Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

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mdmead
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Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by mdmead »

That's right!

Big block power...

Stainless steel headers...

High-flow stainless steel exhaust...

Cold air intake...

Aftermarket tranny controller...

Better-than-Tramper living accomodations...



















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OK, so it isn't an Astro/Safari... And yes, some will wince that it is a Ford!

My wife has been lobbying hard for a motorhome for the past couple of season. I finally agreed for a couple of reason. First, I was tired of spending 20 minutes or more setting up/taking down our tent trailer during our camping trips. Second, after recently purchasing three ATVs, I can't haul them and tow the tent trailer too. So my wife won!

I was looking for a few things in a motorhome. One, it had to be a Class C as I wanted the front cabover sleeping section. (It will also be less imtimidating for my wife to drive.) Two, I wanted a rear bedroom. And three, I wanted to keep the length reasonably short since I plan on towing a trailer or 'dingy'.

Our find is a 24ft '95 Yellowstone (by Gulfstream). It has a 460 V-8 with a four speed automatic. 34,000 miles on it. We really lucked out in that it has a full Banks system installed which means headers, exhaust, air intake and transmission controller. It's not lacking for power and cruises effortlessly at 70+ and climbed a local pass at 60-65 mph in direct (3rd) without pushing it.

As for livability, it has a built-in generator, ducted heat, roof A/C and built-in microwave.

The motorhome is in great shape, but not 100%. We found the microwave isn't working and the 80% treaded Michelins need replacing due to weather checking. But overall we are.... wait for it....

HAPPY CAMPERS!! :bounce:
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
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!
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GEJ
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by GEJ »

Cool Matt. =D> Might want to post pics of the inside when you get a chance.


Btw:take a peek at this site:

http://www.iRV2.com

Lots of good info for this unit there.
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Congrats Matt and Mrs. Matt! :bounce: Too bad it's a Ford and it is only a 460 so yeah Peter still has it on ya! :poke:
Current rides:
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2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

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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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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by dunedog »

Yes,and I did notice all the 'old folk' step on the rig :poke: they'll be handy........buy you'll need a skyjack to get your butt up to the NASCAR corral :swords: ..........

Hey,good for you guys....congrads :cheers:
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by Smiliesafari »

That's the perfect size. You'll have a great time camping with it. There's so many places you just can't go with anything bigger. :supz:
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by Cobra »

sure does look like it'll be fun especially if you have ATV's
congrats
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by T.Low »

Wow, and to have the wife "push" for a motorhome, sweet! YEah, the cab over sleeping accomodations is really cool. You guys are going to have way too much fun.

Expeditionportal.com has threads on 4wd conversions!
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by mdmead »

T.Low wrote: Expeditionportal.com has threads on 4wd conversions!
Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind....

But obviously I need to get another project finished first..... :whistle:
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
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!

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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by astrozam »

Nice, now I see why you were not wasting money on snow boots for the Mrs, you obviously had bigger fish to fry,LOL...

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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by Rebel »

Matt,,,like it a bunch man. When ya coming down south for some fried cat fish and hush puppies ?
You guys will have a ball with that. :bounce:
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by peter »

What I wanna know is what this puppy does in the quarter.....? :whistle:

She looks great regardless of the fact that you sold out to the "other" team. Deano and you are now the Judas couple! But another thing dawnded on me as I marveled at your latest acquisition. I imagine that you'll finally be able to join us at this summers NECO. You know, now that you're equipped for the trip! :bounce: :bounce:
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by mdmead »

peter wrote: What I wanna know is what this puppy does in the quarter.....? :whistle:
It's no slouch. I'm amazed at how it steps off when the light turns green and it climbs mountains easily. It certainly is a great match for the weight it is hauling.
peter wrote: She looks great regardless of the fact that you sold out to the "other" team. Deano and you are now the Judas couple!
In my defense, I've owned my Ford Super Duty pickup since '00. It's not like I'm just now "selling out"!
peter wrote:But another thing dawnded on me as I marveled at your latest acquisition. I imagine that you'll finally be able to join us at this summers NECO. You know, now that you're equipped for the trip! :bounce: :bounce:
I'm still trying to figure out how to get to a NECO. But honestly, when I get there, it has to be in my van.

And Rebel, we are hoping to make a circle of the U.S. one of these summers. When the time comes, we'll look you and many other ASV folks up if we are going to be close.

Thanks to everyone else for the great comments. I'll post up some interior pics shortly.
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
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by cd0156 »

That's right!

Big block power...

Stainless steel headers...

High-flow stainless steel exhaust...

Cold air intake...

Aftermarket tranny controller...

Better-than-Tramper living accomodations...

...and big blue oval on the grille.. :poke:

..just had to throw that in there..


Nice RV though!!
1999 Astro 4WD
NP231c Transfer Case Conversion, Custom Shifter and Front Driveshaft, 31x10.5x15 BFG AllTerrain, Custom Warn Front Bumper, DHC Rockrails, Superwinch 5000lb winch, Warn Spotlights and Flood lights on Custom Mounts, Thule Roof Racks Safari Rack and Kayak Racks, Alpine Touchscreen AM/FM/XM/CD/DVD/iPod, Eclipse Amps, Focal Utopia Component Speakers, Alpine TypeR 12" Subs, and probably lots more I am forgetting.... seems to happen more and more these days...
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by mdmead »

cd0156 wrote:
...and big blue oval on the grille.. :poke:

..just had to throw that in there..

You make that sound like a bad thing.... :whistle:
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
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!
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mdmead
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Re: Big Block Van? Petey's Got Nothin' On Me!

Post by mdmead »

GEJ wrote:Might want to post pics of the inside when you get a chance.
OK, so these aren't very timely. I actually just got around to snapping these pics last week.

The interior features a queen-sized bed in back, a dinette that folds into a double bed, and a king-sized bed over the cab.
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A full bath with a shower on one side and toilet and sink on the other seperates the rear bedroom from the forward living quarters.
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The kitchen consists of a small double sink, range, a gas/electric refrigerator and a microwave oven.
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Last edited by mdmead on Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
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
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!
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