Help!! Check out this 4X4 Astro Van. Should I buy it?

[DLils]

1987 Chevy Astro Van 4x4, 4.3 Liter V6, solid front axle, 150,000 miles overall, 40,000 on rebuilt motor, new shocks and tires. $2,500. I want to build a camper 4x4 and wondering what you guys think. The owner is a friend of mine that owns a car repair shop here in Montana. Is this a fair price? I want to make it nice, kinda alot of surface rust. Would it be cheaper to find a nicer, less rusty van and convert it to 4x4 and solid front axle or to buy this one and paint everything. I know a guy that can help me paint the body but what about the undercarrage? All info is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[4x4x4doors]

If the conversion of adding the front axle is done well and works, it will cost you that much to convert a newer one assuming you do most of the work yourself.

 

[NLPRacing]

Only if you keep that awesome stripe!

 

[New River KTM]

Well I like the price, new rebuild motor and solid axle. If you are doing the camper mods then a paint job would not be too much of an additional cost. I'd go with this one underside rust can be worked on over time to remediate.

 

[T.Low]

Hard question to answer over the internet.


I wish mine were a clean rust free low mileage shorty.

How clean do want it? Sounds like you will be doing double duty with camper mods and restoration. And everything takes twice as long when all the parts are rusted together.

On the other hand, if it runs well and is halfway dependable, you've got a halfway capable camper for $2500.

I assume it already has a 2 spd T case? Does it drive well? Transmission strong?


I am SO glad my van is not rusty underneath.

 

[DLils]

Thanks for the info. Im trying to build a vehicle that ill keep around for a while and I think Ive decided that an Astro or Safari 4X4 is the right one for me. So to answer your question I want to make it pretty clean. I have driven it. It runs well. The machanic that owns it has done a few things to make it a dependable vehicle. It does have a 2 speed transfer case and the transmission seams strong to me. Would it be easier or cheaper to get a nicer Astro and convert it or to clean/paint this one. What do you mean when you say "I wish mine were a clean rust free low mileage shorty."?

 

[r_w]

2500 seems like a fair price for PARTS. If I had the money I would buy it, drive it, stop the rust (not full paint, just stop more damage), ghetto camper conversion to play with configurations, all the while on the lookout for a clean 2wd van (possibly blown motor or tranny) to build the camper you really want.

 

[T.Low]

Thanks for the info. Im trying to build a vehicle that ill keep around for a while and I think Ive decided that an Astro or Safari 4X4 is the right one for me. So to answer your question I want to make it pretty clean. I have driven it. It runs well. The machanic that owns it has done a few things to make it a dependable vehicle. It does have a 2 speed transfer case and the transmission seams strong to me. Would it be easier or cheaper to get a nicer Astro and convert it or to clean/paint this one. What do you mean when you say "I wish mine were a clean rust free low mileage shorty."?

I agree with r-w.


The short vans like that one, and with a straight axle, are really good off road (but smaller to camp in).

But I hate working on rusty old stuff.

How much do you prefer the lifted 4x4 aspect of this van? And the SAS (straight axle swap)?

 

[Itsavanman]

yeah rusty sucks! i miss living in the southwest.. i would get it, couldn't really see the solid axle swap in the photos, but if it drives right, and doesn't raise any red flags buy it... since its been converted and rebuilt, the important parts shouldn't be rusted together, so it might be okay.. surface rust isn't anything, if ya wanna take care of it the lazy way paint it with POR15 or Chassis saver and call it good... or go crazy with a grinder or sander, sand and rattle can it.. paint it white again.. white hides everything....