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New daily driver
#669237 August 23rd 2014 12:35 pm
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,475
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Those of you that have seen my '83 Dodge in person can vouch for the fact that it has seen better days. It was a little rough when I bought it, and 2 years of daily driving on rough city streets, parking on the street, and driving through PA winters has taken it's toll on the old girl. Decided I need a 2nd vehicle to drive every day while I park the Dodge and give her some much-needed TLC.

I mentioned that I was sorta looking for a daily "beater" to a friend of mine who runs a used car lot, so when he saw this at auction he picked it up with me in mind. He sent me a few pics and I knew I had to have it.

It's a 1989 GMC Safari cargo, short box, 4.3L/auto RWD. 203k, but has a Jasper crate engine and a rebuilt trans. Drives great with lots of oil pressure and good power. I have always liked the looks of the 1st generation Astro/Safari, especially the shorty's, and this one is pretty darn clean. a few tiny rust bubbles in the rear wheel openings, but the body is straight, the paint is nice, and it already has a visor and wing. Can't argue with that. This is as close to a "blank canvas" as I have ever owned!

Now, the idea is not to go too crazy on this one so I can save some cash to work on the Dodge. Having said that, I do have plans for it! I will leave the exterior alone for the most part, except for painting the mirrors white to match and maybe a billet grill. Bigger plans are for the interior.

The previous owner installed a big stereo, which I like, but some of the Sony Xplod stuff is almost 15 years old and wasn't that good when it was new. Furthermore, the speaker box/platform in the back takes up way too much space, so I plan to rip it out and build some benches along the walls. That way I can sleep longways on the floor with an air mattress or cot, and still be able to load up with band gear, furniture, etc. if need be. I have a large roll of really groovy blue and green shag that will be used on the floor and some accent panels. Will insulate the walls then finish them with wood panels of some kind. Not sure what to do for a headliner yet. Also need to replace the beat-to-snot vinyl work van seats, hopefully with some blue cloth captain's chairs on swivel bases from a conversion van. Being that I plan to sleep in it, I am also thinking of converting the fixed glass in the back doors to pop-out or possibly adding a roof vent. Last but not least, an aux. battery and inverter setup and a whole bunch of LED lighting. Most of this will be done with repurposed/recycled materials to keep the budget to a minimum.

But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here. After all, I have only put a down payment on it! Will have it paid off in a few short months, but the gears are definitely turning in my head (if you couldn't already tell from this rambling post, LOL!).

In the mean time, here's a few pics I snapped when I went to check it out and put some money down.
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Matt K.
Flyin' Dutchmen Vans, Lancaster PA
1989 GMC Safari Cargo
[Linked Image]
AdSense long
Re: New daily driver
keystonekid1978 #669238 August 23rd 2014 12:40 pm
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,091
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Nice find..Congrats..Keep the pics coming once you start working on her

Last edited by pirate; August 23rd 2014 12:41 pm.
Re: New daily driver
keystonekid1978 #669240 August 23rd 2014 12:46 pm
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 706
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Thats a really good looking safari, Lucky score. Hope it works out for you cause it looks like it'd be fun to drive with that stance and body size.


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"Trendkiller" 1995 Chevy G20
"Southern Gentleman " 1978 Ford E150 Custom

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Re: New daily driver
keystonekid1978 #669242 August 23rd 2014 1:16 pm
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,003
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Thats NICE! how much if u don't mind me asking?


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Re: New daily driver
keystonekid1978 #669244 August 23rd 2014 1:45 pm
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 18,535
Likes: 135
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Very nice.


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Re: New daily driver
keystonekid1978 #669245 August 23rd 2014 1:46 pm
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,475
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Thanks guys! I'm digging it so far.

Keith, I am paying $1500. I don't wanna say I stole it, but I know I'm getting a good deal. Scott (the seller) is being really cool about taking payment on it too. Hope to take delivery in late Oct.-early Nov.


Matt K.
Flyin' Dutchmen Vans, Lancaster PA
1989 GMC Safari Cargo
[Linked Image]
Re: New daily driver
keystonekid1978 #669247 August 23rd 2014 2:03 pm
Joined: Oct 2013
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Sweet daily driver Matt


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California Street Vans
Re: New daily driver
keystonekid1978 #669288 August 24th 2014 1:22 am
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,892
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nice looking van


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75 Dodge shorty


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Re: New daily driver
keystonekid1978 #669388 August 25th 2014 8:22 am
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 2
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Nice van Matt, I really like astros and this one is super clean. Good luck with it, cant wait to see it at a run!!


Munzvan@aol.com / Runnin Wild Truckers / I never met a van I didn't like.
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