My MPG since new is 18 overall. 2000 Dodge Ram Van CAMPER / CONVERSION VAN MUST SEE PHOTOS $6,000 (TAX SEASON DEALS STARTING NOW!) The Astro was a unique vehicle (mid size van … 2. We did not see many so equipped and the heavy line guys were always working on the AWD components of the one’s that came in. At the moment we have a Chevrolet Astro Van so for the time being Jean Robert is going to work on converting that and see how it goes….we don’t leave for a little while so we have lots of time if things change or don’t work out! Jean Robert took out all the sidings at the back of the car (the bits by the seats with cup holders and storage and the like) and found that being 5″9, he could lay width-wise in the car. G80 RPO code on our vans. That's a tiny fraction of the people who purchased an Astro van during the two decades that GM sold the Astro and its sibling, the GMC Safari van. This is when we really saw the potential as a vehicle to convert to a camper…. Have all wheel drive or four wheel drive and be able to pull a snowmobile/motorcycle trailer MUST SEE www.ohautos.net All Types of Financing Available!! This time I'm documenting converting the Astro from All Wheel Drive (AWD) to proper Four Wheel Drive (4WD) with a 2-speed NP233 Transfer Case from a 2000 S-10 Blazer … We’ve also got the chance to take the van on lots of smaller trips, which will help improve the design before we leave for the much longer adventure (potentially one year in length!). Just in case you want a brand new vehicle I would recommend test driving the Toyota Sienna minvan. Our Europe trip provided us with the experience and knowledge to build something much better than the first time – we now know for example, that the storage really needs to be accessible from the side (so some sort of sliding drawers) and the back – having a ‘trapdoor’ style opening under the bed is really annoying. 2005 CHEVROLET ASTRO For $4,500. The one I have has been beat up pretty good, but is still running well. Join millions of people using Oodle to find unique used cars for sale, certified pre-owned car listings, and new car classifieds. I’ve got a 2001 GMC Safari Van that has been a great vehicle for me. We spotted the super sleeper on Craigslist, and it might just be the coolest Astro … Here is our 1995 AWD 8 seater Chevrolet Astro Van. How about an AWD Toyota sienna, we have an 05 and it gets 22-24mpg on the highway, 17-18 city and it can carry a 4x8 sheet of drywall, I know i just bought some yesterday. This leaves us a good space for storage underneath; way more than our last car! Ford & Chevy (econoline/express) both make good ones - most every electrician, HVAC tech, & communications tech are driving them every day. Drivetrain: 2WD, Rear. We love sharing these experiences to inspire and help others to do the same. The Chevrolet Astro is a van that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of American auto manufacturer General Motors from 1985 to 2005. We talked about it, and I agreed to make the conversion … We figured that if we were able to have a bed all the way in the back, this would free up so much space in the middle, room for more living space. This must make huge difference to available space inside van. We both agreed that we definitely wanted a fixed bed for the minimum fuss – it’s so nice to arrive somewhere late and then just crawl into bed rather than fuss around with sorting the bed! Another Retro Post. I still think there is a market for vehicles like the Safari or the Aerostar. These forums typically contain van-related but ill-assorted topics unfit for any other category. You just need a passenger version. We won’t be leaving on any big trip until Spring next year, so we’ve got a lot of time to plan and prepare this time. Firstly, was your old van AWD? Progress is unfortunately a lot slower in the winter as we won't be realistically using the van until April or May. But what I would also look at is the sprinter, ford also now has a transit van out, It would be worth a look. In 2006 when I sold the 2000 Windstar to my son, I bought the Uplander because it came close to fitting my needs and the price was right. Chevrolet Astro Van, Exceptionally Clean Inside & Out, Work Set Up w/Work Boxes, etc. Trucks with open beds are no good for music gear. A neighbor freshed up his old Chevy S-10 Pickup with new paint job, new tires on either new or refurbished wheels. This conversion will also be more self-contained; we want to be able to stay at less paid campsites next time, mainly to save money but also for the experience. The sprinter just seems too big. Thanks for your comment. Newer minivans like the Uplander are about the same size as your old van, but they’re built on a car-style unibody chassis, as opposed to the frame-on truck style one the Astros were built on. This kit gives the amazing ride quality on the pavement while eating the dirt off road. I think that, given what the needs are I would steer away from them. That is one thing I always enjoy. If so, I’d be impressed if you ever actually got 20 mpg on the highway with it. You could also look at the Toyota Sequoia or Nissan Armada if you wanted to. Find Used Chevrolet Astro Conversion Van For Sale (with Photos). Don't miss what's … You don't need to worry about replacing a timing belt, because it uses a timing chain. Unfortunately GM decided to use the G80 RPO code for different things on the cars versus the trucks/vans… Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. Find Chevrolet Astro at the best price. This site features affiliate links for products and services. Sold alongside the GMC Safari, the Astro was marketed in multiple configurations, including passenger minivan and cargo van.. I have the same question, I am looking to buy a van for conversion, and considering an Astro, but from what I could find on internet is that the width is just close to 60 inches, which isn't much! It has a diesel and can get up to 30 MPG on the highway. The vans were built across two generations … I found the seats in the Ford Windstar more comfortable for me. Despite Jean Robert only putting in the basic bed last week, we’ve already taken it for a test camping trip to a nearby Provincial Park which went pretty well! That helps a lot. An all-purpose area for Astro/Safari van related discussion. The Astro … When it was time to replace the Aerostar, I finally bought a Windstar and have since replaced the Windstar with a Chevrolet Uplander. A limited slip was never an option from the factory with Astro/Safari vans. The unibody construction and car-derived powertrain are not as good for towing and plus, even with AWD, they’re pretty low to the ground and so it wouldn’t really work well for things like hauling snowmobiles up to trailheads. Another option to look at might be a full-size truck with a 4-door cab and a secure canopy on the bed. You just need a 6 cyl van rather than a “mini” van. See hi-res pictures, compare prices and find your perfect car at Auto.com. I hadn’t thought of that one and with the 2nd and 35rd row seats folder it even holds a full sheet of plywood. This means that we may receive a small percentage sales made through these links at no extra cost to you. Project chevy astro mark iii high top conversion … This 1995 Chevy Astro is basically a mini conversion van. This site features affiliate links for products and services. You can buy a lot of repairs/reconditioning for less than monthly payments on a new vehicle. Less than 50,000 miles. Our DIY Campervan - UK Toyota Lucida conversion, Chevrolet Astro Van Conversion: Construction Update 2. The sienna can tow 3000 pounds. What vehicle can replace a Safari/Astro Van. It has not been that expensive to maintain, except for having the front end rebuild once. I have the same van, looking to do the same thing. This video is a tour of my Astro Van camper conversion. 4. Have you looked into a used low mileage version of your current van, perhaps a few years newer? JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. The EPA also rates it more along the numbers I experienced. These vans were built on truck chassis’, so it’s a really sturdy vehicle. Different to that trip, however, this one is going to be bigger, longer and in a better converted ‘camper car.’ Last time we used a Toyota Lucida but we want something with more space and potential this time. PIN this post for future reference with the above image! Power lockscruise control interior lighting seven passenger reclining bed air conditioning. The Uplander I bought was a “program” car with 15,000 miles and I saved $10,000 over the next cheapest van I could get. It’s a bit pricy, but something I’ll consider. The general plan is to leave Vancouver Island and drive across Canada before travelling south through the United States to Mexico. 19 Chevrolet Astro from $985. It’s really exciting to see how much space this bed frees up in the middle of the car; there’s so much potential for a really awesome mini-camper. The GMC Acadia looks like it might be a good fit. Every used car for sale comes with a free CARFAX Report. Within a few months of moving to Canada, we knew we wanted to do another cross-continent road trip in a similar style to our UK to Turkey trip. Less than 125,000 miles. Search Chevrolet Astro Minivans for sale near you. I like the body and frame construction of the Aerostar and Safari and the Dodge Grand Caravan is a unit body construction. Perhaps a complete detailing and some money spent on reconditioning is worth considering. Your site is very inspiring. We are Jean Robert and Gemma, a British-Canadian couple who love to explore beyond the beaten path by foot, road and paddle. This van was home to our family of 4, and a dog, for about 6 months. We have 22 cars for sale for chevrolet astro conversion van, from just $985 Van Specialties is your number one local shop for all types of van parts and accessories. Larger Vans don’t get the same gas mileage and don’t have AWD. He mentioned his old Astro van should have come with a V8. Most mini vans or SUV’s wont carry the same amount of gear the Safari carries. I now use it basically as a pickup truck - it is fantastic and does easily transport the plywood and takes plenty of weight. Midsize/compact SUV, 6 cyl with an enclosed trailer for gear. I had a Ford Aerostar that I really liked for the same reasons. pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Can you give me some details about how you removed the paneling to make a side to side bed possible and what the dimensions are once the paneling is removed? If any manufacturer offered the equivalent of a Safari or an Aerostar, I would purchase one today. We have 31 Chevrolet Astro vehicles for sale that are reported accident free, 12 1-Owner cars, … Here is a list of the what this van does that I need a new car to also do. Hi there, I was interested to see that bed could be fitted width wise in Astro! It’s much wider than our old Lucida, and a little bit longer. It seems not too hard to work on the van … it can seat 5 without the third row and can hold 8 with the third row. Another vehicle that might work in the GMC Acadia. Carry 4 x 8 sheets of plywood, drywall, and other construction materials inside out of the rain. It had a V-8 engine, the 4.6. We will be adding to the help pages regularly and encourage seasoned vanners to … The problem with these will remain - as was noted somewhere above - that the transmissions in minivans are weak little passenger car transmissions. ... 05 Chevy Astro AWD 4X4 Passenger Cargo Van … I was thinking new, but I may just hang on to it and keep repairing it like the person above suggested. This bed frame’s width is about the same as a double bed, but the height is less. Posted on Last updated: May 15, 2020 Categories Van Life. Neither the Windstar nor the Uplander nor the Grand Caravan has the room the the 2000 Aerostar extended version had. I think it is great. I think you are out of luck. I’d like to replace it with something new next year, but can’t think of another vehicle with the same overall abilities of this van, and the Safari van is not longer in production. A limited slip differential allows the axles to spin at slightly different speeds. If you wanted to modify your criteria a little, there’s the Dodge Sprinter which is really a Mercedes-Benz van that gets stupendously good mileage for such a large van, but they’re not AWD. How has the AWD held up for you? Why have so many people recommended Suv’s, Suvs never hold as much as a van, Suvs get worse mileage, can’t hold as much and usually have really tiny 3rd rowseats. Ford E-Series (Econoline) Price: $4,000-$15,000. If I can work out how it's done, I'm definitely getting me an Astro! Frank had a small block chevy 350 with a roller camshaft that he built, and a Howell throttle body fuel injection kit with harness and computer. This means that we may receive a small percentage sales made through these links at no extra cost to you. Yes, I had been thinking of this as a possibility. Find Used Chevrolet Astro Vans for Sale on Oodle Classifieds. He calculated the height of the van by how much head space he needed if he sat upright on the frame (as a seat). 3. It looks great and has held up fine for just over a year since the refresh. In my case, I am always transporting a string bass or two and on occasion, a harp. Less than 150,000 miles. There is no reason to get the panel van unless you don’t want windows. I transport people and musical instruments and I need the sliding doors of a minivan. 2001 Chevrolet Astro Van, 2001 Chevrolet Astro Mini Cargo Van, 6-cyl Auto, (Exempt from Odometer Disclosure - Reads 56,439 miles) (starter/electrical ... JJ Kane Auctioneers - Website Eatonville, WA Find the best deals for used chevrolet astro conversion van. Ours has a gorgeous varnished wood interior with cabinets, and came with a … I considered the Dodge Grand Caravan back in 2000 when I was replacing the Aerostar. https://www.pinterest.com/jmhudman/astro-van-camper-conversions Looking forward to reading about your adventures. Any ideas from anyone? I see them in use by plumbers, HVAC technicians and electricians. But when we laid eyes upon this amazing, hot-rodded 1992 Chevy Astro LT, it brought back every one of those fond vannin’ memories. Gemma and Jean Robert. It can tow a snowmobile or motorcycle trailer, but anything larger would be a strain on the chasse. We should have another update on the van coming soon so keep an eye out! It’s perfect for carrying our canoe and the ability to go off-road every now and again. Find the best Chevrolet Astro for sale near you. This kit replaces the prone to failure … Carry five band members and sound gear, including a 5 foot long electric piano, to gigs. Also if you’re looking used you could try to find a diesel Ford Excursion, which is even a little bigger than the currently-offered full-size SUV’s but which gets okay mileage due to the diesel. New ones are over $40,000, but you can buy used ones for less than $20,000. The Astro was a unique vehicle (mid size van body on a truck chassis) It will be tough too replace it with something similar. 1995 chevy astro conversion loaded power windows. You’ve outlined a tough criteria. Here is our 1995 AWD 8 seater Chevrolet Astro Van. If any manufacturer offered the equivalent of a Safari or an Aerostar, I would purchase one today. So with this in mind, the more recent versions of the Chevy/GMC Suburban and Ford Expedition both are rated at higher fuel economy than your old Safari and should have no problem meeting your needs. It sounds like you were one of the few people who really fit into the niche served by the old Astro/Safaris. 20 in the highway is alway doable and sometimes as high as 22 MPg with about 15/16 around town. Like UncleTurbo said, you may want to look for used GMC Safari vans that fit your exact criteria. At the moment we have a Chevrolet Astro Van so for the time being Jean Robert is going to work on converting that and see how it goes….we don’t leave for a little while so we have lots of time if things change or don’t work out! It is a very large vehicle that seats eight, comes with AWD, and is also able to tow the amount of wieght you require. Whether you are looking for replacement bulbs, lighting solutions, towing accessories, audio/video upgrades or portable appliances, we have just about every van … I really love this car so far, even more so than our previous road trip car, Lucy the Toyota Lucida (sorry!). Just don’t expect 20 mpg out of them (although if you truly did get 20mpg out of your Safari, perhaps you’d get it with one of these too). To start, Jean Robert put in a basic bed frame to test it out. Small things like having hooks, more storage around the bed and a fan are little things we didn’t think of last time or didn’t have time to implement. Let us help you build a van into the ultimate off road machine? Chevrolet Astro in Cream Ridge, NJ 2.00 listings starting at $9,800.00 Chevrolet Astro in Denver, CO 1.00 listings starting at $7,744.00 Chevrolet Astro in Garfield, NJ 3.00 listings Chevrolet Astro in Hickory, NC 2.00 listings starting at $2,700.00 Chevrolet Astro in Houston, TX 1.00 listings starting at $1,550.00 Chevrolet Astro … Your Astro has AWD? Less than 175,000 miles Get 20 MPG on the highway. 440-318-5688 or 440-799-4431 Vehicle Options … The best thing about this vehicle is the size. Good luck with your own conversion! I see them in use by plumbers, HVAC technicians and electricians. It’s good to know the Sienna can hold 4 x 8 sheets. Thanks and safe travels to you both. $22,995. Here at Journeys Off Road, we want you to know the DO's and DON'Ts of lifting and customizing your Astro or Safari Van. Basically try to get a 1988-1992 Astro/Safari, and a donor 350 V8 truck or full size van of the … The Aerostar or Safari would be perfect for my needs. Less than 100,000 miles. One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. Off Track Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. General questions and information relating to Astro and Safari Vans … The Chevy Astro van's motor is known to last forever. Carry a big load of trade show materials for work. Hey there! Are you ready to convert your 2 wheel drive Chevrolet Express 4×4. We have the 4×4 conversion … Less than 75,000 miles. Though this is definitely not finished (there’s not much insulation for example) as a basic set up, it really works. Hi! I still think there is a market for vehicles like the Safari or the Aerostar. Chevrolet Express 4×4 Conversion. Search from 69 Used Chevrolet Astro cars for sale, including a 2000 Chevrolet Astro, a 2000 Chevrolet Astro AWD, and a 2002 Chevrolet Astro. One thought I had was the Ford Flex, but it is a bit ugly and I don’t know anybody who has one to tell me if they like it or not. … Sharing components with the midsize S-10 pickup, the Astro is smaller than the full-size vans on this list and comes with a V6 … This might work if your musical instruments aren’t temperature sensitive and you don’t move the instruments in extremely cold (or extremely hot) weather. * 1993 and newer Astro/Safari vans have a different wiring harness and will not be this easy. As for seats, just get the passenger van. Chevy Astro conversion vans were popular in the 90s, and add at least a foot of headroom in an otherwise small van. Good luck on your new vehicle shopping. Let us know if you start a blog about it A newer minivan would probably meet all criteria except #3. Introducing our new van conversion – a Chevrolet Astro. Come join us on our adventures! If you are planning on buying a Chevy Astro Van with Dutch Doors, I would consider watching this video first. The Expedition or Suburban idea sounds too big as well. It is the only minvan out right now with AWD and will easily get 20mpg or more. But I test drove an Astro and tried to lie down across the back and could not see how it could be done. See good deals, great deals and more on Used Chevrolet Astro. I used to do an enormous amount of highway driving in an AWD Astro and I on one occasion squeezed 19 out of it on the 2-lanes, but usually averaged more like 16 or 17. Listing 1-20 Of 4,064. Journeys Off Road 4x4 Conversion Kit The easy, bolt in, S10 to Astro transfercase swap gives you locking 4 high and locking 4 low, making your Astro/Safari van a true 4x4! I'm 5'7" and seemed to be cramped even if I imagined I was lying above the wheel wells. The Dodge Caravan is probably what I would buy if I had to replace my Chevrolet Uplander. My 2005 F-150 cargo van used to get almost 19 MPG on the highway with a light load. Since the minivan is my transportation to my job as well, I finda regular van too large and fuel inefficient. Is there any back seat option in the Sprinter? I need an enclosed space where I can control the temperature. Are you looking for new-new or just new to you? Thus, like every other van on the planet, the Chevy Astro slipped into the night quietly and peacefully. I currently have a Gr Caravan that was retired from everyday family use. Also, I’d mention that you can get GM full-size vans with an AWD option and they are actually rated the same MPG-wise as your old Safari. Here’s some images: Ford is still in business. You really should look at one and drive it. While the Sprinter is large, it gets better gas mileage than any other full size van or minivan. 1. 5. We’d like to spend a good amount of time exploring Central America before heading north again, back to British Columbia, Canada. Roof: Low.

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