I found a couple of Astro vans in the junk yard today and they were as you can guess, all wheel drive. Any one know any details about the set up? Are they the same as the GMC Cyclone/Typhoon? Makes me wonder about a all wheel drive 2nd gen F-body. That would be crazy. Bolting a V8 to it may produce a problem of placing the engine too far to the front of the car. Just a thought.

Vinny

Not sure on the production Sy/Ty's, but I was cleaning out my closet the other day and found a GMC mag that had a '98 Sonoma with a Vortech blower running the Astro AWD. It was built by GM for a possible "return" of the Syclone. I'll look for it again to see if it mentions anything about the old Sy/Ty's.

[This message has been edited by kyunderdawg (edited 01-11-2010).]

It mentions (internet read) the olds Bravada as being the same. I just found it interesting.

Found it. It says the AWD system was borrowed from the Safari.

Yeah, Found some good reading. Bravada, Safari, Astro, Sy/Ty. All the same. The plan would have to be this. Buy the two vans. Scrap the bodys and everything that has nothing to do with nothing. Cut and modify the frame as a unibody replacment and BAM! Sound easy don't it? If only I wasn't layed off. If only I had the money and time at the same time.

The van chassis is wayyy bigger then the s series chassis

I don't know is it? The astro van is concidered a "mini" van

quote Originally posted by vinny: Makes me wonder about a all wheel drive 2nd gen F-body. That would be crazy.

I want to build a first generation Z24 with a AWD mounted to a modified LS1, but..........

And yes, it would be crazy..........crazy and fun.

Well hell buddy. If you got a job then your ahead of the game! Its only money. You could start that project pretty cheap,

The AWD system is nice but it is a real pain in tight turns. It is pretty much a 4WD system that stays on all the time. I have considered installing a S-10 passenger side tube on the front differential so that I could disengage the AWD and pick up 3-4 mpg. The problem then is that if I forget that it is in 2WD, the rear end will fishtail if I go past more than 1/2 throttle below 40 mph.

Alot of the "Modern" super cars are AWD. It has its place, but it does have its pit falls. Weight, high rpm........................................HELL I don't know. I ain't never owned one.
I'm going to bed. Good night all

[This message has been edited by vinny (edited 01-12-2010).]

quote Originally posted by vinny: If I had the money and time and more knowledge I'd be involved with 4 or 5 different projects

I maybe picking up a Z24 coupe come Spring. If I had the tools and the talent, I'd go for a LS1 swap with a tube frame at the least. No extra cash and no talent = it ain't happenin'.

I think I found what you need:

This on SyTy: http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52714

This on AstroSafari: http://www.astrosafarivans....40e6b9af6f1c79d#p415

Both mention the Borg-Warner 4472 transfer case, so I think its safe to assume that they're used in both applications. Another option that could work is any number of Jeep AWD cases, but you'd need an adapter to make them work. I think Novak Adapters has the parts required.

I sold off the AWD transfer case/front differential from my 91 bravada and in the process found that there are 2 versions with the difference being the output shaft splines. Both operate the same and bolt up the same, just there are two different splines.

quote Originally posted by hklvette: I think I found what you need: This on SyTy: http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52714 This on AstroSafari: http://www.astrosafarivans....40e6b9af6f1c79d#p415 Both mention the Borg-Warner 4472 transfer case, so I think its safe to assume that they're used in both applications. Another option that could work is any number of Jeep AWD cases, but you'd need an adapter to make them work. I think Novak Adapters has the parts required.

Another option if a Jeep AWD case is used instead of using an adaptor is to take the drive shafts to a driveline shop and have the appropriate ends put on them. That is much better than an adaptor because the shafts will all be balanced by the driveline shop while an adaptor is likely to cause vibrations.

quote Originally posted by vinny: I don't know is it? The astro van is concidered a "mini" van

I don't know about Mini, smaller than a full size but not mini. I've had 14 Astro and Safari vans in 15 years or so. I have 2 now, My 98 has a LT1 and my wife's 94 has a throttle body 5.7 out of a 95 Pick Up. Around here (No freeways) I got 17-19 MPG with the 4.3s the 5 speed Manual getting almost 20. I get 16 MPG on the LT1 though I put my foot in it most of the time, The TBI got 18.4 MPH. I have many pictures of the installs but have never been able to post them on here. The engine compartment has room for a conventional fan but I run electric fans.

wow you need to figure out how to put those pics up man, very awsome sounding vans... I had a 92 astro back in the day and thought of putting a 450+- HP engine i built and had laying around into the van but never did. If you email me the pics i will post them up for you. I def want to see the pics though!!! tsiconquest88@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by tsiconquest88 (edited 01-12-2010).]