I wish someone made _____?

[TDMobile]

This thread can possibly serve as an "ideas engine" for new innovation and continued aftermarket support for our vans! Personally, I wish there were better looking grill options out there, and maybe (go ahead and laugh) a wide body kit that isn't just fender flares...

What do you wish was available for your van? Maybe someone here has the know-how to make it, or with enough interest for a certain product, we could possibly help get it made, so all can enjoy the concepts that we discover here!!

[sabreuk]

Well i wish there was uk importer for things like bodykits/grills bumpers etc. Also could with an importer or something for things like ineterior stuff like the seats and bench and most importantly things like the carpets. Engine components are easy enough to come by however tuning parts or dress up kits are a different story. Thats not just for astro/safari thats all us cars here in uk. If you guys can ship it i can get it sold over here no probs. If anybodys interested i still need the hood release cable for my 95 lol. Hows that for an idea or a start.......

[TDMobile]

Does the UK have weird customs restrictions or something?

[sabreuk]

Not realy bud just import tax. However there are a few u.s garages etc but parts esp dress up stuff has to come direct from the us or japan thats for the a/s if there was something in place for distribution on the stuff above could make a fortune as its realy hard to get hold of. Despite fuel prices etc there is a big following for us vehicles her in the uk.

[sabreuk]

An idea also on a different note to above is. Possibly make or having something to replace the nasty forest worth of wood like maybe a billet kit or fibre glass kit with different colours etc just purely beacuse i hate the amount of wood mine has which was going to vinyl wrapped anyway.

[chevymaher]

A idler arm system which was adjustable. Made with needle bearings instead of bushings. Get rid of the front end slop.

[RECox286]

Hey CM,

There is an idea that I opined a while back. If I were going to design an idler arm, I would use a system like the

front wheel spindle has, using two roller bearings and races. I think that would be the absolute last idler arm to be

needing replacement (after we all blow ourselves up !)

[chevymaher]

Hey CM,

There is an idea that I opined a while back. If I were going to design an idler arm, I would use a system like the

front wheel spindle has, using two roller bearings and races. I think that would be the absolute last idler arm to be

needing replacement (after we all blow ourselves up !)

I have actually considered contacting a machine shop. See how much it would cost to make one.

[TDMobile]

I'm not real big on the mechanical side of things, so don't poke fun at my lack of knowledge here - would it have to be made from scratch, or is there a way to modify a stock idler arm to make it possible? maybe bore the hole where the bushings go and make an insert with bearings etc?

[RECox286]

Never have had the curiosity to tear one apart. I typically just R&R the darned things when they crap out, pretty much the

way most mechanics do. Heck, Moogs are only $125 per side ! I wonder why they used a bushing (like most every other

Idler arm ever to be put on a vehicle) in the first place. $$$, No ? You would think, well, at least I do, that the Gen 2 would

have had some improvement incorporated, so that they would last a bit longer.

CM: let me, (us) know what you come up with, OKay ? This could be your 15 minutes of basking in the sunshine...

Uncle Bob

[wideopen1967]

Full rubber molded replacement mats for the carpet.

Fender flares

Better outside doorhandles

[markmitch]

I always hated the rear bumpers on these vans I wish some one could make custom rear bumpers. I know about roll pans but I would rather have a little protection on the butt of these vans that looks good too!

[Ragenme]

Hey like a chrome option! A nice chrome step bumper. Oh I do like to dream!

[chevymaher]

I wish someone made _____?

Anything, anything at all performance for these vans. Or cross referenced parts that fit for that matter.
Really they the most popular thing to upgrade/hot rod since muscle cars.
Jeeze the japanese alone have done more to these vans than any other models has had done to them since the last non-computer car was made.

[redfury]

I wish someone made a store that carries all the old body kits and other parts that were in inventory but never sold when the vans were new and people were customizing them...what happens to all those parts?

Also, I wish someone made a custom floor pan that could be unbolted from the floor after the doghouse was removed to get better access to the rear spark plugs and engine area in general.

Again, why hasn't anyone marketed an access hole kit for the fuel pumps?

And lastly...I wish someone had made the LT passenger seats into fold flats like the earlier bench seat design! You can't carry anything more than a standard sedan with the seats in these things without forcing it past the seats if they are still in! I love my comfy leather split seats with armrests and center consoles! They are awesome, but they recline only so far, and you sure can't fold them forward. I'd almost be willing to ditch my super comfy seats for benches just to be able to fold them flat so I could bring some lumber home from the Hardware store!

[Corsemoto]

Again, why hasn't anyone marketed an access hole kit for the fuel pumps?

Or an external fuel pump kit like has been done here a few times.

And lastly...I wish someone had made the LT passenger seats into fold flats like the earlier bench seat design! You can't carry anything more than a standard sedan with the seats in these things without forcing it past the seats if they are still in! I love my comfy leather split seats with armrests and center consoles! They are awesome, but they recline only so far, and you sure can't fold them forward. I'd almost be willing to ditch my super comfy seats for benches just to be able to fold them flat so I could bring some lumber home from the Hardware store!

I know what you mean about the LT seats not folding flat, part of the reason I'm not keeping mine and selling them. That and they are never in the van because I don't haul passengers and they are heavy.

With these vans being 8+ years out of production, I don't foresee much, if any innovation taking place in terms of aftermarket accessories unfortunately. Evens so, I'd like to see an off-road front bumper with winch mount and a rear off-road bumper with swing-away tire(s) carrier.

[esmartuek]

I wish that Intellitronix (aka Nordskog) made Digital Dash Clusters for our vans, as they do for 3rd Gen F-bodys.

I installed one of their F-Body clusters in my Camaro 10 years ago and absolutely loved it. I hold it to par for what I expect to achieve when I install a new Instrument Cluster in my Astro.
Example of Camaro:

A shame someone had to go steal that car.
I may just have to figure out how to finagle their individual instruments into one of the many Astro clusters I have laying around the house to look like that picture. It probably won't look pretty, and it will probably cost just as much as the F-body kit ($500)

I'm sure if we bombard Intellitronix with enough community requests, they might see the business potential of investing in custom Astro/Safari Cluster Kits... I'll tell you right here and now that replacing the instrument clusters are MUCH easier in an Astro than an F-body. (practically hot-swappable)

[Duckstar]

I always hated the rear bumpers on these vans I wish some one could make custom rear bumpers. I know about roll pans but I would rather have a little protection on the butt of these vans that looks good too!

How about this?

Made by a Japanese company, they also do a version with the license plate in the centre I really wanted one but they are very expensive even without shipping costs! thought about molding my own but decided on a rollpan instead, got me thinking again now!

[JuneauCabbie]

I would love it if someone would make a an electric or hydraulic door opener/closer kit for the sliding door. I just don't have the time or mechanical talent to design one of my own.

I have too many taxi pax who either slam the door or don't shut it fast enough so it doesn't latch.

Doors and seats are what fail first in any vehicle in taxi service.

.

[chevymaher]

A Transformer/cellphone option like the trucks have.