Should I trade my astro van

[lampliter]

Keep the Astro.

 

[c_hasbeen]

Windy, here is a link to the parts bin I sorted on a 78 toyota pickup as most parts would be the same<br>http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/parts.php?year=4294962571&amp;make_text=1725&amp;model_text=11909<br>they have different brands of parts at different prices<br>Alternator is $22.26<br>Starter $18 to $62<br>brake master cylinder $26 to $60<br>Clutch Kit $45 to $85<br><br>link to the van parts<br>http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/parts.php?year=4294963746&amp;make_text=1588&amp;model_text=9858<br>Alternator $62to $124<br>Starter $68 to $102<br>front fender $80 to $130<br><br>either way parts are available and with in reason for pricing, labor will be cheaper on the Toyota because of easier access than the van, but not by a whole lot.<br>the pictures you have of the little toyota have me leaning towards that as my choice.<br>there is a reason they have the turtle on the spare tire cover!&nbsp; also the mileage would be at 55 mph and on flat roads but I would believe they could be possible.<br>Tires will be a little more on the Toyota<br>make sure there is a jack and a lug wrench with the toyota, it will save you trying to get one at an additional cost<br><br><br><br><br>

 

[bk2valve]

Chinook is a model name given various converted vehicles that were converted by a company called Trail Wagons, Inc. that was based in Yakima WA and a town in CA....they converted many various types of vehicle....Toyotas, AstroVans like mine, Chevy, Dodge and Ford fullsize vans. Also they are long out of business....if I am not mistaken&nbsp; it was in the late 90's or early 2000's.<br><br>http://www.rvbusiness.com/2006/04/trail-wagons’-property-sold-in-foreclosure/<br><br>Your main questions should be if it is a 4 cyl or 6 cyl&nbsp; Toyota and is the rear axle the upgraded one that is made for hauling an RV on it. The early ones had huge issues and are not worth anything except to remove the shell and put it on a later model Toy truck...<br>Best luck...<br>Bri

 

[windymichelle]

its a 4 cyl 20 r engine. new tires and spare. everything inside works, fridge, stove heater 178,000 miles.<br><br>i'm feeling good about it<br><br>@<a style="color: #000000; text-decoration: initial; white-space: nowrap;" href="/profile/2034334" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">c_hasbeen</a>&nbsp;thank you!! that makes me feel better knowing parts are available and reasonable.

 

[Telcobilly]

I'm on my second Toyota, the first being a 2004 Tacoma and my current 2008 Tacoma with a fiberglass overhead utility body. I never hesitated to take the '04 anywhere, having driven CA to TX three times. I won't own another brand. I think the Chinook sounds like the clear leader. As suggested, have a mechanic look it over so you can see what you are in for.. With your situation the room of the Chinook over a van makes it an even easier choice..

 

[windymichelle]

thanks<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>i agree

 

[bk2valve]

I have owned two Toyota trucks both older (78 and 86) and one with the 20r engine the other 22R...If you don't know the history of the vehicle, especially the engine I think I would pass...if not pass I would at least take it to a good mechanic and have all the survey checks done on it...thoroughly..<br><br>I replaced our engine in the first Toy we had at about 150k with a used Japanese import engine and then had to replace a blown head gasket about 25k later....<br><br>They are great trucks but they do wear out....<br>Bri

 

[bk2valve]

Hi again....if you want a good take on a 1983 Toyota Dolphin RV...check out Sue SoaringSun's blog posts about hers....<br><br>http://ebayrv.blogspot.com/search?u...=2011-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&amp;max-results=15<br><br>You may have to rifle through some posts to get to her wild blown engine event in San Francisco...luckily she had the $5K in the bank to take care of it...<br>The Best, <br>Bri

 

[windymichelle]

ugh

 

[windymichelle]

@ bk2valve &nbsp;you drive an astro van? what year? the one i have has 200,000 miles on it. the toyota has less. isnt the astro van a bigger risk? thats where my logic lies anyways but maybe im wrong. i&nbsp;definitely don't have 5k in the bank to fix something like that&nbsp;

 

[bk2valve]

Hi Michelle, I don't mean to scare you about the vehicle and if you do take it to a shop and pay the $50 or so for a complete inspection, you may find it is a great truck. I just want to encourage you to do your homework now before you get in over your head in cash outlay.<br><br>I am not sure that I would recommend either rig with that kind of mileage on them but it totally depends on the condition of each and what kind of maintenance they have had.<br><br>I always say that I am willing to pay more for a vehicle if I get with it a history of maintenance and repairs...the sad truth is that I have rarely gotten one...lol. Anyone who has ever bought a vehicle from me has gotten a file folder of absolutely every receipt and transaction plus a little spiral notebook with every thing I have ever done plus the date and mileage....that is because of my history of being a fleet mechanic and the job-place standard, but it is like gold to the buyer. <br><br>That said and if you don't get the history and receipts, you have no idea of the condition without the mechanical inspection.<br><br>I do have an 1987 Astro and it now has 150K on it and since I do scrupulous maintenance and&nbsp; most often replace parts before they fail, I can reasonably expect another few 10's of thousands of miles from it.....it does use some oil and it smokes a bit on start-up but is still doing well. I use a house brand synthetic oil and change it every 10K miles and change the filter every 5k miles. Every 30K miles I have the tranny serviced...<br><br>I bought it with 84k miles on it.&nbsp; I am starting to look to replace it and if I stay with the Astro which I love, I would get the newest Astro I could afford with the lowest miles on it...<br><br>Just remember there are literally 100's of thousand of vehicles around and many are really well worth the money...<br><br>Sometimes you can find some old gearhead phart like moi who loves his vehicles and treats them well and those guys are where you will get the history of the vehicle.<br><br>Good luck,<br>Bri

 

[Cold Brian]

Hi Michelle. Here is a very useful and helpful forum for Toyota RV owners:<br><br>http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?act=idx<br><br>Hope that helps.

 

[windymichelle]

@bri &nbsp; thanks for that. i will just have to figure it out when i go look at the truck on tuesday. i'll let you know what happens<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>@cold brian &nbsp; thank you!! i'm definitely gonna check it out<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[idn88]

Those Toyota's look really cool. &nbsp;Having said that, have you tried overnighting a few times in the AV? &nbsp;If I were you, I would. &nbsp;Do a minimal conversion - make some covers for the windows, hang a curtain, and fashion some type of bed. &nbsp;Until you have done it a few times you won't know what you want.<br><br>They seem like very different vehicles - the AV smaller, easier to drive, better stealth, but not much room. &nbsp;The Toyota seems more like an RV with all the creature comforts of home but is probably not something you want to drive around a city every day - so beyond just the cost and condition, which one fits your needs best?

 

[windymichelle]

yeah ive been thinking about that a lot. i think i will most likely not be in cities all that much. i will be but not on a long term basis so stealth camping isnt my first priority. i never even really considered a camper, i always planned on van dwelling. but this came up and it seems like a good&nbsp;compromise&nbsp;between the two. its not really all that big and the guy who has it now has been using it as his daily driver for the past few months. so driving it in town isnt too difficult. we'll see.

 

[idn88]

You may want to throw this question up in the RV section as well. &nbsp;There are lots of experienced RV owners that read that section, but I don't see them comment here too often.

 

[windymichelle]

k thanks <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Seraphim]

The RVers probably pick up on this thread. Small, tight forum.

Overall I think you'll be more comfortable in the Toyota. I've never owned one, but have heard good comments from people who have. If you get it, one suggestion for the water system is to clean it out with a mixture of chlorine and water: fill the tank and run some out through any faucets. Will kill any bacteria a which may be lingering.

Anytime I buy a used vehicle, I always expect some minor repairs will need to be done. Just saying.

Let us know what you end up deciding.

 

[windymichelle]

i will seraphim thank you. going tomorrow morning. wish me luck&nbsp;

 

[windymichelle]

i am the proud owner of a 1978 toyota chinook!<br>and i am madly in love with it<br>it was a 3 1/2 hour drive back from where i picked it up so i really got a chance to drive it and it was perfect<br>yay!<br>thanks for your input everyone<br><br><br>windy