Page 88 of 111 FirstFirst ... 3878868788899098 ... LastLast

Thread: Pics of your VAN! Post up!

  1. #871
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Bellingham, Wa
    Posts
    1,146
    Wow, too many cool van pics to try to comment on. Good stuff, guys.


    We had a week long stay and a vacation home at a swanky gated community Wapato Lake on Lk Chelan where my Brother in Law and I rode enduros in the mountains every day. We were able to combine some nice overlanding and general touring on either end of the stay. Probably could have used a full size van- we actually had a blue plastic kiddie pool stashed away inside the Astro.




    Hmm, been positng pics on here for years, now all the sudden I'm an idiot again.

    http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...1/IMG_7566.jpg
    Last edited by T.Low; 03-26-2012 at 05:45 AM. Reason: can't figure out new picture posting process
    Life is short, Paddle often
    '03 Chevy Astro w/ NP233C 4x4 electronic shift transfer case, 4-5" Overlandvans lift kit, 4:10's w/ Detroit Locker, Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks w/ in-dash remote & onboard air compressor, 255 70R16 AT's or 245/75 16 MT/Rs depending, GTRV pop top w/ sleeper, Carefree Awning, Gaucho couch, Coleman Fridge, and tons of Thule

    2010 Gas Gas EC 450, 2005 Gas Gas FSE 450, plated

  2. #872
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Midland Texas
    Posts
    128
    T.Low, that just looks like a fun trip!



    Mine out in Big Bend a few weeks ago..
    2004 Astro AWD 3:73, G80 "locker", 2" lift, overnight-able, "E" All-Terrains
    2003 Dodge/Cummins quad cab 2wd
    2006 Nissan X-Terra 6-speed (for sale)
    1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO project
    + wife's and kid's cars

  3. #873
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Bellingham, Wa
    Posts
    1,146
    Thanks for posting it, Arlon.

    That must have been a great road to travel down. Very cool.
    Life is short, Paddle often
    '03 Chevy Astro w/ NP233C 4x4 electronic shift transfer case, 4-5" Overlandvans lift kit, 4:10's w/ Detroit Locker, Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks w/ in-dash remote & onboard air compressor, 255 70R16 AT's or 245/75 16 MT/Rs depending, GTRV pop top w/ sleeper, Carefree Awning, Gaucho couch, Coleman Fridge, and tons of Thule

    2010 Gas Gas EC 450, 2005 Gas Gas FSE 450, plated

  4. #874
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    113
    Went from this:

    to this:


    1997 7.3 diesel RB E350 with 57k (when I bought it). Flew to Los Angeles from Tucson to pick it up, drove up to Seattle, got a trailer hitch installed and a Uhaul trailer, then packed up the last of my stuff in Seattle, and drove south back to Tucson, about 2700 miles on a van I never laid eyes on before I bought it.

    There are a few maintenance items, like the thermostat is stuck open so it never fully warms up, but my first tank I got 19mpg. However once I got the trailer hooked up and drove between snow storms with snowy and icy mornings, that dropped to 15-16mpg Truck pulls amazingly well, even loaded up. I had no issues keeping 65-70 on all mountain grades.

    Plans are:
    Stage 1 - interior build. Insulation, replace crappy tint, build water (20g+)/sink unit, bed, storage, and eventually toilet. I have some ideas on making everything removable with aluminum tie down strips, working on how to insulate below those though. I want to be able to remove everything within 30 minutes and make it a cargo area easily, and easily shuffle "units" around as needed. I'm using my credit card points on lowes and home depot gift cards, so this should move somewhat quickly.

    Stage 2 - Ujoint 4x4 kit 4", solar, roof kit for more storage.

    Stage ? - Rear LSD before stage 2, time permitting. Figure out spare tire location (Wouldn't mind a swingout for it on rear bumper, but want to be able to open main door without doing anything extra). Gauges (trans temp, pyro, etc).




  5. #875
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Issaquah, WA
    Posts
    540
    Quote Originally Posted by adi View Post
    .

    1997 7.3 diesel RB E350 with 57k (when I bought it). Flew to Los Angeles from Tucson to pick it up, drove up to Seattle, got a trailer hitch installed and a Uhaul trailer, then packed up the last of my stuff in Seattle, and drove south back to Tucson, about 2700 miles on a van I never laid eyes on before I bought it.
    So, you are the guy that bought this rig from Fam Vans... I was in the process of talking to Maria about buying this van when you got it. Congrats! Funny that you drove it up to Seattle near where I live. Should be a great platform to start with. Wish that you still lived up here so that we could assist each other with our builds. Make sure that you keep us updated here at ExPo.

    Brad

  6. #876
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    113
    Quote Originally Posted by bknudtsen View Post
    So, you are the guy that bought this rig from Fam Vans... I was in the process of talking to Maria about buying this van when you got it. Congrats! Funny that you drove it up to Seattle near where I live. Should be a great platform to start with. Wish that you still lived up here so that we could assist each other with our builds. Make sure that you keep us updated here at ExPo.

    Brad
    Hah, yeah, I was wondering why no one else picked it up, I was eyeing it for about a month. Once my LC had a solid buyer I put a hold on it.

    FamVans has a few hundred vans, although most are Chevy express, and I bought one of their two diesel Econolines (other was a blue 07). They were great to deal with, picked me up from the airport as well.

  7. #877
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Bellingham, WA
    Posts
    234
    Quote Originally Posted by T.Low View Post
    Probably could have used a full size van- we actually had a blue plastic kiddie pool stashed away inside the Astro.


    http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...1/IMG_7566.jpg
    Wow, the van is looking a little overwhelmed with your toys! Lol!... I think maybe an airport shuttle van might be big enough for you and the family and all the toys you love to take to play with!
    2006 Sportsmobile, Ford RB, 6.0 diesel, SMB 4x4, RB50
    2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara, V6, manual trans, manual hubs.
    http://www.pbase.com/railvan

  8. #878
    Quote Originally Posted by T.Low View Post
    Wow, too many cool van pics to try to comment on. Good stuff, guys.


    We had a week long stay and a vacation home at a swanky gated community Wapato Lake on Lk Chelan where my Brother in Law and I rode enduros in the mountains every day. We were able to combine some nice overlanding and general touring on either end of the stay. Probably could have used a full size van- we actually had a blue plastic kiddie pool stashed away inside the Astro.




    Hmm, been positng pics on here for years, now all the sudden I'm an idiot again.

    http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...1/IMG_7566.jpg
    T.Low, what rear tire is that on the Gas Gas? It looks almost trials-esque. I need to fab a hitch mount carrier for my Husqvarna and mountain bike so I don't have to put them in the van anymore. Does your stay pretty stable? Thx...

  9. #879
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    AVL, NC
    Posts
    3,117
    Great van. A true score I must say!
    Chris Steuber
    02 E350 7.3 V4
    11 E350 5.4 V5
    99 E36 M3 (LS swap coming soon)
    www.ujointoffroad.com
    4x4 Van Conversions

  10. #880
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    676
    Quote Originally Posted by Wandr View Post
    Love all the pics of all the vans! Thought I would share some of my syncro.

    On ATS Cups, too? Sweet! One of my favorite wheels. Looks great.

    - Andy

Page 88 of 111 FirstFirst ... 3878868788899098 ... LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •