Chevy & GMC Vans

Hello and greetings from Phoenix Arizona!

I am a long time Westy owner looking to make the jump into the modern era. I love my Westy (1986 Wolfsburg poptop - no kitchen)... however, The poor machine is LANDLOCKED! It has a completely dysfunctional A/C system making the chance of breakdowns and heat crossing the desert in any direction during the summer... When I want to travel, virtually impossible.

I am selling her and looking VERY hard at these Astrovans/Safaris.

Thank the heavens you have a strong community that resembles the VW enthusiasts.

So I am shopping now. I have read a ton. Looking for a low milage vehicle - probably a 2nd Gen. Rather than doing a subaru conversion on an already beat up VW - I will be going for a future poptop on an Astro. Will be putting a lift on whatever I get.

Biggest question so far: AWD or RWD? Considering I live in the desert - not alot of snow - do most of my traveling in the summer... is there REALLY any point in getting an AWD?

Any advise for me? Any Leads o.O!

Thanks GROUP!

Welcome Matt.
We Hope to help you feed your addiction here. Lol.
12 more steps to an AstroSafari ?

Welcome Matt!

I guess my question to you is why not get an AWD? Considerations that readily pop to mind... Slightly less gas mileage. Slightly heavier overall weight. Increased maintenance costs. Higher initial cost.

By the time you lift and modify a van for camping, I'd say the gas mileage and weight difference between AWD and non is no longer really a consideration.

The drivetrain of these vans, for the most part, are well-proven. (I'd rate the axles marginal from the factory, and stressed with bigger tires lift. They survive if treated well, but aren't overbuilt by any means. I'd also give mediocre marks to the electronically controlled T-cases on the 99-up vans.) So my thought is you have to pay for oil for the front diff and transfercase, and possibly pay for repairs of those same parts. The biggest failure I read about here is with the encoder motor on the t-case... but a pre-99 van would cure that! Bottom line though, the AWD will cost more for maintenance, but probably isn't a budget buster.

Depending where you are, AWD vans may fetch more and can be harder to find. On the other hand, if a person isn't in a rush, a good deal will come along.

The second vehicle I ever owned (way too many years ago) was an '80 Toyota 2wd pickup. I was living in South Georgia and added a 3" body lift, 31" tires, and a winch. I surprised a lot of people (with 4x4s) running around in the swamps. But I had to work at it. Every challenge seemed to come with a heavy foot and my butt puckering. Four wheel drive (or AWD) certainly makes life easier. Being able to slow down, and more carefully pick a line, is a lot easier on equipment too.

So obviously my vote is for AWD. That being said, you'll have a lot of fun and go a lot of places with any modified Astro/Safari.

All of us in unison... "Hi Matt"

Welcome to the community, 2 years ago you couldn't have convinced me to even test drive an astro....then like so many before I saw T.Low's rig and with in 6 months owned one. I am a few steps shy of completely copying Tom but I am getting there

If you have questions about poptops, I went with Colorado Camper Van, t.low and herbie with GTRV. Both have there positives and negatives and and I would be happy to share my thoughts if you want to hear them.

I am stoping shy of the 4x4 conversion on my awd for the moment because the awd is so damn good in the snow and hasn't let me down on the short steeps that i tackle in the dirt in my local mountains.

There is a lot of conversation about the awd systems of pre and post 99, I semi disregarded this when buying mine. I think when you are going to the time and cost of a poptop, finding the newest, lowest mileage, most well maintained van you can afford makes a lot of sense. My 2004 with 95,000 miles, no wrecks, awd, and front and rear ac set me back $7200 at a consignment lot. It was the best van that came up in 6 months and I don't have the luxury of time to travel to look at or buy vehicles.

Hope this helps,

Ryan

Oh yes, I think I saw the video of your van. Yep, I am right on track with your vision. I always looked at sportsmobiles, but that is just unattainable for my budget. These are really nice little compact rigs thats can do alot.

Quality of the body and interior are definitely important because of what you said. My VW is slightly beat... too beat to justify a 7k Subaru engine swap.

There is a nice metallic blue one sitting here on CL here for 7500 - it has 50k original miles o.O. What to do...?

Welcome Matt. I had an '89 VW Syncro Westy for about 13 years, I did the 2.0 GTI swap, but finally sold it and bought my '99 Astro. Ive 'camperized' the interior, and still have a list of mods to do, but overall I am very happy with it, much nicer to drive than the VW. Have fun with your project, this site is full of great info and ideas.