Diesel engine in an Astro?
 

has anyone ever put a diesel engine in an astro?

RE: Diesel engine in an Astro?
 

Thanks! Yes, diesel is more expensive but it is not so bad if you factor in the increase in the fuel economy. I have read in forums of big pickups that got 12 mpg with gas engines getting 25 with a cummins 4bt If this works, then, if gas is 2.80 a gallon and diesel is 5.60 a gallon, your operating costs are the same. Diesel now, however is 3.40 a gallon where I live...so would realize a substantial savings. Even more so if you can throw SVO into the van :)

Yes, diesel engines tend to be taller than gas because of the fuel injectors and turbo mechanism. What engines have you considered? Have you considered the Dodge Sprint engine? The Mercedes 5 or 6 cylinder? There are a number of Japanese cars that (outside of the U.S) also came with diesels and am guessing that these are going to be on the smaller side.

Where can I go to learn more about this?

Isuzu Diesel in Safari
 

Hi,
New to the forum and just saw this old post. We own an A/C service company in the Virgin Islands. We have 4 GMC Safari Cargo Vans with Isuzu D-MAX 3.0LS Ddi iTEQ Super Commonrail that uses a 3.0 liter turbodiesel engine, the 4JJ1-TC 2,999cc intercooler turbo DOHC 16 valve i-TEQ with MUA5H 5 speed manual transmissions These vans will pull a house down! St. Thomas is a volcanic mountain island with STEEP inclines, switchbacks etc. These vans perform! The gas engine astros and safaris we have would not come out of 2nd gear with the 3.23's. Second to third is going from 1.63 to 1.00 too wide of a ratio. In those we have 4.56 rear gears now and they work fairly well. Top speed on the island is 35mph so top end or cruising is not a concern. OD is never used in any of the gas vans. All have tranny coolers.
These vans all carry the necessary tools/parts /equipment to service/maintain residential/commercial A/C and Refrigeration. In short....a LOT of weight.

Hi Gary, I'm Steve.
The Safari I'm describing is the Astro Twin. Not a full size van. Surely you know GMC makes the Safari Mini van! They're almost identical to the Astro but for the grille and I think the headlight might be a little different. Google 2006 GMC Safari. We purchased the vans new from a company in Malaysia. They started life in Michigan.
I don't know if Malaysia or some of the other countries like that special ordered them like this or if an aftermarket type shop converted them. I know all labels stickers etc. indicate a factory job. The owners manual is in english and it describes exactly what they are with the diesel, so a factory special order is looking strong.
Some countries can get vehicles from the big three that we can't buy in the U.S. For instance the 4 door full size four wheel drive Chevy/GMC trucks (K1500) were available in Brazil years before the U.S.
Anyway the vans are awesome for what we use them for. Top speed on the island is 35MPH. The terrain is volcanic mountains. 2 lane roads barely wide enough for 2 cars to pass. Incredibly steep inclines, switchbacks etc. We can carry close to the full load cap with no problem.
We searched far and wide for these vans. They're 2006's by the way, bought new in Dec 2007. The Astros and Safaris we had with the 4.3 4L60e and 3.23's would never shift out of 2nd gear. We mostly kept them in 1st. In the 4l60e First gear is 3.08:1, 2nd is 1.63:1. A huge difference.
So we put 4.56's in the rear that increased RPMs by 29.16 %, Increased torque by 29.17. An awesome increase that allows them to finally be able to carry more than the driver, his lunchbox, and a cup of coffee!
The diesel vans with a 5spd is great. Not such a wide ratio, you can control shift points better, and of course the diesel makes all of it's torque and HP at low rpm's.
As soon as I get back to the island I'll post pics. I'm in the U.S. now on a business trip.
Oh and another benefit of the diesel is it can be left idling for extended periods of time allowing use of a power invertor and the A/C can stay on. A big thing when it's always HOT.
Steve

Yes, we definitely want more information. The factory that made these vans shut it's doors May 13, 2005, leaving 2005 as the last model year. I've spent way to much time trying to find Astro/Safaris made in other worldwide plants.

I have a feeling these van's might be re-manufactured with the diesel engines and 5-speed transmissions and then sold with newer model years.

hey
 

wow just stumbled across this thread. is the Diesel Astro van guy back from business tripping?

I'd love to have a diesel astro van!

Safari?Astro in V.I.
 

Hi everyone,

Steve asked me to put something up until he has a chance to take pics and such.

We purchased the vans as 2006's. They are in fact 2005's. Never titled and were sent to a specialty manufacturer in Hong Kong at the request of a giant oil company we're not allowed to name. You can probably guess.
They were originally 4.3 litre A/T. The specialty house put in the brand new engines trans and all conversion necessary and then Hong Kong allowed them to retitle them as new 2006's.

They have Isuzu Imax diesels with a 5 spd floor shifted trans. I don't remember the rear gear but these little vans will pull our 32 foot landscape type trailer loaded with 4 complete A/C units and accessories all over the island. Up the mountains in 3rd and 4th versus always in 1st with the gas auto trans vans. One of them is all wheel drive and has a 4 inch lift. It was used in the field when the oil company had it. Bullet resistant glass and gas tank too! We got them at a big equipment auction in Malaysia. My boss was so happy he would have paid almost anything for them. No one showed interest. He got 4 for $8,350 USD all with less then 4K on the clock. They probably have a lot of hours on them though.

The conversion is done near perfect. If you didn't know it wasn't supposed to be you'd likely not know. Even all info stickers and data plates have been changed to the new engine and controls. There is even an owners manual that looks like GM did it.
In the construction business on the islands here the vans have a sort of celebrity status. Everyone wants one.

GM are you reading this? Some of us still use trucks for trucks not rolling entertainment centers!!! How are we going to carry extreme loads with a front wheel drive soccer van???

Bring back the Astro/Safari especially with a manual shifted diesel. You already have the parts and suppliers.

Some guys in Hong Kong can give you the design.

Hell, Maybe those same guys in Hong Kong could give us the pix also...
I'm calling BULLcough****. Jim

Proof is in the pudding. Jim ;)

heh
 

just from reading the posts i dont see why anyone would lie about something like this ... it does sound strange but the story is very plausible.

then again, it is the internet. ive seen some funny things on the internet :D

im planning to just swap in a new 4.3L, but if a diesel swap is reasonably possible, ill sell off my parts van!