Bought a van

[78 Chevyrado]

Got it from a friend of my dad's, and a good deal, so I jumped on it.  so now the truck can go back to being a pretty weekend driver except for wrecker duty....

Got it for $1500
1999 Astro van, fleet maintained, setup for an elevator company to begin with,   179k, runs like a top, has had a lot of work done already, just needs tires, fluid flushes and a battery which will cost about $600 or so callit a $2100 van.  body is straight and the paints shiny, a few skins on it, but that's about it.  this'll be so much easier than any pickup truck...

I was talking with my dad about wanting a van and he said, hang on a minute and called his buddy, an hour later we were at his house, put my truck battery in it to get it to go and test drove it, liked it, jumped it off and took it home 30 mins later...  it was dirty, but it clean now.  has all the nice racks and stuff, rides n drives good.  I like it, and I now wont have to worry about dents and scratches anymore...









Trucks just too expensive and inconvenient to work out of.  it would be ok with OD, but the trans and engine are still good and I can't make myself replace either until at least one of them breaks...

Now I don't have to worry bout it.

It needs tires, battery and a lil misc stuff under $100  I'll be working out of it in a couple of weeks.

never EVER thought id be so happy to have a van, as vans are not my thing.  never have been, but I love this one!   lol

[Blazin]

I had a Lumina APV van, I loved that thing! I have been wanting a GM Astro / Safari van for a while. just haven't found one for the right price yet. That thing is set up real nice, big lockable rolling tool box.

[zieg85]

Both my Dad, retired from Dover Elevator Co. and my brother now Thyssenkrupp Elevator Co used the Astro's set up just like it.  They now use the Ford Transports....

[78 Chevyrado]

getting tags and such tomorrow morning and then loadin it up and workin it.  It needed a battery and alternator, but to my amazement, the alternator only took 30 mins to install...  I like it very much.  it's quiet and drives great and smooth.

I'll of coarse get pic when I get it setup like I want it   

[Blazin]

Years ago when I worked for the local oil / propane co. The mechanic van we had was set up similar, and was a GMC Safari. That thing had plenty of power with the 4.3. Drove great too.

[78 Chevyrado]

Got it ready and my junk loaded into it.   

It needed and battery and alternator.  I was worried bout the alt, but it only took 30 mins to change...  no lie

Now I got my GPS in it, and emptied out the truck.  kinda felt bad like I was selling the truck or something though i'm not...lol


Here's what I got Right now....
Side door


Back door


Back door 2, plus the boxes on the barn doors...  VERY handy!


The dude Abides!


Ready to work tomorrow morning


I have cleaners in the crankcase, trans, PS, and gas tank.  in a week or two of them circulating, all fluids will be flushed and brought up to my spec...  (good enough for me)  which can be pretty high.

Is there anything to use to clean out a diff while you drive?  That's the only thing I have a ? about.  It will be flushed too, but id like to have something to clean it while I drive to get the most out of the flush I can.

It does need shocks...  especially since I loaded my junk into it.  whats the best most Hd shocks for something like that?   

Thanks for the comments guys, Ill let yall know how it goes week by week for a while.

Kenny

[78 Chevyrado]

Kinda (not kinda, real) feel bad stripping the truck to load tha van...  I hated that.  but it'll make me way more money...  that's what it's about afterall...  but I still do have the truck for HD stuff. 

Just felt kinda bad like I'm ditching a child or something...

[bd]

That looks like a really sweet setup, Kenny!

[jaredts]

How's access for standard maintenance stuff?  Is it easy to get to the plugs, air and oil filter, etc?  I was looking at a similar van recently but never popped the hood.

[Blazin]

The one we had  at the oil company had a fiberglass mono leaf spring. We switched it over to a 3 over one steal leaf spring set up. It rode way better after that. I Would search for a pair of coil over shocks for it. They give 300 or 400lbs extra load capacity.

[Tx_Phil]

Looks like a good score.  I'm guessing that roof rack and all the shelving inside is worth over $1500.

It might feel bad leaving the truck at home daily but just think how much longer it will last.  Besides, driving the van daily will make those weekend runs in the truck all that much sweeter.

[78 Chevyrado]

Looks like a good score.  I'm guessing that roof rack and all the shelving inside is worth over $1500.

It might feel bad leaving the truck at home daily but just think how much longer it will last.  Besides, driving the van daily will make those weekend runs in the truck all that much sweeter.

couldn't a sed it better...  haha

Mine has 3 leaf metal springs.  It needs shocks...  I'm gonna get the most HD set I can. 

I want to find a set of at least D rated tires for it...  no luck so far.   stock size is 215/75R15  any upsizes that come in a better  weight rating.  I hate how the car tires on it look flat all the time...  though the tread pattern is even, I just don't like the look of em...

[79gmc15]

Looks like a good score.  I'm guessing that roof rack and all the shelving inside is worth over $1500.

It might feel bad leaving the truck at home daily but just think how much longer it will last.  Besides, driving the van daily will make those weekend runs in the truck all that much sweeter.

couldn't a sed it better...  haha

Mine has 3 leaf metal springs.  It needs shocks...  I'm gonna get the most HD set I can. 

I want to find a set of at least D rated tires for it...  no luck so far.   stock size is 215/75R15  any upsizes that come in a better  weight rating.  I hate how the car tires on it look flat all the time...  though the tread pattern is even, I just don't like the look of em...

did you try upping the psi?

[78 Chevyrado]

The Van calls for 35psi, the tires max is 32psi...  I have them at 35psi, but they still look flat.  tread wear is even and correct, but I hate the look.  Guess I'm used to the E rated BFG's on my truck and the low profiles on my other cars...

[zieg85]

My brother ran LT load range C (LT215/75R15C) on his Astro when he had it