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Re: thinking about buying an awd
gypsy #543895 February 29th 2012 10:07 am
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I saw one over on one of the Astro Safari channels that lifted his and put a 502 Ramjet in it with a 4L80E. Just goes to show you, if you stand back and throw enough $100 bills at it, you can do anything. With the lift which lowered the front subframe, he put the stock doghouse right back on it. Very cool van.

I too had vent issues, the heat made the hard plastic vacuum tubing pop like a toothpick.


'85 GMC Shorty
'98 Suburban K2500
'98 Pontiac G8 GT
'77 Pontiac Astre
'95 Jeep Wrangler
"I thought you weren't allowed to talk to guys with vans??"
Re: thinking about buying an awd
gypsy #543897 February 29th 2012 10:34 am
Joined: Dec 2000
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That was Peter's van from one of the Astro Safari forums with the 502. He had a matching lifted trailer he did for it too. Did all the work himself. He brought it to VanWest once for us to see.

Astros after they get to a certain age can be expensive to maintain, if you can't do the work yourself. The AWD versions are even more expensive to maintain.
Do check out the Astro Safari forums to get some insight from people who have owned them. Unlike classic Chevy/Dodge/Ford vans Astros do not hold their value as well so if you do sink a lot of money into one of these plan on keeping it a long time because you won't likely get it back.

Re: thinking about buying an awd
gypsy #543898 February 29th 2012 10:50 am
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Originally Posted by gypsy
I've been out looking at vans and I found a 2003 Astro AWD. Anything I should be looking for (problem areas,etc)? Any help or comments appreciated.


You never stated how you want to use the van. Daily Driver or do you want to go crazy and customize ? It makes a difference in the replys you will get.


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Re: thinking about buying an awd
MrHoney #544276 March 01st 2012 3:28 pm
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Originally Posted by MrHoney
Originally Posted by gypsy
I've been out looking at vans and I found a 2003 Astro AWD. Anything I should be looking for (problem areas,etc)? Any help or comments appreciated.


You never stated how you want to use the van. Daily Driver or do you want to go crazy and customize ? It makes a difference in the replys you will get.


Before spending a lot of time trying to help the original poster of this thread, may want to look at the date it was posted, a little over 6 years ago. Some areas of this site draw a lot of dust from lack of action.

They can be expensive to keep up, I'll have mine 'til one of us dies I guess. I like it that much anyway.


'85 GMC Shorty
'98 Suburban K2500
'98 Pontiac G8 GT
'77 Pontiac Astre
'95 Jeep Wrangler
"I thought you weren't allowed to talk to guys with vans??"
Re: thinking about buying an awd
Bullet #544279 March 01st 2012 3:38 pm
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Originally Posted by Bullet
Originally Posted by MrHoney
Originally Posted by gypsy
I've been out looking at vans and I found a 2003 Astro AWD. Anything I should be looking for (problem areas,etc)? Any help or comments appreciated.


You never stated how you want to use the van. Daily Driver or do you want to go crazy and customize ? It makes a difference in the replys you will get.


Before spending a lot of time trying to help the original poster of this thread, may want to look at the date it was posted, a little over 6 years ago. Some areas of this site draw a lot of dust from lack of action.

They can be expensive to keep up, I'll have mine 'til one of us dies I guess. I like it that much anyway.


lol 2006 !


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Re: thinking about buying an awd
MrHoney #544282 March 01st 2012 3:41 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,847
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Originally Posted by MrHoney
[quote=Bullet][quote=MrHoney][quote=gypsy]

lol 2006 !


........Yup.... rofl


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Proud member: Shenandoah Valley Vans


............" REALITY IS JUST AN ELABORATE ILLUSION"..................

Re: thinking about buying an awd
HighwayStar #544283 March 01st 2012 3:44 pm
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rofl

Last edited by MrHoney; March 01st 2012 3:45 pm.

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Re: thinking about buying an awd
gypsy #545300 March 04th 2012 9:42 pm
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,286
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The original poster for the question may be gone but it still bears answering. Perhaps the info will be useful to someone else.

I have a 2000 that I have owned since new and I must say the answers here are mostly spot on. Overall it has been a great little van despite some minor problems.

I would also mention the poor gas mileage to anyone looking to buy, but I would buy one again if I needed another van.


"The Ice Box"(SID)
94 Custom Chevy Conversion Van
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3003153
"Sandstorm"(Logan)
'00 GMC SafariAWD
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2934173
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Re: thinking about buying an awd
gypsy #545333 March 04th 2012 11:11 pm
Joined: May 2007
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Agreed Bryce, on all points. I do like my current astro 2wd as I get pretty good MPG (for a van) , at 20 over all average, with the best being 24 that I have ever gotten.


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
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