
Test
--battery
--alternator
--heat and A/C
--AWD engagement
--ABS (ice if it's winter, gravel in summer)
--fuel pressure and flow rate and pump current draw
--all accessories
I'm sure I've forgotten something...
I know this sounds like a lot of time and work, but when you're done you know exactly what you have. If you are familiar with the vehicle all of it other than the fluid changes can easily be done in a day even if you aren't a tech. The fluids could easily be done in a day also. You now know when everything is due for service again. You know what needs fixed. You know what is going to give you problems and roughly how soon. It allows you to fill up with synthetics if you choose and a good time to add a trans cooler or upgrade the radiator. You can drive with relative confidence knowing that all of the stuff you have control over has been taken care of. It costs a bit for all of those fluids and filters but is pretty cheap for peace of mind in my book, as my wife and kids are dependent on my vehicles. I never trust the owner telling me what was done and when, and I don't trust shop receipts either (remember I've worked in several shops and there are a lot of incompetent techs). Also important is it lets you know when the brakes are going to wear out so you have an excuse to upgrade them, this applies to other mods as well
That being said I didn't have time to do absolutely all of those things when I bought the Astro a couple of months ago. In a perfect world this is my list, and if I don't get to something right away I try to in the first couple of months. I also don't buy vehicles that are a year or two old and have 40,000 miles or something. This Astro is one of the newest I have gotten and was 5 years old and 105,000 miles. My last purchase was a '92 transport 4 years ago. After going through it I knew exactly what it was. The only things that broke unexpectedly were a water pump and a roller lifter went bad. Both were unforeseeable. I feel alot better knowing what I'm sitting in when I'm driving down the road.
Good list , when you coming down ?
I am pretty sre it needs idlers- many times these vehcles are traded in necause they need a repair that , if you don't do the work yourself, can be very expensive- lke 900 for an awd wheel bearng that I can buy for $180.
So I amsure there are things wrong with this van, maybe a major repair needed somewhere, I just have to find it. It does vibrate when over 70mph. Might be teh tires which are at 5o% tread life, I am going to throw teh wheels and tires on from my 97 and see if it goes away. It was traded in to a Saturn dealer from what I can see. I probably paid too much ($4500) but then again I see most of these vans have over 100k and are going for $5500+.
The fact it was 45 minutes from my house was a factor as I did not have to spend $300 to go get it. I was limiting myself to 4k when bidding but then I factored in the $300 and ended up at 4500 somehow.
So your advce is well recieved and I plan to do exactly what you sgested + tranny cooler, gaage pod, trailer brakes and POR-15 the crossmembers etc.
Thanks for the list, I am going to print it out.
I am pretty sre it needs idlers- many times these vehcles are traded in necause they need a repair that , if you don't do the work yourself, can be very expensive- lke 900 for an awd wheel bearng that I can buy for $180.
So I amsure there are things wrong with this van, maybe a major repair needed somewhere, I just have to find it. It does vibrate when over 70mph. Might be teh tires which are at 5o% tread life, I am going to throw teh wheels and tires on from my 97 and see if it goes away. It was traded in to a Saturn dealer from what I can see. I probably paid too much ($4500) but then again I see most of these vans have over 100k and are going for $5500+.
The fact it was 45 minutes from my house was a factor as I did not have to spend $300 to go get it. I was limiting myself to 4k when bidding but then I factored in the $300 and ended up at 4500 somehow.
So your advce is well recieved and I plan to do exactly what you sgested + tranny cooler, gaage pod, trailer brakes and POR-15 the crossmembers etc.
Thanks for the list, I am going to print it out.
1998 Safari AWD NE OHIO
1995 Safari AWD
1995 Safari AWD
-
trybe13
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:53 pm
- Location: Artesia, NM -a beautiful desert oasis
- Contact:
ScottS wrote:Good list , when you coming down ?
ScottS wrote:Thanks for the list, I am going to print it out.
I already did!
90 Safari XT Hi Top
Lead guitarist for The Jericho Effect
Click the link to bang that head! http://www.ilike.com/artist/Trybe13
Come on over for a couple of days Scott. This is the land of beer and brats you know. We could knock all of that out in no time. I could order another set of those 11" backing plates. We could also play with the welders and such... I live for mods!
I have used POR 15 on bike tanks before but never a crossmember. How do you get it spread on the surfaces inside? These safastros are just a bit heavy for me to pick up and roll around. Do you just do the removable.
BTW with the miles that are on the van I would definitely recommend putting in the reverse boost valve when you do the trans filter. It's only $10 from GM. Don't use an aftermarket/performance one as there are 4 or 5 different pump housings and at least two different valves. Just take your VIN to the dealer. I think your's should be the first design.
I have used POR 15 on bike tanks before but never a crossmember. How do you get it spread on the surfaces inside? These safastros are just a bit heavy for me to pick up and roll around. Do you just do the removable.
BTW with the miles that are on the van I would definitely recommend putting in the reverse boost valve when you do the trans filter. It's only $10 from GM. Don't use an aftermarket/performance one as there are 4 or 5 different pump housings and at least two different valves. Just take your VIN to the dealer. I think your's should be the first design.
