Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lately?
-
- Sheriff
-
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3243
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: The Pacific North Wet
-
Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 431
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:50 pm
- Location: Orange County, CA
Re: Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lat
Ok, now I don't really wanna call this "done" because there's still some loose ends to tie up.
Things like speaker covers need re-covering, wiper arms need powdercoating, the new trim rings for the wheels need powdercoating, the fuel door release broke and I have a new one on order, ordered a new antenna to replace my bent one, needs a new spare tire. You know, little things.
But, it's close enough to drive and I've been driving it a bit! Only a little bit because the registration isn't exactly current. [-X
I've had to jump through a few hoops for the DMV to get the title reinstated. Smog test (passed just barely), light inspection (passed), and a brake inspection (failed). The brake inspection revealed a leaking wheel cylinder and cracked shoes with friction material falling off in the drums
It's frustrating that after all this a simple brake job is all that's keeping me from being back in business, but these are things that need to be repaired. The parts should be here tomorrow and I should be all squared up with the DMV by the end of this week.
So now....
The picture you've all been waiting for.....
Things like speaker covers need re-covering, wiper arms need powdercoating, the new trim rings for the wheels need powdercoating, the fuel door release broke and I have a new one on order, ordered a new antenna to replace my bent one, needs a new spare tire. You know, little things.
But, it's close enough to drive and I've been driving it a bit! Only a little bit because the registration isn't exactly current. [-X
I've had to jump through a few hoops for the DMV to get the title reinstated. Smog test (passed just barely), light inspection (passed), and a brake inspection (failed). The brake inspection revealed a leaking wheel cylinder and cracked shoes with friction material falling off in the drums
It's frustrating that after all this a simple brake job is all that's keeping me from being back in business, but these are things that need to be repaired. The parts should be here tomorrow and I should be all squared up with the DMV by the end of this week.
So now....
The picture you've all been waiting for.....
-James
1987 LT
249,000 miles
1987 LT
249,000 miles
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lat
Very well done, James. Congrats.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lat
WoooHooo! Looks very nice!
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
-
- 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: Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lat
Wow, Thats one nice shorty !
Great Job.
=D>
Great Job.
=D>
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
-
Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 431
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:50 pm
- Location: Orange County, CA
Re: Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lat
Thanks guys! It sure is nice to drive her again. I've fixed the brakes and passed all the inspections, the dmv is happy and it's now 100% legal to be on the road.
And just in time too, i've got quite a surprise for you guys in the next update!
And just in time too, i've got quite a surprise for you guys in the next update!
-James
1987 LT
249,000 miles
1987 LT
249,000 miles
-
Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 431
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:50 pm
- Location: Orange County, CA
Re: Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lat
The surprise I mentioned is a bit off topic for this thread, so I started another.
Here's the link:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8645
Here's the link:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8645
-James
1987 LT
249,000 miles
1987 LT
249,000 miles
-
- I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:43 am
-
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:49 pm
- Location: White Salmon, WA
Re: Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lat
I just read this post from beginning to end. That is an awesome post James! Thanks for taking the time to document your journey with the van. Lots of good information in there. After seeing how meticulous their attention to detail is, when the day comes to paint my van I'd consider driving down to Cali just to get those guys to do the work.
Your van rocks! Congratulations on a job well done.
Joe
Your van rocks! Congratulations on a job well done.
Joe
2001 Astro LT AWD "Redneck Edition", 4" Custom Lift, 30x9.5R15LT on stock wheels, Hightop conversion, custom interior, custom roof racks, external solar shower, front recovery points. SOLD
1997 Astro LS AWD Starting build soon.
1997 Astro LS AWD Starting build soon.
Re: Is it just me, or is this happening to a lot of vans lat
WOW James! The van looks GREAT!
So, CONGRATS on "both" counts!
-Bruce
6spd_monte wrote:The surprise I mentioned is a bit off topic for this thread, so I started another.
Here's the link:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8645
So, CONGRATS on "both" counts!
-Bruce