my new tow vehicle $500.00

[tashasdaddy]

1985 Chevy Astro van, with tow package. everything works.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Good deal TD! Does it have the 4.3 in it? It will probably be pretty good on gas too..

 

[External Combustion]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Super cool TD! It looks great!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Good deal, TD -- I recall reading those things make first-rate tow rigs.

 

[standish]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

awesome, been looking for a cheap tow rig myself, haven't found anything near that decent for $500!

 

[Willyclay]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Another great purchase by TD! Just in time for the annual trip to the Keys and $4.00 gas.

 

[SooLineRob]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Nice ... I like hearing about a "score"!!! They're great when they do happen.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Yes, Gary 4.3 fuel injected. runs like a champ. the guy i bought it from, Granddad, bought it new. 111,150 miles.

 

[Fingernip]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

A great place for liftkit parts and such for those astros is www.overlandvans.com He is selling the company, but hopefully someone buys it and keeps products shipping. You can also get V8 swap engine mounts pretty cheap from several places. Im on my 2nd astro and found them to be a pain to work on, but strangely addictive.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

interesting site, but all this one has to do it go back and forth to the water. strickly for towing, the boats.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

The Astro first appeared that year. Some of them were fitted with the 2.8 V6. If that's what you have, you definitely do not have a two vehicle unless you are towing a row boat. If its a 4.3 you have a tow vehicle.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

it's a 4.3 tow package the works, It's and 1986 not 85.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

I wish they still made them. I traded my '92 AWD Astro at 150,000 for my then new '02 S10 CrewCab. The 4.3 is a great motor and pulls like a mule. Miss the space of the Astro but then it would not be so pretty inside after I got done hauling dirt, rocks, and the other dirty stuff that my trucks has to haul.

 

[Fingernip]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

I sold my 94 AWD for a 97 AWD. I thought about a pickup, but i have a really nice dump trailer i can borrow when i need. I actually fit 2 dirtbikes in the back of the 94! My newer one is too nice for that though. Considering the V8 swap as soon as the 4.3 gives me problems though.
Also you should consider a lift anyway.... small 2" lift or so just to make plug changes easier. With the lift you can actually change all 6 plugs by reaching through the wheel wells rather than loosing all the skin on your arms up to your elbows trying to get to the few you cant get to that way.

 

[guy74]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Our main boat towing vehicle is my 1986 Astro too. It works really good, mine is a cargo model, so it has heavy suspension, 4.3l FI engine and 3.73 gears. It gets 24mpg by itself, 18mpg pulling my boat. I really like mine, and it comfotably sits a boat load of people(pun intended). I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
Goodday,
Brian

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

the two smaller boats are it's main job. my use it just to move the Chris Craft around the yard.

 

[sturdavj]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

TD

We have a half dozen or so Astor vans mixed into our fleet vehicles, both 2 WD & AWD. They are a little cramped on drivers foot space, otherwise they are a great vehicle. I must say I am surprised how well ours have held up to all the abuse by all the different drivers for these many years.

I am a little embarrassed to admit it , but when they first showed up on the property I didn't (as I'm sure others as well) realize that you had to put your foot on the brake pedal before you could shift it out of park. I just about ripped the shift lever off the steering column trying to shift it. This later led to a starting problem with one the Astros (which was fixed after a long period of time?.). You had to turn the ignition key one click, shift it into natural and then complete the revolution with the key to start the van. If you weren't familiar with that particular Astor van you might have a frustrating day

Especially if you happen to shut it off in the fast food line-up??..

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

That 4.3 is the smallblock chevy V-8 with two cylinders chopped off. A great engine. You will be more than pleased with the power..... is it AWD? Considering it was a "one owner" you lucked into that one.

Best of luck with it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

it is a rear wheel drive, i have something that is now draining the battery, still trouble shooting. new battery, will drain it over nite. i guess it's going to the shop, i pulled every fuse, and it still has the drain.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

I hear that electrons are getting as expensive as gas these days. Thieves will siphon off anything! I hope you catch them soon.

If the equipment is shut off (and I don't know if you can really do that with an '85) you might see if it is the regulator. I have had more than one of the Delcos do that and still charge great.

Good luck!