Allow me to introduce The Van
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
- Location: Greater Cincinnati
Allow me to introduce The Van
Hello, My name is Mike. My wife and I are the Caretakers of a 1992 Astro LT that we were granted Stewardship of in 1994.
We anticipated a long road trip out west back then and started with "The Van" 6 months prior to Iron out any Kinks.
There were no Kinks and the 6,000 mile trip was an enormous success.
... Well that was 200,000+ miles, 6 other big trips and 20+ years later. We have taken very good care and PMed the heck out of it - so, here it is - still kicking. But needing a bit of "Out of the Ordinary" care and repair and could use a little updating.
Now - here we are - looking for tips and ideas to better our "Old Ride". We have been to other Forums and belong to a couple as members. I am looking for some "FRESH" thoughts.
Here are a few photos of "The Van" prior to our Retirement and it's "Revival":
One of the Major areas that We were concerned with was the Front end Plastic, Grille, Lights, etc.:
All of the Top Tabs had to be reconstructed and all 3 major Parts had cracks and parts missing - Paint was horrible, Silver all but gone. A lot of work was done under the Hood - And it Shows. We also did an Enormous amount of work on the Interior - Headliner, Overhead Console, Lighting, Carpet, etc - rinse and repeat as needed...
Mike
We anticipated a long road trip out west back then and started with "The Van" 6 months prior to Iron out any Kinks.
There were no Kinks and the 6,000 mile trip was an enormous success.
... Well that was 200,000+ miles, 6 other big trips and 20+ years later. We have taken very good care and PMed the heck out of it - so, here it is - still kicking. But needing a bit of "Out of the Ordinary" care and repair and could use a little updating.
Now - here we are - looking for tips and ideas to better our "Old Ride". We have been to other Forums and belong to a couple as members. I am looking for some "FRESH" thoughts.
Here are a few photos of "The Van" prior to our Retirement and it's "Revival":
One of the Major areas that We were concerned with was the Front end Plastic, Grille, Lights, etc.:
All of the Top Tabs had to be reconstructed and all 3 major Parts had cracks and parts missing - Paint was horrible, Silver all but gone. A lot of work was done under the Hood - And it Shows. We also did an Enormous amount of work on the Interior - Headliner, Overhead Console, Lighting, Carpet, etc - rinse and repeat as needed...
Mike
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- ASV Supporter
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Re: Allow me to introduce The Van
every time i see a pic of the engine bay and firewall, like that, I think holy cow,,,,
that just looks so naked without a clutch master cylinder sitting in that empty spot.... ;)
that just looks so naked without a clutch master cylinder sitting in that empty spot.... ;)
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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Re: Allow me to introduce The Van
You know you can buy the grill and bezels for the astro new on ebay. When I got the one to cut up for my phantom grill I think it cost less than $100 shipped.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'69 G10, straight 6, 3 onatree, jumped at me when I had a pocketful of cash looking for a spare astro.
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'69 G10, straight 6, 3 onatree, jumped at me when I had a pocketful of cash looking for a spare astro.
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
- Location: Greater Cincinnati
Re: Allow me to introduce The Van
Oh... I'm sorry... nodded out there for a day or so. Good to hear from you Woody !!!
Uh, thanks for the advice - next time ( yeah, right... ) I will order it or them online or buy one locally.
FLEABAY has them way, way cheaper than $100 - even "Already Broken" ones. Such a deal awaits you...
A few hours repair, sanding, $20 in paint & supplies - these 3 look like new. The Masking for the Silver sucked monumentally, tho.
Now, let me get back to my nap while I wait for the next post...
Mike
Uh, thanks for the advice - next time ( yeah, right... ) I will order it or them online or buy one locally.
FLEABAY has them way, way cheaper than $100 - even "Already Broken" ones. Such a deal awaits you...
A few hours repair, sanding, $20 in paint & supplies - these 3 look like new. The Masking for the Silver sucked monumentally, tho.
Now, let me get back to my nap while I wait for the next post...
Mike
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
- Location: Greater Cincinnati
Re: Allow me to introduce The Van
Now that's really funny - 1st I have ever heard anyone say "empty spot" when referring to under the hood of these vans.doyoulikeithere wrote: ... sitting in that empty spot.... ;)
Believe me - as soon as the engineers saw where that vacuum canister sat - they had plenty of things in mind.
There is NOT ONE SPOT that a baseball could fit or sit easily.
It's a good thing these older Vans don't have much go wrong with them under the hood. You would never be able to fix them.
Mike
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- I plan to be buried in my van
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Allow me to introduce The Van
Nice looking 92.
Almost makes me miss my 94, almost.
Almost makes me miss my 94, almost.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
Re: Allow me to introduce The Van
Darn nice. and I thought my daily driver '92 was clool with the 108,000 miles on it.
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- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Allow me to introduce The Van
Really nice shape. You take good care of it.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:11 pm
- Location: Greater Cincinnati
Re: Allow me to introduce The Van
ihatemybike wrote:Nice looking 92. ...
okie1 wrote:Very nice van, you should be proud.
bruce27 wrote:Darn nice. and I thought my daily driver '92 was clool with the 108,000 miles on it.
I thank you all from the guy who's head is too bigSmiliesafari wrote:Really nice shape. You take good care of it.
now to fit on the EDIT/COMPOSE page anymore
So... next is ALL the doors - Electrics & Mechanical.
Mike