A few days ago I picked up my second 2001 AWD Astro van. This one is the platform to build my keeper on. It's already quite "built" so this thread will mostly concern refining it for my needs, maintenance and minor upgrades.
Background: My first Astro -- Bessie -- was a <$2k, well-beaten, cosmetically-rough example that really introduced me to the state of Colorado, and brief excursions around the Western US. I was bitten by the van bug, but started to realize that Bess wasn't the particular van worth putting lots of money into. Mechanically it's in okay shape, but cosmetically and "little things" (power accessories, body damage, etc etc) were going to drain me of funds.
So I started the hunt for a replacement. I almost gave up on vans in favor of a larger SUV a la Mitsu Montero or Isuzu Trooper after drooling over the rigs on here and seeing them at reasonable prices/condition in my market.
But then on Tuesday night this got posted to my local CL....
And be Wednesday afternoon I had it inspected, had cut a check and gotten temp. tags.
When it got home...
The new rig is also a 2001 AWD Astro. Basic details are:
- Miles:133k.
- Owners: I'm the 3rd Owner. First was old lady who used it to transport corgis to dog shows (owner 2 had hilarious photos) for the vans first 120k. The 2nd owner did all modifications and put 13K on it. He's upgrading to an AWD Express (cool looking build, wondering if he's around here.)
- Suspension 3.5" over stock. Sub-frame spacers up front, add-a-leaf + coil-over shocks in the rear. Rancho 5000 up front. Bumper relocated with Overland van brackets.
- Drivetrain: Stock everything
- Tires/Wheels: 275/75/15 tires on stock rims that have been powdercoated. Adds about 1/2" of clearance as well.
- Exterior: Bumpers / Lower trim has been plasti-dipped, then coated with black truck-bed liner. Tinted windows (factory). Upgraded headlamp bulbs.
- Racks: Safari basket in the front half. 2 Yakima fork-mount and a 2pair/2boards ski rack in the back.
- Interior: Two custom-made seat swivels on original tracks/hardware. Kenwood head unit with Bluetooth/USB/Aux (including installed hands-free mic.) Amp under passengers seat and subwoofer in the back.
Photo time
Maintenance
As with most any car with 133k on it, the new rig needs a few bits of freshening up in the new few thousand miles.
- Idler arms. Like every Astro ever. Already have the Moog parts on the way.
- Upper right control arm. Worn, but not horrible. Moog parts on their way, doing both sides at once before the alignment.
- Power steering hose leak. Need to powerwash and isolate.
- Oil pan gasket slight leak. More of an annoyance than a big problem in my understanding. Will get to this summer.
- Replace tiny spare with something more appropriately sized. Probably keep in the stock location as at least a 29" tire can fit down there. A swing out would be nice but it would have to be custom fabrication.
Upgrades
In rough order of happening....
- Sleep: Move over existing sleeping setup: wood platform built for behind rear-seat, fold down rear seat, and pop-up 4'x2' plastic table trimmed to ~19" to make a level, full-size platform.
- Flooring: Flooring/Carpet from the front seats back. Previously used some rubber-backed carpets from Home Depot. Not sure what the best long-term solution is for this van. Want relatively easy to clean, doesn't mind getting wet (skis). Thoughts?
- Windows: Front window bug covers. Either homemade socks over the doors or magnets (a la Skeeter Beater).
- Dining: Folding table on inside of a lower dutch door. Already got some wood on hand to use, probably a simple setup of urethane-d wood, piano hinge on the bottom, nylon straps to store/hold up.
- Awning: Probably not ARB, as I want it to easily stow in the cargo basket or be very quick to take on/off the roof rail as it will only be installed for weekend/week-long getaways. Either home-brewed awning with PVC pipe or Coleman adjustable tent poles or something like the Ezy-Awning.
- Inside hatch release: I've seen it done with a switch wired in. I'd actually prefer a manual release if it could be done cleanly. Haven't seen one documented yet.
- Jerry can Either a single or double mount on the left-rear lower dutch door. Most of the time I'm not that remote and it will be used with a water jerry can, probably a Frontrunner with an upgraded tap.
- Custom table: For the middle section to replace plastic folding 4'x2'. Ideally collapsible and adjustable height (from about 19" to 26-8") for better cooking / drinking cardplaying ergonomics when not sleeping.
- House battery system: Charged via alternator. (I'd be interested in solar if I could find a way to squish it in among all the racks.) Probably a single battery as it will be primarily used for lights, charging phones/GPS/headlamps, stereo, and maybe an electric blanket during winter.
First order of business
Which tires to keep / put on and which to sell with the old Astro? Three sets to choose from:
- Big O Big Foot A/Ts. 235/75/15 (i think?). ~5000mi on them. Load Range: D. Currently installed.
- Cooper Discoverer A/T3. 225/70/15. ~9000mi on them. Load Range: C. Sitting in storage.
- Cooper Discoverer M+S. 235/70/15. ~4000mi on them. Load Range: C. Installed on old Astro.
Background: My first Astro -- Bessie -- was a <$2k, well-beaten, cosmetically-rough example that really introduced me to the state of Colorado, and brief excursions around the Western US. I was bitten by the van bug, but started to realize that Bess wasn't the particular van worth putting lots of money into. Mechanically it's in okay shape, but cosmetically and "little things" (power accessories, body damage, etc etc) were going to drain me of funds.
So I started the hunt for a replacement. I almost gave up on vans in favor of a larger SUV a la Mitsu Montero or Isuzu Trooper after drooling over the rigs on here and seeing them at reasonable prices/condition in my market.
But then on Tuesday night this got posted to my local CL....
And be Wednesday afternoon I had it inspected, had cut a check and gotten temp. tags.
When it got home...
The new rig is also a 2001 AWD Astro. Basic details are:
- Miles:133k.
- Owners: I'm the 3rd Owner. First was old lady who used it to transport corgis to dog shows (owner 2 had hilarious photos) for the vans first 120k. The 2nd owner did all modifications and put 13K on it. He's upgrading to an AWD Express (cool looking build, wondering if he's around here.)
- Suspension 3.5" over stock. Sub-frame spacers up front, add-a-leaf + coil-over shocks in the rear. Rancho 5000 up front. Bumper relocated with Overland van brackets.
- Drivetrain: Stock everything
- Tires/Wheels: 275/75/15 tires on stock rims that have been powdercoated. Adds about 1/2" of clearance as well.
- Exterior: Bumpers / Lower trim has been plasti-dipped, then coated with black truck-bed liner. Tinted windows (factory). Upgraded headlamp bulbs.
- Racks: Safari basket in the front half. 2 Yakima fork-mount and a 2pair/2boards ski rack in the back.
- Interior: Two custom-made seat swivels on original tracks/hardware. Kenwood head unit with Bluetooth/USB/Aux (including installed hands-free mic.) Amp under passengers seat and subwoofer in the back.
Photo time
Maintenance
As with most any car with 133k on it, the new rig needs a few bits of freshening up in the new few thousand miles.
- Idler arms. Like every Astro ever. Already have the Moog parts on the way.
- Upper right control arm. Worn, but not horrible. Moog parts on their way, doing both sides at once before the alignment.
- Power steering hose leak. Need to powerwash and isolate.
- Oil pan gasket slight leak. More of an annoyance than a big problem in my understanding. Will get to this summer.
- Replace tiny spare with something more appropriately sized. Probably keep in the stock location as at least a 29" tire can fit down there. A swing out would be nice but it would have to be custom fabrication.
Upgrades
In rough order of happening....
- Sleep: Move over existing sleeping setup: wood platform built for behind rear-seat, fold down rear seat, and pop-up 4'x2' plastic table trimmed to ~19" to make a level, full-size platform.
- Flooring: Flooring/Carpet from the front seats back. Previously used some rubber-backed carpets from Home Depot. Not sure what the best long-term solution is for this van. Want relatively easy to clean, doesn't mind getting wet (skis). Thoughts?
- Windows: Front window bug covers. Either homemade socks over the doors or magnets (a la Skeeter Beater).
- Dining: Folding table on inside of a lower dutch door. Already got some wood on hand to use, probably a simple setup of urethane-d wood, piano hinge on the bottom, nylon straps to store/hold up.
- Awning: Probably not ARB, as I want it to easily stow in the cargo basket or be very quick to take on/off the roof rail as it will only be installed for weekend/week-long getaways. Either home-brewed awning with PVC pipe or Coleman adjustable tent poles or something like the Ezy-Awning.
- Inside hatch release: I've seen it done with a switch wired in. I'd actually prefer a manual release if it could be done cleanly. Haven't seen one documented yet.
- Jerry can Either a single or double mount on the left-rear lower dutch door. Most of the time I'm not that remote and it will be used with a water jerry can, probably a Frontrunner with an upgraded tap.
- Custom table: For the middle section to replace plastic folding 4'x2'. Ideally collapsible and adjustable height (from about 19" to 26-8") for better cooking / drinking cardplaying ergonomics when not sleeping.
- House battery system: Charged via alternator. (I'd be interested in solar if I could find a way to squish it in among all the racks.) Probably a single battery as it will be primarily used for lights, charging phones/GPS/headlamps, stereo, and maybe an electric blanket during winter.
First order of business
Which tires to keep / put on and which to sell with the old Astro? Three sets to choose from:
- Big O Big Foot A/Ts. 235/75/15 (i think?). ~5000mi on them. Load Range: D. Currently installed.
- Cooper Discoverer A/T3. 225/70/15. ~9000mi on them. Load Range: C. Sitting in storage.
- Cooper Discoverer M+S. 235/70/15. ~4000mi on them. Load Range: C. Installed on old Astro.
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