New members, please include some pictures of your van...

[chevymaher]

One thing i learned about these vans is every 500 miles they need 500 bucks.

Eventually you run out of things to fix. I been just driving mine for a long long time now. I may need tires next summer Whew killin me. About to wear the 4rth set out since I owned it. If you love her, she will love you back.

[rorgeastro]

Hello,

I just joined after buying a well used but mechanically fit 2000 Astro RWD base Cargo Van here in Vancouver BC Canada. I bought it for towing project vehicles around and for moving stuff, since the pandemic has made it hard to get help to do these activities. So far so good.

The things on my list of upgrades/repairs are, in no particular order:

(1) Diagnose randomly flashing seat belt light. ( I suspect a frayed wire somewhere under the seat to the seat belt clasp.

(2) Replace rotted rear barn door weatherstrips. Harvested a pair from the wecking yard already.

(3) Replace or repair sliding door rollers (mid and lower door). Of course GM doesnt sell these parts anymore. I found a good set of replacements and can see why they tend to wear out. (the ball bearings are undersized and a lot of crud builds up in the lower track/rear stop area.

(4) diagnose occasional plasticy snap/click from the steering column area at a certain steering wheel position. I suspect it has something to do with chafing parts in the turn signal cancel mechanism. I have been studying a spare steering column.

(5) flickering dashboard illumination lights. This is probably a poor ground somewhere. I dont have a FSM but am considering getting an ALLDATA subscription.

(6) Add a Trailer brake controller

(7) Add an auxillary transmission cooler and temp gauge.

[rorgeastro]

I just joined today but my first post has gone missing. Something about needing approval. I'll wait instead of retyping it.

[thebreadcolonies]

Hey yall

2nd day new member although I've been lurking on this site for about a month haha

A little back story: got my butt kicked on a 2006 ford escape (alternator and pcm) and it sparked something in me that I didn't know I had.... copious amounts of willpower! So now I'm a car guy lol or backyard mechanic idk what to call it. Anyone know what left blinker fluid is?? Can't find the stuff anywhere.

Anyway, I bought 2 astro vans they were sitting in my friends yard for 3 years so obviously I got them both for peanuts and the cost of the tow. I've been obsessed with lifted astros since I saw them two just dying in the sunlight. I saw the potential. Then all the cool pics on this site and pinterest have had me hooked since. Im looking at you mmusicman. Haha seriously tho I need this van lifted. Nobody around me in PA has anything this epic! And even if they did still doing it! I've seen 2 lifted e350's but big deal. They don't have that bullpup look of an astro.
The one is year 2000 awd, 180k miles, used as a work van, but he kept the carpet in it and the interior is utterly disgusting. I'll update with better pics tomorrow since it gets dark out here in the NE at around 5pm nowadays. She'll run but some of the coil wires are in pieces, tires are rotted, rust is rampant, and the brake lines are shot. Shes also missing the glass on passenger side barn door. Among a lot of other stuff I haven't either mentioned(you'll see in the pics) or found out yet.
The second is 2002 rwd, your guess at the mileage, used as a passenger van, and is in mint condition on the inside but doesn't run. Missing a driveshaft, cat convertor, has rotted tires, and rust is there but not as scary as awd, Dutch rear doors. Shes basically the donor and im going to take all the good off her before I junk her. My uncle wants the steering from her for his iroc-z and the alternator bracket, bunch of other stuff that'll mod his camero. Although lately I've been second guessing junking her since I might have enough in me to take on that project of getting her running again too after getting awd back on the road. But thats another topic for a later time. I'll let you guys know either way which I choose.
Basically I want to overhaul awd with rust remediation, 4x4 conversion, bedliner paint job, homemade lift, big boy tires and I haven't decided on keeping the bench seats or doing the camper conversion so thats still up in the air.

Anyway thanks for reading hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving!!
Closeups are of awd leaving my mechanic's shop.
Last shot is both on the truck headed to their new home

[Big_kid]

Nice projects guys!

All new users have to have their first post reviewed by a real live person before they're published. That keeps the spam out and the trash can full. You shouldn't have any delays now.

Welcome aboard!

[dcsleeper]

the bread colonies (whut?)
put the running stuff on the 2002 including the AWD. save having to do rust crap

[Leeann_93]

^ yeah, what he said.

Welcome to both of you!

[thebreadcolonies]

The bread basket colonies are what they called the middle region colonies of the first 13 colonies of america. Always liked it since I was a kid. Pretty much use it for every tag I make. Not a history buff but love the NE and show it where I can.

[thebreadcolonies]

put the running stuff on the 2002 including the AWD. save having to do rust crap

Not even going to pretend to know where to start on a project like that lol omg there would be so much to do!! Plus I don't like the Dutch doors.. is there a way to make them barn?

[dcsleeper]

that's probably harder than the other stuff, although still doable.
The engine and all the awd stuff comes out with the subframe. It would be little more than a lift. But no rust.

[thebreadcolonies]

I like the idea but how could I do that in the driveway with a pump jack and a few stands? Just seems like something I'd need a lift for. Seems like I'd have to take them both apart down to the frame. I like the suggestion but I don't think I know enough to make that happen

[dcsleeper]

yet

[Astronomus]

Finally found the one! No longer a lurker.

[sumtingbig]

Well the core support wasn't as clean as they said. Bottom was gone and hole at right body mount. Still better than the one i had. Seam sealed Got it done. Weld and fluid film after everything else is done.

[sixsix]

Nice Work - gotta' Love your Van !

[sumtingbig]

Thanks. Love the pain right lol

[mglsite]

Here is my latest money pit.

[Rod's Trucks]

Nice!
It appears you will not have to spend much on cosmetics.....at least for the van.
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

[mglsite]

Thanks, plus it has a new rebuilt motor in it. Just trying to get it the way I want it. I pulled the interior, insulated and put it back in. Interior is alright but it has no back seat.

[sumtingbig]

Nice van and beautiful dog