Flush the entire coolant system, check that coolant, does it look muddy? If you replace the radiator either go with the factory OEM AC Delco OR the aftermarket all aluminum - You don't need electric fans unless you're towing a LOT. Give the kid a little booze when you're out there, man... :D
Lol... I can neither confirm nor deny that the kid might like the same beer I do....but def can't put that on TH-cam! We did a coolant flush when we replaced the thermostat. That's when the shop let us know that it was a mess... truthfully, this van had a lot of neglect when we were dumping all of our money into Ellies VW trying to keep it on the road. So we're trying to get things caught up
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
Great video to just watch and experience a whole new world, or at least it feels like I get transferred into a whole new world. Thank you and wish you all the best :)
I'm actually posting videos from our national park vacation this past fall on my other computer as I watch this. After reading several articles I don't see where it will be an issue without sponsored content. I have zero issues following the rules but I don't think it applies for someone posting just to have a record that can be shared with friends. We owned a 2004 Astro with the V6 and still miss traveling in that van. I think the V6 they used was the best engine Chevy ever made. At one time a company offered a 4 wheel drive kit for Astro vans. That would make for an awesome van install :-)
I want to address your van comment first. Journeys Offroad DOES still distribute a 4x4 conversion kit, sounds like its fairly easy to install, and not excessively expensive. There are a couple of other more pressing priorities for us right now, but this is on my list of mods I will be doing. Probably in 2024. As for the shooting video in National Parks debate... I fully subscribe to your thinking... and believe that for the most part non-monetized channels like ours have nothing to fear.... except... apparently, according to a lawyer, because TH-cam makes money off of Ads on our videos whether we like it or not (its in the user agreements we agree to) this platform is by its nature considered "commercial" and the video's posted here, in the eyes of the law would arguably be considered commercial in nature. (I say let TH-cam cover the costs of the permits then) That being said, the Federal Government says "We're not looking for you...." to us little guys who don't produce massive content for money etc.... and we all know we can trust the federal government.... right? Here's the real kicker.... the law as written apparently applies to ALL federal land... not just National Parks. The National Park service is simply the ones that are opting to enforce it currently, mostly going after bigger content creators that DO make money off their work, but even them not in great numbers.... so it feels a lot like playing the lottery, and I'm not sure to what extent its worth the risk. For us... we will simply avoid shooting in National Parks, and outside of that, we will likely no longer disclose WHERE we are shooting. How would anyone know whether we are on private land or federal land otherwise. Kind of a bummer for the WABDR trip we're planning since its almost ALL on Federal land. Idk... still trying to determine how I feel about all of this. Probably much ado about nothing really... Honestly, I think this whole problem will be resolved with some kind of solution that probably involves an annual permit system for small time Social media producers like us. Something affordable for most people... because I think they will find they will get more people willing to pony up to comply if the costs and management is reasonable. Otherwise most people like us will just go renegade and hope that we never find ourselves on the wrong end of a fine.
@@LoveTribeOverland In some ways I wish TH-cam hadn't popped this channel up for me to watch. It makes me miss our van :-). I can't wait to see what you end up with! I understand your thoughts and you have to do what you think is best. I will say we were in Zion a couple of years ago, very late in the season, and a drone came zooming by us while we hiked a trail. It's not really the thing you want to hear in a national park, especially considering we push the snow season to avoid the crowds as it is. I can fully understand why the park service is having to get a handle on some of this.
Sounds like you could us a rear axle locker, (Torsen type) front E- or air locker and set of MaxxTrax. Do you have a 2spd transfer case? You might also consider some Reflectix insulation on the ceiling before you replace the headliner and in the walls before the interior build-out. Good build so far!
I'm not sure that putting a locker in these differentials is a good idea. I'm not sure they are strong enough to handle the load. My intention is to do the straight axle conversion in the next couple of years, and then I'd change out the rear at the same time and both would be an upgrade... but im only going to do that if it seems necessary after a couple of years of overlanding. I dont really intend to do much where that would be necessary or worth the $$ to do it.... its really going to depend on how quickly I wear out CV joints. I may put some extra insulation in as the pull to go out and camp in the snow has been calling me this year. Its all a work in progress... definitely not getting done fast enough for me...
Did you also do the 4x4 kit (4h and 4l) and s10 transfer case from J OFFROAD? Or just using the standard Awd? How out is your speedo with the larger tires?
My speedo is off by just under 10% so if my speedo says 50mph I'm actually doing 55. 60 is 66, 70 is 77 etc. I will eventually be trying to correct this with a gear swap but im waiting to decide if I'm going to do the straight axle swap from JOR... because if I do that, I will be putting beefier axles under it as well. Which brings us to the 4x4 conversion conversation. I want to use the van for another season before I make any more decisions on drive train. My guess is I probably will be doing the 4x4 conversion to get low range... this spring and summer is going to tell me a lot about where we go from here.
@@LoveTribeOverland sound good! I got myself a 2005 astro, same colour all the way in Dubai, UAE 2 weeks ago, to be used for overlanding in the dunes and mountains
With rhino rack and 2 servings and journey lift kit and rest air shocks and upgraded tires and mods in van. $10,000 with it on paid off van. 2010 town and country touring
Curious if you were able to get the Rhino Rack pioneer tray? Or one of the Rhino rack trays on your luggage rack? Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform was my first choice but I couldn't even get them to talk to me about a custom application.
Most of the time I would agree with you, but the west is drying up and wildfires started by campfires happens every year. I dont want to be responsible for starting a fire and during a burn ban, which happens every year from July through September a gas pit is your only option.
Flush the entire coolant system, check that coolant, does it look muddy? If you replace the radiator either go with the factory OEM AC Delco OR the aftermarket all aluminum - You don't need electric fans unless you're towing a LOT.
Give the kid a little booze when you're out there, man... :D
Lol... I can neither confirm nor deny that the kid might like the same beer I do....but def can't put that on TH-cam!
We did a coolant flush when we replaced the thermostat. That's when the shop let us know that it was a mess... truthfully, this van had a lot of neglect when we were dumping all of our money into Ellies VW trying to keep it on the road. So we're trying to get things caught up
Pretty work on the van. Beautiful family, thanks for sharing!
Good job guys
Is your Astro 4 WD ? Or rear drive?
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
Appreciate what you guys are building here. Thanks for sharing.
Its our pleasure!
Great video to just watch and experience a whole new world, or at least it feels like I get transferred into a whole new world. Thank you and wish you all the best :)
Thanks! Just wait and see what this year brings!
I'm actually posting videos from our national park vacation this past fall on my other computer as I watch this. After reading several articles I don't see where it will be an issue without sponsored content. I have zero issues following the rules but I don't think it applies for someone posting just to have a record that can be shared with friends.
We owned a 2004 Astro with the V6 and still miss traveling in that van. I think the V6 they used was the best engine Chevy ever made. At one time a company offered a 4 wheel drive kit for Astro vans. That would make for an awesome van install :-)
I want to address your van comment first. Journeys Offroad DOES still distribute a 4x4 conversion kit, sounds like its fairly easy to install, and not excessively expensive. There are a couple of other more pressing priorities for us right now, but this is on my list of mods I will be doing. Probably in 2024.
As for the shooting video in National Parks debate... I fully subscribe to your thinking... and believe that for the most part non-monetized channels like ours have nothing to fear.... except... apparently, according to a lawyer, because TH-cam makes money off of Ads on our videos whether we like it or not (its in the user agreements we agree to) this platform is by its nature considered "commercial" and the video's posted here, in the eyes of the law would arguably be considered commercial in nature. (I say let TH-cam cover the costs of the permits then) That being said, the Federal Government says "We're not looking for you...." to us little guys who don't produce massive content for money etc.... and we all know we can trust the federal government.... right?
Here's the real kicker.... the law as written apparently applies to ALL federal land... not just National Parks. The National Park service is simply the ones that are opting to enforce it currently, mostly going after bigger content creators that DO make money off their work, but even them not in great numbers.... so it feels a lot like playing the lottery, and I'm not sure to what extent its worth the risk. For us... we will simply avoid shooting in National Parks, and outside of that, we will likely no longer disclose WHERE we are shooting. How would anyone know whether we are on private land or federal land otherwise. Kind of a bummer for the WABDR trip we're planning since its almost ALL on Federal land. Idk... still trying to determine how I feel about all of this. Probably much ado about nothing really...
Honestly, I think this whole problem will be resolved with some kind of solution that probably involves an annual permit system for small time Social media producers like us. Something affordable for most people... because I think they will find they will get more people willing to pony up to comply if the costs and management is reasonable. Otherwise most people like us will just go renegade and hope that we never find ourselves on the wrong end of a fine.
I meant to share this link...
th-cam.com/video/0KfHLO1Ss4I/w-d-xo.html
@@LoveTribeOverland In some ways I wish TH-cam hadn't popped this channel up for me to watch. It makes me miss our van :-). I can't wait to see what you end up with!
I understand your thoughts and you have to do what you think is best. I will say we were in Zion a couple of years ago, very late in the season, and a drone came zooming by us while we hiked a trail. It's not really the thing you want to hear in a national park, especially considering we push the snow season to avoid the crowds as it is. I can fully understand why the park service is having to get a handle on some of this.
@@jamesw5836 time to find another van and live out that nostalgia!
Looks really cool! Hope you can make it to Kentucky
Who knows? That would definitely be a fun trip!
Sounds like you could us a rear axle locker, (Torsen type) front E- or air locker and set of MaxxTrax. Do you have a 2spd transfer case? You might also consider some Reflectix insulation on the ceiling before you replace the headliner and in the walls before the interior build-out. Good build so far!
I'm not sure that putting a locker in these differentials is a good idea. I'm not sure they are strong enough to handle the load.
My intention is to do the straight axle conversion in the next couple of years, and then I'd change out the rear at the same time and both would be an upgrade... but im only going to do that if it seems necessary after a couple of years of overlanding. I dont really intend to do much where that would be necessary or worth the $$ to do it.... its really going to depend on how quickly I wear out CV joints.
I may put some extra insulation in as the pull to go out and camp in the snow has been calling me this year.
Its all a work in progress... definitely not getting done fast enough for me...
Did you also do the 4x4 kit (4h and 4l) and s10 transfer case from J OFFROAD? Or just using the standard Awd?
How out is your speedo with the larger tires?
My speedo is off by just under 10% so if my speedo says 50mph I'm actually doing 55. 60 is 66, 70 is 77 etc.
I will eventually be trying to correct this with a gear swap but im waiting to decide if I'm going to do the straight axle swap from JOR... because if I do that, I will be putting beefier axles under it as well.
Which brings us to the 4x4 conversion conversation. I want to use the van for another season before I make any more decisions on drive train. My guess is I probably will be doing the 4x4 conversion to get low range... this spring and summer is going to tell me a lot about where we go from here.
@@LoveTribeOverland sound good! I got myself a 2005 astro, same colour all the way in Dubai, UAE 2 weeks ago, to be used for overlanding in the dunes and mountains
With rhino rack and 2 servings and journey lift kit and rest air shocks and upgraded tires and mods in van. $10,000 with it on paid off van. 2010 town and country touring
Curious if you were able to get the Rhino Rack pioneer tray? Or one of the Rhino rack trays on your luggage rack? Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform was my first choice but I couldn't even get them to talk to me about a custom application.
Does that make it a 31 inch tire
Yes
$2500 for tires and wheels? Jesus, they saw you coming. Only mistake I see so far. The rest looks really great
Yeah... I was mistaken... I double checked my receipts and it was more like $1700
Firefeel! Really. Burn wood in the woods man!
Most of the time I would agree with you, but the west is drying up and wildfires started by campfires happens every year. I dont want to be responsible for starting a fire and during a burn ban, which happens every year from July through September a gas pit is your only option.