What did you do to/with your van today?

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sidecar53
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 88
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:56 pm
Location: Windsor, Ontario

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

Post by sidecar53 »

I installed a pair of Gabriel Hi-Jackers on my Safari today. The previous owner had the van oil- sprayed yearly, so all the nuts and bolts came off easily. More than I can say for the oil and grease on my hands, arms and somehow, head. All in all an easy install- about 3 hours start to finish. Pressured up to 60 lbs, it lifts the van about 1 inch and firms up the roll in the turns. Now I need a pair of tires about 2 inches wider for the back. :canuk: :tonqe: :canuk:
Windsor, Ontario
2004 GMC Safari SLE
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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 »

Nice, I run 275 60 15 tires on the rear 245 60 15 in front.
Rides real nice. Slider door still opens too.

I got a new exhaust from the Y pipe back.......
Shhhh, is it running ??
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

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 hit 177k.
hoping to get the climate control issues nailed down in the next couple weeks.
I have to replace the front resistor pack, and dad got a new box for the rear AC condenser housing so the air might be able to blow out the vents in the roof instead of out the sides of box.

Also, got the distributor in for the caddy today. it should be running by the end of the month
(I know its an old pic, but I havent got one with the carb perched on top yet)
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

sidecar53
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 88
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:56 pm
Location: Windsor, Ontario

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

Post by sidecar53 »

doyoulikeithere wrote:Nice, I run 275 60 15 tires on the rear 245 60 15 in front.
Rides real nice. Slider door still opens too.

I got a new exhaust from the Y pipe back.......
Shhhh, is it running ??
Does your van have ABS? Does the difference in tire size affect it at all? Inquiring minds need to know. :canuk:
Windsor, Ontario
2004 GMC Safari SLE

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 »

Green
Permanently removed the steel chrome overlaid 5 spoke rims. Those things are rust belt horror stories waiting to happen. Two of the rims were cracked, one rim had a spoke completely separated.

Not having time to paint the 1st Gen wagon wheels I pulled my old American Racing Outlaw rims down, checked to see if they hold pressure and discovered three had valve stem leaks. Pulled the tires and wheel weights off, cleaned the aluminum-oxide from the rims and reinstalled the 235/70R15 BFG Radial TAs using 5 oz of airsoft pellets in each tire for dynamic balancing

Parts van
Started prepping it for the tow to the scrapyard from my brother's house. Needed to reinstalled the steering column and the transmission cross member. Prepped two of Green's stock rims to be installed on and scrapped with the van.
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

sidecar53
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 88
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:56 pm
Location: Windsor, Ontario

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

Post by sidecar53 »

Installed a new Fram oil filter and went with Castrol Syntec 10w30. You literally can't tell the van is running from inside the vehicle, so quiet and smooth. 143,000 km- any concerns with going synthetic with other fluids?? :canuk:
Windsor, Ontario
2004 GMC Safari SLE

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 »

sidecar53 wrote:Installed a new Fram oil filter and went with Castrol Syntec 10w30. any concerns with going synthetic with other fluids?? :canuk:
I haven't had any problems switching my vans to syn. I'd be wary of the filter though. Many Fram filters have been cut open and posted on the internet to show the poor build quality. I'm cheap as all get out with Grumpy and won't put in a filter below a Purolator PureOne. Oil filter is not the place you want to get cheap with.
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

sidecar53
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 88
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:56 pm
Location: Windsor, Ontario

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

Post by sidecar53 »

Thanks- I'll head out now and buy a replacement. Luckily I have enough oil left over to replace the cup or 2 that I'll lose. :canuk:
Windsor, Ontario
2004 GMC Safari SLE

infinite.chris
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 90
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:46 pm
Location: Holland, Ohio

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

Post by infinite.chris »

Finally popped open my Intake. Can't wait to get it back together and put my first mile on her :D
[SCRUFFY 95 RWD Astro Cargo :: 227k ]

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blacknome
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:58 pm

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

Post by blacknome »

today ( and for the next couple ) its being pushed back into delivery service. I noticed today both front tires are down to the wear-bars so they will have to be replaced over the winter. I am disappointed as they are Yokohama Geolanders and I have only had them on for appx 30 thousand summer kms over the last 5 years. Great ride but soft compound

Any recommendations on a 215/70/16 tire ?? I priced the Michelins LTX and got sticker shock, they are appx $250 ea here + mounting and balancing !!
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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: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by Smiliesafari »

I just put a set of Michelins on Cherie's Explorer. :yikes: STICKER SHOCK :yikes: . We replaced Kumho's. Only got 30K out of them. When it comes to tires you get what you pay for. The original Michelins on the Explorer went 80K. The Explorer has close to 200K miles. I'm hoping these tires out last the vehicle.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

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 »

blacknome wrote:Any recommendations on a 215/70/16 tire ??
BFG Long Trail T/A Tour, dang things last forever. 60k mileage warranty & $123.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTi ... INT&cs=215
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

infinite.chris
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 90
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:46 pm
Location: Holland, Ohio

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

Post by infinite.chris »

Finished manifold removal, and got rid of my dang bug guard
Attachments
Scruffy wants GO!
Scruffy wants GO!
[SCRUFFY 95 RWD Astro Cargo :: 227k ]

------------------------------------------------

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 »

Found my fuel filter is leaking. Must be rusted through as the fittings and lines are dry. Sprayed some PB Blaster and broke the fittings free. Hopefully by tomorrow night the rust is loosened enough to allow the fitting to spin on the lines. ](*,)
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

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 »

New fuel filter in and no more leaking. Now that we are pretty much done camping I can get some miles on it and get the front diff gears swapped out. Winter will be here before we know it.
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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