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GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

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What is this discussion about? GMC Safari, Chevrolet Astro, Van

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#534 of 1889 re;rear heat by ganze1 Feb 24, 2003 (1:19 pm)
Biggr, How you put a straight through vacuum on? Did you just remove it from the valve near the A/C or did you do it under the van? I saw about 3 to 4 vacuum hoses near the A/C box so I'm not sure which one you used. Also, I would assume that as long as I do not have the Rear Heat switch on that the heat should not blow out. Is that correct?   Thanks, Phil...
#535 of 1889 Chevy Astro AWD or 2WD? by rockenbach Feb 26, 2003 (2:57 pm)
I have heard the same from my mechanic but I would also like to know more . . . thanks
#536 of 1889 lsnyder2...get the van by dadoftay Feb 26, 2003 (5:07 pm)
if Verizon (or whomever has the van) can provide some type of records for service, the van should be great. Highway miles are the Chev/GMCs best friend. I've had 2: one company (98) and now my own (00) and have had great luck. A friend of mine is in the same business with an AWD and while a little more front end care is needed, no major (over $200) problems. My '00 now has 90K and runs just as strong as new. I thought about doing the 0% thing but when I drove off for the test drive the only difference was the tightness in the shift lever. Yes I maintain mine to the letter, but you get back what you put in. Good Luck!
#537 of 1889 AWD or 2WD...that is the question by dadoftay Feb 26, 2003 (5:19 pm)
Thought I'd give my 2 cents. Both of my vans have been 2WD models and I have had great luck. I sell construction products so off road driving is no stranger to the vehicles. My company van (98) was handed down with 45K and not alot checked off in the service book. I turned it in with 130K 2 years later and one of my customers ended up buying it from our lease agency. It now has 220K and a smashed front fender. My friend does similar duty with his AWD. Granted, he doesn't have to work as hard crossing a jobsite on a rainy day but let's face it, not many people need that type of traction. I think the AWD should be looked at only if snow, off-road driving (camping) or other constant traction defficient driving condition is present.
#538 of 1889 by mrnimmo Feb 27, 2003 (8:06 am)
The AWD obviously adds to the mechanical complexity of the van. I'm told the front end and transfer case of the AWD is similar to the S10 units and can be swapped if necessary. S10s are plentiful in the wrecking yards. AWD Astros are not. A custom length front drive shaft is necessary. So if you wanted the better mpg of RWD but wanted to retain some poor traction and lose some of the issues related to the AWD transfer case, consider this swap.   See http://www.overlandvans.com
#539 of 1889 AWD or 2WD...that is the question by rockenbach Feb 28, 2003 (4:21 pm)
2 cents are very helpful, thanks dadoftay! I have a 1992 Astro CL EXT with 88K and I have had great luck with it. SOOOO, I am now considering yet another new Astro(RWD LT 2004 perhaps?). Do you know what (if any) major changes GM has made to the Astro since 92 that might change my opinion of this being a reliable van? Have there been "better" Astro years than others? Was 1992 a "good" year??? I do agree with your comment "Yes I maintain mine to the letter, but you get back what you put in". Is it possible that this is the key in being a happy Astro owner? The mechanic the I use for both of my vehicles(we also have a 1990 Olds) has voiced a concern about the Astro ABS system. Is there a bad history in this area over the years? He REALLY does not care for the AWD idea on an Astro. Any bad history on this? I sure do appreciate all comments ! ! ! Thanks, Jock
#540 of 1889 by mrnimmo Feb 28, 2003 (7:37 pm)
Wasn't really responding to your question, just sorta broadcasting.
#541 of 1889 pick the later years rockenbach.... by dadoftay Feb 28, 2003 (7:54 pm)
Unfortunately I don't know of any "good years" for the Astro/Safaris. I do know in '03 they added a little more pep to the engine and some emission features (I'm assuming the emissions delete the power gains) but pretty much straight forward Astro. The only thing I never cared for was the dash configuration in the pre-95. Alot of reaching for radio controls and sliding that HVAC knob up and down. My wife drives a 92 S-10 and the flashbacks are unmerciful. You also eliminate the regular versus extended configurations of the body. Hey, get another 1-1/2 feet of cargo floor if your gonna buy, I say! I can only say from what I've driven: the '98 was a true workhorse (still is, see previous post) and my '00 doesn't show any signs of slowing down. As far as the servicing goes I have heard that since these vans are the "dinosaurs" of minivans that perfect service isn't a must-have. There isn't as much to go wrong in other words. I'm with you, my next one will be a 03-04 LS (LT a little out of $ range). You can't find the combination of size (both interior/cargo and exterior manuverability) and in my situation, ground clearance with another van.
#542 of 1889 another cents worth by riccd2001 Mar 01, 2003 (7:13 am)
According to one "expert" it seems the newer the better...   http://www.lemonaidcars.com/cgi-bin/search/proxy.pl?terms=astro&a- mp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemonaidcars.com%2Ftruck-van.htm   However, during the last 10" snow dump on our street, my neighbour's fairly new '00 RWD Astro got stuck trying to access the main road nearby, whereas my well-used old '94 AWD Safari had no problem. Maybe my extra clearance made the difference?
#543 of 1889 snow driving by dadoftay Mar 01, 2003 (8:01 am)
WOW!!! Never seen 10" of snow in the South.. well, maybe if you added up all the winters....no, still don't think so. Hey, don't get me wrong, AWD has its place (ground clerance is the same, by the way) but I never see snow and I can drive my 2WD further through muddy conditions than most can take an AWD van. I think I still would have laughed at your neighbor if I was you. I guess with almost anything, newer year models are better ie: new safety improvements, power gains, creature comforts, bodys designs, etc. I know insurance doesn't like my S-10 because there aren't safety features on it. Of course, the steel bumpers and real frame don't help in a crash anymore, I guess.

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