RK's MANi-Van - UP FOR SALE

[RocKrawler]

Body cladding delete is complete, the drivers side is much cleaner under the cladding than the passenger side with zero damage on the visible panels. No rust was present on either side. As expected the removal of the cladding is easy, the remaining tape and adhesive not so much. The van now appears taller and fabbing my planned rock slider/steps will be simpler and tucked up higher.
I took the van to the AC shop yesterday and apparently the freon leak is through the body of the compressor itself, and the shop says its common on that model compressor. Shopping around found the low price winner on a new unit with clutch assembly to be Pep Boys at $196. I'll be tackling the install myself probably, but the recharge is spendy because its a front and rear system. Since its now officially fall and temps should be getting cooler, that project will likely get shelfed until spring and the bodywork and paint will be the next big project.

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt

 

[carcrafter22]

Pics please . I like this build.

 

[RocKrawler]

Pics please . I like this build.

 

[TangoBlue]

Looks good Terry!

 

[TroySmith80]

Looks good Terry! Is the crossmember visible in that picture under the passenger door the lowest point under the van? Would you mind getting us a dimension of ground clearance to that point? Thanks! I'm getting ready to pick up my '93 AWD Astro today hopefully and am very likely going to do a lift as well.

 

[RocKrawler]

I believe it's the lowest point next to the rear diff, I'll get a measurement tomorrow for you

 

[ihatemybike]

Terry,
Check out http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/ and order the part online.
The Factory Air reman 189.99, you can get $38 off.
The Tough One 204.99 and Factory Air new 224.99, you can get $50 off.

Discount codes being sent via PM.

 

[TroySmith80]

What is involved in changing over from long torsion bars to short ones? Pretty much a bolt-on or is it a big project?

 

[ihatemybike]

Changing torsion bars is a bolt on project. Can be done in less than a day.

 

[RocKrawler]

What is involved in changing over from long torsion bars to short ones? Pretty much a bolt-on or is it a big project?

Changing torsion bars is a bolt on project. Can be done in less than a day.

Correct, but the ends are 2 different sizes, so changing from the long (early, weak) to short (late, stronger) requires changing the torsion key itself as well. If you are ordwering the lifted torsion keysm, make sure and order the late model 97+ even if you have the early van - the difference is in the key center

 

[carcrafter22]

Looking good. At one point (before this divorce) I was actually seriously thinking of picking up a late model AWD astro, convert it to manual shift 4wd and drop in an isuzu diesel (since I make adapter plates to bolt them to chevy and ford transmissions).

 

[RocKrawler]

Looks good Terry! Is the crossmember visible in that picture under the passenger door the lowest point under the van? Would you mind getting us a dimension of ground clearance to that point? Thanks!

The measurement on mine as it is currently set is 10.75" at the crossmember, the torsion bar bolts are actually 1/8" longer (but will be cranked up to flush soon as the front has settled with the new torsion bars.

Looking good. At one point (before this divorce) I was actually seriously thinking of picking up a late model AWD astro, convert it to manual shift 4wd and drop in an isuzu diesel (since I make adapter plates to bolt them to chevy and ford transmissions).

How much are said adapters?

 

[RocKrawler]

Getting stuff together for the bodywork and paint, hope to start this weekend. Thought Id toss out sale and requests for parts in case anyone has spares to part with:

selling: all of the body cladding along with the lower steel rocker strips, and mid line plastic retainer strips. All is completely reusable and in great shape, just paint to match your van and install (mine is very faded dark blue and paint is shot). $65 plus shipping from 92543 or you can pick it up in SoCal Temecula area. I'll take $45 plus your non clad lower front fender extensions if you want to give those up and they are in good shape. If you are local and have a good used spare gas tank I'll swap it straight across!

I have a free Astro grille to give away now that I swapped to the GMC grille. U pay shipping or pick up. Not perfect but it is free.

That said Im looking for a spare rim to match the 4 I have on my van that I can mount my new full sized spare on.
Also looking for above mentioned 1996 gas tank - mine has some rust inside and I want to replace it.
Also mentioned above looking for lower front fender extensions for non clad model
Would like to get a good front drivers side fender, mine has a dent at the body line and would rather replace that body work that crease.
Last thing currently shopping for is a rear sofa/bed I can swap in and use as a bed for camping.

 

[Loopie]

Good call on the GMC grill...it makes the van better :elkgrin:

Love line 3 in the sig :costumed-smiley-007

 

[RocKrawler]

Good call on the GMC grill...it makes the van better :elkgrin:

Love line 3 in the sig :costumed-smiley-007

Thanks Loopie, and the parts are working great. For anyone out there looking for a front body lift on the astro Loopie's kit is the bomb. No rattles or creaks at all (must be the tape) but I love it. Takes all my worries about the hollow nylon blocks cracking completely away. Good job man!

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.