Have had RWD and (1) AWD Astro................AWD sucks with gas mileage @ 9-10 mpg. After driving the RWD's and getting 20-22 mpg.........I thought I would order an AWD.........drove it for nine months and go a full size van.......because the it get s the same mileage with more cargo space

Trannys,rear ends,rear springs and idler arms. You will be replacing them in the life of an astro van, We service a fleet of them and every one eats idler arms every 30,000 miles. Every one ate at least one tranny and most have done a rear end in. As Twinn29 said,they are under sprung and need one more leaf to be a work truck but thats cheap to do. Count on at least one fuel pump failure too and thats not cheap!

Tinker

If you can get off of the Astro/Safari idea, I can save you a bunch of money on a much better van for HVAC work. I'm in the rental business and sell off my units every 6 months directly to dealers or at dealer auctions. Currently I can off you a 2003 Ford E-150, 6 Cyl., Auto, PS, PB, PW, PLKS, Air, mileage in the teens and in white, with factory warranty for $14,900. If interested PM me. This is a wholesale price. Check around.