What did you do to/with your van today?

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

Post by Astrophysics »

Like those adjustable Rancho rear shocks.

I also noticed what appears to be a 1x2 inch box tube on the left side. Is that part of a sub frame extension?

AP

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

Post by photo_van »

Astrophysics wrote:Like those adjustable Rancho rear shocks.

I also noticed what appears to be a 1x2 inch box tube on the left side. Is that part of a sub frame extension?

AP
Yes, that tube runs from the sub-frame back to the rear spring hangers. I mounted my rock sliders to it.
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710

photo_van
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 592
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:38 pm
Location: 7000' in the Mountains of California

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

Post by photo_van »

when I can't exercise for long periods, I get into trouble...

Image
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710

photo_van
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 592
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:38 pm
Location: 7000' in the Mountains of California

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

Post by photo_van »

finished the dashboard mod. and changed out the TC fluid.

Image
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710

Astrophysics
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:23 pm

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

Post by Astrophysics »

Wow! That is excellent. Awesome fabrication and electrical skills.

AP

photo_van
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 592
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:38 pm
Location: 7000' in the Mountains of California

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

Post by photo_van »

thanks AP, now, if only I can remember what all the positions in those switches control :rolleyes: top- house battery charge and bypass control, middle- aux voltmeter and rear lights, bottom- driving lights and fog lights
Anyone know if there is any way to print out white letters on some sort of transparent stickum...?
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by ihatemybike »

Decided to sell Green. I currently have 2 Astros, a Blazer, a Corolla, a Kawasaki KE100 and my wife has her Liberty. Time to thin the herd a bit, in preparation for purchasing my next Astro.
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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WoodButcher
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Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by WoodButcher »

photo_van wrote:thanks AP, now, if only I can remember what all the positions in those switches control :rolleyes: top- house battery charge and bypass control, middle- aux voltmeter and rear lights, bottom- driving lights and fog lights
Anyone know if there is any way to print out white letters on some sort of transparent stickum...?

Nice.
I've seen items on Ebay, print to order bumper stickers and the like, never had a need myself so I can't say.
Check Staples or Office Supply, they might have something for you.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'93 cargo, work in progress

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

Post by Captn. Crunch »

Logged on to AllData and downloaded all the schematics and wiring diagrams to finish wiring up the np236 transfer case. Need to get to the pick n pull for a fistful of gm wiring harness so the wiring is original-esque. Baby steps ever forward
Captn. Crunch
"I don't beat my rig-I use it to it's maximum potential"
1994 Safari conversion (sold) and miss'n it!
1999 Safari SLE AWD junked
2003 GMC Safari AWD SLT
cast iron Torsen equipped front diff
S-10 leafs-G80 rear w/3.73’s
2” body lift w/Falken Wildpeak AT’s

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

Post by photo_van »

Ever since I put the rack on the back, I've been looking for a place to store the five gallon gas spout. I use the gas cans regularly and the spout smells to much to keep it in the sleeping area. Lucky for me, some inconsiderate person dumped a large satellite dish off a road I frequent. Perfect gauge aluminum and I managed to find a large enough piece, free of bullet holes! It was even the same color as the existing stove table!

Image


Room for the bottle jack, lug wrench, spout and lots of other stuff.
Image
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
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Herbie
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Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by Herbie »

photo_van wrote:Anyone know if there is any way to print out white letters on some sort of transparent stickum...?
Many of the label makers from both Dymo and Brother P-Touch support a white-on-clear label making tape. See the various supplies here on Amazon.

I use my p-touch all the time, so buying a label maker just to print something like your project doesn't sound weird to me...
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
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photo_van
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 592
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:38 pm
Location: 7000' in the Mountains of California

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

Post by photo_van »

thanks Herbie, that looks exactly like what I need!
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710

photo_van
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 592
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:38 pm
Location: 7000' in the Mountains of California

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

Post by photo_van »

Poly motor mounts came in the mail today... oh boy! Thankfully my new water pump crapped out after 30K, so I've got it all torn apart anyway. :)
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
User avatar

Herbie
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I sleep in my van
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Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
Location: San Diego, CA
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Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by Herbie »

ihatemybike wrote:Decided to sell Green. I currently have 2 Astros, a Blazer, a Corolla, a Kawasaki KE100 and my wife has her Liberty. Time to thin the herd a bit, in preparation for purchasing my next Astro.
Can't let this comment go un-remarked. Holy heck, that's a huge thing. Good luck in both your sale and your next purchase!
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
Image

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: What did you do to/with your van today?

Post by ihatemybike »

Yeah, I still really, really like Green. It runs great, gets good gas mileage, every common Astro issue has been addressed.

I'm looking to the future. In the spirit of adventure, my wife and I may eventually live full time out of my next Astro. We seem to be happiest when we're exploring our world with no set itinerary. With that plan, I'm going to build up a 2003-2005 AWD for overland travel.
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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