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So today, up at 04.25 and on the road by 04.50  Got to Clems place at Tuba Trucks…… We went to a prop shaft builder to have propshaft shortened by 1.5” for a truck he is building with a modern trans and longer tail shaft. After this, back to Tuba Trucks Restoration. Clem gave me his phone and computer after he had called the GMSpares supplier who had the dash surround on their inventory. Seems it was discontinued and made obsolete a few years ago. Poop !!! So I called some vehicle breakers. Amazingly, the first ones I called, Junkyard Dog Auto Salvage in Rogers, Arkansas, said they had a few Astros in their yard……. Rogers has a few claims to fame. Rogers is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. Located in the Ozarks, it is part of the Northwest Arkansas region, one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country.[8] Rogers was the location of the first Walmart store, whose corporate headquarters is located in neighboring Bentonville. Daisy Outdoor Products, known for its air rifles, Think Daisy BB gun, part of American history , has both its headquarters and its Airgun Museum in Rogers. The city houses a popular shopping center, the Pinnacle Hills Promenade, and a music venue, the Walmart AMP, that has housed performances by big-name artists and local performers alike. [9]
Seriously?? So I drove over there.  So I got to Junkyard Dog and spoke to various staff, till Sam, who I had spoken to 0n the phone, came in.  He took me for a junk yard tour, 4 failed Astros, and then a 95 model, when the face change happened to them…… Jackpot. Also gave me a heater control knob Found one, and dismantled it…. Not the easiest thing to find in the U.K. Two screws.  And a few easy clip switches to I clip.  Done…… in the truck.  Blower knob.  Dash panel came with a bonus. Mud dauber wasp nest. Bassstards.     Cleared out in the end. Once I got home, I celebrated with Clem and had a Sailor Jerry and Coke, followed by cleaning the whole surround that had cost me a whole £20.00 or $25.00 This is the most awesome win for me. Finding an obsolete part a long way from home, constitutes a major win when rebuilding a 30 plus year old car. I feel vindicated.  Cleaned up. Did I mention that life is good? That's a tame dauber. The ones here are viciously territorial. Thankfully all traces of that nest will just wash out under the tap with hot water. It's only(!) 11 hours and 748 miles from there to here. With a severe thunderstorm warning in the middle. I'll leave the coffee on the fire for next time. Sunday breakfast is worth the drive! Phil, I am sure you know that given slightly different circumstances, I would be there, bringing my own Half and Half. |
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what’s going on here 😬 bit of modern art?  Hey Grizz , didn’t they have this piece ?? |
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Great find ! Ok you can go back to enjoying yourself ! 😁 Tape that knob (securely) to the panel so you don't loose it in yer case !  |
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Last Edit: Sept 7, 2023 8:29:09 GMT by westbay
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Sept 7, 2023 15:41:27 GMT
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what’s going on here 😬 bit of modern art? Hey Grizz , didn’t they have this piece ?? It was brown. It is BIG, HEAVY and the one I have will get repainted. Sorted. |
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Sept 7, 2023 15:42:25 GMT
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Great find ! Ok you can go back to enjoying yourself ! 😁 Tape that knob (securely) to the panel so you don't loose it in yer case ! In the small zipped side pocket of my backpack. |
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Sept 7, 2023 15:44:18 GMT
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Went out with Clem to send some parts off from UPS, and to fill the truck back up. $75.00 on the first click later…… Saw this Astro van on the way. Interior is partially customised.   |
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Last Edit: Sept 7, 2023 15:44:52 GMT by grizz
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braaap
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,729
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Sept 7, 2023 16:20:01 GMT
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Acustically customized, judging on the stickers.
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spacekadett
Part of things
F*cking take that Hans Brrix!!
Posts: 838
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Sept 7, 2023 21:53:35 GMT
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Evening,
Just a thought from looking at the audio van, do you have an original one or are you going to fit an aftermarket one in the new surround? I’m guessing the original is a random size so there may be a facia adapter available so you can fit an ordinary, single din size head unit. Might be easier sourced while you’re over there.
Van is a lovely bit of kit 🙂 reminded me that Street Machine ran a feature on modding them in the nineties ( two day vans and one panel van from memory). Thought I had a copy still but can’t find it so it may have been cleared out 😢
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Mechanic's rule #1... If the car works, anything left on the floor after you finished wasn't needed in the first place  |
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Great find ! Ok you can go back to enjoying yourself ! 😁 Tape that knob (securely) to the panel so you don't loose it in yer case ! In the small zipped side pocket of my backpack.   Is that so that as least one of us will remember where you put it ? |
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Sept 8, 2023 12:17:38 GMT
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Evening, Just a thought from looking at the audio van, do you have an original one or are you going to fit an aftermarket one in the new surround? I’m guessing the original is a random size so there may be a facia adapter available so you can fit an ordinary, single din size head unit. Might be easier sourced while you’re over there. Van is a lovely bit of kit 🙂 reminded me that Street Machine ran a feature on modding them in the nineties ( two day vans and one panel van from memory). Thought I had a copy still but can’t find it so it may have been cleared out 😢 Morning mate I think it is an odd sized hole. The bulkhead may be the problem, not allowing much depth. There are guys who have fitted single din items. With adapters and sticking out slightly. I will work it out for my van. At most, I want a CD player or or Bluetooth connection. I am very happy to just have Radio 2. |
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spacekadett
Part of things
F*cking take that Hans Brrix!!
Posts: 838
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Sept 8, 2023 12:41:53 GMT
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Evening, Just a thought from looking at the audio van, do you have an original one or are you going to fit an aftermarket one in the new surround? I’m guessing the original is a random size so there may be a facia adapter available so you can fit an ordinary, single din size head unit. Might be easier sourced while you’re over there. Van is a lovely bit of kit 🙂 reminded me that Street Machine ran a feature on modding them in the nineties ( two day vans and one panel van from memory). Thought I had a copy still but can’t find it so it may have been cleared out 😢 Morning mate I think it is an odd sized hole. The bulkhead may be the problem, not allowing much depth. There are guys who have fitted single din items. With adapters and sticking out slightly. I will work it out for my van. At most, I want a CD player or or Bluetooth connection. I am very happy to just have Radio 2. As much as I’d be tempted to put a period cd player in it if you go for a modern ‘mech less’ (basically a radio with Bluetooth only, no cd player) they aren’t as deep as a cd player, so the bulkhead shouldn’t be a problem 🤞 |
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Mechanic's rule #1... If the car works, anything left on the floor after you finished wasn't needed in the first place |
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Sept 8, 2023 13:24:06 GMT
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[quote author=" spacekadett" source="/post/2796111/ thread" timestamp="1694176913"] Morning mate I think it is an odd sized hole. The bulkhead may be the problem, not allowing much depth. There are guys who have fitted single din items. With adapters and sticking out slightly. I will work it out for my van. At most, I want a CD player or or Bluetooth connection. I am very happy to just have Radio 2. As much as I’d be tempted to put a period cd player in it if you go for a modern ‘mech less’ (basically a radio with Bluetooth only, no cd player) they aren’t as deep as a cd player, so the bulkhead shouldn’t be a problem 🤞[/quote] Also had this reply on the Astrosafari.com site. Hi! (here in WA state)Looks like a nice van!
Plus..Congratulations!..you got all the switches with the radio portion for mirror,foglamps, and interior lamps..?..good deal for $25! Did you grab the wire harnesses for any extra accessories?
Oops..just looked closer at your picture and your switches are for the rear heater,rear AC, and interior lamps..no foglamp switch..Mine has the upper switches i mentioned. Now I know what I'm missing in the extra switches,,and I don't need those two for the rear. I don't have the rear heater and AC in mine.
I haven't been following your thread but found it a few days ago and catching up on it.My AWD is a 1990 and same interior ,interior color for the most part(s).. different steering wheel,seats of course..
I did a change to a newer 2002 "theftlock" radio/cd combo and wrote a short thread here on that with pictures of the dash portion you were looking for...and modification to make that radio fit. I chose that raidio/cd because it matches my 2004..no hassles with different knobs,settings,etc.. identical actions between the two vans ..and I have hundreds of cds |
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Last Edit: Sept 8, 2023 13:25:47 GMT by grizz
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Sept 8, 2023 14:51:33 GMT
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93fxdl
Posted a lot
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Posts: 2,015
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Sept 8, 2023 21:28:10 GMT
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Sept 8, 2023 22:39:30 GMT
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Last Edit: Sept 8, 2023 22:39:48 GMT by chrisvw
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Sept 8, 2023 23:00:16 GMT
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Thank you Glenn and Chris. I will investigate once back home. |
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Sept 8, 2023 23:03:57 GMT
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Got this message from a guy on www.astrosafari.comGrizz, If you have any interest, I have a goid condition stock Chevy steering wheel for an Astro. Doesn't match my GMC... Yours for taking if you want it.  So now I need to orchestrate this. It is not a “sport steering wheel “ as fitted, but I like the idea of putting things back to standard. Let’s see what happens. |
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The radio is not quite double-DIN but the nice thing, as you say, is that it is essentially a flat plate mounted behind the dash trim.
The stock radios are.. to be polite, utter trash. You do well with an aftermarket- plus the FM pre-emphasis will be correct and the AM will tune in the correct intervals. Not that there's much AM in the UK any more.
Oh, when you're out and about at night and stop somewhere on this journey, click the radio in the car to AM and tune up and down the dial. It's surprising how much you can pick up...
Phil
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So now I need to orchestrate this. It is not a “sport steering wheel “ as fitted, but I like the idea of putting things back to standard. Let’s see what happens. Shipping label on a pizza box. |
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93fxdl
Posted a lot
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Posts: 2,015
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Thw dash plate is in the US, you could save some wedge on shipping by buying it while you are there, provided it is correct for your needs
Ttfn Glenn
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