Astro AWD "Stroverlander"

[Stroverlander]

Arlon, the RTT is a pretty cool setup, lots to like about it and while the Camping Lab 71x94 is larger than I originally intended it was just too good of a deal to pass up and I like the extra room it has now, frees up a bunch of space in the van too.

I still do both though, for shorter trips I still just use an inflatable mattress and sleeping bag in the van.

I haven't really slept in the RTT much yet though, once I sorted out mounting it to factory crossbars trying to keep a low-ish profile. I'm not leaving the RTT mounted because it's my daily driver and now that I've figured it out, only takes about 15 minutes to mount/dismount from roof with a helper. That will probably be my next post - rooftop tent mounting setup, once I get some photos.

I'm excited about getting out and using the RTT, especially with a companion - my last gf wouldn't have been caught dead in a tent (ok,maybe dead, lol). Some places it's nice to have the additional security of sleeping in the van but everywhere else the RTT rocks.

 

[Loopie]

Nice, very nice! ...and Thx for the info on the 9000's, keep us posted :beer:

 

[arlon]

When you find a girl that doesn't mind (or better yet likes) roughing it, grab her. Even if you can't stand her parents it will be a bargain in the long run. Check the local outing clubs.. (-:}

 

[fnjeep314]

You really have a very cool build going on. I love it!!

Arlon-Thats almost the exact scenario I have. My wife LOVES tent camping. I cant even get her to camp in a pop-up camper!! And I can only half stand her parents.

 

[arlon]

LOL, my wife thinks camping is a 4 star motel. She's getting better but she's not about to sleep in a tent yet. She might give an RTT a try, at least it should be away from any crawley things as she calls them.

 

[Stroverlander]

Thanks again guys, appreciate the support. For some reason the ladies I talk to about van camping are more amenable to the RTT option than "sleeping in the van" for sure! :sombrero:

 

[Stroverlander]

Performed some additional work on the Stroverlander, nothing too drastic just some needed driveline service and repairs.

Started off with replacing suspect original cv axles and axle seals. I replaced axle seals last year when I did my front end rebuild and have lifted van 4" since but they were leaking again and the passenger side CV has been oozing grease more and more frequently since the additional lift. I replaced the weak clamp on it with a hose clamp but the axle had seen better days. Picked up some new GSP axles and at least they have a lifetime warranty as I might need to be replacing them more often with the lift, maybe (hopefully!) not.

The passenger side was straightforward though I should have just replaced the axles the past few times I had them out for other things! On the driver's side, the axle came out stuck inside the cv joint so just had to tap that out of the old cv and make sure the splines looked good. The 6-bolt cover plate on the side of the differential that holds the seal looked liked it was leaking so removed that cover and cleaned up both mating surfaces and replaced the seal then too.

Drained the gear oil (Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90) which looked good, maybe a tiny, tiny amount of very small metal particles but that was it. Sealed up the cover plate with Three Bond sealant and reassembled everything with fresh Mobil 1 75w90.

Front differential side cover with new Timken axle seal ready to install

After that I drained the rear axle, removed the rusty cover, cleaned and painted with some rust converter, bolted the cover back on and filled the differential with more M1.

Relatively clean looking gear oil and not much on magnet

Rust-free looking cover

Lastly for drivetrain fluids, I drained the transfer case and added a fresh fill of Auto Trak II fluid then pulled the front driveshaft to clean and lube splines again.

I also pulled the rear driveshaft to clean and lube splines with Auto Trak II fluid and also check for play on the yoke inside the tail housing. An item that can contribute to vibration on these vans is wear on the rear output shaft bushing in the transfer case tail housing, causing the driveshaft yoke to wobble and vibrate. The yoke did not seem to have any play inside the t-case tail housing so seems good, but something to look at it if you can't isolate a vibration in the rear.

 

[Loopie]

Sorry if I forgot or missed it...but will you be changing the tires for something more offroad capable?

 

[Stroverlander]

The Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S (235/70-16) are capable enough for what I am doing right now - 90% + on road use, after all it's my daily driver with the occasional weekend romp.

I may go to a 245/75-16 (E load) down the road in another all-terrain type tire, possibly BFG T/A KO, maybe another set of Geolandar A/T-S. This van is full of compromises so trying to stay within reasonable parameters of performance and all-around driveability for me, is paramount.

 

[arlon]

Got Cooper AT3 tires and they lasted about 2 hrs on a graded dirt road before I had a punctured sidewall. Those tires have some really thin sidewalls. "E" tires came highly recommended but I decided to save a few dollars and get the lesser AT3s.. Well I saved a few hundred dollars up front but lost it all and then some a few days later when I trashed the 235/70/16 AT3s and got 5 new 225/75/16 "E" rated BFG AT/KOs..

I noticed most of the vehicles the park service and border patrol in Big Bend were using the "E" AT/KO. I guess if anyone has figured out what tires last on the gravel roads down there, it would be them. Hope these will last me a little longer than the AT3s did. )-:}

I did notice some loss of performance with the taller/heavier tires. Still works ok but I did notice it. I think if I went with anything bigger I'd be looking for a set of 4.10 gears..

 

[Basement Yeti]

That is one handsome van. :drool:

-Kyle

 

[Stroverlander]

Got Cooper AT3 tires and they lasted about 2 hrs on a graded dirt road before I had a punctured sidewall. Those tires have some really thin sidewalls. "E" tires came highly recommended but I decided to save a few dollars and get the lesser AT3s.. Well I saved a few hundred dollars up front but lost it all and then some a few days later when I trashed the 235/70/16 AT3s and got 5 new 225/75/16 "E" rated BFG AT/KOs..

I noticed most of the vehicles the park service and border patrol in Big Bend were using the "E" AT/KO. I guess if anyone has figured out what tires last on the gravel roads down there, it would be them. Hope these will last me a little longer than the AT3s did. )-:}

I did notice some loss of performance with the taller/heavier tires. Still works ok but I did notice it. I think if I went with anything bigger I'd be looking for a set of 4.10 gears..

Arlon, sorry to hear about your tire troubles, those BFG T/A KOs are nice tires. I emailed a local guy on CL about a set in 265/70-16 (D load rating, 30.7" OD), supposedly with only 3000 miles on them. Appreciate your input on the size/weight as well. Let's see some photos of the new rubber!

 

[Stroverlander]

That is one handsome van. :drool:

-Kyle

Thanks man, checked out your blog, good luck with the AWD camper purchase!

 

[Stroverlander]

More Stroverlander prep and maintenance...

I got a pretty good workout the past week or so replacing weeping oil cooler lines, flushing the cooling system, new thermostat, extracting a broken stud from the intake manifold for the thermostat housing, new vacuum hvac control vacuum line, replacing the leaking radiator (which I didn't pressure test until a few days after the system flush and continuing to smell coolant ), hoses/clamps, belt & tensioner, fixing a major water leak in the dutch doors/hatch and a full detailing.

Pictoriorial...

I felt it break loose, I just didn't know it actually broke the screw in half.

Lucky it wasn't both of them...

I let it soak in penetrating oil overnight, didn't have a great angle to drill straight, eventually I used a thin Dremel grinding bit to get some even surface near the center to drill and just kept stepping up bit size until I could get enough bite extractor bits. Tedious and slow going, it finally started coming out.

Definitely not the best angle, but enough to work.

Threads on the intake were fine, so no insert necessary.

New hardware with antiseize, soldered new ground connector with heat shrink and new loom while I was there.

The carpet in the back between the doors and right side wheel well has been getting soaked so pulled up the carpet to dry out and investigate. I replaced the old butyl rubber seal on the floor between where the two rubber door seal end with some universal rubber seal and glued it in place with 3M weatherstrip adhesive and put a new butyl rubber seal behind that. After watching water continue to work its way in past the hatch/door seals, I drilled (with some trepidation) a drain hold on each side right where the gasket ends to keep water from pooling in that area and working past the seals then touched up the drain holes with paint.

I also found water getting past the seal at the top of the hatch that is riveted in place. It wasn't sealing well anymore and allowing water overun the seal on the hatch door. I resealed the top rubber seal 3M weatherstrip adhesive and riveted back in place which keeps water coming in and running down insided the doors.

This all seemed to work as it's been water free in the passenger compartment/cargo area with a hose test and a few days of rain.

After I cleaned up the mess I made while working on my van, my cleaning spirit continued with a full interior/exterior detailing. Wash, clay bar, & Meguiar's DA Microfiber Finishing wax applied.

Showing off for the camera...

I feel better about the condition of Stroverlander now, especially having the cooling system sorted for upcoming travels this spring and summer.

 

[arlon]

Very NICE. I'll grab a shot of the new rubber this weekend. My van will be dirty though. We're in the middle of a serious drought and I've simply chosen not to wash cars till it's over..