Opinions on this Chevy Astro Van

[vintageracer]

Going to look at this TRUE 4WD Astro Van.

1987 Short Chervolet Astro Van, 4.3 FI Engine, Automatic Transmission, Steering, Brakes, Factory A/C, Hi/lo Transfer Case, Solid Front Axle Conversion on Leaf Springs "Supposedly" completed out West when van was new, Manual Lock Out Hubs Up Front, Solid Rust-Free and Damage-Free Body, New Army Green Exterior Paint, Lot's of replacement interior parts included like weather-stripping, plastic trim etc included HOWEVER Interior is BARE with front seats and a second row set. NEEDS ENGINE REBUILD. Current engine barely runs is worn out and down on power. Re-Manufactured Engine with 3 year National Unlimited Mileage Warranty will cost me about $1500 total INSTALLED. Transmission already rebuilt. Tires Good Wheels Ugly.

Kinda "Cute" however "Cute" don't get ya home!

I could be in this 4WD Astro "Running/Driving" with new engine and all the stuff to support that new engine including complete service, brakes etc for $5500 or LESS. These are the only pictures I have of the van at this moment. The van is not advertised as it belongs to a friend. I have an old LR Discovery roof top basket with lights that will mount nicely on the top of this van.

Whatta Ya Think Value Wise, Operational Wise and Capability Wise about this van and should I pursue this project?

 

[Buddha.]

Based on my experiences with the s10 platform, Wich I believe is similar:

I'd keep an eye on the trans temp if you bought it. The in radiator trans cooler becomes less effective over time IMO. Hot transmission is unhappy transmission.
Oil cooler lines commonly leak as well.
The front suspension/steering wears out more often than it should but that is not an issue for you.

Do you know what the Axel's gear ratio is?

 

[vintageracer]

Do you know what the Axel's gear ratio is?

NO

 

[Deshet]

It is a 1987 Astro with a blown engine and it is a project that you can't drive

Get the van for $1500 to $2000 as is and put a engine in it.

 

[Vandit]

I would say that it all boils down to the quality of the 4x4 install. I would look at the install with a lot of scrutiny to see if the tell tale signs of a quality conversion exist. Check the geometry, components, quality of the welds etc. Obviously the 4.3 is a great motor, parts are cheap and plenty, and the Astro platform is awesome, but if you go through all the trouble to tow it home, do an engine swap, and then you drive it down the road for the first time and it has crazy death wobble.....to me the worth would be exactly $0. You'll be stuck with an undrivable $5500 van that's 30 years old or be forced to sink in another couple grand replacing parts and who knows how much time chasing down causes of 4x4 trouble.

I'm always a little cautious when someone goes through all the trouble to paint a vehicle, buy a pile of replacement parts, and then abandon the project over a $1500 engine swap.

 

[vintageracer]

It is a 1987 Astro with a blown engine and it is a project that you can't drive
Most people that are into these are broke and aren't going to pay his asking price.
Get the van for $1500 to $2000 as is and put a engine in it.

I did not post his asking price.

I posted that I can be in this van COMPLETED with a new warrantied engine, all service work, brakes, radiator, A/C, shocks with any else needed and and have a fully functioning True Leaf Spring 4x4 Astro van for $5500 or less.

The question I asked above is this:

Whatta Ya Think Value Wise, Operational Wise and Capability Wise about this van and should I pursue this project?

 

[Deshet]

The guys probably did some trading for it and doesn't have any real money into it.
It is crazy how people will offer random junk to trade.

What will you use it for? Do you really need a 30 year old solid front axle that is hopefully still serviceable.
Will an AWD Astro meet your needs or an AWD Express.

An AWD Express is fairly capable and much larger. Depending on who did the conversion the AWD Express and Astro may be more capable.

Everyone's money situation is different. I don't think it worth much of anything. What is your time and the overall risk worth to you? What do you think the finished project will be worth? Will the van be worth more or less then you have into it when you are done? I don't think many in my area would by it for $5000 unless it was pristine. I see the 1980s fullsize chevy vans from time to time at around $2000 to $4000.

Maybe you were born in a 1987 Astro and they hold a special place in your heart. That's a joke, but if you like the van it may be well worth being $2000 upside down to you. Everyone likes what they like. All of my neighobors think that I am crazy but I like what I like.

Good luck with the search. Consider the AWD Astro and AWD Express while you make a decision. At the end of the day the difference between $5500 and $8000 is nothing if you are building something for long-term use.

Good Luck

 

[vintageracer]

Looked at van today.

Dana 44 front axle, leaf spring front suspension nicely done using the very nice modified original Astro Van front sub-frame as a base to which EVERYTHING is attached. Nice welds and fabrication on the shackle mounts and shackles. Steering angles look good with Cross-Over Steering at very slight angle from Pitman arm to passenger side knuckle with the tie rod from wheel to wheel dead flat side to side, Pitman arm angle looks good, all nice welds everywhere, 4 nice "brand matching" leaf springs with good bushings, Rancho shocks, hi/lo transfer case also mounted to transmission with nice front and rear drive shafts at reasonable none binding angles. Engine is complete and still in van. Exhaust is usable. Brakes still up and working.

Van body is absolutely Rust-Free with straight side panels, doors and roof skin. Door hinges solid, sliding door works properly, rear cargo doors work properly, all glass good including the windshield, 32x11.50R15 LT tires with great tread however tires are old at 8 years of age. Ugly buy nice condition/matching aluminum wheels with wheel centers. No skid plates, good fuel tank. Factory installed options include 4.3 Throttle Body Fuel Injection, Power Steering, Power Front Disc Brakes, Rear Drum Brakes, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Tilt Steeing, Factory A/C, Radio, Remote Fuel Door Factory Tinted Side and Rear Door Glass and a few other things. No Cruise Control.

Interior is a blank canvas with LOT'S of Additional Interior Parts scavenged from other Astro Vans to build this van interior to include multiple sets of door panels, carpet, weather-stripping, plastic trim, side panels, rear panels, and more.

Whatta Ya Think Value Wise, Operational Wise and Capability Wise about this van and should I pursue this project?

 

[FDM2012]

$5500 for a running rig that YOU want to drive and use, is a good price. However, $5500 will probably turn into $8500
in a short period of time. But hey, empty the coins from the bottom of your purse and go for it. Why not?

 

[vintageracer]

thanks for the response!

 

[chadvone]

Well did you go for it?

 

[vintageracer]

No