Advice on 1991 Provan Tiger

[J1973s]

Hi,
Picked up a 1991 Provan Tiger GT AWD version. 80K and a new motor at 76K. Exterior is in great shape and interior is like new.
Front panels are rotten, rear panels ok, canvas seems fair w exceptions of the front corners.
Things to be repaired in no particular order:
1) A/C needs refresh and probably redo.
2) Leaf springs are the fiberglass type and almost flat.
3) Canvas and panels have to be redone.

Any recommendations for the canvas/Panels redo? I’m fairly handy but have never done anything like that and can’t find a you tube video of the process.
Paid $7500, any estimates on how much more I’ll be into this rig assuming nothing else surfaces?
Pros and cons on AWD vs RWD.

thanks

 

[vintageracer]

AWD big bonus! Makes your Tiger much more desireable and as such valuable.

Canvas expect to pay $1000-$2000 for complete replacement if purchased from professional supplier. Check a boat upholstery shop or canvas shop for help. Can be a DIY if you are willing to sew, have a sewing machine capable of the work and enough of the original canvas for patterns.

Springs and potential lift kits if desired are easily available. Check out the Astro/Safari website. Front lift has limitations due to torsion bars and front A arms. I would weight the vehicle before I did anything to git good accurate front and rear axle weights. Given the year model of your Tiger Astro the fiberglass springs are probably the original rear Astro springs that were not designed for camper use. If I were to upgrade I would use the actual vehicle weights and cargo estimates to have new rear springs made most likely steel to nmatch your vehicles specific needs.

A/C kit from Rockauto with compressor, orifice tube, seals, oil, accumulator and expansion valve should be about $200 for the parts. Install labor you and charge from an A/C shop with a 134 machine about $80.00.

At the price you paid for the NICE AWD Provan GT shown above you could spend THOUSANDS of Dollars and still not be upside down!

 

[Tifun]

Holy crap that’s cool!


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[b. rock]

$7500? Uh, I'll just save you the trouble and take that off your hands.

Nice snag. As mentioned above, you could double that and still not be upside down.

 

[J1973s]

Thanks for all the comments. I’m looking at everything in a bit more depth now, so far the rig looks good mechanically. Clean oil, all other fluid levels are up and no smoke in the exhaust. No drips so far and the undercarriage is pretty clean. I’m still pretty excited.

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

Talk to the pop up builders. They might be willing to take it on.

 

[J1973s]

Talk to the pop up builders. They might be willing to take it on.
I’m going to call Four Wheel Campers on Tuesday. Thanks for the tip. As I remember the same fellow started both Four Wheel and Provan. Could be wrong tho.

 

[Binky]

That's a really nice Tiger! I'd love to find one at that price!
It's a pretty common upgrade to replace the fiber springs with steel from a later Astro or S-10.
No upgrades available for the front T-Bars, but with body spacers, 2.5" of lift is real easy. The AWD is pretty awesome on these, especially in later models (I have a 2000 AWD). Door codes should give you the diff ratio and a locking diff (RPO code G80) was optional. You could swap the rear axle/springs and add lift at the same time ; )

Astrosafarivans.com is now http://chevygmcvans.com/

Lots of good info there.
Enjoy!

John