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Astro Van build
Hey guys I've been lurking around for a while and thought I would
share my project and introduce myself. My name is Imran and I have a weird affinity for vans and wagons. I currently have a 92 Astro van I'm working on. The plan is get it looking good enough to park in the driveway, v-8 motor, and a sorted suspension that will make it fun to drive. To start off I lowered it with 2" bell tech spindles and 2.5" coil springs. I modified the rear flip kit to drop it 6" and c notched the frame. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/99a0c29a.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/12957d8e.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/87a17cf6.jpg Oh yeah since I want this thing to handle I replaced all the front end parts with moog chassis parts, pst control arm bushings and bell tech sport shocks all around. Next step was wheels and tires. I did 20x8.5" and 20x10" Boss Motorsports wheels wrapped in 245/35-20 and 275/30-20 Nitto 555. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/d047a0d1.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/e8023d43.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/c24186d0.jpg As you can see I also started shaving the tails. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/8e309a0f.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/8dd4d20d.jpg Next up get rid of the rear bumper and plastic body trim and roof rack. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/ece57f33.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/04fa810b.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/27766221.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/b690002a.jpg I also started putting on the bumper covers and air dam too. I found the rear surround from a Malibu would work perfect so... http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/512f678d.jpg Also started working on the new taillight buckets. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/a517fb10.jpg Got the rest of the kit on and the billet grille too. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/5097576d.jpg |
Here's a look at the rear during the welding up the tail buckets
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/3f8b1698.jpg Found some really cool low profile exhaust tips that top off the magna flow exhaust system including high flow cat. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/8483ad83.jpg Got the tails in finally http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/89ab3f5a.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/c0eff560.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/f9efa1cc.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/1074e7dc.jpg And the work continues... http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/63a59870.jpg The ultimate goal is to have a great street truck that can haul the family, and handle well doing it. I know it's not a corvette andim not expecting it to handle like one, but I want the most I can get from this package. I want to put 13" wide rear factory Lamborghini murcielago wheels on the back of this thing. To do so I need to come up with a rear suspension that can be mounted inboard of the frame rails (unibody) that will allow me to narrow the rear end to fit the wheels. I was thinking of ladder bar and pan hard bar for ease of install and space constraints. What do you guys think for a street truck? Or do i need to go four link? |
That's a cool project. I like it......
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Makes me think of a Scion (if that's how it's spelt?)
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I love those vans....looks sweet!
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There was a guy in Orange california that customized and shipped several of them to Japan during the van craze 10-15 years ago - there was some real cool ones I'd see setting there waiting to ship out - looks like you got a cool project going.
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Thanks for the comments guys. I just acquired a new set of bucket seats for the front out of an exotic car that shall remain nameless. also decided on the Ridetech parallel 4 link with shockwaves for the rear so I can mount them inboard to make room for mini tubs.
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Nice build what V8 drivetrain you looking into, keep us posted
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I'm thinking of an LS block out of an escalade or tahoe for the power plant and and mating that to the existing 700r4. Also check out the new front seats I just got for my project.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/2fd7ec13.jpg |
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Dude:unibrow: THATS Bad Ass.
Looks killer, nice work. Its about time we get some vans. :cheers: |
Well apparently I have forgotten to keep this forum up to date on the progress, so here's a lil update.
Ebay find of the year! http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/7d9b06ef.jpg Started shaving the pass side locks. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/638b4364.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/1aea86a5.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/2ff23465.jpg Also welded all the trim holes shut along with roof rack holes. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/2b86a0d3.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/cb1fa16e.jpg Made some neat copper welding spoons to help with all the trim holes. Cheap and work great! If you're gonna weld some trim holes shut I highly recommend something like this. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/ba9a3a64.jpg Ripped the interior out to weld the roof rack holes. It's gotta come out for paint anyway so... http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/ebc76fd1.jpg |
Got some TCI goodies for the 700-R4. And of course some Royal Purple tranny fluid.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/f1ab4de5.jpg Also got some MSD parts to sort out the ignition. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/98d0dd82.jpg Switched to 3/4 ton GM calipers for a cheap big brake upgrade. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/5e075068.jpg Built a custom dash insert to house a double din radio. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/d721304b.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/1d50b170.jpg I also had a custom air freshener made. ha ha. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/ce44fd2b.jpg Finally body work has started. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/b1340570.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/8be0393f.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/d2b2e1bf.jpg |
Starting to look smooth on one side.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/2ce1e8b7.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/7ac8a79a.jpg I picked out some colors too. Lexus Ultasonic Blue over GM Cyber Grey Metallic. The grey has a blue metal flake in it so it should look good together. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y..._6038sized.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...-1600x1200.jpg Did a spray out and I love it. Don't mind the flash in this pic. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/c51ec0ce.jpg Starting bodywork on the front. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/4d0d968b.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/6afac6d7.jpg Left side of the truck getting some love now. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/c73edf17.jpg |
Nice work!
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Took it to work today and put the factory wheels back on it. Gotta get it ready for the booth. Looks hot huh?
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/9871f4ab.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/a3078502.jpg In good company at my friends body shop. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...x/c62ee109.jpg |
Love it
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great project! More photos!
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Had to get another rear door. Warped the other one too bad. good news is the body work is happening and we should be ready for paint soon.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...0882B57203.jpg |
Quick update. Getting closer to color. Got the new door shaved now.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps1b3e1b64.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...psad372f76.jpg Tail light buckets are getting worked over. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps824a2b6d.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...psf7ddbfb7.jpg Body panels are smoothed out and will be receiving epoxy primer next to seal all the bodywork. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps11e1a689.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...psf18b311d.jpg Sorry for the boring pics but body work isn't exactly photogenic. But it is getting smooth and almost ready for color. Can't wait. |
Looks like a fun project!
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So while the body work is getting done I decided to start on the interior. I got some SEM Color Coat vinyl coating to help dye the original faded and yellowed interior plastics.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps56a95592.jpg In the next few pics you can see the difference it makes on some scrap interior parts. These are some ashtrays and an old storage pocket that show the old yellowed condition of many of the interior parts of my van. http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...psf980b223.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps727aba4e.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...psb3ebf891.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps7aae6751.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps71d5ceb6.jpg I also got some samples of the suede I'll be using for the upper half of the interior. I think I'm going to do a dark charcoal carpet and I think I may end up with the lighter suede color on the top. What do you think? http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...psdd182040.jpg http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/y...psdd182040.jpg |
Really cool van
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