Cargo or Passenger?

[standupnfall]

Hello, New member here
I am about to purchase my first Astro and am looking for some suggestions on which one. UPGRADING FROM 2005 Grand Caravan SXT as seen in video below.
Aside from the interior trim vs. additional few inches of cargo space is there a reason to lean towards either? (windows aside).

-Live in NY, so AWD may be a plus but like the option of better gas mileage on 2WD
-Will be carrying one 400lb motorcycle inside 80% of the time so either way all seats will be pulled
- Van is used to bring my son to local activities a few times a week, and for transporting motorcycle on medium distance trips. I take a train to work.

[standupnfall]

Found a 1995 (looks like a 1994) GMC Safari in amazing condition inside and out. Going to check it out and likely buy if it is as advertised.

Any 1995's come with the 1994 grill? Pretty sure it is a shorty too so I'll deff be checking the title for year. I think it is a 94, not 95 as advertised but not going to share the ad until after I check it out.

[Deverie18]

I would go with a passenger because you always have The option of removing the seats and rear carpet, etc. Measure to be sure that bike will fit. I tried putting a Harley in mine, but the high mirrors made it impossible when it tilted on the kick stand and I wasn't willing to take chances damanging it with making it fit. I'm in NY and have a 2wd, sucks in the winter.

[Deverie18]

Never mind me dirt bikes fit fine.

[DRZ]

With a cargo you get to put the tie downs farther apart without the interior in place.
I put passenger tie down hooks in place but you can hook the straps a foot farther outside without the passenger stuff in the way.

[standupnfall]

Looks great!!! THanks for the replies. I am very excited that there is an active community here and will deff be making upgrades and doing maintenance myself.
I'm all set with the measurements and tie down points since I'm coming from an 05 caravan which is quite a bit smaller. I need about 40" height and 80" length which looks to be no problem even in a shorty. I've seen the rear entry is at least 43" and the back of from seat to rear door measurement I saw was 88".

Not a dirtbike BTW, it's a Kawi ZX6R 636 sportbike.

[Deverie18]

Yeah I noticed right after I said that. Again, never mind me

[WoodButcher]

'95 has a gen II snout, '94 looks like my '93 when I got it. See my build thread for old pics before I got to it.

[ssbf1]

Really a personal question and about your overall use. Either would be far superior choice to a Caravan. I like the versatility of the passenger vans and have carried many bikes in the rear as well as many passengers. Being from the north east I would definitely go with a AWD . The 2wd and AWD are very different vans, an AWD has a much more beefier feel and you should test drive if you have not done so.

[standupnfall]

$1000 got me in the club
Pretty epic story as I rode my motorcycle 2 hours with a ramp and tie downs on the back, bought van, relocated seats, loaded motorcycle inside, drove home!

1994 GMC Safari SXT.
186k (paperwork for motor rebuild at 110k)
All original aside from delco parts, aftermarket radio and speakers NO ACCIDENTS
Runs solid, minimal rust, paint ok, all complete, pretty clean in and out
A/C is AWESOME. Max A/C with fan one step from top froze me for an hour last night in 85+ NY heatwave

Straightforward repairs:
New tires. They aren't that good and I got a nail in one on the way home. THIS WEEKEND WHILE INSPECTION/OIL CHANGE
Check brakes all around, probably do new new lines and such in a few weeks
Determine gas mileage and investigate status of TUNE UP parts

Issues:
Right side power window has no response from left or right switches
Back radio speakers may not be working. No biggie, I am very good with car stereos and electrical

Upgrades to do:
Put my radio in which has 2 USB ports for Ipods and more phone charging
Wood floor with wooden wheel chock and tie down hooks THIS WEEKEND
Minor LED interior lighting upgrades. Just a small set of white LED strips under the dash for long trip convenience

[PanoramicPEI]

DRZ
Like what you did to the interior of your Cargo van, especially the extra seat which appears to be one from the front driver/ passenger seat of a donor Astro/ Safari van.
How was the seatbelt assembly installed? Any changes to be made for the registration of the van since it is technically a Cargo van to start? Any issues with the insurance company?
Looking to possibly to something similar with my Cargo. Thanks for sharing!

[icebrrg3rd]

...Right side power window has no response from left or right switches...

A problem I had was the wiring as it ran from the door to the jamb. The insulation was fine but from opening/closing the door the copper strands had busted. I just had to cut & splice the wires back together to get the pass window to work. To check it out, have the ignition "ON" and open the pass door, wiggle the wires as you try operating the switch to see if you sometimes get a connection.

Congrat on the "new" van, from someone else who has moved bikes in an Astro...

Got any pics of your epic trip with the bike inside?

-Andrew

[standupnfall]

My streetbike which won't be the one living in there is still in from last night. I'll take some pics tonight before I unload.

The bike in the van was way less epic than 3 major bridge crossings with a 3fold 8foot ramp, and 4 ratcheting tiedowns on a supersport bike!

[WoodButcher]

Very nice, body looks great and a rebuild not too long ago too? Damn, you scored.
Where in NY are you located? In the late '80s I rode to work daily w/ my tools about 50 miles each way and in traffic I'd get some odd looks. 4' level, drywall square, once in a while a shovel or big bar but in the summer it was just too long a haul with the van I had. IIRC it got 8 MPG, a high top camper and I just couldn't waste the coin on gas.

[Leeann_93]

Congrats! Sounds like a nice grab.

Can't wait to see pics

[DRZ]

DRZ
Like what you did to the interior of your Cargo van, especially the extra seat which appears to be one from the front driver/ passenger seat of a donor Astro/ Safari van.
How was the seatbelt assembly installed? Any changes to be made for the registration of the van since it is technically a Cargo van to start? Any issues with the insurance company?
Looking to possibly to something similar with my Cargo. Thanks for sharing!

In Wisconsin, 66 inches of seating and half the floor plan for passengers gets you a car license plate and the cheaper insurance that comes with it. Astro seats are 22.5 inches wide so three is the magic number and still haul 2 BSA bikes. Also you can legally haul any weight the engine can move. The seat belt assembly is just a lap belt bolted to the seat base. Astros from the factory can be either trucks or cars so you can title them as either depending on how you use them. My 2000 Astro LT pickup now has a truck plate since it no longer has but two front bucket seats.

[DRZ]

Click on the pic and then use the arrows to see more of the mods. Usually a note under the pics... Stan
BTW, In Wisconsin at any rate, you wouldn't HAVE to change the title to a auto just because you added a seat/seats.

[PanoramicPEI]

DZR
Appreciate the info,
I assumed lap belt was the way to go since there is no way to easily fix a shoulder belt in the cargo area, even with the seat towards one side of the van.
If that is a front passenger seat from another Astro van, from which vehicle did you take out the lap belt piece you pull to clip into the stock piece that normally accepts the shoulder belt?
Or did you have to pull the entire lap seat belt assembly from a particular vehicle?
I am limited to use a front seat from a Astro 2005 since all the rear seats are bench seats at the JY.

[DRZ]

I'm sorry I don't remember what gave up its lap belt. I'll go out tomorrow and look and maybe that will jog my memory. That is either an Astro front or 2ed row factory bucket. It may be a 2ed row seat as I don't remember what year Astros front seats stopped having an arm rest next to the door.

[WoodButcher]

FYI, my '93 has lap belts in the middle of both rear benches. I've never seen any other astro safari benches so I don't know if others have the same deal.