Off-road Test drive
Alright, got the van back from the shop on Friday, got all the oil leaks fixed, and added a tuning chip - Holy s#$%, what a difference. Push a button, 80 more horsepower? I'll take it! Yes, there is a cloud of diesel smoke when I jump on it, but I already cant stand having on the stock setting, feels like I'm dragging an anchor. Drove it to Phoenix and back this weekend to get some hiway miles, got pretty much the same milage I got on my delivery drive - somewhere around 12, using the +80hp setting on the tuner. (I do have a lot of air to push out of the way with that square box). The +140hp setting is just silly - I can feel the whole frame twist when I jump on it. I have some significant thermal issues to take of - Insulate the doghouse, put down some carpet, ordered a dashmat, badly need to charge the AC - There was no hope of keeping up with the 108 outside, and I sure wont get my wife back in it without figuring how to make it cooler.
On Sunday, with the reliability proven by four hours on the hiway, I took the rig out to the Chiva Falls area for it's break-in drive, and I have to say it dramatically exceeded expectations. Hopped up diesel + low range = remarkable crawling ability. I am convinced if I can fit through it, I can get over it. A few poser shots:
Actually used the sliders - good scratches on both of them
Pretty good droop on the front
Back fits up in the wells pretty good also
Those mesquite really lay down the 'Arizona Pinstriping', more convinced that ever that a pimped out paint job is way down on the list - Just repaint it white to cover up the "Cushing, OK Fire Department" logo outline, and maybe a black stripe where it is now red.
Funny story though, as we were driving the dirt road, everybody pulled over to let us pass - so maybe having the red stripe isn't so bad...
