Clean Francine - 2000 Astro LS AWD Dad Van

[kursed]

Picked this beauty up about a month ago. We live in VA and were using a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport (XJ) as a secondary family vehicle. When getting the XJ inspected this past winter, we noticed rot in the floor pans and did a temp patch job to pass inspection until we could get around to replacing the floor pan sections. When getting new rear shocks installed last month, we noticed a TON more rot from the firewall back to the rear. Along with needing a complete front suspension and steering rebuild, we decided it wasn't worth repairing as we have another 2000 XJ lifted with clean floors and in better shape that was the victim of a front end collision while parked on our street one night. So we decided we will fix my other XJ, and in the meantime find a new family wagon.

After a ton of car shopping and research, we decided on this 2000 Astro LS AWD. We found her in PA, so there is some flake rust on the rear axle, rear leaf springs, rear bumper, and a few other parts underneath. However, the pans are pretty solid. It was a single owner, lady was in her 80s. She had 85,000 original miles (the van, not the little old lady ). The little old lady and her now deceased husband took pretty good care of the van, even putting extra plastic down to protect the carpets, but it wasn't without it's share of flaws.

Named her "Clean Francine" because she was clean and I intend to keep her that way. No Happy Meals allowed!

Attached pics are how we got her.

[tungtide]

nice looking van, best wishes.

[Leeann_93]

Welcome!

Nice clean van to start with - from a multi-AWD van owner and KJ owner

[kursed]

Thanks for the compliments guys!

So when we got her, the driver power window would stop periodically up or down, and the driver and passenger door lock actuators did nothing. Also the driver side door speaker was inoperable. So I picked up some new 6.5" door speakers and some Memphis 1" tweeters (OOPS! I didn't read the eBay add, $12 was for a whole case of 1" tweeters! )

Grabbed the power window motor, lock actuator, and door panel clips off Amazon. Had to grab a GM pigtail connector for the speaker from the local audio shop where I bought the 6.5s. Everything went in well a week or two ago, and works great now on the driver door. Hopefully get the passenger door next week.

Also grabbed a "Bluedriver" Bluetooth sending unit to check the "Service Engine Soon" dummy lamp on the gauges. That works really well with the corresponding app on my Samsung Galaxy S7. Found to O2 sensors. Hopefully get them replaced soon when I get a few more issues sorted out.

Want to tow a 6x12 utility trailer with it, but it didn't have the tow package from the factory, so I grabbed a Reese 35787 hitch receiver off another Astro at the junkyard for $40. Cleaned and painted it, not perfect, but functional. Also grabbed a 7 pole + 4 pole multi tow harness and a plug with bracket from e-trailer. Taught the girls how to solder yesterday and how to test the wiring. We drilled a 2" hole next to the jack plate in the rear where the factory wiring was located, ran it through there. The girls (13 & 14 years old) did most of the heavy work removing the bumper and installing the hitch receiver today, with only minimal help and guidance from me. They did an outstanding job.

We will still need to get some help drilling the holes to mount the bracket, as my drill wasn't playing nicely with that steel today. The factory inner bumper reinforcement was completely rotten, so I ordered another online and will install it as soon as it arrives.

That should be all caught up to date on the van now. We have taken it on one camping trip and one mini vacation to Williamsburg so far and the whole family loves it. Much more room than we've been used to for the past 5 years. Comfortable and just enough power to get the job done. Hopefully we have many more years with her.

[Leeann_93]

Way to go, girls!

And good job teaching them, Dad.

[tungtide]

Great job you got the right hitch. fantastic mechanics also!! check that spare tire. ( doughnut ) so many of them are bad. And on an AWD you must have matching size tires on all 4 feet. I won't admit to why I know this. I ended up buying a spare rim same as all the others. and put a matching tire on it. A full size will fit in the ( doughnut ) location.

[Astrofarian]

Way to go, girls!

And good job teaching them, Dad.

^^^^^^X2, from a father of 2 girls (18 & 22) and stepfather of 1 (age 30)

Great to see them wearing gloves; tell them to get some safety glasses for the next time they're doing any work with you.
We only get one pair of eyes in this life, try to keep the crap out of them any chance you get!
-M!ke-

[Big_kid]

Awesome!!!

[Mmusicman]

Way to go, girls!
And good job teaching them, Dad.

Yes!!! I'm diggin all this!!! Very cool!
Junkyards are fun too.. one man's junk is another man's treasure!
Looks like you got the fixes well under control... enjoy!

[kursed]

Great job you got the right hitch. fantastic mechanics also!! check that spare tire. ( doughnut ) so many of them are bad. And on an AWD you must have matching size tires on all 4 feet. I won't admit to why I know this. I ended up buying a spare rim same as all the others. and put a matching tire on it. A full size will fit in the ( doughnut ) location.

That's my plan. I never trust those silly tiny donuts. I've used them in the past, but with extreme caution. I'm looking for a spare rim in junkyards when I go to remedy that situation. Until I find one, I thankfully have roadside assistance through Geico.

[kursed]

tell them to get some safety glasses for the next time they're doing any work with you.
We only get one pair of eyes in this life, try to keep the crap out of them any chance you get!
-M!ke-

We had them a set of safety glasses in the shop, but apparently they grew legs, as we looked and looked and could not for the life of us find where they went.

So we stopped by harbor freight on the way home and picked up some for everyone.

[kursed]

Thank you everyone for the compliments. I am very blessed to have three amazing young ones. They are all very willing to learn and pitch in with any situation. I could not be more proud of them.

[stent]

great story !!
how is colonial williamsburg doing in 2019?

[sixsix]

You guys n' gals & your Van don't seem "kursed" to me!!

Nice start w/ Great Photos - Thanks!!

Welcome from N. Ky.



Mike

[AstroWill]

We had them a set of safety glasses in the shop, but apparently they grew legs, as we looked and looked and could not for the life of us find where they went. :shrug:

Mine do the same thing!

[kursed]

great story !!
how is colonial williamsburg doing in 2019?

Doing very well. We enjoy it a lot, go down at least once a year. This year we got season passes for the cost of single day tickets, so we plan on going as much as we can.

[kursed]

Not much done to her lately. Just using it a lot as intended. Hauling the family, utility trailer, and gear around. Headed to the beach with her this week, should be a fun trip. Couple recent shots, one from today hauling home a 71-77 G10 front clip to convert my 82 to the early grill style and a couple captain seats in the back for the 82 G10 project as well.





Front brakes are on the short list of "things to do" as well as passenger window motor and lock actuator. Then I should be able to get the rear speakers in.

[kursed]

Front brake pads and rotors are done. Right side pads were cracked and missing a chunk, probably causing the pedal vibration. Kept the old rotors in case I can find someone local to turn them for me. Driver side has a fairly new caliper and hose already. The girls did a great job on their first brake job (13 & 14). Front and rear shocks tomorrow. Forgot to grab pics of the new rotors and stuff, but they're working great. Might grab pics of that tomorrow while doing the shocks.

[webrunner]

Nice looking! Enjoy your 'new' addition.

Ours is the Gray LS AWD. Love it!

[Leeann_93]

Good job!

Don’t bother turning the rotors. They’re not worth it, very few places even have a brake lathe any more, plus if they were warped they’ll never be right again (1st heat cycle and they’ll warp again).

They work great under jacks and jackstands to spread the weight and keep them from sinking into dirt/sand or hot pavement.