I currently have a Cherokee which is getting a bit worn, and I have been reading up here about the astro and safari vans and I am intrigued. I have a couple of questions, since the areas I like to camp are often on unmaintained roads, is the AWD system reliable. I did look at the overland vans products and the idea of a 4 inch lift and the 31" tires looks pretty good. So would the awd system be able to handle some quite rough roads, I don,t mind going slow and just curious about what kind of fuel mileage most people get.
astro/safari van
- Thread starter hugh
- Start date
ihatemybike
Explorer
The all wheel drive system is pretty robust. It's great for fire roads and easy wheeling. For a little more advanced wheeling a bit more decent control is needed, I'd swap in a 2 speed transfer case.
Once again, I post Grumpy playing in the rock quarry at Badlands ORP in IN.
Note: Van was stock, had 325k miles and lost 2.5 gallons of fuel capacity.
Once again, I post Grumpy playing in the rock quarry at Badlands ORP in IN.
Note: Van was stock, had 325k miles and lost 2.5 gallons of fuel capacity.
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I see alot of letters and nubers in posts that frankly leave me clueless, thanks for not using them, but I'm still in the dark, are you saying a HI and LOW range that is adapted to the existing running gear or is this a different set up altogether? Sorry, but I have just driven them, not a mechanic or tehcie type. And what would the cost be to expand capabilities?
Grumpy's climb looks to me as if that's about what I would do not much more than that, so what needs to be done to an Astro....can you expalin and put a cost to it?
And why was there a loss of 2.5 gals of fuel capacity, or is that a spoof on denting the gas tank?
THANKS MUCH!
Grumpy's climb looks to me as if that's about what I would do not much more than that, so what needs to be done to an Astro....can you expalin and put a cost to it?
And why was there a loss of 2.5 gals of fuel capacity, or is that a spoof on denting the gas tank?
THANKS MUCH!
Herbie
Rendezvous Conspirator
Ozarker, one of the reasons many of us choose the Astro/Safari platform is for the mechanical similarity to the S10/S15/Blazer/Jimmy platform.
In this case, what ihatemybike is referring to is that the 2-speed (2Hi, 4Hi, 4Lo) transfer case from the aforementioned S10/S15/Blazer/Jimmy's will swap directly* for either the electronic or viscous AWD transfer case in an Astro/Safari
*"directly" in this context has some caveats: 1) Some year->year combinations might require new or modified drive shafts, 2) Choosing an electronic shift transfer case or manual shift transfer case will require you to either make some electrical modifications or have a linkage fabricated, respectively. For all the nitty gritty on this (and examples), I suggest checking out the forums at astrosafarivans.com.
The cost of this swap depends on your DIY skills and the year of the donor and recipient as this affects if or how much fabrication is required. If you get the right year/year combination and are handy, it'd probably cost $250 or less. If you get a year/year combination that requires new driveshafts and you have to pay for installation and some fabrication, maybe up to $1000 or a bit more. Just guessing on the upper limit.
For me, the HUGE advantage of a 2-speed transfer case is the ability to GO SLOW. I'd much rather creep down a hill on engine braking or crawl over a rocky patch at mid-revs in 2nd gear without having to worry about going too fast and bashing the van...
In this case, what ihatemybike is referring to is that the 2-speed (2Hi, 4Hi, 4Lo) transfer case from the aforementioned S10/S15/Blazer/Jimmy's will swap directly* for either the electronic or viscous AWD transfer case in an Astro/Safari
*"directly" in this context has some caveats: 1) Some year->year combinations might require new or modified drive shafts, 2) Choosing an electronic shift transfer case or manual shift transfer case will require you to either make some electrical modifications or have a linkage fabricated, respectively. For all the nitty gritty on this (and examples), I suggest checking out the forums at astrosafarivans.com.
The cost of this swap depends on your DIY skills and the year of the donor and recipient as this affects if or how much fabrication is required. If you get the right year/year combination and are handy, it'd probably cost $250 or less. If you get a year/year combination that requires new driveshafts and you have to pay for installation and some fabrication, maybe up to $1000 or a bit more. Just guessing on the upper limit.
For me, the HUGE advantage of a 2-speed transfer case is the ability to GO SLOW. I'd much rather creep down a hill on engine braking or crawl over a rocky patch at mid-revs in 2nd gear without having to worry about going too fast and bashing the van...
ihatemybike
Explorer
What needs to be done? Depend on how much capability you need. If it's just unmaintained/abandoned roads, the vans can do them stock. I've had Grumpy on long dead sections of Route 66 (driving through a wash), two track, fire roads, and a level 3.5 trail near Moab (7 Mile Rim) and by stacking a few rocks to pave the trail made it through everything.
In the video you can hear the van bottom out, this did indeed dent the tank.
In the video you can hear the van bottom out, this did indeed dent the tank.
Seems that's the roughest I'd ever do too. So does that mean a 2" lift, better shocks, maybe a torsion bar adjustment and steering box adjustment (if need at 2") and taking the air dams skirting off, would do the trick? And with that, as I recall, my old Safari was pretty fair in the corners when pressed hard, so guess that means slowing down on the twisties, more fighting the wind and lower gas milage?
ihatemybike
Explorer
2" lift will clear 235/75R15 tires, 4" will clear 31s. Good shocks always help. Torsion bar adjustment can be thought of like a spacer lift in coil spring vehicles. Steering box shouldn't need to be touched. Most just trim the air dam. Grumpy was getting worked on before the video, so I left it off. I have a big aluminum bumper now. (Have to partially unmount the bumper to change my turn signals now.)
My vans handle pretty well I guess. Usually I can hang about 15 mph over the yellow warning speed signs. (Passengers don't always like it.) Lifted would have to be a bit slower. Maybe some new sway bar links/bushings to go with the shocks. If you aren't too worried about suspension flex, a rear sway bar can be added. (FYI, stock vs stock an AWD Astro gets a better RTI score than a YJ)
True, any lift effects wind drag and gas mileage. I'm looking into creating a monster air dam to use on the road that can quickly be removed, rolled up and stowed come trail time.
My vans handle pretty well I guess. Usually I can hang about 15 mph over the yellow warning speed signs. (Passengers don't always like it.) Lifted would have to be a bit slower. Maybe some new sway bar links/bushings to go with the shocks. If you aren't too worried about suspension flex, a rear sway bar can be added. (FYI, stock vs stock an AWD Astro gets a better RTI score than a YJ)
True, any lift effects wind drag and gas mileage. I'm looking into creating a monster air dam to use on the road that can quickly be removed, rolled up and stowed come trail time.
ihatemybike
Explorer
I've seen one done with conveyor belt material on a Ford pickup, going to try something like that.
Hey guy found an 04 Astro AWD, automatic 1074XX the dealer wants $6995, probably get it for a grand less. Looks very clean inside and out in the pics.
What is unique or watch out for with an 04? The front end appears to be sloping down, it's not level, maybe that's the stock stance. Nice wheels and new BFG TAs on it.
Any comments???? :coffeedrink:
What is unique or watch out for with an 04? The front end appears to be sloping down, it's not level, maybe that's the stock stance. Nice wheels and new BFG TAs on it.
Any comments???? :coffeedrink:
ihatemybike
Explorer
It's not uncommon for them to sit higher in the rear, some (like Grumpy) have an extra leaf in the rear. These vans are built to handle a bit of a load in the back.
Things to check
Idler arms Easy to replace, but good haggle point
Front axle seals
Ask about the fuel pump. If not replaced or replaced with an off brand, it might be getting close to needing another.
If you can talk them into it, inspect the radiator core support right above the sub-frame mounts. Known rust spot.
These vans are pretty robust. If you like it after you inspect it, go for it.
Things to check
Idler arms Easy to replace, but good haggle point
Front axle seals
Ask about the fuel pump. If not replaced or replaced with an off brand, it might be getting close to needing another.
If you can talk them into it, inspect the radiator core support right above the sub-frame mounts. Known rust spot.
These vans are pretty robust. If you like it after you inspect it, go for it.