HELP! Thinking of buying a 2000 safari SLE
BW999
02-27-2006, 04:00 PM
Thinking of buying a 2000 safari SLE. 72,500 mi. I drove it. The front tires look like the front end needs an allignement Is the front suspension weak? I hear the brakes need to be replaced frequently. How hard is it to replace the shock absorbers? Anything else?
spike88
03-04-2006, 08:11 AM
We've own 2 different Safaris. A 1995 2wd and our current 2001 AWD.
Regarding your questions...
- Front shocks are easy to change. If getting new front shocks, I'd recommend Bliesten brand of shocks. Many folks get this brand of shocks for heavy trailering. But for every day solo use, the folks are pleased with its ride comfort. To me, the suspension on the Safari/Astro vans are under build. Meaning they are strong supporst but the factory ride is too mushy.
- Improper worn out front tires do indicate a need for alignment. Replace with new rubber, check all steering / ball joints (replace if necessary), adjust the front height via torsion bar adjustments (if needed), then get a front end alignment.
- The front ends of the 2 and 4 wheel versions are vary strong. To me, the only weak part in the steering is a the bar that goes from the steering box to the rack bar. The joints in this 12-15" bar does tend to wear out much faster then the other steering parts. In our last van, we had to replace one of these bars.
If into towing utility trailers (1,500 lbs PLUS) and/or loading down the rear cargo area, I would recommend adding +1 leaf to its rear suspension, raise the front by 1" to compensate from the rear being raise 1-2", then go for a front end alignment. To firm up the rear supension even more, folks also install air bags or Timbren product. Each will work. The +1 leaf is used to eliminate factory mush rear suspension when running solo.
If the 2000 Safari van you are looking at (with 72,500 miles) has very little rust, interior looks great and the engine sounds great and its price is within fair market value, then "go for it". With new front tires, maybe a +1 leaf spring in the rear and better shocks all round, it's worth buying.
If they still made the Safari line, I'd buy another. That's how pleased I am with this brand of vehicle. From a HP perspective, sure wish they would have replaced with 4.3L with a V6 Diesel. Thus, 30% more "pulling power" under the hood (with the same size engine) and she'd be able to pull much more. Oh well, too bad GM didn't think of this idea.
Hope this helps...
.
Regarding your questions...
- Front shocks are easy to change. If getting new front shocks, I'd recommend Bliesten brand of shocks. Many folks get this brand of shocks for heavy trailering. But for every day solo use, the folks are pleased with its ride comfort. To me, the suspension on the Safari/Astro vans are under build. Meaning they are strong supporst but the factory ride is too mushy.
- Improper worn out front tires do indicate a need for alignment. Replace with new rubber, check all steering / ball joints (replace if necessary), adjust the front height via torsion bar adjustments (if needed), then get a front end alignment.
- The front ends of the 2 and 4 wheel versions are vary strong. To me, the only weak part in the steering is a the bar that goes from the steering box to the rack bar. The joints in this 12-15" bar does tend to wear out much faster then the other steering parts. In our last van, we had to replace one of these bars.
If into towing utility trailers (1,500 lbs PLUS) and/or loading down the rear cargo area, I would recommend adding +1 leaf to its rear suspension, raise the front by 1" to compensate from the rear being raise 1-2", then go for a front end alignment. To firm up the rear supension even more, folks also install air bags or Timbren product. Each will work. The +1 leaf is used to eliminate factory mush rear suspension when running solo.
If the 2000 Safari van you are looking at (with 72,500 miles) has very little rust, interior looks great and the engine sounds great and its price is within fair market value, then "go for it". With new front tires, maybe a +1 leaf spring in the rear and better shocks all round, it's worth buying.
If they still made the Safari line, I'd buy another. That's how pleased I am with this brand of vehicle. From a HP perspective, sure wish they would have replaced with 4.3L with a V6 Diesel. Thus, 30% more "pulling power" under the hood (with the same size engine) and she'd be able to pull much more. Oh well, too bad GM didn't think of this idea.
Hope this helps...
.
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