Chevy & GMC Vans

Astrophysics wrote:Hi,

What is the brand and size of your side mounted awning? I may take the 8 ft Carefree of Colorado awning from my pop up trailer and mount it on my 2003 AWD Astro.
Currently, I have a simple DIY awning that rolls off the rear.
Is your awning an ARB, or Fiamme or ?

AP

Mine? It's a "Norseman Apollo". It came on my GTRV donor van, so I transplanted it. As far as I can tell, it was a Canadian company, that doesn't do much business now. That said, I've got an ARB 2500 sitting in my garage that I plan to mount in the next week or two.

The "Apollo" is a fine awning and folds up into the hard case, but it's a bit hard to deploy with only one person. You have to unfold the legs, then pull the awning so it unrolls against the the spring tension into the tracks formed by the legs. I can be done solo, but it requires the addition of a couple velcro straps and some caution to avoid scratching the paint. The ARB is a lot more single-traveler friendly, and since I do about 1/3 of my trips on my own, that's a factor. It did come with clips that I could mount to the body so the awning would deploy without touching the ground, but I never wanted to drill the holes in my door skin, etc. to mount them.

The old awning will be for sale, but probably cost prohibitive to ship.

just makin sure the 4 wheel drive still works ;)

Replaced the post-cat O2 sensor today, hoping it cures my P0137 Check engine code. That was easy so I did the fuel filter while I was under there.

Yesterday I replaced ABS control module, what a pain in the rear. Also installed new gas cap. Today I am getting new tires.

Drove 2 miles from house to pick up this little guy

Very nice!
You may want to bench test it first with wiring and switch and TCCM. (Transfer case control module) prior to install to make sure Encoder motor and TCCM are good.
There are several switch panels that you can use depending on which part of the dash you want to mount switch. See other posts with photos in Off road section.

AP
2003AWD Astro

Astrophysics wrote:Very nice!
You may want to bench test it first with wiring and switch and TCCM. (Transfer case control module) prior to install to make sure Encoder motor and TCCM are good.
There are several switch panels that you can use depending on which part of the dash you want to mount switch. See other posts with photos in Off road section.

AP
2003AWD Astro

I'll have to check out those posts. I was planning on converting it to manual when i have the time to do the swap.

Just giving the oil in the front diff a stir ;)

May swap out OEM basket of Rola Dart folding storage so that rear doors can swing open.

The heavy duty white wire shelf grid weighs 15 lbs and is 21"x47"

AP
2003AWD

Then I can use Rola Dart OEM tray on roof.

Radiator flush. New upper and lower radiator hoses. New thermostat. Flush the heater core.

Good work!

Today is "change another door handle day".

Astrophysics wrote:Good work!

Ya it was a good day under the hood. And now it's running better. Smoother. I know the cooling system has nothing to do with how the van runs but it always seems to run better after I spend some time and money on it. I love my van

Installed a new exhaust system this week, finished it off today. I Did it myself. After the cat, I put a 2.5" Cherry bomb and then a 2.5" Dynomax SS muffler. Then a prefabbed Walker Tailpipe bent to fit the Astro. Looks awesome & Sounds even better. Kinda hush, until you get on it then it roars. Also fixed up some shock mount bolts that were the wrong size, so killed a bunch of rattles today as well. Lovin my van. Took it out 4x4ing last night and climbed up to Tuck Lake. Thats when I decided I need to fix the rattlin shocks once and for all ! ha ha