What did you do to/with your van today?

HPbyStan · Post by **HPbyStan** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 1:37 am

oldsmoker wrote:Why do you prefer the the composite springs?

I've put V8s in five Astro vans and the ones with the composite springs were just fine. The LS1 in the '98 with the tin springs kept trying to kill me until I added the very rear anti sway bar that you mentioned here.

97CargoCrawler · Post by **97CargoCrawler** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 1:41 am

Someday I'll start a build thread, but for now here's what I got in the mail recently for my van...

4 Rancho RS9000XL's with MYRIDE system (shocks soon to be flat black):

DCPOWERINC 300SPX 300AMP alternator:

Hopefully this will put out enough juice to run all of my lights and the Tesla Death Ray gun on the roof.

SnoDrtRider · Post by **SnoDrtRider** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 5:23 pm

I did a lot over the past few days so consider this what I did to my Astro this week...

Started the install on a Bulldog Remote Keyless Entry and decided that before I did the install it would be a good idea to un-install the remaining wiring for the alarm system the van had when I purchased it. That took 3-4 hours of making sure the van would start and all the lights/horn and other circuits that the $&#@* who installed the system hacked into would work properly when the extraction was complete.
I had been having a weird delay in starting and that is gone now.

Installed the Remote Keyless Entry...

Replaced all 3 wiper blades...

Replaced the right inboard CV boot...

Removed cleaned, lubricated and re-installed the front caliper slides... (van now stops in a straight path with hands off the wheel)

Made a template to fabricate a proper cup holder to overlay the factory cupholders... (I get a 20oz coffee and it wants to flop out of the original holders)

Used the carpet machine to shampoo the interior...

H2OJoe · Post by **H2OJoe** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 8:24 pm

That is one badass alternator! Also, post some pics when you get those shocks/ride kit installed. Love your van!

1Gary · Post by **1Gary** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:14 pm

97CargoCrawler wrote:Someday I'll start a build thread, but for now here's what I got in the mail recently for my van...

4 Rancho RS9000XL's with MYRIDE system (shocks soon to be flat black):

DCPOWERINC 300SPX 300AMP alternator:

Hopefully this will put out enough juice to run all of my lights and the Tesla Death Ray gun on the roof.

I am interested in the Alt for my Ole Yellar project.I would like some feedback once you have it running if it effects your idle speed while your running your A/C and if it effects your gas mileage.I would guess it take abit of torque to spin it over.

cf100mk5 · Post by **cf100mk5** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:40 pm

Changed my transmission fluid and filter today. Again thank-you to all those that have gone before and posted there tips and tricks

I knew to get the right filter (deep pan) and not to stress if I couldn't get the grommet out easily so I left it in.No leaks and the shifts seem even smoother now.Just as satisfying of a job as when I did my plugs and wires and I know it was done right and with care and I saved money and have peace of mind as a result.Love my van.

LiftedAWDAstro · Post by **LiftedAWDAstro** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:15 am

Just got back from an almost 3,000 mile trip to Indian Shores, Florida. Met up with Skip and Cherie and checked out his 12 bolt rear and rack 'n pinion steering. They treated us to lunch to boot! AWESOME people!

Averaged 16.33 mpg with the van packed running mostly above 70 mph. Saw gas prices between $3.649 and $3.999 on our fill-ups. Had lots of fun doing almost nothing in the 80+ degree sunny days! Perfect vacation!

wkastro · Post by **wkastro** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:10 pm

300 amps might be enough to run all the lights on your rig, cc! Let's see, 12.7V x 300A = 3810W = 5.1 HP, more or less. The alternator end cap is pretty enough all by itself.

T.Low · Post by **T.Low** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:15 pm

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Just got back from an almost 3,000 mile trip to Indian Shores, Florida. Met up with Skip and Cherie and checked out his 12 bolt rear and rack 'n pinion steering. They treated us to lunch to boot! AWESOME people! Averaged 16.33 mpg with the van packed running mostly above 70 mph. Saw gas prices between $3.649 and $3.999 on our fill-ups. Had lots of fun doing almost nothing in the 80+ degree sunny days! Perfect vacation!

Skip is good people.

You must have had a blast in the Florida sun; I know i certainly would have.

SnoDrtRider · Post by **SnoDrtRider** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:08 pm

Built a custom cup holder to make it easier to get a decent sized coffee in without tipping.

T.Low · Post by **T.Low** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 9:51 pm

Great idea, SnoDrt.

Brian brought his Sportsmobile over and we put them on the back patio for a little spring cleaning. Poppped the tops, blew out the dust from last years trips, yada yada yada.

safari kev · Post by **safari kev** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:10 pm

got in an accident :(
some lady decided she didnt want to wait for the car in front of me to turn, and as soon as the car turned, she shot around me on the shoulder, taking off my right front corner in the process (almost hit a parked car on the shoulder as well). She then stopped, got out and looked at her messed up minivan, said "I'm not waiting for the cops" and took off (by the time I got my running board out from around the tire so my van was mobile again, she was long gone). police have her plate # and description (since she stopped and got out of her van). she messed up my running board and right fender really good (she was in a windstar and the back half of the left side was caved in)
hopefully I can somehow track down her insurance info and file a claim (police were able to pull up her name immediately but said they don't have access to insurance info :( ). until then, I have to roll around with a smashed up van. :(

LiftedAWDAstro · Post by **LiftedAWDAstro** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:03 pm

That sucks! She probably took off due to no insurance.

doyoulikeithere · Post by **doyoulikeithere** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:34 pm

Are we allowed to just shoot people like that at the scene? No? Dang it.
Have shotgun, will travel.

krsowles · Post by **krsowles** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:35 pm

SK, That is really too bad! DYLIT, I say shoot her. Why should only the honest people suffer? P.S. Make sure she's dead but let it be slowly so she can suffer. If you here the sirens and she's not gone yet, THEN give her a second! Kelly

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