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......

Makes me think of a Scion (if that's how it's spelt?)

I love those vans....looks sweet!

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.

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.

Nice build what V8 drivetrain you looking into, keep us posted

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

Ever seen this site?

They sell parts for the Astro Van

http://sarona.com/