Thinking about a Chevy Astro Van for light camping/offroad adventures...

[sixstringsteve]

I worked for a non profit agency that had one for running our clients around. I took it to help move a client from her old home (in spite of her best efforts to convince me to take my truck) and ended up stuck for several hours until we could find someone to pull me out. The road was good but there was no weight in the rear to help us get traction to get out. Ours also got 18-20mpg and had the 4.3 litre engine.

Was that an AWD or a 2wd?

 

[Seven]

My friend ran one for several years that someone before him had added a dana 44 to the front. It had 33's on it. It is in prett ruff shape right now 4.3 engine runs however the auto transmission is in need of a rebuilt and it has been missing a couple windows for a couple months. I am pretty sure if you showed up with $350 He would sign over the title to ya. It would take quite a bit of work but you would have you pretty cool van

 

[Hickey]

Minivan owners just don't care.

 

[Gravy]

I heard every time you buy a minivan a puppy cries.

 

[smartass_kid]

since it sounds like a weekend camper thing more than a need more room.
keep wife's car and get one just for camping and loading up the bikes for a run?

my two cents.

EDIT to add ksl ad, offer him $800?

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/13486310

 

[frieed]

So the wife's willing to go for the minivan eh... maybe she has news she hasn't sprung yet

 

[sixstringsteve]

believe me, she'd tell me that news the second she found out. I'm wanting a minivan more than she is.

 

[ttora4runner]

Just get a Chevy Astro Tiger adn call it good: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chevy+astro+tiger&biw=1280&bih=832&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&wrapid=tlif134610833084410&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=pvs7UMHyDOTYyAHz5oBo


They had an Astro van on Top Gear America.

 

[Chevycrew]

Its an awd car, meant for pavement. I wouldn't do it...

 

[I Lean]

My experience with Astro's....they do not land very well, and the engines are difficult to pull when using them as donors. They have cool steering boxes though.

 

[Gravy]

They have cool steering boxes though.

Redeeming factor only found on the 2wd ones.

 

[Caleb]

My experience with Astro's....they do not land very well, and the engines are difficult to pull when using them as donors. They have cool steering boxes though.

Yeah, the motor for my buggy came from my parent's astro right after they had a new engine put in It was a pain to pull

 

[Tacoma]

I really wanted Astro Vans, small but big enough, decent mileage, etc.. but then I saw this, and decided that I will never, ever put myself of any of my family in one.

[video=youtube_share;8kuSghb7P7U]http://youtu.be/8kuSghb7P7U[/video]

 

[KWight]

Was that an AWD or a 2wd?

2wd, they are good for towing with the combination they have.

 

[rockreligious]

I have nothing brilliant to add other than this is one of the funniest threads Ive read in a while. Ive got an astro Im getting ready to yank the 4.3 out for my Sami/sideXside project.
I also used one for mobile autoglass for a couple years, we abused it hard and couldnt kill it.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I really wanted Astro Vans, small but big enough, decent mileage, etc.. but then I saw this, and decided that I will never, ever put myself of any of my family in one.

[video=youtube_share;8kuSghb7P7U]http://youtu.be/8kuSghb7P7U[/video]

/thread. Suddenly my enthusiasm for an astro is gone...

 

[Cascadia]

My enthusiasm for you getting an astro van was never there.

 

[jeeper]

Go for the full size ford econoline van with the 4x4 conversion. You can have the bathroom and all installed in those!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I wonder if the mixed frame setup is why the crash test was so poor.

 

[JL Rockies]

Tacoma ruins everything.