Hey all,
Been lurking for a while but finally joined. Bought my first Astro (actually my first ever vehicle). Although i'm 30 i'm yet to pass my drivers test. I sit it in August....
Based in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Anyway, i bought the 2002 Astro off a friend for $100 Canadian. It has 374,000km on the clock. Rattle can paint job, two smashed up bumpers and what looks like a few electrical issues. Had a neighbour have a quick look at the engine, he said all the fluids/oils look clean and good, new battery, air filter very clean, and said the engine sounded nice. He recognised it'll need new tires, alignment, new belt, bumpers, wing mirrors (glass stuck on with tape), and all fluids topped up, and a potential transmission flush and brakes done (but suggested this could be because the brake fluid is very low).
All i know is this has been driven for 25,000km in a year, had 2 oil changes and that's it. Previous owner "found it in bad shape and made it work". Hence the DIY paint job. He also ripped the insides out to make a camper conversion but its very basic.
First things first i'm going to take it for a safety, i know it'll fail but i want to know what's up before i spend time on it. i have about $1,900 to fix this up.
I'm a carpenter by trade and a good tradesperson. I have access to all the tools to improve this cosmetically, i plan on a full DIY paint job and to create a comfortable camper, i'm hoping to use it as a weekend camping van and to hopefully get a full trouble free year out of it after all said and done. My neighbour is more than up for helping me make this van pass its final safety after the obvious first fail. Just hoping there is no major engine/transmisson/structure issues...
I'll keep you informed, share what i learn, look for advice and supply lots of pictures if it all goes ahead.
If its a wreck, i'll keep it and spend the $1,900 on another Astro/Safari :rockon:
Any first timer advice would be super welcome! Thanks
Been lurking for a while but finally joined. Bought my first Astro (actually my first ever vehicle). Although i'm 30 i'm yet to pass my drivers test. I sit it in August....
Based in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Anyway, i bought the 2002 Astro off a friend for $100 Canadian. It has 374,000km on the clock. Rattle can paint job, two smashed up bumpers and what looks like a few electrical issues. Had a neighbour have a quick look at the engine, he said all the fluids/oils look clean and good, new battery, air filter very clean, and said the engine sounded nice. He recognised it'll need new tires, alignment, new belt, bumpers, wing mirrors (glass stuck on with tape), and all fluids topped up, and a potential transmission flush and brakes done (but suggested this could be because the brake fluid is very low).
All i know is this has been driven for 25,000km in a year, had 2 oil changes and that's it. Previous owner "found it in bad shape and made it work". Hence the DIY paint job. He also ripped the insides out to make a camper conversion but its very basic.
First things first i'm going to take it for a safety, i know it'll fail but i want to know what's up before i spend time on it. i have about $1,900 to fix this up.
I'm a carpenter by trade and a good tradesperson. I have access to all the tools to improve this cosmetically, i plan on a full DIY paint job and to create a comfortable camper, i'm hoping to use it as a weekend camping van and to hopefully get a full trouble free year out of it after all said and done. My neighbour is more than up for helping me make this van pass its final safety after the obvious first fail. Just hoping there is no major engine/transmisson/structure issues...
I'll keep you informed, share what i learn, look for advice and supply lots of pictures if it all goes ahead.
If its a wreck, i'll keep it and spend the $1,900 on another Astro/Safari :rockon:
Any first timer advice would be super welcome! Thanks