[bryancraftyhands]

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/821074689199557/?ref=messenger_share&device_id=338a6c7f-4dd2-482f-b037-178111d48b0b

Looks pretty clean. Description says that it seems like it's flooding out.

They can operate sufficiently with a 2.5? I have been perusing and finding nothing good about switching to a smaller engine.
Aside from that, he has it listed as 4 speed auto, if it matters to anyone.
Mileage is very not bad considering.

 

[Birdshake]

Looks like a manual to me. Wish I was closer.

 

[bryancraftyhands]

Looks like a manual to me. Wish I was closer.
View attachment 287674

Certainly does look like a shifter. Awfully short for the seat. Maybe some kind of mod job? Considering the 2.5 I'm curious about and the shortness of that shifter.

 

[augidog]

couldn't find a '85 but i think the '86 and options were identical enough. 2.5l L4, TBI, available with man 4sp, man 5sp OD, and auto 4sp OD.

my old-man had a "Pontiac half a V8" L4 (and i think 4bbl) in an early Lemans Convertible. I had the 2.5l in a '82 Spirit w/3sp auto, 2bbl carb. It was pretty zippy, but TBI would have really done it. I enjoyed that little car.

with my big feet no way i'd be able to drive an Astro stick.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

They can operate sufficiently with a 2.5? I have been perusing and finding nothing good about switching to a smaller engine.
Aside from that, he has it listed as 4 speed auto, if it matters to anyone.
Mileage is very not bad considering.

I drove a 1988(?) Plymouth Caravan with a 2.5 and a manual transmission for well over 150K. It was a very reliable vehicle, and power was not an issue for me.
I think a decent 2.5 liter motor should be adequate for most smaller GVW vehicles, unless planning on hauling big loads or pulling trailers.
Having said that, I do appreciate more power, and use on occasion if available.

Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[M_a_t_t]

That shifter is the same height as my 5 spd. I'd assume it's original.

 

[bryancraftyhands]

That shifter is the same height as my 5 spd. I'd assume it's original.

I think I'd have to lean over and reach down for that. After seeing the above to replies, I guess it could be. I never knew they made them with smaller engines OR manuals for that matter. (although why not on the manual) I would think if they were manual, they would be on the column. Don't ask me why. I don't even know if that is really feasible in a van, but I have that impression for some reason. At any rate, if on the floor, something that comes up as high as the arm rest seems more comfortable to me.

with my big feet no way i'd be able to drive an Astro stick.

Understandable. I saw in a review on these that the footwells were tight, and I have to agree.

 

[M_a_t_t]

(Shift knob is backwards)


The seat is moved forward in this pic (so I can hit the brakes, I'm 5'7"). It does seem like it will be a little awkward, but I'm hoping that since the trans is being held up by a strap right now the angle will improve.

 

[bryancraftyhands]

Hey, look at that...😃
I don't really know which way I am looking at anything save for straight down. It does look like a reach down and I'm not all extra tall either. I guess I am used to the manuals I have had; Cars where the shifter itself may be short, but was basically sitting right next to me, or trucks that had shifters that were long enough to bring the knob about arm rest height.
I think I got the front / back direction figured out now. Your state of disassembly was throwing me off.
If I needed one for a daily, I'd probably jump on it, even though I am nowhere near Muncie, or Indiana.
If I had to use mine as a daily, I'd like to do something similar, but maybe with a diesel.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

I do not recall how high the shifter was on the old Plymouth Caravan, but it was definitely floor mounted and a five-speed. I think the stick was taller than the one in the photo, but it might just be the perspective of the photo. Both my wife and I are 'vertically challenged'. We both enjoyed driving it.
We bought it used with 110K, put another 150K on it, before the clutch began slipping. Also, one of the synchros was going bad, so I found a used transmission ( that took a while), and replaced it when I did the clutch. The motor was still running fine when we gave it to my son. The van was totaled a year later when it caught fire as part of a multi-car accident.
Nobody hurt...
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[tinworm]

the stock stick position works, logical fall place for your right hand, though first is quite close to the seat. Shifting is a little strange at first as the sensation is that you are shifting downward into first, 3rd and 5th, and pulling up into 2nd and 4th. The throw is pretty far even in the low looking position it is, so a higher stick handle would be a large distance between gears.

Heres a clearer image of how it looks

 

[augidog]

i put a floor shift in a B300 cargo van. I flipped the levers on the tranny and mounted the stick behind instead of in front of, so shift-pattern was still right-side-up.

it was trimmed at about 8", I just hung my hand and slapped that bad baby around the gears.

318ci, full ton, low 3sp tranny. getting onto the highway and into 3rd....WHAAAA...my buddy says "you can shift"...me "nope that's it." rings were shot in no time, short dual pipes out the side looked like I was burning coal.

also had a plain jane Volare wagon with slant-six and FACTORY 3sp OD stick. It was a tall one with a long throw like the VW's.

you know you're getting old when you don't even miss that clutch pedal anymore.

 

[bryancraftyhands]

the stock stick position works, logical fall place for your right hand, though first is quite close to the seat. Shifting is a little strange at first as the sensation is that you are shifting downward into first, 3rd and 5th, and pulling up into 2nd and 4th. The throw is pretty far even in the low looking position it is, so a higher stick handle would be a large distance between gears.

Heres a clearer image of how it looks

OH look! Another one! How I never saw these before. I guess primarily urban environment didn't make for much popularity.
I still think it would be a reach for me sitting that low, and, where would I put my beverage cooler, snack bin, backpack, and whatever else I put in that area!
A higher stick with a longer throw with a bench seat made for some interesting romantic experiences.
ooOOh, airbag!😃Mine came with an optional get well card.

 

[tinworm]

OH look! Another one! How I never saw these before. I guess primarily urban environment didn't make for much popularity.
I still think it would be a reach for me sitting that low, and, where would I put my beverage cooler, snack bin, backpack, and whatever else I put in that area!
A higher stick with a longer throw with a bench seat made for some interesting romantic experiences.
ooOOh, airbag!😃Mine came with an optional get well card.

I couldnt find a gas engine with a manual video, but Heres a video showing how the shifting looks on a 5 speed astro. This is a non stock engine but the gearbox is in a stock spot