Snowcoach

Major projects, rebuilds and overhauls covering multiple areas
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snapple
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Snowcoach

Post by snapple »

'94 Astro AWD EXT LT - Over 211,000 ,parts van now!
DHC Rock rails
Overland Vans 4" lift kit and bumper w/grille guard
Fiamma awning

'95 Astro AWD EXT CS - Just over 99,000 miles
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mdmead
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by mdmead »

Just need a set of Mattracks! (Although I don't know if they have an application for our vans bolt pattern.)

There is a company in Maine that builds these conversions too. I've seen them in the Maine Snowmobile Association paper. In fact, over the past few years they have sold a four-door Sidekick/Tracker and a four-door S-Blazer with the conversions for under $10K each. They were used for grooming snowmobile trails as they towed a groomer drag behind them.

Changing the subject a bit, I didn't know you could go up Mt Washington in the winter on a snow coach. I've been up it a couple of times in the summer and that road gets a bit narrow for two-way traffic if you are driving a fullsize truck (and are on the outside edge!). I always wanted to snowmobile up it!
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!

ihatemybike
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by ihatemybike »

I did a lot of looking into Mattracks a while back and did find a picture of an AWD Astro with them installed. It was set up as some sort of emergency rescue vehicle.
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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T.Low
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by T.Low »

Thanks Snapps, as if i needed something lese to day dream about for my van!

I nominate FireVan to be the first to get them. He could use them in the UP all winter.
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tbhager94
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by tbhager94 »

here ya go
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2000 chev blazer 4x4
If its got tits or wheels, its gonna give you problems!
im sure we all know the #1 junk yard rule if it fits in your pocket its free.
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peter
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by peter »

I can almost garantee you that those tracks beat the hell out of an auto tranny. But yeah, MatTracks'r cool... :supz:
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BLAZER
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by BLAZER »

Won't adapt a set of these on your van......
Really advanced technology for the day.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=568_1233111054
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T.Low
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by T.Low »

350-400lbs a peice? Not like you can carry them around in the back, then change em out once you get up into the mountains. I'll wait unitl the technology is more applicable. (yeah, right, keep dreaming!)
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mdmead
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by mdmead »

peter wrote:I can almost garantee you that those tracks beat the hell out of an auto tranny. But yeah, MatTracks'r cool... :supz:
Well, I think you would almost have to have a 2-spd case so you could run in 4-low. The gearing would ease the strain on the tranny.
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!
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peter
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by peter »

I hate it when you're right! Luckily, that's a rare occurence :butthead:
"Just keep swimming..."
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"


Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson
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snapple
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by snapple »

mdmead wrote:
peter wrote:I can almost garantee you that those tracks beat the hell out of an auto tranny. But yeah, MatTracks'r cool... :supz:
Well, I think you would almost have to have a 2-spd case so you could run in 4-low. The gearing would ease the strain on the tranny.
Hmmm....curious to know how the Express van is setup. Hope to get to Mt. Washington this Summer.But would love to take the Winter coach ride too! :D
Blazer,awesome video! :supz:
'94 Astro AWD EXT LT - Over 211,000 ,parts van now!
DHC Rock rails
Overland Vans 4" lift kit and bumper w/grille guard
Fiamma awning

'95 Astro AWD EXT CS - Just over 99,000 miles

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Usually a 2 speed t-case is not needed due to the drive cog being so much smaller diameter than the stock size wheel/tire combo. The drive cog is approximately 2/3 the diameter of stock tires.
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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Re: Snowcoach

Post by kings-x59 »

or, get a snowmobile, or better yet..move south he he he he :muhaha:
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.

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mdmead
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Re: Snowcoach

Post by mdmead »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Usually a 2 speed t-case is not needed due to the drive cog being so much smaller diameter than the stock size wheel/tire combo. The drive cog is approximately 2/3 the diameter of stock tires.

By golly! From the Mattracks site FAQ:

"How much power does it take to pull the tracks?
Because there is a natural gear reduction, (the drive sprocket is 2/3 the size of your original tire) the power to run the tracks is about the same as required to turn the original tires. With tracks when your speedometer reads 60 mph, you are actually traveling approximately 40 mph."
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!
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