You can spend a lot of time worrying about configurations and RPO options, but ultimately, I think the biggest factor is going to be condition and mileage. Remember that the very newest Astro you can buy now is going to be 9 years old already.
Obviously if you're wanting AWD or 4WD, start with an AWD van, but after that I'd focus on getting the least-used example I could find. Everything after that is stuff there's a good chance you'll have to change at some point anyway. (i.e. why worry about finding a relatively rare van with the 3.73 gears if you're dead-set on 31" tires - 'cause you'll probably end up re-gearing to 4.11's anyhow)
Of course condition, maintenance history and mileage somewhat outweigh other things in a pre-owned vehicle though. I wouldn't discount a pristine, low mileage GenII - wait, okay, yes I would. But that is
me.
Herbie, have you driven a GenII with the smaller disc/drum brakes, especially fully loaded? It just doesn't cut it for me anymore though I suppose thousands could be spent on brake/rear disc upgrades and possible master cylinder swap.
When searching online, it's pretty easy to review RPO codes for vehicles if you have VIN so wouldn't discount it too much. There are enough vans out there that you
should be able to have your cake and eat it too. :sombrero:
I painted myself into a corner when I got started because I'd convinced myself I just HAD to have rear heat and AC. The rear AC is nice, I'm getting ready to delete the rear heater.
I even passed up one or two vans that already had the NP231 transfer-case swap and re-gearing I wanted, because I thought interior fit-out was more important. (One was a cargo van, IIRC) In retrospect, it would have been cheaper and faster to just re-do the interior or pay to add RV windows versus finding a "virgin" passenger van and starting fresh.
The one thing I did right was to find a REALLY low mileage example. I've still only got 67k on mine...
I
love the rear heat and a/c, wouldn't go back to a van without. My '97 without rear heat or a/c was always too cold in winter and hardly cooled down enough at times during summer. With dual units, the van cools/warms up so much faster, it's a ridiculous difference. In frigid temps with the rear heat, once the temperature stabilizes I can turn down the front blower from full blast so I don't have hot air blowing on me and set the airflow to keep my feet toasty. If you have rear seat passengers it makes even more of a difference whether or not they will freeze or overheat to death.
Is it a requirement for everyone? No, but food for thought I suppose.
Hopefully it's beneficial reading varying opinions and differences in what we do and don't find useful/suitable.
OverlandZJ, if you're talking GenI TBI stuff, can't help you there though visiting the A/S forums would give you a bunch more insight.