nobodyhome
Adventurer
Awesome van... watching!
4wd Astro "Patches"
- Thread starter zerskier
- Start date
Stroverlander
Adventurer
Hey, thanks zerskier. I figured you knew about the rear a/c duct since you'd already mounted the fan so just put it out there for general reference.
How do you like the Rhino tracks and any photos of install from inside the van?
The tracks seem pretty nice for the price (108 buck on ebay). I will have some better feedback when I get the rack mounted.
sorry I didn't take any pics of the track install, im not the best at build threads. I get going on a project and forget the camera. lol The tracks attach with stainless steel 5mm closed end pop rivets. think there's 9 rivets per track. the bottom the track comes with double sided tape the full length of the track. I also buttered the holes drilled in the roof with silicone to hedge my bets on roof leaks. Layout of the tracks took a lot of measuring since the astro roof tapers and curves..
finally a nice day to mount the roof rack and awning.. The only reason I got the roof rack is to mount the awning, but it might come in handy in the future if I up my solar capacity. The rack is a cross tread brand ladder rack. I chose this rack for the vertical sides, figured it would make a nice solid mount for the awning..
I first made mounting tabs that fit in the tracks, 3/16" flat stock drilled, tapped 3/8-16, then plug welded from the bottom.
drilled the racks uprights to accept the arb hardware.
end result
I first made mounting tabs that fit in the tracks, 3/16" flat stock drilled, tapped 3/8-16, then plug welded from the bottom.
drilled the racks uprights to accept the arb hardware.
end result
tequilasunset
Adventurer
Roller skates are not cars, just saying... 
the little Honda has its shortcomings but theres something to be said about a car that fits in a full size van.. lolRoller skates are not cars, just saying...
not much new to report, spring is here so trying to catch up on neglected chores. So Im starting to figure out my interior configuration. The trip Im planning this summer has me base camping in the Cooke City area of Montana. I will be bringing a fourwheeler with me to make getting around easyier. But with the smaller astro my big 4x4 Kawasaki just takes up to much room in the van, So I picked up this machine, a Suzuki Ozark. its a foot shorter in length and over 200lbs lighter than my 4x4 Kawasaki..
this machine will give me a foot of storage lengthwise and almost 3' between the front of machine and front seats. I have enough area to take a nap when on the road and cant unload fourwheeler. Is defently a adjustment in size from my old extended E350.
After years of traveling on motorcycle I travel pretty light, and I believe I will have enough storage room. Also im not traveling to north Africa or something so I can always purchase things along the way.
When I have camp set up I will use my xl thermarest
next trip I will build a raised bed for storage but this should be fine for this trip.
this machine will give me a foot of storage lengthwise and almost 3' between the front of machine and front seats. I have enough area to take a nap when on the road and cant unload fourwheeler. Is defently a adjustment in size from my old extended E350.
After years of traveling on motorcycle I travel pretty light, and I believe I will have enough storage room. Also im not traveling to north Africa or something so I can always purchase things along the way.
When I have camp set up I will use my xl thermarest
next trip I will build a raised bed for storage but this should be fine for this trip.
Herbie
Rendezvous Conspirator
I made reflectix window covers for my Astro as a last-minute fix right before I left for the 2011 Overland Expo. Worked so well that I ended up using them until just a couple of months ago, when I finally finished putting in curtains...
with space at a premium and this next trip being a solo endeavor I decided to ditch the passenger seat and use that space for my wheelchair.. I'm building a mount that uses the wheelchairs quick release axles for mounts. Mind the welds, I ran out of wire and had to use flux core with the wrong size tips, its a mess.. Its just tacked together but seems to fit pretty good, had to put the axle mount in the 20 ton press and bend it a little to match the wheelchairs camber..
I think I could have done this with my old E350, but the astro is a little small.. I could go back to my beginnings and bring my old atc110, be alot of room.. BUt I don't think my back would appreciate that though.. lol
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Heeeey, it's a ball buster 110, and his big brother the185!
My first atc was a 110, and yes your back will punish you for your indiscretion.
Little booger wild never hurt anyone, love the mod... Creative.
My first atc was a 110, and yes your back will punish you for your indiscretion.
Little booger wild never hurt anyone, love the mod... Creative.
todays mod is a controversial one but did it anyway, engine oil cooler removal.. Its not if your oil cooler lines will fail but when.. Pretty simple removal, remove oil filter, unbolt oil cooler lines from oil cooler adapter, remove two bolts holding adapter to engine block.
remove nipple from adapter, the nipple has a 10mm hex id..
thread nipple into engine block, install new oil filter
unthreaded cooler lines from radiator, plugged the ports, snaked the cooler lines out from under van. On inspection of the cooler lines they were on there way to failure, seeping around crimps..
remove nipple from adapter, the nipple has a 10mm hex id..
thread nipple into engine block, install new oil filter
unthreaded cooler lines from radiator, plugged the ports, snaked the cooler lines out from under van. On inspection of the cooler lines they were on there way to failure, seeping around crimps..