Well done.
Well done.
Using a Cessna is cheating ... and winning! 
I can dig it. 
I can't help it. The chorus must be added to.
Well berkeleying done. A lot.
Well done! I did the same thing with my Father to check out a C4 vette. We didn't bring the C4 home though.
How horrible is it in the Astro engine bay? Flashbacks to E150?
Well done!!! I always like an adventure when picking up a car. About two years ago I bought a 74 RX-4 coupe,and took a ferry to get it. It was very adventurous,and well worth the effort. Of course it was only a ferry from Connecticut to Long Island,NY but it was still a boat and the RX-4 looked out of place with all the modern machines on there.
Mazdax605 wrote: Well done!!! I always like an adventure when picking up a car. About two years ago I bought a 74 RX-4 coupe,and took a ferry to get it. It was very adventurous,and well worth the effort. Of course it was only a ferry from Connecticut to Long Island,NY but it was still a boat and the RX-4 looked out of place with all the modern machines on there.
I did the same thing. But the plane ride is much cooler.
Port Jeff, to Bridgeport. I know it well.
Uhhhhhhh.... ok.
So what car do i get rid of so i can have a lifted 4wd Astro? Can a lifted 4wd Astro tow?
Or just... any lifted van.
Woody wrote: I did the same thing. But the plane ride is cooler.
Yeah but Porsche > Astro, so it evens out in coolness.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Can a lifted 4wd Astro tow?
If the Astro comes with the 3.73s (like mine, berkeley yeah!) or the 4.11s, then it'll tow like a champ, even with oversized tires. They're rated to 6,000lbs, which if you apply GRM Panther chassis logic to, means it can do 10, 12 thousand.
The 2wd ones tow really well except for too little spring in the rear suspension. I imagine all of that 4wd lifted goodness could be had with spring rates more appropriate to towing duties.
They're rated to 6,000lbs, which if you apply GRM Panther chassis logic to, means it can do 10, 12 thousand.
LOL.
I appreciate the joke but id venture a Panther is better for towing than an astro... But for almost any other purpose (including going fast.. oddly) id rather have the Lifted Awd Astro. 
And once i had it i would still tow with it.
MrJoshua wrote: The 2wd ones tow really well except for too little spring in the rear suspension. I imagine all of that 4wd lifted goodness could be had with spring rates more appropriate to towing duties.
I always had supplemental air springs on my old Astro to fix this problem. Also, I just got a new (to me) Astro from another GRMer, but I got mine the old fashioned way, I drove 750 miles and then drove it home!
Osterkraut wrote: If the Astro comes with the 3.73s (like mine, berkeley yeah!) or the 4.11s, then it'll tow like a champ, even with oversized tires. They're rated to 6,000lbs, which if you apply GRM Panther chassis logic to, means it can do 10, 12 thousand.
hey now
Appleseed wrote: Using a Cessna is cheating ... and winning!
If you're not cheating you're not trying!
4g63t wrote: Port Jeff, to Bridgeport. I know it well.
Port Jeff >! Bridgeport.
Actually I went New London-->Orient Point and back when I bought the car. A month prior when I went to look at it I went New London--> Orient Point over,and Port Jeff--> Bridgeport back. I like the first leg a lot better as North fork wine country was wayyyyy better than Port Jeff. I bought the car in Centereach,NY I think. It was only 20 mins or less from Port Jeff.
Quick update!
Got the lift and 29" tires installed, took it to get in one last campout in before winter rolled in. All those other suckers brought tents, not this guy, the Astro will work! Also, taking out the bench seat and using it as a couch around the fire? Brilliant.
Pulled that sucker right into the camp site.
It ate up four people's poorly packed gear with room to spare.
Aesthetically, I'm probably going to work out a way to do a GRM 4" lift, and go for 30" tires. That seems to be the best compromise of ride, clearance, and looks
2000 GMC Safari AWD - $1500 (Chesterfield, VA) Date: 2011-10-24, 12:56PM EDT Reply to: sale-dvsf4-2623369183@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?] This van has been priced UNDER it's Kelly Blue Book value ($3375) to sell fast. Will send more pics to SERIOUS inquirers! CONDITION: Mechanically: Needs; cat converter, and needs front lower ball joints * Other than the few maintenance items, this car is mechanically in EXCELLENT shape. I have all the records of maintenance for this car. This car has been family owned since day one and was owned by a mechanic. * Oil change was done about 20-30 miles ago. Tires are fairly new. New, expensive springs. Mileage: around 179,000 miles Cosmetic: This car cosmetically looks great for an 11 year old car. It has one dent on the drivers side quarter panel. Inside the passenger side bar is broken. There may be a crayon or two mark but I will wash it and try to get any marks out of the interior. Other than that it is in great condition. Price is firm! Serious inquirers only.
I'm probably going to work out a way to do a GRM 4" lift, and go for 30" tires. That seems to be the best compromise of ride, clearance, and looks
I agree with that. To the casual eye, yours doesnt even look lifted. I think that next step is going to be a major looks improvement. 
seems like a 4" lift should give you clearance for more than 30" tires.
2002maniac wrote: seems like a 4" lift should give you clearance for more than 30" tires.
Two problems: anything wider than 10.5" bumps into the sliding door, and the wheel wells are surprisingly narrow front-to-back, so you need a big ol' lift so you don't scrape the fenders.
in the 70s-80s, for full size vans you could get an extended rear arm for the slider so it is pushed out further from the van when the door is opened, offering more clearance for wide tires.
I bet it wouldnt be hard to fabricate something like that if you have the means.
Further update!
Additional front lift completed (waiting on new springs for the rear), 30" tires mounted all around:
There's no doubt now that it's not your usual Astro, I think. While empirically, 30x9.5x15 is close to 235/75R15, there's a good difference in how they appear. Enough on the aesthetics, though. This weekend it goes on a ski trip to Colorado, we'll see how it handles real snow.
Yeah, the front seems to be there now. Keep up the good work
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