Dunedog's gear swap


Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Jim, come on back west anytime...we have plenty of wood to split! :muhaha: 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
User avatar

SoCalli V8
Retired
Retired
I plan to be buried in my van
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

Post by SoCalli V8 »

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.
`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
User avatar

T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
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

Post by T.Low »

Great job, and terrific write up. :cheers:

Jim, how 'bout that throttle response? Just zooms right off the line, doesn't it? \:D/
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

LaGrasta
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 724
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:07 pm
Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by LaGrasta »

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

lockdoc
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 704
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:50 am
Location: Plymouth Township, PA

Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by lockdoc »

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

Fire Cakes
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by Fire Cakes »

lockdoc wrote:Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
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. :poke: :muhaha:
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
User avatar

dunedog
I sleep in my 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

Post by dunedog »

LaGrasta wrote:MPG?
Going out 14.3 ,but to be fair this was into the teeth of a steady 25 mph headwind,no lie!
Return trip mileage was up to 16.74 :cheers: :cheers:
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
User avatar

Smiliesafari
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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

Post by Smiliesafari »

Lynne.....Be careful. You're beginning to sound a lot like Peter. :muhaha:
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
User avatar

dunedog
I sleep in my 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

Post by dunedog »

lockdoc wrote:Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
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>
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. :D
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
User avatar

mdmead
I plan to be buried in my van
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

Post by mdmead »

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!)
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!

Fire Cakes
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 306
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by Fire Cakes »

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!)
Great after this comment and the one Zam made, we now have to enlarge all of our doorways so Deano can fit through. :yawinkle:

If you guys think Deano is so great try living with him for 18 years. :D
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
User avatar

GEJ
I plan to be buried in my van
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

Post by GEJ »

Fire Cakes wrote:
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!)
Great after this comment and the one Zam made, we now have to enlarge all of our doorways so Deano can fit through. :yawinkle:

If you guys think Deano is so great try living with him for 18 years. :D



Taking totally a man's point of view-look at what poor Dean has had to live with for 18yrs. :yikes: :muhaha: :muhaha:
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.
User avatar

Smiliesafari
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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

Post by Smiliesafari »

EIGHTEEN YEARS...................You guys were made for each other. \:D/
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

lockdoc
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 704
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:50 am
Location: Plymouth Township, PA

Re: Dunedog's gear swap

Post by lockdoc »

Fire Cakes wrote:
lockdoc wrote:Awesome job to all involved! I'd love to see how the van feels now.
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. :poke: :muhaha:
You know the funny part? I actually edited what I originally wrote because I left myself too open for comments!
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
User avatar

dunedog
I sleep in my 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

Post by dunedog »

and where it came from .... :poke:
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
Post Reply