What did you do to/with your van today?

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MountainManJoe
Sheriff
Sheriff
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Location: The Pacific North Wet

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by MountainManJoe »

I reached the quarter-million mark driving home from Mt. Baker!
250,000km.jpg
In reality, it's a bit more than that. I've had the bigger tires since 195,000km. Original motor and tranny, running strong. No major repairs yet! (Knock on wood). I've owned it since 172,000km.
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SnoDrtRider
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
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Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:14 am

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by SnoDrtRider »

Last Friday my van took me and my motorcycle to the cabin.

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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: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

My van almost didn't start yesterday and again today when I went to leave from work. Started fine in the morning though. Just cranking over with no firing...guess I got to start troubleshooting! :muhaha:
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

safari kev
I finally get the smurf thing
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:13 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by safari kev »

hit 175k miles
Image
00 safari high top explorer conversion. "shagfari" 235xxx miles on body. 242k on junkyard Jimmy motor.
94 safari hi-top explorer limited. 132k miles.
95 ASTRO choo choo conv. RIP @115K
97 safari slx "surfin' safari" 145k miles RIP
91 safari shorty Tiara conversion. RIP
86 cadillac fleetwood brougham. 67k. It thinks its a hot rod.
83 lesabre limited. 71k miles
66+68 toronados
66 Riviera

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: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:My van almost didn't start yesterday and again today when I went to leave from work. Started fine in the morning though. Just cranking over with no firing...guess I got to start troubleshooting! :muhaha:
Bought a fuel pressure tester and found the fuel pump was working...then died! Just waiting on the new one to arrive. Then I need to pull the front diff and swap in the 4.10's.
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

safari kev
I finally get the smurf thing
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:13 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by safari kev »

van went in for new frotn calipers (mine were sticking) and hoses.
also, it hit 176k today.
00 safari high top explorer conversion. "shagfari" 235xxx miles on body. 242k on junkyard Jimmy motor.
94 safari hi-top explorer limited. 132k miles.
95 ASTRO choo choo conv. RIP @115K
97 safari slx "surfin' safari" 145k miles RIP
91 safari shorty Tiara conversion. RIP
86 cadillac fleetwood brougham. 67k. It thinks its a hot rod.
83 lesabre limited. 71k miles
66+68 toronados
66 Riviera
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doyoulikeithere
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by doyoulikeithere »

As I drove to my GT work today, I contemplated giving the GT to my 16 year old son.
I'm buying a TPI Camaro tommorow...
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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1Gary
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:18 am

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by 1Gary »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:My van almost didn't start yesterday and again today when I went to leave from work. Started fine in the morning though. Just cranking over with no firing...guess I got to start troubleshooting! :muhaha:
Dean.Where you go??. :poke:
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

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: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Between camping, a little getaway with Lynne and work I haven't even touched it. I am going to start jacking the van up and lubing bolts tonight so I can swap the pump tomorrow.
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
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1Gary
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 2743
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:18 am

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by 1Gary »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Between camping, a little getaway with Lynne and work I haven't even touched it. I am going to start jacking the van up and lubing bolts tonight so I can swap the pump tomorrow.
Dean.How much gas you got in it??. :-k Maybe Ben could help out.Might just me.I found out the longer outside studs are easier to reinstall.If you end up splicing a output line,remember to get fuel injection hose and clamps.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by ihatemybike »

Took Grumpy wheeling with the Jeeps at Bundy Hill Off Road Park in Michigan this weekend.
Image

My wife in her Liberty with a little three wheel action.
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Victim of a tree stump ninja attack.
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Van did really great. Really impressed with how much the limited slip rear differential allowed the van to get though things on street tires.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86

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: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Nice pics Aaron! Makes me miss wheeling even more!

Got the pump swapped in and she purrs like a kitten. Very easy install and the pump built pressure to 60 psi as soon as the key was on. Holds steady pressure at 55 psi when the key is off. :bounce: Still need to do the front diff but that can wait until into September. August has us camping 14 nights and I work at least 14 days a month...That only leaves a day or 2 to work OT or do nothing!
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

1Gary
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 2743
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:18 am

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by 1Gary »

Well Dean maybe you got old inventory.The main reason behind my reply is tell what AC Delco told me................I am very certain about that which I think members should know about that.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by ihatemybike »

My wife uploaded her pics today.

Grumpy three wheeling. I was leading the group at this point and got the van pitched forward quite a bit. Even though I made it through the rest of the group continued on towards a slightly easier line.
Image

The boxy vehicles playing follow the leader.
Image

Being led down into a small rock garden.
Image

Working our best not to slide into the rut.
Image
Image
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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Vanjoe
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:54 pm
Location: Way east of Rochester,NY

Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by Vanjoe »

Brakes.... fronts first along with new plugs and wires. Then rear brakes... all new hardware and cyclinders. Then trans. cooler, fix a hose leak deep inside under the hood. And more if time allows. This for today and evry next day it takes to git it done!

Any tricks to rear brakes? Gotta be done, packed, loaded and in the Catskills for wedding rehearsal diner August 16.
Gonna be close.....
1998 Astro. Sterling Hi-top Conversion. 1st Second gen owned.
Former ....
90 Astro shorty conversion,$500 short term driver
91 ext Astro bad body,bad motor $325, became a 350/4bl cruiser with all under hood acces working.TOTALED..my fault
88 Astro shorty conversion 177k-270k,threw rod. $2500
85 Astro mint body ...totaled 9 days later...not my fault. Paid $1k, insurance gave me $2k
86 Astro shorty 147k-242k, $2500. sold running!
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