Hi from Anchorage
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:49 pm
I've been lurking on your site since I bought my 2003 Astro AWD in April of 2006. I appreciate the wealth of information. My Astro is stock except I removed the rear seat and built a platform/bed the same height as the folded middle seat. Most of the time, the middle seat is up, so I have seating for 5. When traveling, I fold the middle seat down, unfold the futon mattress....and I have a nice bed with plenty of storage underneath. I also bought a roll of foil bubble wrap insulation and cut out templates for all the windows. In the winter, it takes me about 4 minutes to put the insulation up, and I have a cozy camper good down to 0 degrees F (-17C).
I just retired, and as soon as I sell my townhouse, I'll be moving to Colorado (I like winter, it's just that Anchorage has a little TOO MUCH winter). I'll be towing a trailer and loading up the van again, so I just invested in Timbren SES springs for the front and rear of my van. I'll try to get a write up of the install in the suspension section (quick review....I like them: The fronts firm up the ride, I can feel the road much better, reduced front end dive while braking, and not so much top-heavy van roll in turns. I don't even know the rears are there. Install: Rears are easy and take 5-10 minutes per side. Fronts are a little more interesting. I'd say 30-40 minutes per side).
Thanks for all your help.
I just retired, and as soon as I sell my townhouse, I'll be moving to Colorado (I like winter, it's just that Anchorage has a little TOO MUCH winter). I'll be towing a trailer and loading up the van again, so I just invested in Timbren SES springs for the front and rear of my van. I'll try to get a write up of the install in the suspension section (quick review....I like them: The fronts firm up the ride, I can feel the road much better, reduced front end dive while braking, and not so much top-heavy van roll in turns. I don't even know the rears are there. Install: Rears are easy and take 5-10 minutes per side. Fronts are a little more interesting. I'd say 30-40 minutes per side).
Thanks for all your help.