I found her, and Friday she will be mine :)
- Thread starter Jb1rd
- Start date
Jb1rd
Explorer
I had not, thank you for the time sink :drool: and the ensuing brain damage!!! One step at a time, just one dagnabit 
It's something for me to think about... My van does have the bigger 460 V8. I don't know truck engines though and didn't know these were "bullet proof". The van is in overall good condition, the interior shows very little wear and tear and everything seems to work as it should. I think I'm going to drive and use it a bit more though before taking the plunge into the cost of a 4X4 system. I want to see how I really use it and whether 4X4 is needed for what I do (hiking and mountain biking). In the Guadalupe Mountains I camped next to a German guy with a Mercedes full expedition rig. He said that his sand rails and 4X4 were worthless to him because in the years he's driven the rig all over Russian, Africa, and the US he has never had to use either. I bit my tongue, but I wanted to respond that it seemed to me that he just wasn't going to the right places in those exotic locations if he never needed 4X4!
Of course you never need it if you just stick to the pavement! I think I need to see how I actually use the Airstream. If I can do what I want and still stick to the pavement or fire roads, then I won't really need 4 wheel drive...Kirk
Jb1rd
Explorer
Heading out this evening after my shift to start the journey to pick up the newest family member. :wings:Hoping that on the mini shake down back home I will have a name for it!!!! Not looking forward to 1000 miles in the Mini, gonna need a good chiropractic adjustment by the time this is done :Wow1:
hurstjd
Adventurer
Hey Brother,
I'm going to be joining your club. Picking up my baby at the end of June. It is a 1998 B190 with only 56,000 miles. It has the V10 motor in it. I pick it up in Sedona, Arizona the 4th of July week. I am heading directly to Advanced 4x4 in Salt Lake City for the 4x4 conversion. I'm also doing a bunch of other upgrades, like the Aluminess Bumpers, Warn 12000 winch, 4" lift, etc
I'm going to be joining your club. Picking up my baby at the end of June. It is a 1998 B190 with only 56,000 miles. It has the V10 motor in it. I pick it up in Sedona, Arizona the 4th of July week. I am heading directly to Advanced 4x4 in Salt Lake City for the 4x4 conversion. I'm also doing a bunch of other upgrades, like the Aluminess Bumpers, Warn 12000 winch, 4" lift, etc
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jjohnny350
Adventurer
Hurstjd, thats a real nice rig youre getting there. Its going to be amazing with that 4x4 youre getting done to it. Are you local to Utah, or just taking it to advanced? Sweet ride.
hurstjd
Adventurer
Hey jjohnny,
Thank you very much! I actually live in St. Louis, Missouri. I used to live in Salt Lake and have friends and family there. However, I would still probably take it to Advanced as I have heard good things about them. I have been emailing back and forth with Randy about all of the options. I will definitely post some after pics!
Thank you very much! I actually live in St. Louis, Missouri. I used to live in Salt Lake and have friends and family there. However, I would still probably take it to Advanced as I have heard good things about them. I have been emailing back and forth with Randy about all of the options. I will definitely post some after pics!
Jb1rd
Explorer
That thing is sweeeeeeeeeet. I just pulled in the driveway about an hour ago from driving to NJ and back to Central Florida, needless to say I am a bit beat, but a "Happy Camper" The 97 and newer layout is nice and intuitive, not sure why they didn't do it from the jump. I managed 12.5 miles per gallon, at 60-65 and 10MPG at 70 plus, def is going to need the 4x4 conversion and wish I could do what you are doing but have to wait for the house to sell or start the slow painful process of doing it a piece at a time if it doesn't and we end up putting it on the rental market, BLECK!!!! Keystone said that the airbags are the best thing he did with his and now I know why, these things like to heave and hoe!!! Made the trip 1100 miles without a hitch. I still need to figure out all the camper stuff!!!! Will def be looking forward to seeing your build.
hurstjd
Adventurer
JB1rd: I like how your top is the same color. That is the only thing that is bugging me. Very minor indeed. I've been talking with Randy at Advanced. He says that the 4" lift is standard. I am a little worry about going that high. I was thinking more of a 3". Anyone have any thoughts? Also, I was thinking of doing lockers but decided against it. I think it is overkill for this type of vehicle. I have decided to put in a limited slip as that option is not extremely expensive ($500). I'm going with the Bilstein shocks and am going to talk to them about front and rear steering stabilizers. I will probably inquire about the airbags as well. I'll keep you posted.
I don't see a problem with a 4" lift. That should give you some more options for tires and what can fit in the wheel wells. Either way she's still going to be top heavy and you're just making it worse by raising the center of gravity.
I concur on the lockers, seems like overkill. There are a lot of things working against this rig for serious off-road use - heavy weight, high center of gravity, terrible approach and departure angles, cabinets full of crap that will go flying out, etc. It seems like a 4X4 system that would get you down to and out of the beaches in Baja California would be really nice and you'd have the perfect rig for camping on the beach. But expecting to do the Rubicon Trail with dishes and clothing flying out of the cabinets seems unrealistic...
Kirk