You ever try any steep hills with your awd rig? Wanted to try some trails in Utah, but wanted some input on those who have tested their awd Express/ savana uphill.
09 AWD Express travel van
- Thread starter OldYota
- Start date
OldYota
Observer
now that you mention it, I think I have to say no. Nothing that resembles a hill climb anyway.
akskiffer
Member
your van will climb.
I have been surprised at how the hill climbs go, moon dust and ruts or snowy messed up track to a dead end log landing. that is with highway wranglers. it has been said the awd activation is hard to discern.
deactivating the stabilitrak is good prior to hitting the scariest climbs.
Wheelin' is often mostly tire placement and momentum mgmt.
I goose it when it looks like I am somewhere I'd get stuck or really high centered. Riding the ridges through puddles, ice puddles, the moon dust ruts etc.
I've enjoyed following your adventure with this van. I have a AWD 2003 and I'm actually in the process of filling the holes left over from the ground effect rivets. The holes protrude outward, making it a pain! could you tell me in great detail how you did it?
OldYota
Observer
I hit each hole with a drill bit to remove the burrs then put a Phillips screwdriver in each one and gave it a hit with a hammer so it would sink in and give the bondo a place to sit. I roughed up all the paint with a red scotch pad before rolling on the bedliner
Last edited:
OldYota
Observer
Checking in. Took the van down to the broxton bridge dual sport in SC this weekend. Gave up plans to meet friends in Charlotte and drive home Sunday. Rain until about half way through VA then freezing rain and snow the rest of the way back. I try not to get caught driving in snow but I did this time. VA kept up with the plowing but MD didn’t seem to plow at all. Beltway and 270 were all snow maybe 3-4”. Van was flawless with the AWD and A/T tires. 
OldYota
Observer
Another catch up post for fun.
Bought a new house at the beginning of covid. Old owners had trash everywhere. I’ve filled a whole dumpster and countless contractor bags pulling trash out of the woods.
Found some cold stuff, seeding machine from 1800s, glass clorox bottles from the 50s, bromaselzer bottle, even a tab bottle from the 80s lol. Pulled a 1500 lb pile of trash to the dump a few weeks ago.
Bought a new house at the beginning of covid. Old owners had trash everywhere. I’ve filled a whole dumpster and countless contractor bags pulling trash out of the woods.
Found some cold stuff, seeding machine from 1800s, glass clorox bottles from the 50s, bromaselzer bottle, even a tab bottle from the 80s lol. Pulled a 1500 lb pile of trash to the dump a few weeks ago.
Last edited:
