Decent driver, relatively smooth ride for such a large vehicle. Seats 8 with no problems though we frequently leave the 3rd row out to give us more cargo space. Horrible mileage (average about 16mpg with most of that highway). They're Hydro-boost braking, so power steering leaks will affect your braking and since its a van everything is hidden under a tiny little hood making the simplest of maintenance a PITA. (I have a slow P/S leak that remains unfixed for two years now because I refuse to take the whole front end off just to get to the hoses)
I know I'm not painting the best picture. I don't hate mine, but I don't think I would buy another one unless it was an AWD in immaculate condition with impeccable maintenance records.
They have a decent following. Check out astrosafarivans.org Great forum, I'm a member though I haven't been active over there in quite some time.
My fam had an 87 and a 92 that were quite bullet proof, even with kids in high school driving them. These had the 4.3 in them. I dont know much about the later ones though.
As I understand it, the AWD system is the same hardware as the S10 Blazer. The 4.3 engines in S10s seem to be afflicted with intake gasket leaks. I have to believe that the 4.3 in the Astro/Safari would be similar. (Seem to be late 90s - early 2000s.) Fortunately, they tend to leak towards the outside (from what I've heard) instead of into the engine.
If you feel so inclined, a V8 swap is supposed to be stupidly simple. There is an engine/suspension cradle that unbolts and drops out, similar to the Fiero and other FWD GM cars.
my uncles astro van cracked the frame twice. supposedly not to uncommon. the Idler arm mounts on the frame. it has two idlers and with the hydro assit it never felt it had gotten tight. Well it had frozen and worked the frame till it actually snapped the frame. Just something to look into.
I had an Explorer conversion, 98, 4.3, 140K. It had only a couple of issues the 3 years I had it. One was front brake rotors (originals) rusted almost completely into pieces. Other was the fuel injection lines inside the intake under the throttle body cracked. I bought it from the original owner. It didnt do bad on gas...if I remember about 16+ on reg, and it was a loaded, hi top conversion.
My buddy who is an electrician loves them, had 3 or 4 over the last 10 years and works out of them, I bought one of his but the thing I didn't like is like all GM trucks is the rust, they rust just as bad as any GM truck does of similar years. He did some really bad body work with expanding foam that made things worse so when we got the dodge pickup I sold it. watch for rust in the usual places !
One thing I didn't like was they are AWD no way to switch them out, at least the ones I have seen that he had, and I think he had every year up to 2000. He did do a swap of a blazer front end on the one I got that allowed him to switch it in and out of AWD for the times when he didn't need it, fairly simple swap and said it increased his mileage.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
The Blazer transfer case and control module can be swapped in. You have to notch the crossmember and then weld in a plate to reinforce the cut. Once that is done, you are good to go.
AWD was an option, very few of them had it. Mine only had any rust around the rear upper door right above the bottom and it was minor. Mine had the lift up top half and the split, side opening rear doors. I know they are also the highest tow rated minivan. I think they even had an optional V8 (307?). I sold mine because I just didnt need it after getting the motorhome and it wouldnt fit in my garage with the hightop.
I have a 2000 RWD LS dual air front and rear with 200,000 miles. Originally purchased it at 68,000 for our business, used it for 6 years going into Philadelphia and now use it for personal use. I keep up on maintenance and oil changes. It has been driven to Florida twice with no issues and would do it again if needed. It now needs a new set of tires but it is amazing. The 4.3 has tremendous power for a 6 and I get 17+ mileage from regular. I would like to purchase another 2000 or newer and with under 100,000 miles but it is hard to find at a reasonable price. Every one I find that fits my description is priced $3,000 over NADA, Kelly book price. I keep very good care of my vehicles because they make me money so I have on problem putting money into them to keep them running in tip top condition.
I had the 2wd with the 4.3. Thing was handy as hell, ran strong. The intake gaskets leaking is always a result of leaving that crap Dex-Cool in long enough for it to become acidic. It then eats composite gaskets. I flush everything I get that is GM and put the good old green in there. Mine got totaled in a wreck, sure did like it. Beefy underneath. See if you ever spot one without a hitch on it.
We had a 96 RWD Blazer my Great Grandparents bought brand new, we got it with 22,000 miles on it around 2008, complete freakin' lemon. Constantly fixing things that should not have failed. My little brother gave it to my little sister and her husband, and now it sits next to a 99 Tahoe with a blown 350 (I don't know HOW they pulled that off).
[This message has been edited by RWDPLZ (edited 05-14-2015).]
I like them, but be sure to check them out to see if they meet your needs. They did receive a poor crash rating.
AWD was popular here in MI and they did offer an extended version of the van. They did rust quickly for some reason (here in the salt states). These are not your typical Mini-vans of today. These were truck chassis vans, for the most part.
