NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Chevrolet Astro

The Chevrolet Astro was a mid-sized van introduced by Chevrolet in 1985 to rival domestic (American) competitors the Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager twins. Also sharing the Astro's truck-based platform was its sibling, the GMC Safari. The Astro and Safari vans were very successful, especially with large families, conversion companies, and commercial companies. Companies liked the vans because they were also available as very roomy cargo vans, while converters used them as the basis for some very desirable small conversion vans. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1114x532, 68 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chevrolet Astro Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Automakers or automobile manufacturers are companies that design and manufacture automobiles. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest car manufacturer. ... Nickname: Monument City, Charm City, Mob Town[1][2], B-more Motto: The Greatest City in America[3], Get in on it. ... The Chevrolet Uplander is a minivan introduced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors, replacing the Venture and Astro. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... It has been suggested that Vehicle size class be merged into this article or section. ... A van is a vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people. ... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... A van is a vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... General Motors used the M-body name internally to refer to its line of badge engineered cars built by Suzuki in the companys Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada factory. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Internal combustion engine. ... The 2500 (or Pontiac 2. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... Vortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... The Ford Aerostar was Fords first attempt at building a minivan, and was introduced as a 1986 model in summer 1985. ... The Toyota Van is a vehicle made by Toyota and available worldwide in a multitude of different versions. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (900x570, 92 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chevrolet Astro Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Internal combustion engine. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... Epicyclic gearing or planetary gearing as used in an automatic transmission. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x556, 101 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chevrolet Astro Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Internal combustion engine. ... Epicyclic gearing or planetary gearing as used in an automatic transmission. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1350x834, 136 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chevrolet Astro ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1350x834, 136 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chevrolet Astro ... Image File history File links GMC_Safari. ... Image File history File links GMC_Safari. ... A mid-size car, frequently referred to as an intermediate, is an automobile with a size between that of a compact and a full-size or standard-size car. ... A van is a vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people. ... Chevrolet (IPA: ÊƒÉ›v. ... The Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan are minivans manufactured by DaimlerChrysler (they were sold by the Chrysler Corporation until 1998). ... The Plymouth Voyager and Plymouth Grand Voyager, Krill mobile were minivans marketed by DaimlerChrysler (they were sold by the Chrysler Corporation until 1998). ... GMC, formerly known as GMC Truck, is a brand name used on trucks, vans, and SUVs marketed in North America and the Middle East by General Motors. ... Conversion vans are built on existing vans such as the Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, Dodge Ram Van, Dodge Sprinter, Ford Econoline, and many other models. ...

Both Pontiac and GMC have used the Safari nameplate (GMC is part of the Pontiac/GMC division); Pontiac used the nameplate on several of its station wagon models from 1955 through 1989. The two Safaris, both Pontiac and GMC, were on the market together (often sold by the same dealerships!) from 1985 through 1989. This article concerns the automobile; for the Native American leader, see Chief Pontiac, for other uses see the disambiguation page. ... Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ...

Most people refer to the Astro as a minivan, although it slotted in size between the Chevrolet Venture/Lumina APV unibody minivan and the full-size Chevy Express. Similar to the Ford Aerostar, it was based on a traditional truck frame. A lot of people agree that since the van is so large, its true classification would be considered a mid-size, or "midi" van, like the Toyota Van or Ford Aerostar. The Chevrolet Venture was a minivan marketed by General Motors from 1997 to 2005 model years. ... The Chevrolet Lumina APV was a minivan, produced by General Motors for the 1990 to 1996 model years. ... Monocoque (French for single shell) or unibody is a construction technique that uses the external skin of an object to support some or most of the load on the structure. ... 93 Pontiac Trans Sport minivan A minivan, minibus, people carrier, multi utility vehicle (MUV), or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is a type of vehicle which has a body that resembles a van, but which has rear side doors, rear side windows, and interior fittings to accommodate passengers similar to a... General Motors has made many vans for North America, encompassing several platforms and nameplates. ... The Toyota Van is a vehicle made by Toyota and available worldwide in a multitude of different versions. ... The Ford Aerostar was Fords first attempt at building a minivan, and was introduced as a 1986 model in summer 1985. ...

Due to their truck-based platform, the Astro and Safari were oriented more for cargo and towing; a properly-equipped Astro could pull 6,000 lb with ease. This is opposed to the car-based, front-wheel drive minivans which are considered more passenger-friendly but do not have the ability to pull as much weight (3,500 lb is the usual maximum among these).

Initial advertising boasted that it was a vehicle that will "make you realize that life is too big for a minivan", referring to the Chrysler minivans. Its specifications included a 160 to 190 hp (119 to 142 kW) V6 engine, depending on options and/or model year. It seated up to 8 passengers with optional towing capabilities. 93 Pontiac Trans Sport minivan A minivan, minibus, people carrier, multi utility vehicle (MUV), or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is a type of vehicle which has a body that resembles a van, but which has rear side doors, rear side windows, and interior fittings to accommodate passengers similar to a... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The watt (symbol: W) is the SI derived unit of power, equal to one joule per second. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... An engine is something that produces some effect from a given input. ...

In addition to being sold in North America, it was exported to Japan, where the van enjoys a cult following. In 2005, to celebrate the last year of Astro production, Chevrolet of Japan offered a limited edition run of the final production models. The Astro's popularity in Japan was despite the fact that it was only offered in left-hand drive. World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ...

Chassis features

Much like the second-generation GM F-body and X-body vehicles, the GM M-van (Astro/Safari) had a bolt-on subframe incorporating the front suspension from a GM B-body station wagon (Chevrolet Caprice, Cadillac Brougham) with a leaf-spring rear suspension. The lower ball joints were larger than their B-body counterparts, however. These ball joints were later used in the final Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 (police package) cars manufactured in 1995 and 1996. They also shared many mechanical similarities to the GMT 325/330 midsize S/T Pickup/Utilities. The F platform, or F-body, was General Motors less-expensive rear wheel drive automobile platform from the 1967 until 2002. ... There have been two X-body automobile platforms from General Motors. ... The B platform, or B-body, was General Motors full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform. ... 1972 Chevrolet Caprice 1976 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Landau Australian-designed and built 2001 Chevrolet Caprice, for Middle Eastern markets and based on the Holden Statesman The Chevrolet Caprice (later called Caprice Classic) was a series name of automobile produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, in the United States... The Cadillac Brougham was the last rear wheel drive Cadillac in the 1990s. ... The B platform, or B-body, was General Motors full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform. ... GMT is the name used for all of General Motors large SUV/truck automobile platforms. ...

As mentioned above, the Astro and Safari were rear-wheel drive vehicles, but in 1990 a new full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) system, designed and developed by FF Developments (FFD)^[1], was made optional. This would prove popular in areas where snow was common, giving an extra measure of traction. By the end of the vans' run, many buyers were selecting all-wheel drive despite the significant penalty in fuel economy (17 miles per gallon highway versus 20-21 for rear-drive vans). This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Four wheel drive or 4x4, is a type of four wheeled vehicle drivetrain configuration that enables all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously in order to provide maximum traction. ... FF Developments Limited (FFD) was a British company founded by Major A.P.R. (Tony) Rolt to exploit 4WD technology, Rolt had worked as Technical Director at Harry Ferguson Research for many years[1]. According to Wards Auto World[2] the influence that FFD had on all wheel drive...

Hundreds of instances of front torsion bar failure in the AWD suspension were reported to NSHTA. The torsion bars failed without warning resulting in bottoming of the suspension. Repair required replacement of both torsion bar assemblies with upgraded designs at a cost of about $1000. No fatalities were reported which probably explains why there was never a recall. Premature idler arm wear on the AWD front suspection is a common problem.

Also in 1990 a new dash was introduced along with the availability of a long-wheelbase model. In 1996, the model was facelifted with another new dash and an extended nose which resembled the new full-size Express vans. The vans remained mostly unchanged until cancelled in 2005.

In 2003, GM upgraded the chassis of both the Astro and Safari with certain suspension components, larger brakes and six-lug 16 in wheels borrowed from the full-size Chevrolet and GMC half-ton pickup trucks. The modifications improved the poor handling and braking of the vans.

End of the line

Faced with falling sales across its many vehicle lines, General Motors began closing plants and discontinuing slow-selling vehicle lines. With new federal standards for side impact and head injury reductions coming, GM determined that there was no use in expending money for a redesign of a vehicle line that was no longer selling well. Thus, the Safari and Astro were taken out of production in 2005, and the long-serving Baltimore, Maryland assembly plant where both were built was closed. It was the only mid-sized van which was produced for 20 model years - a longer run than its rival, the Ford Aerostar, which ceased production in 1997. In total, the Baltimore plant produced approximately 3,700,000 Astro and Safari vans. General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest car manufacturer. ... Nickname: Monument City, Charm City, Mob Town[1][2], B-more Motto: The Greatest City in America[3], Get in on it. ... The Ford Aerostar was Fords first attempt at building a minivan, and was introduced as a 1986 model in summer 1985. ...

In the Chevrolet line, the Astro was replaced by the Chevrolet Uplander "crossover sport van", which also replaced the Chevrolet Venture. Like the Astro, the Uplander is available in cargo and passenger versions, although it is generally not as utilitarian as the Astro, because it is a front-wheel drive unibody vehicle, some see it as less durable for heavy-duty work. Buyers looking for a commercial or industrial use van tended to purchase the larger Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana, while those looking for a personal transport or recreational van purchased the new Uplander. GMC has replaced the Safari with their Acadia 7-passenger crossover SUV for 2007. The Chevrolet Uplander is a minivan introduced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors, replacing the Venture and Astro. ... The Chevrolet Venture was a minivan marketed by General Motors from 1997 to 2005 model years. ... Monocoque (French for single shell) or unibody is a construction technique that uses the external skin of an object to support some or most of the load on the structure. ... The GM G-Series (Rear wheel drive) and H-Series (All Wheel Drive) vans, the Chevrolet Express and its twin the GMC Savana, are full-size vans from General Motors. ... The Chevrolet Express (or E-Series) is a full-size van from General Motors. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Honda CR-V is a crossover SUV based on the Honda Civic platform. ...

Unsafe at any speed?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which is known for its testing of vehicles and results that are often shown on NBC's Dateline television news program, gave the Astro a "poor" rating in 1996 because of what by all appearances was a horrifying display of structural failure in the Institute's 40-mph crash test into a fixed, offset barrier. The underbody of the test van buckled, pitching both front seats forward and shoving the crash dummy into the dashboard and steering wheel, leading the Institute to comment that "The collapse of the occupant compartment left little survival space for the driver." Image File history File links Astrobad. ... Image File history File links Astrobad. ... The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers. ... NBC (an abbreviation for National Broadcasting Company, its former corporate name) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... Dateline is the name of current affairs television shows: Dateline NBC, a United States show on the NBC network. ... Structural failure refers to loss of the load-carying capacity of a component or member within the structure or of the structure itself. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A modern road cars steering wheel Steering wheels from different periods A steering wheel is a type of steering control used in most modern land vehicles, including all mass-production automobiles. ...

In testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), however, the Astro and Safari fared better, improving from a single-star rating in 1990 to a three-star (driver) and four-star (passenger) rating by 1999. In side impacts, the Astro and Safari both received the highest, five-star, rating in every year that the test was administered. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, often pronounced nit-suh) is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government, part of the Department of Transportation. ...

It does appear, when one considers the results of every test that has been conducted on them, that the Astro and Safari are no less safe than other vans of similar size^{[citation needed]}. The IIHS ratings of the Astro they tested in 1996 did not incite a major outcry among the public, although GM did continue to make small improvements to the vans as evidenced by the improved NHTSA test ratings just three years later^{[citation needed]}.

Despite the improvements borne out in the 1999 and subsequent NHTSA tests, the IIHS never tested another Astro, preferring instead to continue highlighting their test of a model that had been improved upon with regard to safety over nine succeeding model years^{[citation needed]}.

Popularity with modifiers

In addition to their popularity as conversion vans, the Astro and Safari both have popular followings with "back yard" modifiers, especially in California. Modifications are both street and offroad, and many owners prefer to replace the 4.3L Vortec V6 engine with a small-block V8 engine, most commonly the 350-cubic-inch version. It is an easy fit, as the original V6 is based on the small-block V8, and most of the factory drivetrain components can be used. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1015 KB) Chevy Astro modified with the addition of a locomotive horn and bell. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1015 KB) Chevy Astro modified with the addition of a locomotive horn and bell. ... Conrail locomotive equipped with a Leslie model S3L air horn. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area Ranked 3rd - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 kmÂ²) - Width 250 miles (400 km) - Length 770 miles (1,240 km) - % water 4. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... For other uses of the term, see Small block (disambiguation). ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration, although modern automotive versions use a 90 degree block angle. ...

Because of its truck based design, the Astro also is popular with some off road and camping enthusiasts. The combination of a powerful drivetrain, large cargo and passenger space, all-wheel drive and stock G80 locking differential for the rear axle make this van desirable for off road modifications. With little effort the suspension can be lifted providing for larger tires and clearance with relatively small overall change in looks. A locking differential or locker is a modified type of automotive differential. ...

The Astro and its Safari counterpart are extremely popular in the Toronto, Canada area with teenagers, where they are known by the name "Bangbus".

Engines

The 2500 (or Pontiac 2. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The 2500 (or Pontiac 2. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... Vortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ...

External links

Categories: Articles with unsourced statements since February 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | Chevrolet vehicles | All wheel drive vehicles | Rear wheel drive vehicles | Vans | 1980s automobiles | 1990s automobiles | 2000s automobiles Chevrolet (IPA: ÊƒÉ›v. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest car manufacturer. ... Mini SUV is a class of small sport utility vehicles which are more or less under 4,15 m long. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Suzuki Escudo. ... Chevrolet Tracker The Geo Tracker was a small SUV from the 1990s. ... The Chevrolet HHR (for Heritage High Roof) is a retro-look compact crossover SUV launched by the Chevrolet division of General Motors at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2006 model. ... The Honda CR-V is a crossover SUV based on the Honda Civic platform. ... The Chevrolet Equinox is a mid-size crossover SUV from Chevrolet, introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year to replace the Tracker. ... A fourth-generation (2006-) Ford Explorer, the best-selling mid-size SUV in the United States A sport utility vehicle, or SUV, is a passenger vehicle which combines the towing capability of a pickup truck with the passenger-carrying space of a sedan. ... The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer (4WD model T-10) and the similar GMC S-15 Jimmy (4WD model T-15) were mid-size SUVs from General Motors. ... The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer (4WD model T-10) and the similar GMC S-15 Jimmy (4WD model T-15) were mid-size SUVs from General Motors. ... The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a mid-size SUV from the Chevrolet division of General Motors. ... GMC K5 Jimmy The K5 Blazer was the smallest full size SUV version of the General Motors C/K Trucks family. ... GMC K5 Jimmy The K5 Blazer was the smallest full size SUV version of the General Motors C/K Trucks family. ... The cc Chevrolet Tahoe (and similar GMC Yukon) is a full-size SUV from General Motors. ... The cc Chevrolet Tahoe (and similar GMC Yukon) is a full-size SUV from General Motors. ... The cc Chevrolet Tahoe (and similar GMC Yukon) is a full-size SUV from General Motors. ... The Chevrolet Suburban is a large sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet. ... The Chevrolet Suburban is a large sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet. ... The Chevrolet Suburban is a large sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet. ... The Chevrolet Suburban is a large sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet. ... Mazda compact Pickup truck with extended cabin and homebuilt lumber rack. ... 2002 S10 With ZR2 Offroad Package The Chevrolet S-10 (and similar GMC S-15 and Sonoma) was a compact pickup truck from the Chevrolet marque of General Motors. ... 2002 S10 With ZR2 Offroad Package The Chevrolet S-10 (and similar GMC S-15 and Sonoma) was a compact pickup truck from the Chevrolet marque of General Motors. ... The Chevrolet Colorado and its counterpart the GMC Canyon are General Motors new compact pickup truck, replacing the Chevrolet S10 and GMC Sonoma in 2004. ... Facelifted GMT400 Chevrolet C/K Chevrolet C/K Sierra The C/K was the name for Chevrolets full-size pickup truck line from 1962 until 1998 and GMCs full-size pickup line from 1962-1988. ... Facelifted GMT400 Chevrolet C/K Chevrolet C/K Sierra The C/K was the name for Chevrolets full-size pickup truck line from 1962 until 1998 and GMCs full-size pickup line from 1962-1988. ... The Chevrolet Silverado from Chevrolet and its GMC counterpart, the GMC Sierra, are the latest line of full-size pickup trucks from General Motors. ... The Chevrolet Silverado from Chevrolet and its GMC counterpart, the GMC Sierra, are the latest line of full-size pickup trucks from General Motors. ... The Chevrolet El Camino, (El Camino, spanish for The Road) A car built by Chevrolet in the United States, was produced in response to the success of the rival Ford Ranchero. ... The Chevrolet Avalanche is Chevrolets top-of-the-line sport utility vehicle. ... The Chevrolet Avalanche is Chevrolets top-of-the-line sport utility vehicle. ... 2004 Chevrolet SSR The Chevrolet SSR is a convertible pickup truck produced from 2003 through 2006. ... 93 Pontiac Trans Sport minivan A minivan, minibus, people carrier, multi utility vehicle (MUV), or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is a type of vehicle which has a body that resembles a van, but which has rear side doors, rear side windows, and interior fittings to accommodate passengers similar to a... The Chevrolet Lumina APV was a minivan, produced by General Motors for the 1990 to 1996 model years. ... The Chevrolet Venture was a minivan marketed by General Motors from 1997 to 2005 model years. ... The Chevrolet Uplander is a minivan introduced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors, replacing the Venture and Astro. ... A van is a vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people. ... 1996 GMC Vandura The GMC Vandura, also sold as the Chevy Van, was a full-size van produced by GMC from 1970 (introduced in April 1970 as 1971 models), up until 1996. ... The GM G-Series (Rear wheel drive) and H-Series (All Wheel Drive) vans, the Chevrolet Express and its twin the GMC Savana, are full-size vans from General Motors. ...

Contents

End of the line

Unsafe at any speed?

Popularity with modifiers

Engines

External links