Results 2,076 to 2,100 of 12697
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01-13-2016, 10:50 PM #2076
Yeah man, on my short list for sure.
As others have said, torn between better clearance 4wd capabilities of a full size truck with a topper/popup/hardside vs various benefits of a van.
What are your thoughts on working on the van engine?
I'd prefer to do my own plugs, but these days the intervals are pretty long. Usually do my own oil changes, air filters, etc.
If unfortunately needed, radiator, water pump. alternator, etc. Popping the hood of a van looks like a confusing nightmare.
Let me know if you're rolling through Denver I'll buy beers.
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01-14-2016, 12:52 PM #2077
I got the van because I wanted a hardsided vehicle primarily for winter camping. The van is easy to insulate and efficient to heat. If I already owned a pickup, I would've gone for a truckbed camper purely for the upfront cost savings and ease of acquisition.
True 4x4 is not important to me. I want to tow sleds and avoid getting stuck or whiteknuckle during the winter. AWD works for that, and should do fine on forest service roads in the summer. I will lift it eventually more because of the long wheelbase than clearance and approach/departure angles.
I'm biased, as I generally get annoyed bouncing around on rocky off-road terrain that requires low range (ie. Antero approach), but I can't imagine doing so with all of the shit in my "weekend home" rattling around behind me would improve the experience. Steep dirt roads could stress the driveline I suppose (ie. Princeton approach). That type of terrain will likely be a rarity for this vehicle, but a low-range transfer case swap is doable if that changes.
Anyway, that's my reasoning on van vs. truck: depends on the main purpose. Maintenance-wise I don't have much to add. I've owned the van for ~2months and have yet to pop the hood (did mechanical inspection before I purchased). I imagine anything beyond routine maintenance will be pain, but even my Toyota has some annoying access points.
I'm in Denver everyday for work - you're welcome to check out the van anytime (uses creepy van-dweller voice).
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01-14-2016, 01:33 PM #2078Registered User
- Join Date
- Jan 2014
- Location
- Gaperville, CO
- Posts
- 5,845
I'm in much the same boat as you North -- although I'm the platform I'm on (AWD Astro) has less body length issues. I've currently squeezed in some 235/70/15 snow tires but tire clearance is definitely the weak spot for me vs total travel. Got a good mechanic (or are you one) in the Boulder/Denver area you'd recommend for popping in a 2" lift and some new shocks to replace the sad worn out ones? Probably going with this kit http://www.overlandvans.com/0104_liftkits.html and some Rancho 5/7000 shocks all around to replace the beat to shit ones on there now.
Blah blah blah, I know frame-spacer kits are lame by 4x4 standards, but they are the way I have to go on the Astro for a short lift without a whole new, custom front suspension. Not doing serious off-roading, just shit forest service roads and big snow drifts.
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01-14-2016, 03:16 PM #2079
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01-14-2016, 03:42 PM #2080Registered User
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Posts
- 80
Another Denver AWD vanner checking in. Express 8 passenger with a poptop and a minor lift. I've pushed it to its limits on forest roads and the like. With the lift and 265/70/17 tires, it's pretty similar to a stock 4x4 crew cab pickup in dimensions and clearance. Lack of low range is a drawback but as mentioned that could be remedied.
It may be obvious but having access to the camper portion while on the road is priceless, hell in my van I can grab a road Soda out of the fridge without even unbuckling, can't do that in a pickup/slide in. Yes vans can be insulated but it can be a ton of work to do right- see the home builds on the forums. Can't speak to ease of maintenance but it has been reliable and easy to find mechanics for the scheduled work. (These vans are ubiquitous after all).
Drop me a pm if I can help with specific questions.
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01-14-2016, 09:31 PM #2081
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01-14-2016, 09:42 PM #2082Registered User
- Join Date
- Jan 2014
- Location
- Gaperville, CO
- Posts
- 5,845
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01-14-2016, 10:15 PM #2083
You, sir, are confusing me w somebody else if you're thinking classy. Drunk by 10, yes. Classy, no.
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01-14-2016, 11:15 PM #2084
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01-15-2016, 04:09 PM #2085
http://www.boulderoffroadvans.com/ these guys are in my hood. They seem to work almost exclusively on off-road vans. Haven't used them but they could be good place for to install and for you to get some more camper van tips.
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01-19-2016, 11:41 AM #2086
For you Astro fans...
This one is RWD, but they did make these in AWD as well.
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01-23-2016, 07:55 PM #2087
somebody needs to buy this rig and do it some justice. 36K on it and only used in antarctica so no rust. $18900 total badass, oh the places it would go!!!
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01-23-2016, 08:00 PM #2088
Paging Buster! I am best friends with the mechanic who maintained it.
Is it radix panax notoginseng? - splat
This is like hanging yourself but the rope breaks. - DTM
Dude Listen to mtm. He's a marriage counselor at burning man. - subtle plague
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01-23-2016, 08:17 PM #2089
Was just talking future rig plans with the boss and she gave me a 20k budget. Someone buy it so I don't wind up divorced.
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01-23-2016, 09:17 PM #2090
According to the q&a section, it's an idi/non-turbo. If it was a PSD, that would be a very good price.
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01-24-2016, 07:14 AM #2091
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01-24-2016, 09:03 AM #2092
Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?
Last edited by stardrivin; 01-24-2016 at 09:18 AM.
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01-24-2016, 11:20 AM #2093
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01-24-2016, 12:04 PM #2094Registered User
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Posts
- 80
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01-24-2016, 01:08 PM #2095Registered User
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
- Location
- Denver, CO
- Posts
- 279
Saw this beaut in steamboat this weekend.
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01-24-2016, 02:23 PM #2096
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01-24-2016, 04:44 PM #2097
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01-24-2016, 09:52 PM #2098
I've seen that one in the C lot at Mary Jane before.
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01-24-2016, 10:18 PM #2099
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01-25-2016, 02:31 AM #2100
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