Dunedog's gear swap
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Topic author - I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
Jim, come on back west anytime...we have plenty of wood to split! 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
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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- Retired
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I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
- Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
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.
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.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Bellingham, Wa
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
Great job, and terrific write up.
Jim, how 'bout that throttle response? Just zooms right off the line, doesn't it?
Jim, how 'bout that throttle response? Just zooms right off the line, doesn't it?
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
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)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 704
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:50 am
- Location: Plymouth Township, PA
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
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
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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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:16 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
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.lockdoc wrote:Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
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
The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 686
- Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:22 pm
- Location: Pioneer Valley WMass
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
Going out 14.3 ,but to be fair this was into the teeth of a steady 25 mph headwind,no lie!LaGrasta wrote:MPG?
Return trip mileage was up to 16.74
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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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
Lynne.....Be careful. You're beginning to sound a lot like Peter.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 686
- Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:22 pm
- Location: Pioneer Valley WMass
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
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>lockdoc wrote:Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
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.
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2153
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:45 pm
- Location: Selah, WA
- Contact:
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
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!)
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
-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!
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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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:16 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
Great after this comment and the one Zam made, we now have to enlarge all of our doorways so Deano can fit through.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!)
If you guys think Deano is so great try living with him for 18 years.
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
The 2012 camping season has begun!!!!!!!!
Camping Trip Count for 2011 - 2
Camping Nights Count for 2011 - 4
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
Fire Cakes wrote:Great after this comment and the one Zam made, we now have to enlarge all of our doorways so Deano can fit through.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!)
If you guys think Deano is so great try living with him for 18 years.
Taking totally a man's point of view-look at what poor Dean has had to live with for 18yrs.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
EIGHTEEN YEARS...................You guys were made for each other.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 704
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:50 am
- Location: Plymouth Township, PA
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
You know the funny part? I actually edited what I originally wrote because I left myself too open for comments!Fire Cakes wrote: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.lockdoc wrote: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
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
-
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 686
- Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:22 pm
- Location: Pioneer Valley WMass
Re: Dunedog's gear swap
and where it came from ....
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch