my 1993 Astro restoration

General technical discussion and troubleshooting
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stephanieASTRO
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:11 pm

my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by stephanieASTRO »

It has been forever since I have been on this site. Only due to my van running like a boss and life being crazy busy. But life has gotten even crazier because I have decided to restore my van. I found one of my old posts from when I was swapping a V8 into a 1991 Astro RS, I had mentioned about my vans rebuild. Well that day has come, My engine however is in excellent running condition but I decided with the miles and age, it was time for a full on resto. So far the engine and tranny have been pulled out. I am reusing the same engine and tranny. I am currently working on getting the frame detached from the body. I will be rebuilding the frame as well with a full paint job using Tremclad paint.
1993 Chevy Astro EXT
4.3 V6 Z engine
my baby
(Boss)

1990 Chevy Astro cargo
small block 350
looking to convert to
electric
(Red)

2005 Chevy Astro Cargo
4.3 v6
(Whitey)

1994 Chevy Astro EXT (just bought)
mystery engine
(Moose)
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Topic author
stephanieASTRO
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:11 pm

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by stephanieASTRO »

I cannot figure out how to post pictures??? ](*,)
1993 Chevy Astro EXT
4.3 V6 Z engine
my baby
(Boss)

1990 Chevy Astro cargo
small block 350
looking to convert to
electric
(Red)

2005 Chevy Astro Cargo
4.3 v6
(Whitey)

1994 Chevy Astro EXT (just bought)
mystery engine
(Moose)
User avatar

justice
I sleep in my van
Posts: 875
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 4:00 pm
Location: Keeping a good eye on all you yahoos

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by justice »

you can remote host your pictures on a site like photobucket and link the IMG code or use the "Upload Attachment " feature below the post window.
I have a ban hammer and I ain't fraid to use it!


Current - 2004 Astro Cargo


Former
95 Safari (money pit - sold)
93 Astro Cargo (totaled)
85 Astro - (Bought for parts and scrapped)
92 Astro Conversion (sold)
87 Safari Shorty (sold)

Captn. Crunch
I sleep in my van
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Location: southeastern ct
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Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by Captn. Crunch »

And another one is spared the scrap heap. Go for you! Thanks for taking the time to restore ole faithful and for including us in the process
Captn. Crunch
"I don't beat my rig-I use it to it's maximum potential"
1994 Safari conversion (sold) and miss'n it!
1999 Safari SLE AWD junked
2003 GMC Safari AWD SLT
cast iron Torsen equipped front diff
S-10 leafs-G80 rear w/3.73’s
2” body lift w/Falken Wildpeak AT’s
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Topic author
stephanieASTRO
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:11 pm

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by stephanieASTRO »

Here is my 1993. I have been with this van since 1994.
Image
1993 Chevy Astro EXT
4.3 V6 Z engine
my baby
(Boss)

1990 Chevy Astro cargo
small block 350
looking to convert to
electric
(Red)

2005 Chevy Astro Cargo
4.3 v6
(Whitey)

1994 Chevy Astro EXT (just bought)
mystery engine
(Moose)
User avatar

Topic author
stephanieASTRO
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:11 pm

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by stephanieASTRO »

finally, was able to post at least one picture. I tried signing into photobucket, but gave me an error. I will keep trying though.
1993 Chevy Astro EXT
4.3 V6 Z engine
my baby
(Boss)

1990 Chevy Astro cargo
small block 350
looking to convert to
electric
(Red)

2005 Chevy Astro Cargo
4.3 v6
(Whitey)

1994 Chevy Astro EXT (just bought)
mystery engine
(Moose)
User avatar

Topic author
stephanieASTRO
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:11 pm

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by stephanieASTRO »

photobucket will not let me register
1993 Chevy Astro EXT
4.3 V6 Z engine
my baby
(Boss)

1990 Chevy Astro cargo
small block 350
looking to convert to
electric
(Red)

2005 Chevy Astro Cargo
4.3 v6
(Whitey)

1994 Chevy Astro EXT (just bought)
mystery engine
(Moose)
User avatar

mdmead
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
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Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:45 pm
Location: Selah, WA
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Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by mdmead »

Welcome back!

Stay away from Photobucket! (Unless you want to spend $399 a year for remote hosting. New rules/pricing now in effect.) I opened an account with Imgur; they still have free hosting. I'm thinking it might be better to use Facebook if you have an account. (Imgur may follow suit with Photobucket in the future, hard to say for sure.)

Also, if you use Chrome or Firefox, download the 'fix' for Photobucket pictures which will allow them to be visible again across the internet. (At least until Photobucket makes another change.)
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!
User avatar

Topic author
stephanieASTRO
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:11 pm

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by stephanieASTRO »

thank you mdmead!
1993 Chevy Astro EXT
4.3 V6 Z engine
my baby
(Boss)

1990 Chevy Astro cargo
small block 350
looking to convert to
electric
(Red)

2005 Chevy Astro Cargo
4.3 v6
(Whitey)

1994 Chevy Astro EXT (just bought)
mystery engine
(Moose)

Kidhauler
I sleep in my van
Posts: 877
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:46 pm
Location: Vancouver B.C.

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by Kidhauler »

hey steph glad to see the van getting some love. although your van was always the cleanest one around. Tell sanj I say hi and we should get together some time. I was very sick all summer and stuck in the house. But Im better now.
Kevin
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.

Astrophysics
I sleep in my van
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Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by Astrophysics »

Happy New Year to all!

Astro Safari .

Well GM sells lots of Cameros.'

Let's hope GM brings back the Astro as a mid sized rugged van.

4 WD with 2 speed T case. The Astro could use Colorado chassis with a 120". Wheel base.

An Astro could be a great Overland expedition vehicle. More space than a Jeep Wrangler.

AP
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image.jpeg
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Topic author
stephanieASTRO
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:11 pm

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by stephanieASTRO »

Happy 2018 everyone! :cheers:

Hey Kevin! good to hear from you! it has been too long. would love to have you guys over! Have a BBQ maybe?!!

Astrophysics: I have been dreaming of seeing GM bring back the Astro/ Safari vans. It needs too happen. These vans are so great. Everyone I talk too about these vans all say how they love them and miss them.
1993 Chevy Astro EXT
4.3 V6 Z engine
my baby
(Boss)

1990 Chevy Astro cargo
small block 350
looking to convert to
electric
(Red)

2005 Chevy Astro Cargo
4.3 v6
(Whitey)

1994 Chevy Astro EXT (just bought)
mystery engine
(Moose)

Astrophysics
I sleep in my van
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:23 pm
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by Astrophysics »

Hi Everyone,

Today I bought the Trail Gear front bumper winch plate with 2" receiver from 4 Wheel Parts. . This is PN 120116-1-KIT, $150, made in Fresno, CA... This will bolt onto my special aluminum Heavy wall bumper on my 2003 AWD.

It weighs 26 lbs. it is 26 1/2" long. It has fair lead front flange, it has standard 4 1/2" X 10 " winch mounting holes. It has welded gusset trianglular braces on end. Very good welds. Very nice. I now need to prime and paint it. Or I may get a price to have it powder coated.

Have a good week end.

AP
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image.jpeg

Astrophysics
I sleep in my van
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Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by Astrophysics »

Hi,
Started fit checking Trail Gear winch plate.

AP
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image.jpeg

Astrophysics
I sleep in my van
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Re: my 1993 Astro restoration

Post by Astrophysics »

May need to droll a few additional holes closer to the center. The curvature of the bumper is not extreme +3 and -3 inches off center line.

AP
Attachments
Top view of curved aluminum bumper
Top view of curved aluminum bumper
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