Astro Van Help

[blueberry]

Haha, I have a feeling you'd win at thumb wrestling so I'll just call 'uncle' now. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Where are you? I'm near La Mesa.

 

[Unchained]

Well, I might settle for 'rock, paper, scissors'. Could you imagine the look on the seller's face if we did that in front of him/her?&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>I'm in NoCounty (near Pendleton), about an hour from you. Nice to meet a fellow soon-to-be vandweller who is so close!<br><br>ETA- check your PMs <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Ballenxj]

Maybe you two should get together and pool your knowledge and newly learned know how when shopping for the Astro/Safari van? Besides, it would be less intimidating when there are two of you. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[Simran]

I have a general question about these Astro Vans that Chevy makes. I've thought seriously about these as a replacement to my current situation. My problem is this. I've heard from a number of people that there are reliability issues with these particular vans. I was wondering if you'all could weigh in on this issue. Are there issues that they had in the past that they have rectified . . . Maybe it was just the 4 wheel drive models . . . or maybe a certain engine type or something. I would really be interested in what you think.<br><br>BTW bk2valve, I've seen those pics before of your van. I like the layout!<br><br>gus

 

[blueberry]

<span style="line-height: 20px;">Maybe you two should get together and pool your knowledge and newly learned know how when shopping for the Astro/Safari van? Besides, it would be less intimidating when there are two of you.&nbsp;</span><img style="max-width: 100%; max-height: 650px; cursor: pointer; line-height: 20px;" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><span style="line-height: 20px;">&nbsp;</span><br style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">-Bruce</span>

<br><br>Great idea, Bruce, thanks!

 

[bk2valve]

Thanks Gus,<br>I have never had any issues with my Astro although I did blow a tranny up when I had an RV built on the Astro chassis...it was the same 700R4 that they mostly come with. What I do know is that you need to keep the maintenance up on the tranny: fluid and filters changed and the fluid up to the proper level. Also never tow with the transmission in OD...in fact don't put much strain on the OD at all.<br><br>Other than that I think they are pretty bulletproof and there are thousands of them in salvage yards and parts are available. Many parts are interchangeable with other GM models.<br><br>Bri

 

[Mortisha]

I have an Astro van that was giving to me for free and I love it! Big Bertha always comes through it alive LOL! I have the normal issues with Astros like the window motor is shot now and I had to have some work done to the distributor cap cause she didn't want to start in the rain but other than that Big Bertha is the greatest. She has the hatch back window with the barn doors on the back and I can open the hatch window and let it lots of air. Lots of room for the conversion if I decide to use her to travel in. She just needs some tender loving care to get her ready if so. Honestly she would be cheaper to fix up all the way and cosmetically too than to buy a new rig that I don't trust as much as I trust her =) HuggZ

 

[bk2valve]

Yeah Mort....don't rub it in about your cool rear doors...some of us don't have them and are SSSSOOOOOOO jealous...<img src="/images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>No really, very cool....lucky you!<br>Bri

 

[Unchained]

Maybe you two should get together and pool your knowledge and newly learned know how when shopping for the Astro/Safari van? Besides, it would be less intimidating when there are two of you. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

<br>Agreed! That was pretty much what I had in mind. I was actually kidding about the thumb wrestling... well, mostly <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>

She has the hatch back window with the barn doors on the back and I can open the hatch window and let it lots of air.

<br>I SO want the hatchback with the barn doors! A little netting, a couple of magnet strips, *poof* bug proof 'country air conditioning'. Would also be great to throw a tarp (with magnets) over the open hatch for a private shower stall/ toidy in certain situations&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[DownByTheRiver]

I live in a passenger-style Astro. I tossed the rear seats and ripped out the carpet, then put a sheet of insulfoam and a sheet of plywood down.

I then sprayed the inside of the windows with black Plastidip and covered them with sheets of insulfoam, then covered the entire rear living area with Reflectix. I also used a metal cutting tool to install a 9 inch roof vent from eBay.

 

[Ballenxj]

DownByTheRiver, Can you still open the side windows if you want to? <br>-Bruce