Any body have any experience with these little vans as far as reliability on chassis and the Vortec V6?
Chevy Astro Van AWD as an overland vehicle?
- Thread starter ABQIRONPIG
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The drivetrain is reliable. We used to see them with 300k plus still on the road. My concerns would be:
1. adjusting the suspension for the loads normal to overlanding
2. running out of power once equipped
3. no low range for that occasional foray in to the deep or rocky
4. no clearance
However, this could be done: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/chevy/370824-astro-van-sas.html
1. adjusting the suspension for the loads normal to overlanding
2. running out of power once equipped
3. no low range for that occasional foray in to the deep or rocky
4. no clearance
However, this could be done: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/chevy/370824-astro-van-sas.html
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Just wanted to post a reply here, I know it is an older thread, but an Astro Van makes a great overland rig, and a very capable off-roader.
I sit 7" above stock height, I run 31x1050 A/T tires.
To answer the questions above:
1.) Put larger HD leaf springs in the back(I have drop shackles and HD springs out of an s10 Pickup) Upfront, I have Re-Indexed Torsion Keys.
2.) Easy to stick a dual battery setup into, I have an optima yellowtop, and have never ran out of power(I have flashing strobes, and constantly play music while parked)
3.) You can easily swap in a 2speed transfer case from a Blazer which would give you low range.
4.) Once the lift is installed you can go with larger tires with only minimum modification to the wheel wells, I gained an increase of 2" from the tires, and I relocated my upper ball joints from the top of the A-Arm to below the A-Arm, Put in 2" body pucks up front, and Re-Indexed Torsion keys, I have 5" of lift up front and 6" in back, plus the tires which gave me 2" more. So the front sits 7" over stock height, Plus I trimmed the bottom of my front bumper which gave me better approach angles
So to answer the question: An Astro van is an awesome overlanding platform, done for relatively low cost.
So I included a few pics
I sit 7" above stock height, I run 31x1050 A/T tires.
To answer the questions above:
1.) Put larger HD leaf springs in the back(I have drop shackles and HD springs out of an s10 Pickup) Upfront, I have Re-Indexed Torsion Keys.
2.) Easy to stick a dual battery setup into, I have an optima yellowtop, and have never ran out of power(I have flashing strobes, and constantly play music while parked)
3.) You can easily swap in a 2speed transfer case from a Blazer which would give you low range.
4.) Once the lift is installed you can go with larger tires with only minimum modification to the wheel wells, I gained an increase of 2" from the tires, and I relocated my upper ball joints from the top of the A-Arm to below the A-Arm, Put in 2" body pucks up front, and Re-Indexed Torsion keys, I have 5" of lift up front and 6" in back, plus the tires which gave me 2" more. So the front sits 7" over stock height, Plus I trimmed the bottom of my front bumper which gave me better approach angles
So to answer the question: An Astro van is an awesome overlanding platform, done for relatively low cost.
So I included a few pics
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Yes they are very capable rigs, and somewhat customize-able to fit your off-road needs. But there is so much you can do with the interior to make it your own camping rig! Plus you can get a pop-top or a high-top installed, Buy a conversion style or build it up from scratch inside.
So many different things you can do with this platform, but my favorite is using it as a mild-wheeler and camping in it, then going out and picking mushrooms the next day for dinner!
the thought of wheelin your camping rig is simply too cool.
those vans are the best looking too. I have always been a fan of the Bowtie, you can kind of see mine at the corner of my avatar.
Anyway, very cool.
those vans are the best looking too. I have always been a fan of the Bowtie, you can kind of see mine at the corner of my avatar.
Anyway, very cool.