What did you do to/with your van today?

[gunther]

Thanks!
I’m feeling a little intimidated by what might lie ahead but I’m trying to not let it get to me. I might just pull the front drive shaft for now and wait to fix the TC so I can drive the dern thing.

[MountainManJoe]

I might just pull the front drive shaft for now and wait to fix the TC so I can drive the dern thing.

With a Borg Warner transfer case? No. Don't do that.

I had leaky oil cooler lines. I just cut off the factory crimps and replaced them with double hose clamps. Dry as a bone after.

[Astrophysics]

Hi,

Oil coolant line kit from Dorman is only about $80

It is an awesome kit.

It is well worth restoring the engine oil cooler.
Heat is the enemy of engine oil.
Want 300,000 mile on your v6 4.3 liter motor?
Hook up a new Dorman oil cooler.
Especially for stop and go driving.

Just saying...

AP

[gunther]

With a Borg Warner transfer case? No. Don’t do that.

What would be the issue? I already have the VC so just doing the swap sooner than later wouldn’t break my heart,
I just want to learn.

As for the oil adapter, it’s just the seal that’s leaking right now. Haven’t decided what I want to do about the lines yet because I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before I need to fix them. I saw one mod that looked sensible where you replace the rubber sections with braided lines and the plastic ends at the adapter with some quality steel compression fittings.

[gunther]

Just saying...

I just found this guy

https://www.carparts.com/oil-cooler/hay ... ar%5D=1993

It’s not a dorman but it looks simple and I really like how it has a replacement everything

[Astrophysics]

Hi Gunther,
The Hayden kit Oil cooler is the traditional type that is added to engines for racing. It looks great, with its own dedicated radiator . However, the Astro already has an engine oil cooler that circulates the engine oil from the adapter at the oil filter up to fittings in the core of the main radiator.
Most people add a Hayden separate mini radiator to be Auxiliary transmission cooler. The mini radiator mounts in front of the OEM main radiator.

Note on Astro OEM oil cooler kit from Dorman:
The AWD Astro has the front differential which must be loosened temporarily to move it out of the way to install the new metal coolant lines.
2 WD Astro oil cooler lines much easier.
The OEM Astro uses push in fittings and C clips at radiator core to simply push in the lines, no clamps need. Just push in an listen for the click.

AP

[gunther]

Okay I gotcha. What’s to stop someone from replacing the rigid lines with all rubber ones?

[Astrophysics]

Hi,

The metal lines are better in the sense that they are more compact and are have OEM pre formed shape to fit snug. They do have a rubber center connector to isolate the vibration of the engine oil filter fitting from the fixed radiator.
Look at the Dorman kit to see what I mean. Just google Dorman Astro oil cooler kit.
Or find=d it on Rovk Auto or AutoZone etc or 1A Auto.
AP

[gunther]

I’ve looked at them but was purely just curious. I imagine you’d have to spend a lot of time finding spots to secure rubber hoses.

And speaking of loosening front differential...

I discovered this mounting bracket (I guess that’s what you’d call it?) was broken a few days after I bought the van. It appears that it’s been busted like this for a long time so my question is how high on the to-do list should I put getting this fixed? I couldn’t do the work myself but know a couple people who probably could. As it is I cannot hear or feel any popping/vibrating from this area

If I’m hijacking this thread too much let me know

[Astrophysics]

Howdy,
You should get that=t bracket fixed if you plan to drive in snow or mud or dirt roads where the AWD transfer case send Torque to front wheels.
Some steel mending plate could be welded to mend it, or at least drill and bolt some heavy or medium steel corner brace or L bracket to give it some functionality.

AP

[Astrophysics]

Hi Again,

It looks like you could have the old one welded.

It appears to be an L bracket type brace made from heavy stamped sheet metal.

You could also get a 4x4 shop or machine shop to fabricate a new L bracket from a bit thicker steel.
Maybe 1/8" thick steel.

AP

[Astrophysics]

Hi Again,

It looks like you could have the old one welded.

It appears to be an L bracket type brace made from heavy stamped sheet metal.

You could also get a 4x4 shop or machine shop to fabricate a new L bracket from a bit thicker steel.
Maybe 1/8" thick steel.

AP

[Herbie]

Last weeks work was to tidy up the plumbing on the water tank in the right-rear of the van. That gave me better access to the factory jack area which has been somewhat un-used for a while now.

Finally got my OBA compressor installed into that space this weekend - it's like that area was tailor-made for a Viair-sized unit. I was uncomfortable mounting the compressor under the van - I was worried about dust, water, etc. so this is a good solution. The cavity is plenty oversized anyhow, but with the factory cover removed and a 12v fan to move air through, I feel good about this location.

[Astrophysics]

Hi Herbie,

Very nice use of space for your compressor.

My 2003 4x4 Astro still works great with np231 manual shift t case. And 30 " tires.
The 3.42 axle ratio came stock, and I still hope to change it to 3.73 or 4.10.

AP

[Herbie]

My 2003 4x4 Astro still works great with np231 manual shift t case. And 30 " tires.
The 3.42 axle ratio came stock, and I still hope to change it to 3.73 or 4.10.

For sure. I'm running 245/70-16 (29.7") and I'm thrilled w/ 4.10s.

If I'd had 3.73s, I might have left it, but the change from 3.42 to 4.10 is a massive improvement!