project astro

any updates?

ya I have not yet atempted the front zing yet but the rear is looking good. I amlmost done with the sheet metal work to cover the bridge and valves up... I now have to take a brake on working on the van due to loosing my job.. but im starting a new job on tuesday and once i recover from the money loss ill be back in action... Thanks agin to any one who has read this and helped or tryed to help out..

Cool build. I just sold my wagon a week ago and I am tossing the idea of buying an Astro for a build up. Something a little more modded than what I usually buld and drive. My last few rides have been simple and daily drivers. I want to run 20/22 combo or 20s all around. Also thinking about trying an IRS in the rear. Anyone think that might be a way to deal w/ the side door issue.?? I dont know anything about these vans yet.(havent even bought one yet)

Damn it BIG DEE, you stole my idea. I had a van way back that I planned to build but got rid of it. Anyways, as you might have noticed, I like IRS. I put one in My Town Car and am putting a Corvette IRS in my wife's 59 Bel Air. Anyways, since the cat is out, I was looking to get a van in the near future since my current tow vehicle will be getting dismantled to build the 59. I don't know of any Astro van bolt pattern IRS assemblies, 5 on 5, so I was thinking about going with a Corvette IRS which is the same an S-10 and have the front hubs redrilled for S-10, 5 on 4 3/4. My only issue with using the all aluminum Corvette IRS is that I don't know if I'd want to put all that weight on that rearend when towing, since it originally was put in a light car. I know it can hancle a lot of horsepower, but I'm more concerned about wheel bearings, etc. Hope that helps out a little Big Dee, eventhough this forum isn't about you, lol. Also, CO2YROC, I'm located in norh Phoenix and if you ever need any help figuring things out, give me a call. IM me for contact info.  Thanks,

i did an 18/20 combo on my 90.zd the front w/stock control arms. cut the rear 12 in and tucked 20x10 w/4 in backspace to clear the track/slider just to finish the BD and get rollin. after seeing it lifted going down thw road it looked funny cause the rear wheels were 21/2 in inset from the front. i couldnt live with that so after tossing up several options we decided to delete the track,shave it and gullwing the door as vanners of the 70s did for a retro type mod. then put wheel spacers on to kick the 20s back out to the inner fender. had to cut and trim a little more but im def satisfied with the look. also the gullwing door turned out killer using 36 in struts. u only have to pull up 4 in and it opens up by itself like a damn spaceship. closes like a hatch back. so far i think im the only astro whose done the slider gullwing style. im going to bring it to havoc bowling green in aug if the show is still on, ive been hearing rumors. so catch it there under construction if u wanna see how SMITH CHASSIS AND METALWORKS did the hinges and struts..L888r. and RESPECT THE VAN!! at least the minivans.. were minitruckers too!!!

heres a small pic of the gullwing. to see more pics of the build and gullwing search owner profile..SMITHCHASSIS.

The Van is comming along but its happening slowly now that im strapped for cash. Plus i only have every other weekend off (sucks)