[neutralhills]

Hi folks,

I'm the owner of an '89 Chevy Astro CL 4.3L. I picked it up used for $1000.00 three years ago with 253,000 km on it and a rebuilt engine and tranny (50,000 km and 70,000 km respectively). I've since added another 100,000 km to it and all it has cost me are some brake shoes, an alternator, a fan belt, oil changes, and a new set of tires. The van has enough issues at this time that I was looking at buying a newer minivan. Truth be told, I really hated every new vehicle I test drove. Yeah, they ride smoother than my Astro, but they feel ... insubstantial -- like they'll fall apart at the first good bump. They're all plastic and nylon with as little metal as possible.

So I've decided to restore my Astro. If a new vehicle will cost $30,000.00, I'm betting I can do amazing things to my Astro by putting the same amount into it instead. Which is what I'm planning to do starting with the worst mechanical issues. This means you'll probably see me around a fair bit with dumb questions.

My thanks to all the folks who've posted such useful info here in the past. I spent a month lurking this site before deciding that salvaging my Astro was worthwhile thanks to the amount of aftermarket support. It's wonderful to find a such a specialized and useful community such as this one.

Best,

Sean M.

 

[astroturf]

Welcome, and yes you could almost build three Astros for 30 grand. Look forward to your progress and best of luck. Jim

 

[Matrixx]

Hi neutralhills

Welcome to the Forum

That's what I have decided to do with mine, keep it and rebuild things as needed. Parts are cheap now and I'm not going in debt for another $24,000 anytime soon,hehe.

You're absolutely right, rebuilding is the way to go. Their isn't anything on the market these days that come close to what these vans have to offer. Just my :2: on the subject.

 

[ghostrider1061]

welcome to the family. as for dumb or stupid q's. the only one is the one you did not ask. :twisted: :rockon:

 

[Leeann_93]

You're right; there's nothing out there that can compare to the Astro. GM really did one of their dumbest moves when they killed it, imho.

 

[Big_kid]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

You're right; there's nothing out there that can compare to the Astro. GM really did one of their dumbest moves when they killed it, imho.

X2 on that one!

Welcome to the board!

 

[neutralhills]

Thanks to everyone for the welcome, and also my apologies for not getting those pics up today. I'll take some tomorrow morning. The van is not much to look at right now. Here are the most pressing issues I plan to deal with...

1. Get new exhaust system.

2. Install new shock absorbers.

3. Brake work, new tires/rims, and wheel alignment.

4. Upgrade headlamp system (better sealed beams for now) with working fog lamps (couldn't find factory replacements) and a relay system that lets dual beams and fog lights operate at same time when hi beams are selected. Technically illegal, but with the wildlife problem we have out here in the rural area I live in, I don't really care. Considering an HID upgrade later.

5. Putting blue LED replacement lamps into dash and cluster so it's less offensive to look at (think there's a place reserved in Hell for the person who designed that stupid friggin' hockey stick cluster?!?).

6. Install new Alpine audio system currently on the way from Crutchfield.ca. So long craptastic Delco deck!

7. Get estimate on replacing rusted metal directly below the sliding door on the passenger side of the van. The cancerous rust has eaten completely through. Possibly same issue with rear fender.

8. Replace trashed back bumper.

9. Install new LED tail lamps.

Anyhow, this is the next two months.

Best,

Sean M.

 

[Leeann_93]

I'm not sure about the equivalent, but AutoZone and Advance Auto have generic fog lights that seem to be the same size as the factory ones - someone on here did that replacement. Are your bulbs just burned out (they're halogen and you unscrew from the front to replace) or are the sockets and electrics not working?

I think you can replace the hockey puck cluster with one from a just later version, but someone else can chime in.

I put a Sony deck in my Bravada from Crutchfield - the instructions, electrical adapter, antenna adapter and mounting kit were absolutely perfect. It was an easy-peasy install and the difference in sound is really nice...along with the ability to attach my Sirius and iPod

 

[neutralhills]

Unfortunately the units have been destroyed by rocks. The set I'm putting in today will be the same width, but not quite the same height. 60,000 candle power. I'm looking at eventually taking off that portion of the front of the vehicle and fabricating my own out of fibreglass. The new creation will have ten high power lights mounted into it and camoflagued behind a piece of tinted plastic.

I'm not kidding about the wildlife issue. I smacked three deer with the Astro last winter. Luckily I'm careful to never drive faster than I can see so the only damage was a crack in my grill, the dirt moved around the bumper, and some dead deer. I hit a deer at the same speed in my wife's 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe and the bloody front corner just evaporated. The Astro is a tough little vehicle. That being said, it's better to see the deer and avoid them, which is why I'm going crazy on lighting when I fix up the vehicle.

Sean M.

 

[neutralhills]

As promised, here are the pictures....


1989 Chevy Astro CL 4.3L a.k.a. "The Snarge Barge"


Busted fog lamp.


Damage, wear, and rust.


Driver side rust.


Trashed rear bumper.


Damage to sliding door.


Rust, passenger side in front of wheel.


Rust below sliding door -- terminal -- must needs weld in some new metal.

And that's my poor daily driver. Hopefully, once the mechanical issues are dealt with, I can start spiffing up the body and getting it back to looking the way it should.

Best,

Sean M.