Dunedog's gear swap


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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Jim, come on back west anytime...we have plenty of wood to split! :muhaha: Thanks for the help today.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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SoCalli V8
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by SoCalli V8 »

What a great write-up with excellent pictures.... Well done everyone!

I`m sure that this post will inspire many other members to change the gearing in their vans for some extra performance.
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....

A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
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T.Low
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by T.Low »

Great job, and terrific write up. :cheers:

Jim, how 'bout that throttle response? Just zooms right off the line, doesn't it? \:D/
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LaGrasta
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by LaGrasta »

MPG?
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
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lockdoc
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by lockdoc »

Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van

Fire Cakes
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by Fire Cakes »

lockdoc wrote:Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
It still has nice smooth sides, except where the cladding begins, there are a few cracks where the doors meet the frame but other than that I am sure it still "feels" like a van. :poke: :muhaha:
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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dunedog
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by dunedog »

LaGrasta wrote:MPG?
Going out 14.3 ,but to be fair this was into the teeth of a steady 25 mph headwind,no lie!
Return trip mileage was up to 16.74 :cheers: :cheers:
Last edited by dunedog on Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
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Smiliesafari
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by Smiliesafari »

Lynne.....Be careful. You're beginning to sound a lot like Peter. :muhaha:
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dunedog
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by dunedog »

lockdoc wrote:Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
all kidding aside.... Deano noticed my steering could use some tightening ,....a 1/4 turn on the steering box made an absolute INCREDIBLE difference. Unreal =D>
I was thinking that I had ball joint or rubber suspension parts that were worn. All felt through the wheel when driving over the rustic roads of most of Massachusetts,and then sazam it's fixed.......almost made me as happy as the gear swap. :D
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
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mdmead
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by mdmead »

A great project!

Almost makes it seem like anybody could do it.

(Don't ever leave Dean. The Astro/Safari world would suffer without you!)
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
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Fire Cakes
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by Fire Cakes »

mdmead wrote:A great project!

Almost makes it seem like anybody could do it.

(Don't ever leave Dean. The Astro/Safari world would suffer without you!)
Great after this comment and the one Zam made, we now have to enlarge all of our doorways so Deano can fit through. :yawinkle:

If you guys think Deano is so great try living with him for 18 years. :D
Gearing up for another great camping season :) Camper is re packed and ready to roll.

The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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GEJ
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by GEJ »

Fire Cakes wrote:
mdmead wrote:A great project!

Almost makes it seem like anybody could do it.

(Don't ever leave Dean. The Astro/Safari world would suffer without you!)
Great after this comment and the one Zam made, we now have to enlarge all of our doorways so Deano can fit through. :yawinkle:

If you guys think Deano is so great try living with him for 18 years. :D



Taking totally a man's point of view-look at what poor Dean has had to live with for 18yrs. :yikes: :muhaha: :muhaha:
Call me Gary

1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
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Smiliesafari
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by Smiliesafari »

EIGHTEEN YEARS...................You guys were made for each other. \:D/
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

lockdoc
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by lockdoc »

Fire Cakes wrote:
lockdoc wrote:Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
It still has nice smooth sides, except where the cladding begins, there are a few cracks where the doors meet the frame but other than that I am sure it still "feels" like a van. :poke: :muhaha:
You know the funny part? I actually edited what I originally wrote because I left myself too open for comments!
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
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dunedog
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Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by dunedog »

and where it came from .... :poke:
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
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