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@josh.is.working well... ya know.... gotta remind myself not to have too big of an ego now and then lol. Thankfully those bolts are a lot stronger than I am

@@Alexander7632 so far... excellent! Zero issues.

@@LoveTribeOverland Have the vibrations improved over time or remain the same?

@Alexander7632 I only get vibration when I'm at idle and loading the power steering pump which then loads the engine. We've recently replaced the pressure line and the serpentine belt which has helped.

@ thank you so much .

@scott4427 that's one I built for the van... it has since been replaced by an IceCo JP40 refrigerator

@FootageFactory The best advice I cam give you is to start with what you have.... just get out and explore. Learn how to use basic navigation through apps like Gaia and OnX. Find some established routes on OnX or even better connect with a local group to learn first hand from others more experienced. If youre in North Washington State (Seattle Tacoma area) the PNW Overland group has a very large presence. If youre closer to Portland/Vancouver area, a friend and I are just in the process of launching a new newbie friendly group called the Columbia River Overland Group on Facebook.

@bennybettenourt9107 ohhhhh the major stuff is coming.

@@LoveTribeOverland ugh

@millerVantures you know? It ended up being a good thing... found a great mechanic who happens to be family... He made me a great deal on a bunch of work that needed done. In the end it was my own fault (shoulda replaced that fuel pump while I had the fuel tank out) Our next video will outline some of the improvements.

@@BigZaddy2112 it's not too bad with the body lift installed. Thankfully I have a teenage daughter with skinny arms!

@@toddbridges7430 yes

@traceyphillips6949 What???? And give up on the Astro? Nah... we love this van... We're second owners on it, have had it for nearly 20 years. This van has been puked on by our babies who are now adults. Its been in our family for a long time... and there's a lot of nostalgia in it... repurposing it for Overlanding is a natural progression for us. We've considered getting a bigger van a few times but have watched people with full size vehicles struggle to get into and out of places where we had zero issues. Nope... this van is with us and we are with it for as long as I can keep it on the road.

There are so many things that can lead to a no-start on these vans. Could be distributor or ignition related but im less than 20k from a Tuneup with all new ignition parts. The spider injectors are starting to fail on our old vans too, so it could have been that as well. Could also be a clogged fuel filter. I also could not rule out that I'd gotten a wet connection after going through the water crossing. The only clue I had was that I wasn't hearing the fuel pump engage when I turned the key. Problem is, I had nearly a full tank of fuel so I couldn't drop the tank in the wild anyway. So yeah... Im with you, I'm thinking fuel pump... especially since I had the fuel tank out when we installed the Webasto heater and didn't replace it then.... cuz.. you know... I like to live on the edge....

We had a spare, but we found out it was an offsize spare which meant she'd have been limited to 50mph and not really suitable for offroad use (something we will be addressing) We determined that it was better to save the spare for emergency rather than risk getting it damaged and then have no spare.

We did.... and then some.... but thats a future episode 😉

Thank you... we ended up with steak almost every night. Which made me pretty happy. .. Thanks for the Anniversary sentiments... 20 years together with my soulmate seems like the blink of an eye.

I've come to realize that "level" is an urban legend,a mystical creature that only exists in fairy tales. Sort of an imaginary friend who is always there... but you just can't quite see him. His close cousin though, "Level Enough" is a frequent visitor to our camp. . Kidding aside.. I appreciate the idea. I've gotten quite talented at cooking on a slope , but definitely game to try out new ideas. Thanks so much!

Thank you 😊 for the sentiments on the van AND the Anniversary wishes

The plot has thickened since we filmed this. I won't reveal any spoilers, but we have decided to stick with our Astro... Honestly I love this van... im not sure if I could let it go no matter whether I bought a bigger van or not. And yes... the Iron Cloud Swivel Mount is on my short list of future upgrades 😊

@@LoveTribeOverlandRight on, it's really nice van you've done, look forward to see what your doing, Im gonna go out on a limb and guess pop top but don't answer as that would be a spoiler, will wait and see. That is really well built swivel, unfortunately to get one here in canada would cost over $700 so I am building my own based off a nissan sentra front hub. I bought a junker safari that was treated poorly and am rebuilding it on the side and planning to create a pop top mold for it and make my own pop top and possibly more in the future, as I have a design in mind that I think would really suit the looks.

@frankevans287 that's super cool! I'd love to see your pop top design! We'd briefly entertained a Fiberine top... and may yet... but I have concerns about fragility... we run some pretty rough locations, so we need something that can take a beating... we really get a lot if use out our roof rack too... I guess if we're gonna keep it small, we're gonna embrace the small. We tend to "live out" of the van anyway... but this next year of use will be our first "year round" year... our minds may change again. One thing we've learned over the years... about the time we think we've made a plan... the cards shuffle... and we're back to the decision making stage again. We may do a live podcast style episode where we discuss the ins and outs of our thinking processes.

@@LoveTribeOverland Ya for sure, I'll keep you posted as I get working on it, you know once the rains stop and in between work. Sounds like a fun year coming, and that's for sure about planning and having things shuffle, every time I think I'm on track for something something throws a stick in my spokes and I end up going a different direction

@frankevans287 man... I feel that in my soul.... we were hoping to get a drone this year but that's not happening. Maybe next year

In our vans they have to use a Universal track bolted through the roof. It can literally be placed anywhere in the troughs between ridges as long as it does not intersect a Ridge so it stays flat against the roof. I can't tell you exactly where they placed mine exactly because my van is currently in the shop getting a gear swap done. But a rough estimate would be a couple of inches inside the first ridge on either side. I can give you a more exact answer in a couple of weeks

I think you can get away with a 2.75. 2.5 might be a little tight. This was just a commercially available option that was available without me having to have something fabricated.

Mine is 2570mm long which is just a shade over 101 inches. The parts list is in the video description if you need more details 😊 The rack was $$... but worth every penny I paid. 2 years later I don't even feel the dent it made in my bank account, but I use that rack every single trip.

That is what I figured - close to 8 ft. Thanks for replying.​@@LoveTribeOverland

Thanks... We've come so far since this video. The Expo is a really fun event... so much to take in. We attended the first two years... taking this year off to do some actual adventuring. We might go next year... also looking at attending the Overland Rally in Twisp, WA next year... Lisa is going to go scout it out for us next weekend in her F250/Tune M1 set up. If you see her there be sure to say Hello

I use Gaia primarily, but also use OnX for finding fun routes to drive. You can download the GPX tracks at Ridebdr.com and import them into either Gaia or OnX

@LoveTribeOverland Thanks appreciate it!

@johnblaze4116 no problem! Happy Trails!

Thanks! Yeah watching these videos I'm like... I drive so slow! But yeah... especially navigating large rocks and washouts, I'm a big believer that full send breaks stuff. My van is heavy, and with a high center of gravity, it's far better if I don't get that thing bouncing any more than necessary. Lol... the hidden winch bumper was the first mod I installed, and I still have not put a winch in it yet. It's on my list but I just haven't made it that far on my priority list yet. It's gonna happen soon though. I've always read that your winch capacity should be 2x your vehicle weight. My van fully loaded is about 6500lb so by my math I'd need a 12000lb winch minimum. I'd be pulling 6500 static load, but if I'm stuck in mud or slid off into a ditch, pulling the van up over an obstacle... thats where the additional capacity is needed, and that's where the snatch block or doubler comes in. The more you work at the working limit of your recovery gear, the more likely you are to have a catastrophic failure and those are the kinds of failures where people get hurt. At least that's my thinking anyway. If you watch my channel much, you'll probably notice that I don't mind spending money if I'm buying quality... I especially feel this way when safety is involved. At the same time, I do still have some sense of frugality. For example, I originally wanted a Warn winch, 12k capacity, wireless control etc. That winch carries a $2500 price tag. After doing some research I've found that the Badlands winch from Harbor Freight is built exactly the same (even uses some of the same parts) has the same features for around $600 (depending on current sales) Its very well reviewed and is a winch a lot of my friends are using and is proven.

@@LoveTribeOverland I like I say I have three winches all for different purposes. I have use mine for lifting stuff and pulling stuff. For small stuff 2,000 LB lightweight easy to handle. The 5,500 lightweight but little hard to handle used on my 14FT utility trailer with a 2" receiver used for puling small & but big stuff. Both of those will run off a lawn tractor or car battery. My 9000LB ( back buster ) loading a cars on my car trailer with a 2" receiver on the deck. Chain to a tree I pulled my buddies F250 with snow plow and sander out of the ditch high centered yes we used a pulley. I loaded a cut up school bus on my 12 FT dump flat bed with it. I have earn extra money pulling people out of snow banks. I have pulled a junk cabin cruiser out of the woods with water and ice in it. (No trailer drop at dump) I have also fund that if the winch is not strong enough or need to be double it just stop's and wont pull. Of course being set up for a 2 inch trailer receiver all my winches they are stored in side. Yes my pick up has a two 2 inch trailer receivers front and rear. Next I have to put on front receiver of my Astro. As for my Astro pulling power I pull (moved) a 10X12 loaded shed she pull it side ways.

@vega1975 I apologize if I implied that you're wrong... it definitely sounds like you have a lot more experience than I do in this. I'm just saying I overbuild everything... I dont think anyone ever said "man, I've got way too much winch for this job"

@@LoveTribeOverland Well I did not want to sound like I am pissed or a ass hole. But it just what you can do with stuff you can afford on a small budget and not meant for that job.

Man.... wait until you see the new design... ive got video in the can but its gonna take some time for me to process. There are teasers on our social media pages though 😉

@@LoveTribeOverland lookin forward to it, I bet it's pretty awesome, got do these things to work out the kinks right, no worries on time frame, whenever you get it out is a ok.

Aww thanks Sue.... you're the bestest... if you ever find yourself down in our part of the world, hit us up... we'd be happy to cook for you 😊

Aww thanks Mike and Lisa. You are just a ferry ride away from me in Victoria, stay safe out there!

​@MsSoozy ohhhhh ... sorry darlin were from the OTHER Vancouver remember? A little further south

I've not done the 4x4 conversion. I'm not sure if I want to... while low range would be helpful, I think the AWD is better in poor traction situations like we encountered here.

@@LoveTribeOverland awd is perfectly functional unless going crazy off road, in which case your could look at the np236

@frankevans287 yeah... this particular trail got a little on the edge of nuts (video never does these trail justice) There were a couple of places that got pretty rocky where I was a little concerned that we might struggle coming back up the hill. I feel like I say this every time but this is definitely one of the most challenging routes we've done so far. This route is pushing the limit of what I'm comfortable doing. I'm not interested in breaking stuff because breaking stuff is unnecessarily expensive. Besides to me that's part of what overlanding is. Where 'wheeling is pushing your rig to test its limits, overlanding is knowing and using your rigs capabilities and being able to complete the journey. I've looked into the NP233 swap. It seems like a pretty easy swap to do... Im just on the fence about whether or not I will gain ability I may not need or if I will lose the traction control I value most in this van. I've wavered back and forth because I feel like... can I call myself a "legit" offroad van guy if I don't make the swap? Idk... were doing alright so far. Someone did recently raise a good point. Were planning on running the WABDR this summer and there's a portion of the route (Babyhead Hill for those who are familiar) that is steep and long. Sounds like anyone with an automatic transmission should take the hill in low range to reduce transmission temperature. The hill itself is not otherwise difficult. This is not something I've considered before and we have already encountered some really long steel trails... so its got me thinking, maybe I do need it.

@@LoveTribeOverland Ya video never shows slope well, though watching this video on a few of those hills I was like oh man that looks steep even in video, and I was looking at all those large angular rocks like those look potentially hard on tires. I'm with you on that, I'm building mine to get me there, wherever there is, I drive through snowy mountain passes lots and logging roads and some off into muddy terrain, but wheeling and rock crawling are not my goals, I can't throw money at the things I break on every weekend if I go out and intentionally am hard on things. Legit is whatever, you're building yours out to suite you and your goals, there isn't any need to do just because others think it should be, do what you gotta do. If you ever decide you need 4 low, the np 236 may be more desirable to you. It has 2 high, 4 high, 4low, neutral, and automatic 4wd (awd) It is the same physical dimensions as the np136 automatic case, requires switching the transfer case control module, adding the selector buttons and I believe adding one wire to the ecm plug, also either need to swap in a blazer front diff so the case can communicate with the front axle disconnect or you can trick it somehow. There are a few good writeups on a few of the site. If you google what the transfer case numbers mean they start to make a lot of sense. NP is for new process/new venture, the first number is how many speeds it has, 1 speed or 2 speed high and low. The second number is strength rating between 2(weakest) and 7(strongest), the vans came with a 136 so going to a 233,231, or 236 we are keeping the same strength, someone has rebuilt the 236 with 246 internals to make a stronger tc, sounds like most of the parts just drop right in, and someone has swapped in a complete 246 but I am not sure if there is any fitment issues or not. Finally the third number comes up to functional design, part time= selectable 4wd, full time=automatic 4wd, I believe 1 denotes part time manually selected, 3 denotes part time electronically selected (people doing the swap remove the electronic and put the manual shifter) I believe they don't use the 231 because of fitment issues, 6 denotes an on demand system (according to the chart I can find currently) The chart should come up googling james halderman new venture transfer cases, there is another chart thatt's better but I can't find it currently.

@@frankevans287 Dang... thats a lot of good information. Thanks for sharing! I guess really thats a part of my hesitation too... the more you modify stock, the more potential issues you will run into trying to make it work. I guess that is another reason why I'm holding off on the 4x4 conversion until I see a clear need for it.

While I am confused at the tone of your comment... I agree with your statement about campers who leave garbage. We feel pretty strongly about that as well. My commentary about the fire was more from a place of humility. If you've driven through the area that was devastated by the fire you might appreciate the sentiment more. Either way... I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.

Thanks for the heads up. We are very fortunate to live in a part of the country where harsh road salts are not used, which is the biggest contributing factor to rust.

@@LoveTribeOverland well, the front bumper and those body mounts get wet any time it rains, so just keep an eye on that area! Good luck!

Glad to have you! Welcome to the adventure!

Was great meeting you too.... and I soooo appreciate the drone footage! I want one of my own sooo badly!

So its a year later... I have no issues. They seem to be working beautifully. Everything I understand is they MUST be placed in OEM mounts. Aftermarket mounts will not work without significant modification.

@@LoveTribeOverland Thank you very much! 🫵👍

I like to show my struggles, so that when you have them you don't feel so badly. It also is a clear demonstration of my competence as a mechanic lol

Mine is AWD which is similar to 4wd except it doesn't have a manual transfer case so no low range. I actually think in many ways AWD is better because you get better traction control especially on snow and ice. I may at some point convert to 4wd... but im not sure with that I fo that it would be necessary

Welcome! And thanks for the feedback! It's entirely possible... we were out there in August and again in October.

No, but my pressure line developed a Crack and started leaking (common even on non-lifted Astros) when the shop replaced it, they used an upgraded hose with a flexible elbow

Yeah... my second year of creating content and it looks like my pattern will likely be to take advantage of good weather to go overlanding and work on editing during the times when the weather is poor. So at times I'll be releasing content in the winter that was shot over the summer. I'm actually starting to experiment with a bed build now (look for that in a future video soon) You would be correct about the winch bumper mounts, but they are very robust bolts and mounts. Ive not heard of anyone having any issues with this setup. We've not yet put a winch on... that will be coming soon as well.

@@LoveTribeOverlandYa man, make hay when the sun shines!!! That's what I figured looking at pictures from their website, I'm just playing around with weather or not to stuff a winch behind the stock bumper hoping to make the fair lead mount just below the license plate in the factory indent, but it's a little tight and perhaps a little low I dunno, was thinking about adding a few more through bolts through the frame potentially, still playin around with it, but just seeing I guess journeys feels it's tough enough to yank from those mounting holes.

I've only just recently found Don's channel. He's got good content... ill have to pay more attention and see if I can figure out where he's accessing public land. After thinking about this particular trio and how completely trashed some of the sites were, I can't really blame timber companies for closing their land. So many people dumping their trash out there.

P.S. oil that door!

@@karenoverholt37 lol....I oil it often.... it gets a lot of dust in it.

Glad I could help! Let us know how your experience is getting your mounts in!