Astro Van build

[356redux]

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/yy245/356redux/99a0c29a.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/12957d8e.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/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/yy245/356redux/d047a0d1.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/e8023d43.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/c24186d0.jpg

As you can see I also started shaving the tails.

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/8e309a0f.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/8dd4d20d.jpg

Next up get rid of the rear bumper and plastic body trim and roof rack.

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/ece57f33.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/04fa810b.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/27766221.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/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/yy245/356redux/512f678d.jpg

Also started working on the new taillight buckets.

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/a517fb10.jpg

Got the rest of the kit on and the billet grille too.

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/5097576d.jpg

[356redux]

Here's a look at the rear during the welding up the tail buckets

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/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/yy245/356redux/8483ad83.jpg

Got the tails in finally

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/89ab3f5a.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/c0eff560.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/f9efa1cc.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/1074e7dc.jpg

And the work continues...

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/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?

[SS350Sport]

That's a cool project. I like it......

[Northeast Rod Run]

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

[Beegs]

I love those vans....looks sweet!

[NOVA]

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.

[356redux]

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.

[ProTouringNyC]

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

[356redux]

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/yy245/356redux/2fd7ec13.jpg

[Northeast Rod Run]

Ever seen this site?

They sell parts for the Astro Van

http://sarona.com/

[Tig]

Dude:unibrow: THATS Bad Ass.
Looks killer, nice work. Its about time we get some vans.
:cheers:

[356redux]

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/yy245/356redux/7d9b06ef.jpg

Started shaving the pass side locks.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/638b4364.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/1aea86a5.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/2ff23465.jpg

Also welded all the trim holes shut along with roof rack holes.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/2b86a0d3.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/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/yy245/356redux/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/yy245/356redux/ebc76fd1.jpg

[356redux]

Got some TCI goodies for the 700-R4. And of course some Royal Purple tranny fluid.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/f1ab4de5.jpg

Also got some MSD parts to sort out the ignition.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/98d0dd82.jpg

Switched to 3/4 ton GM calipers for a cheap big brake upgrade.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/5e075068.jpg

Built a custom dash insert to house a double din radio.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/d721304b.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/1d50b170.jpg
I also had a custom air freshener made. ha ha.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/ce44fd2b.jpg


Finally body work has started.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/b1340570.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/8be0393f.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/d2b2e1bf.jpg

[356redux]

Starting to look smooth on one side.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/2ce1e8b7.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/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/yy245/356redux/IMG_6038sized.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/2009-Chevrolet-Corvette-ZR1-Grey-Front-And-Passenger-Side-Speed-1600x1200.jpg

Did a spray out and I love it. Don't mind the flash in this pic.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/c51ec0ce.jpg

Starting bodywork on the front.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/4d0d968b.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/6afac6d7.jpg

Left side of the truck getting some love now.

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/c73edf17.jpg

[Dereiter]

Nice work!

[356redux]

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/yy245/356redux/9871f4ab.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/a3078502.jpg

In good company at my friends body shop.

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/c62ee109.jpg

[intocarss]

Love it

[Fluid Power]

great project! More photos!

[356redux]

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/yy245/356redux/EA466F40-AA48-45C6-9117-E373493A8F20-5649-0000030882B57203.jpg

[356redux]

Quick update. Getting closer to color. Got the new door shaved now.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/9999B254-0A86-4771-BEDA-40CD25AB1AD7-2492-0000012C82C6C099_zps1b3e1b64.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/E0EB9BF3-CDAF-43D7-BFA6-7200320690E7-2492-0000012C833B17B1_zpsad372f76.jpg

Tail light buckets are getting worked over.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/A3E5EFF2-F7C0-4714-923E-5A76286627F6-2492-0000012C81A7B602_zps824a2b6d.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/78472CE0-579E-4878-A91A-6130434F66A9-2492-0000012C82429ECF_zpsf7ddbfb7.jpg

Body panels are smoothed out and will be receiving epoxy primer next to seal all the bodywork.
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/5B1B226E-3D2F-44F7-8C97-446E9C1DE668-2492-0000012C807EDE47_zps11e1a689.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/EAC20D03-61D7-4076-A5A8-7CB961BF8BE7-2492-0000012C85050F73_zpsf18b311d.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.

[DTM Racing]

Looks like a fun project!

[356redux]

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/yy245/356redux/477BFC03-92DB-4E2D-9B3D-D877BF018154-1434-000000D26AD3842F_zps56a95592.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/yy245/356redux/0FBD0BA0-F557-4064-82FC-49BF4FD6A9F9-1434-000000D257A631A7_zpsf980b223.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/FF530685-7ABE-463A-AF42-9DCAFA4C4299-1434-000000D254CBD36E_zps727aba4e.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/27107E9D-8170-4B88-B101-1B1CF6E281A1-1434-000000D25AAB4D0C_zpsb3ebf891.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/BA1CF1B4-F84A-4521-931F-942CA839C39D-1434-000000D264074120_zps7aae6751.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/1B78F40B-1039-4145-94FC-52C499B12422-1434-000000D2605F903B_zps71d5ceb6.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/yy245/356redux/C75DCFE9-12EF-46EA-8F77-AB3029885891-1434-000000D26D2C158E_zpsdd182040.jpg

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy245/356redux/C75DCFE9-12EF-46EA-8F77-AB3029885891-1434-000000D26D2C158E_zpsdd182040.jpg

[Mucker15]

Really cool van