What did you do to/with your van today?

[Captn. Crunch]

I just LOVE my 99AWD but wow how cool it must be to just yank a motor out like a loose tooth! Gotta love those 2WD Gen1 babies. Good luck with the freshening up

[Mmusicman]

The only real difference between Gen 1 and 2 is the solid top support.
Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to cut it and fabricated braces (or heavier brackets) ... and pull from the front.

(these are not my photos... but you get the idea)

1) Fabricate and mount the brace first! (over existing support)
This way it all fits perfectly, and top support is still positioned exactly.

2) Then cut the support between your new bolt holes! Done!

It'll bolt back together like it belongs.... just like a Gen 1.

Capt Crunch... I see you are planning a V8 upgrade. GREAT!
I'm sure you are aware there is a clearance issue with the AWD.
But it is possible that with the body lift, you can now elevate the engine rather than redesign the oil pan.
Just food for thought... (if you haven't already considered it)

As you can see... there is more than one way to skin this cat!

[valley ranch]

Musicman, Looks good, did you do anything to the inside engine cover or did that V8 fit right in?

Richard

[WoodButcher]

Richard, the 350 slides right in a 2WD. AWD you need to modify the oil pan, and if you swap to the LS motors I believe you need to move the coil packs.
I did my swap "body off" as opposed to Musicmans' through the front method. There are benefits to both so it is mostly which you prefer, in all swaps you will find some adaptations but for these swaps it is seldom major.
Search this site for build threads as there are many with good info. I posted my build on the other site as here I have difficulty with pics. I don't use a host for pictures so it was just more convenient for me.

[Mmusicman]

Musicman, Looks good, did you do anything to the inside engine cover or did that V8 fit right in?
Richard

No mods whatsoever! The V8 drops in like it was made for it!
Highly recommended to use electric fan for fit purposes.

No need to pull bumper or hood either for engine pull.
You can even drop the V8 motor in with headers already attached!

[Herbie]

Finished part 1 of my project to re-do my rear door racks.

Reworked the driver's side rack to have a removable pin (so I can pivot it away from the door for fastening my trasharoo, etc.) and modified the mounts so I could attach a Pelican Storm case.


Also gave my self a bit more sure footing since I climb onto the rack to access my roof rack.

[Astrophysics]

Very nice.
I am planning modify the tray om the Rola Dart folding hutch mount carrier so Astro doors can open and swing clear of the pyramid shaped Dee Zee box.
AP

[Herbie]

New passenger-side door rack is done and ready for prime/paint. This uses the same over-hinge technique I used on the driver's side, but fastens to the door differently because of the convoluted shape of the door skin. (The inner "jamb" of the door is recessed behind a "lip", so that bent-steel bracket you see fits around that shape.

I didn't go with a removable pin on this side since I don't anticipate needing access behind the rack as frequently. However, because of that convoluted shape of the door skin, the door-mount shouldn't be permanent since it would make mounting the rack much more tricky. The bracket bolts into weld-nuts in the rack frame.

[LAZ 1]

On my third tank of gas on my 1999 mini motorhome AWD TIGER clone build, and up till now was disappointed in my mileage. I got 12.8 and 13.8 mpg driving about half and half hiway/ city. But last week I got my transmission serviced , flush and filter. After checking mileage on the last tank I got 15.2 mpg again 50/50 city/hiway.

Has anyone else noticed an improvement in gas mileage after a transmission service?

[Cobra]

cut out old clogged cat and put in new shiny cat it's so nice to be able to climb hills again.

now just need to fix whatever killed the cat.......

[Herbie]

Finished the second rear rack for the fuel cans. Moved these from the driver's side so that I can use the propane tank without having to remove it from the rack (I usually set up my chuckbox right at the rear under the awning).

With a jerry can in the rack, it covered too much of my license plate, so I relocated it out to the fuel rack itself. Tapped off the existing reverse circuit to power a new license-plate mounted LED light.

[Astrophysics]

Very professional!
Today I installed acrylic AVS Vent Visors on 2003 Chevy Astro.
Got em at Pep Boys.
I loosened bolts holding side mirrors and the end of acrylic fits under the flange. Nice.
The vent visors have adhesive strip that bonds and sticks to rubber weatherstrip. First clean rubber with IPA, isopropyl alcohol.

AP

[Herbie]

Well, after six years plus two months, I finally have a full headliner in my van again!

Yes, it's hard to believe, but I initially dropped the headliner in March of 2010 when I was starting to explore my options for pop-top solutions. After I did the GTRV transplant, there was always something "more important" to work on with the van. Well, this summer we've got our first long term roadtrip, and I figured if we were going to be putting in more miles, it was time that things were "finished". Like everything else on this project, it was a from-scratch learning project, but it's done.

Photos to come, but I need to fish out the wide angle lens, it's hard to shoot in tight spaces!

[Astrophysics]

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

[Astrophysics]

home made awning using vinyl from Joanne or Beverly fabrics. It comes in 56" width.
I have 13 ft long awning rolled around a PVC pipe. Then the pipe fits over a cross bar such as Yakima
round bar or even Thule square bar. Added grommets to corners for poles.

AP