Looking for a new van.

General Discussion
( Please do not post help questions here )
User avatar

Topic author
MountainManJoe
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 3088
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
Location: The Pacific North Wet
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 24 times

Looking for a new van.

Post by MountainManJoe »

Hey guys. It's been a while. Not much has happened on the van front, other than routine maintenance.

But now, I need a new rig. Thanks to our renown Vancouver driving, my beloved mountain mobile has been deemed a "total loss" by the insurance company.


I'm having a real struggle convincing ICBC of the value in my van. They seem intent on leaving me broke and vanless.

Anyhoo, I'm looking for a replacement Astro/Safari AWD passenger van. The last ones were made in 2005, so the best case scenario is already a decade old vehicle! It's got to be low in mileage and in decent shape. I'm not in a hurry, and am willing to travel for the right vehicle.

If I find one, you may be seeing more posts from me in the future. :)
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Hey starnger, long time no see.
ICBC sucks eh !
Good luck. You just missed a sweet deal on an awesome mountain van that sold here...
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

That'll buff out! :muhaha: Any chance you can buy it back and fix it?
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

Cobra
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 1750
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by Cobra »

i was thinking about that too lifted. Hit a wrecking yard and you could grab the hood and fender fairly easily.
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by doyoulikeithere »

for that matter, it pretty easy to put your entire subframe under any other van.
You can pick up non rusty vans now around here for cheap.
If your frame is still straight, might be worthwhile to fix it up.
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

Slicky
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 76
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:06 am
Location: Surrey B.C.

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by Slicky »

Bummer , I suggest a visit to the Cowichan valley .Seems like someone there may possess the knowledge to merge the heart of your van with a new one . That is if you can pry his butt off of the KLR :guitar:
User avatar

Topic author
MountainManJoe
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 3088
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
Location: The Pacific North Wet
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 24 times

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by MountainManJoe »

I will inquire about ICBC's "owner retention". Unfortunately you can see that the rad support joint has shifted so the damage is a little more than just cosmetic.

I park on the street and don't have a good place to do major work like that. What's involved with a body swap? Separating the subframe and rewiring the harness?
User avatar

T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by T.Low »

Ouch. #-o
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by doyoulikeithere »

It would be plug n play, if you get a van using same computer system (samish Year)

Find one with a great body but dead engine or some other issues etc for cheap. Just, No rust.

Slide your good frame, with engine & trans, and all under, bolt it up and plug everything back in.
(rear springs and axle as a single assembly if necessary as well)

Me I would love a shortbox van with a dutch rear door, and 2003-2005 (6 bolt wheels) running gear underneath.
I would probly 'down convert' to work with an older Short-box van's TBI fuel & computer system, but thats just me.
The harness could be swapped, I just wasnt into it on mine, so used what was already there...
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by doyoulikeithere »

ICBC sucks so bad. We pay thru the nose every year cuz we cant drive unless we do.
Then when we need to claim on our 'Insurance' they make it seem like they own your vehicle and you gotta beg and plead etc just to get almost a fair deal (screwed).
I feel for you Joe...
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
User avatar

Topic author
MountainManJoe
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 3088
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
Location: The Pacific North Wet
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 24 times

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by MountainManJoe »

My thoughts exactly. Total sham.

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

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by Kidhauler »

Sorry to hear about your van that sucks. Sadly they are getting to the age where they just are not worth much on paper. What are you looking for to replace it so people can post up if they see anything you might like?
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.
User avatar

Topic author
MountainManJoe
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 3088
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
Location: The Pacific North Wet
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 24 times

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by MountainManJoe »

Image

:muhaha:
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Thats interesting.. what TF is it ?
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

Cobra
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 1750
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Looking for a new van.

Post by Cobra »

4x4 sprinter according to the image name, i was talking about sprinters today on the way home they have a lot of potential but just too big for me.
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone
Post Reply