GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Accessories & Modifications

corporal28

I was able to add keyless entry to my wife's 2001 Honda Accord LX. I would like to do the same for my sister's 2003 Chevy Venture. Anyone out there know where to buy these "factory" add ons (other than the dealer) and if it's fairly easy? I do not want to buy aftermarket equipment where you have to chop things up.
Thanks,
Corporal28

stephjr78

OK, LET'S FACE IT. AN ASTRO VAN WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE PUT IN ANY SPORT CAR OR TRUCK CATEGORY, BUT HERE ARE SOME FRIENDLY MODS THAT HAVE GREATLY HELPED IMPROVE THE "JOY" FACTOR IN DRIVING MY BOX ON WHEELS. I FIRST INSTALLED AN HKS COLD AIR INTAKE SYSTEM INTO THE CAR, WHICH GAVE IT A LOT MORE HIGH-END, AS WELL AS GIVE THE CAR AN IMPORT-LIKE WAILING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I RECOMMEND THIS BRAND BECAUSE IT LOOKS MEAN AND KEEPS THE TEMP COOL. YOU CAN ALSO RUN NITROUS ON IT (IF YOU'RE THAT EAGER) I THEN LET THE BACK END BREATH A LITTLE MORE WITH A DELTA FLOW 2-CHAMBER FLOWMASTER WITH A CUSTOM SIDE EXIT. I USED 3" PIPING BUT RECOMMEND 2.5" IF INTERIOR RESONANCE IS A CONCERN FOR YOU. IF WELDING APPLICATIONS ARE A CONCERN FOR YOU, GO WITH BORLA IF YOU HAVE THE $$$. I THEN WENT AHEAD AND DOWNLOADED THE HYPERTECH PROGRAMMER 3 INTO THE COMPUTER AND WOW!!! THIS REALLY TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE IMPROVED AIRFLOW WITH THE MOTOR AND ALSO MADE THE ENGINE RESPOND A LOT FASTER. ALSO, PASSING ON THE FWY AT 60MPH IS NO LONGER A CONCERN. MY VAN WILL PULL ME UP TO 100 MPH WITH EASE. AFTER 100, YOU WONDER IF THE TIRES ARE STILL ON THE GROUND, AND HEY. DON'T FORGET THIS IS A VAN. TURNS AT HIGH-SPEED CAN GET PRETTY SCARY. I COULDN'T STAND FOR THIS. NOW, I'M LOT A LOWRIDER KIND OF PERSON, SO HEAVY SUSPENSION MODS, ALTHOUGH HELPFUL, WEREN'T ON MY TO-DO LIST. I, INSTEAD DECIDED TO PURCHASE FACTORY ANTI ROLL/SWAY BARS FROM GM AND INSTALLED KYB HD SHOCKS TO KEEP THE TIRES ON THE GROUND. THE CAR HANDLES AS WELL AS IT COULD WITHOUT LOWERING IT. I HAVEN'T HAD A DYNO YET BUT AM ANCY TO SEE WHAT FOOTINGS HAVE BEEN ATTAINED WITH THE MODS PERFORMED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I'VE FORGOTTEN ANYTHING ELSE.
TOTAL COST OF ALL MY MODS (SO FAR): APPRX $1330.00

streamlined22

Does anyone know if it's possible to add a 4th row to the full size GMC Savana SLE. It comes with 8 passenger seating but there's plenty of room for a 4th row and it feels like there are provisions under the carpet for it.

Has anyone done this? If so, is a 4 passenger seat available for the regular wheelbase vans?

restorea

I have an 89 chevy astro van that has 96k miles on it and somebody fubared up the radio. I would like to replace it with something that resembles original but I don't want to pay gobs of money for it. does anybody know where I can find a am/fm/cd player for this model ? and where can I get the documentation on how to install it ?

thanks

dennis6

My 2003 Venture is equipped with a "park Aid" system which works properly only sporadically. Twelve trips to the dealer, and getting no where. This system is dangerous as an aid for backing up and can't be counted on, at least in my experience. Any suggestions?

crackchecker

What is a Park Aid? Is it factory? If the dealer is not of any help then you should consider looking for a qualified automotive eletronics specialist or you could even take your van to a high end stereo/alarm shop.

glenn41

I'd like some feed back on the Granatelli MAF. I'd like to put it on my Venture to get more power and mileage. I'm a California driver, the heavy smog state.

Questions:
1 Have you received more power?
2 Is the mileage any better after you stopped jumping on the gas pedal?
3 Did you have any problems with the service engine light after installation?
4 Was it easy to install?
5 Did you have to do any re-calibrations?
6 Did you have any problems, then the dealership say it was caused by the Granatelli MAF? Heaven only knows they need something to blame there products on...
7 Was there no improvement?
8 Summit told me they wouldn't return as money unless there was a manufactors hardware problem. If it didn't work on my car it's my problem. Did anyone else experience this??

Are there any after market products for the Venture that are 50 state legal and improve power and mileage?

Thanks,

Glenn

garbman

Does anyone know what size belt I can use if I don't use the air conditioning on my 95 Chevy Astro Van, 4.3L with Automatic Transmission? The bearing in the AC compressor is bad and I want to by-pass the compressor.

yjones

We recently purchased a 2004 Chevy Venture and on the roof rack it has 2 cross bars with key locks on them. We are trying to remove these 2 bars as when we drive on the highway, we get a lot of "whistling" noise from them and want to improve our mileage. We have unlocked the bars and removed the "pins" that lock them on, but we can't get them off of the roof rack!! We can slide them back and forth but cannot find a way to remove them. Our owner's manual doesn't have any information of this. HELP!!

Yvonne

smailez

Do anyon know how to remove 97 astro armrest and headreast? Would like to instll seat covers. thanks

smailez

help how do i read the answers

Karen_S

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dreamer3

Rotate Armrest to upright position, push inward and rotate to back of seat and pull out.

found this on the web while trying to find out the same thing.
www.regencyservice.com/PDF/GM - M-VAN 2002 SER.pdf

amyw

We are 2 Brits who are wanting to "roadtrip the USA" in our newly acquired '91 Astro. Anybody got any advice re camperizing her as we intend to live and sleep in her for 3 months?

deanne

Please help me. My husband recently bought a 1999 Chevy Astro, and would like to use it as a travel/ work vehicle. The astro originally came with two bench seats in the back. He has removed them and would like to replace one of them with a seat that will lay back to make a bed (similar to ones seen in conversion vans). I would like to find a seat like this for him as a present. I need to know how wide is the rear cab of the 1999 Astro Van and does anyone know where I might be able to find one of these type seats to put in this van. Any help and comments are very appreciated. Thanks.

bakeryboy

I recently purchased a right side roof rack rail to replace a damaged tie down rail. Do I need to have a body shop remove the old rail and install the new one? Or can I do it myself? If I can do it, what is the recommended procedure? It appears that only a large screw driver is required, but that may be incorrect. Help/suggestions appreciated. Thanx!

alexatlatx

I am pretty new to this forum, but I am lookig for the same answer. Have you found your answer yet about using a different Serpentine belt for the 4.3L to by-pass the A/C compressor? mine sounds pretty rotten, and makes the engine shutter.

dayoldy

Restorea,

According to a PDF I got from Pioneer (http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/Pioneer/Files/10025.pdf), Chrysler and GM have radios 3 1/8" high (1/2 again as big as the typical 2" (DIN) size you see in the aftermarket. They call them "DIN + 1/2".

Unless you find a replacement that matches DIN+1/2, you'll need to get a kit that reduces the size of your radio hole to accomodate DIN sized audio. Pioneer advertises that they have audio units that match the size you're lookin for. Maybe other Audio manufacturers do as well.

Here are some instructions for removing the Astro radio: (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/11/8d/63/0- 900823d80118d63.jsp).

Hope this helps

dayoldy

nick95astro

I asked this at my auto parts store a few months ago. They told me it was too much of a pain. A shorter belt would not work. I just never turn on the AC (it's not worth recharging every year). It would be nice to have a kit for this to replace the AC.
nick

mforster

hi there im in the uk just bought a95 astro (broughan conversion ) i am looking for a side awning / tent to fit to the side for extra room when camping can any one tell me the makes that fit , i am struggling to find this info from the uk

cheers mark

ansil

i am currently working on replacing my 95 astro radio. but while drawing up plans and looking up suitable replacements i decided to get an old one from a junker and use the shell but install a cd player in it and perhaps a small amp. Wondering if anyone had done anything like this and also could anyone recomend some good replacement speakers for the back they are shot. thanks

ed

aka ansilgregory

ronbo66

Ive got a 91 safari awd and recently put the new kyb MONO MAX shocks in and man what a difference! the front sway bar has urathane bushings but I am looking for the rear sway bar you mentioned you bought yours from GM I have seen them on a few vans but gm says they dont exist! HA I know they do,do you have the recipt so I could get the part number from it or depending on the cost go aftermarket? I also tow with this and installed the RIDE RITE h/d rear air bags in the rear they work awsome but I still want a rear sway bar! thanks in advance!

ronbo66

Well you could pull the little two wire connector that goes into the A/C clutch and then the clutch would never engauge, If the bearing only sounds bad when the ac is ON then this should solve your problem. As you know also when you try to use your defrost the a/c comes on too this will also stop that too. hope this helps!

RON Y

cvyastro

all chevy astro (gmc safari, s10 truck, s10 bazer) radios 82 to 97 will inter change all you have to do is take all the hardware from the origional radio and put it on the radio you are puting in. because from year to year they change the hardware that hold it in.i expiriensed this when i too a radio from a 92 s10 truck and put it in my 88 astro

jodivan

you have a Savana sle? i have never heard of that one. what year? did you find out about the 4th seat? have daughter who has 6 children, so they need 8 seats. having trouble finding something for them, and we cant spend more than around 4 thousand. any ideas? :confuse:

truhlar

Help, I am in 2 degree cold here in chicago, trying to replace some worn out rear lift gate (dutch door/window) struts. I am not entirely new to this repair on other chevy trucks. I am stuck at removing the strut. I have it removed and cannot figure out how to remove the electrical connecter/boot/housing that connects to the threaded end of the strut. I don't want to break the plastic that it is made of. Does anyone have experience with removing this end cap??? TIA

dougkeller

I installed cold air induction, slapped on a Flowmaster 50 series and put a 4.10 Eaton locker in the rearend (so I bought a hypertech programmer to calibrate the speedo and to fool around with the shift points/firmness, topend, etc.). The overdrive is geared high enough that I get great off-the-line performance and can still cruise at 70 @2500 rpm. Does anyone know a company that makes performance headers for the Safari/Astro? I know it's a tight squeeze under the doghouse, but I'm hoping someone manufactures a set of "shorties".

the12voltguy

i would get a metra 99-4012 dash kit. you will need a antenna adapter and wire harness. it makes it alot easier
to do the install on your work bench. about 30.00 in parts.
the wire harness has the wire colors that will match up with most name brand radios.

Oh and i am a big fan of kenwood,alpine,sony,pioneer.

i like to match components ie. spks radios and amps
this will lessen your chance of any motor noise

starking

would like to purchase astro for pieces. to go with my 94 gmc astro VAN. need to know the range of year i can look for....

e_cycle

Greetings , I'm about done with all the bloody expensive BS trying to keep the 4.3 running . I'm Old school , and want to put a Summit Racing 350 with a Holly 4 hole TBI into my Astro. Get rid of all the crap that keeps on costing more and more Like, computer, Air sens, EGR, Map sens ,and all the rest of the crap I cant work on without a 20 grand diagnostic bench. I dont care if mileage goes away. I mostly ride a bike for my gas savings and doing my part in being "environmentally responsible".... But when I need to haul something, I dont want to have to fix the van first. And if its not in peek performance, all the stuff (mileage and emissions) its supposed to do just goes out the window anyway. For Sure, it ain't helpin' the wallet.
Anyway, I've been wanting to do a mild hot rod project ,so I guess this is it. Body, frame and interior all are in grate shape. Any Gear heads out there have any do and donts you would like to share ?

spike99

WOW e_cycle.

Sounds like you are a very determined person. Like you, I too wish the Astro/Safari vans came with an "optional V8" engine. If they did, I bet majority of folks would have a factory V8 Astro/Safari van. The default V6 4.3L isn't the best for pulling power - especially against a strong head wind and up hills at the same time.

Not too sure if your proposed V8 engine will fit (or not). However, I read many posts about others fitting in a V8 engine into their van and it works. Not only does it work, it blows the doors off the under toque factory V6 4.3 engine. When a a V8 Astro/Safari van pulls up hills on a fast hiway, "look out".

For more details on V8 engine installs, surf:

http://www.astrosafari.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=9

Hope this helps...

.

e_cycle

Thanks Spike. Reportedly, the Astro is one of the most simple V8 conv's out there . A motor mount swap is all thats needed . Plenty of room . A 400 turbo trans bolts right up and the original drive line can be used as well.

e_cycle

regal5575

I'm having the same problem, did you ever get the answer? If you did, pleaser share it with me.
Thanks,
Jerry

raisyn

It's been over a year since your initial post, but in case you never got an answer, here's what I did.

I have a 97 Astro with the same dutch doors. With a screwdriver, remove the clip at the cylinder of the rod (the end mounted on the door) to release it from the ball stud. DO NOT remove the clip from the rod end (the end mounted to the body). Then unscrew the rod until it is all the way out of the mount. It is standard thread (righty-tighty, lefty-loosey). After unscrewing the rod all the way, the electrical switch for the rear window defroster will slide off the end of the rod. It is not connected to the rod mount but it does have a notch for proper alignment. I used a pair of pliers applied just below the switch to loosen the old rod enough to finish unscrewing it by hand. Since this rod is being replaced, it doesn't matter that the old rod will get scratched but take care not to scratch the new rod.

To replace, slide the new support rod through the defroster switch and screw into the top mount. Be careful not to cross thread. It took me 2-3 starts on the first one to get it right. Tighten the new rod by hand to where it is tight enough but still positioned correctly to pop back on the the lower ball stud. I just used my hand to pop it back on, but you may want to use a rubber mallet. Hand tighten only - do not used pliers on the new rod. The StrongArm brand part number is #4219. It took about 10 minutes to change both.

I have 2 repair manuals on this vehicle and neither addresses this procedure. Hope this helps.

partybus2000

does anyone know how to take out the middle row windows on a 2000 GMC safari. It's almost as if it has locking bolts on it or something

beefaloboy

1998lincoln

IF YOU HAVE INCREASED THE POWER OUTPUT, YOU MAY WANT TO
LOOK AT TRANS UPDATES!

1998lincoln

Go to you local parts store and tell them you want a belt for your van without
A/C!

anthony54

I just replaced both struts on my 95 gmc awd van, when you disconnect the strut
the bar itself has to be turned from right to left and it should come loose from the electrical connector, it wasn't as diffiicult as i imagine but its best to replaced both sides, iam here in montana and the temperature here varies ;i did that this past weekend.

anthony54

I have a 95 gmc awd van that i wonder if its possible to raise or add height to the chasis without going overboard in buying a lift kit, thinking about having it raised about 4 inches at the maxium if its possible,

r_peter_delong

Thanks for this post. It saved my bacon yesterday. I was trying to pry the ball stud cap from the rod, and would not have thought to try unscrewing it. An internet search led me to your post. Again, thanks!