Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

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mdmead
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Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by mdmead »

So GM dumped our beloved Astro/Safari in 2005 and basically left North America without a suitable replacement. Sure, you could move up to a fullsize van. Or down to a FWD 'mini' van. The years have slowly gone by and many have waited for a suitable sub!

As I read through the latest Truck Trend magazine, I see the replacement is finally here! A midsize rear-wheel drive van!

Oh, but did I forget to mention it is actually a Mercedes?

Seriously though, the new Mercedes Metris is actually a reasonable replacement for someone looking for the capacity of an Astro/Safari. While it is only offered with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine, it is turbocharged and offers up 208 hp and 258 ft lb of torque. This rear-wheel drive van offers 2,500 lb payload and 5,000 lb tow rating which is right on par too. This is the van GM should have built!

Of course there is still one huge problem. No AWD or 4wd option. Maybe there is hope though since Mercedes is finally offering the Sprinter with AWD...

;)
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!

Captn. Crunch
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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by Captn. Crunch »

Ya I saw them on the tv. Good looking van and your right-it's what GM shoulda done instead of doing nothing. Trouble is MB's are wonderful till they aren't. My wife has a C320 and I can't work on it. The price of parts will make you cry.. literally!
GM did just re-introduce the ZR2 off-road version of the Colorado. Ive been emailing GM pleading with them to do this ever since they showed off their concept truck in L.A. two years ago. As a ZR2 and a Safari AWD owner I would close each email with the idea that they bring back the Astro/safari by dropping a van body on the Colorado and offering up all of the Colorado's drivetrain options. They listened to me on the Z so let's see what happens!
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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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by AstroWill »

Now, if they put one of those 3cyl turbo diesel engines in there, you can count me in.

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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by Captn. Crunch »

I'd be ok with the 305 hp 3.6litre direct injected gas motor
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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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by Cobra »

if they introduce AWD in a couple years that would be really tempting i'll have to take some more measurements but it sure looks promising.
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

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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by Astrophysics »

Hi Everyone,

Yes, that would be awesome to have van version of the Colorado.

AP

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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by bowtie262 »

Errr, Thanks, but,, NO THANKS ! [-X [-X [-X

I'll keep my 1988 Astro shorty. :usa:

I bought a Merc Vito once,, never again.

I'll keep my 1988 Astro shorty, Good American build =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Still Vannin' after all this Time !

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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by Astrophysics »

Merry Christmas to all,

The new MB van Metris is built in Spain.

The new Ford Transit wagon/van is super nice with 3.5 liter v6 Eco boast twin turbo 300 hp and 400 ft lbs torque.
130 " wheel base, turn circle 38 ft with rack and pinnon steering and McPherson front struts, rear leaf springs, the overall length is about 220" but with back up camera and big windows, easy to back up and park.

AP

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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by Astrophysics »

There is a 2" body lift available for Transit van also from Compass?
Also, Aluminess is making aluminum bumpers for Transit as well as roof racks.
Also, Quigley and Quadvan can convert Transit to 4 WD.
The Transit is available in low, mid and high roof also. Also, a 3.7 v6 non turbo or a 3.2 liter diesel is available.
FordTransit USA is the on line forum.

I hope Chevy makes a new van soon.
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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by doyoulikeithere »

my next van whatever it may be will have a door opening tall enough to roll my KLR inside :)
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by Cobra »

the astro holds a kodiak 450 I like the idea of a bike fitting.....
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

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Re: Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

Post by Bret Schmerker »

=; I don't consider the Metris a successor to the General Motors M-body mid-van. Parts for the Metris, being the Mercedes-Benz® it is and engineered to survive running for at least an hour flat out on the Autobahn (DEU), probably cost thrice as much as for any of the CHEVROLET®/General Motors City Express™, Ford® Transit™ Connect™, and/or RAM®/Fiat Chrysler ProMaster® City™. To match my M11006 with its V6-4300 for wattage to the road, I'd need a sequential-twin-turbo-supercharged 2.6L four- or five-cylinder Diesel. And European standards will seriously complicate a complete interior/exterior LED relamp project. (LASFIT® has usable relamps in the L-Series for almost all positions on the M11006, excepting the headlamps, which are covered in the firm's L1 and LA Series; I'd have to go to the more expensive and power-consuming T-Series, excepting headlamps that need Pro LED relamps, on the Metris.)
1997 GMC M11006 (Safari SLE, 2WD, V6-4300/4L60-E/7.625" 3.73:1 open)
Acquired Jul 2018 / In service Sep 2018 - Nov 2022 / down due leaky valve(s) #5 cyl.
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