2000 Astro Camperized Battle Van

[TurnNburn]

Took the scenic way to an obscure high alpine lake last weekend. The benefit of taking a 12 miles class 7ish jeep trail... not a soul for miles. Well, at least not in any cars. Turns out, the PCT (pacific crest trail) was like 75 feet behind our camp. Needless to say, it startled me (and the dogs) when people just started walking by in the morning. Anyway, broke the left rear sway bar end link while wheeling over a particularly difficult section of trail. I have enough allthread to make another, but I think I am going to beef these up with a thicker bar for a more permanent solution.

[1lowcab]

Beautiful scenery!!

Nissan Bilsteins?

[TurnNburn]

Its been abnormally hot and smokey this time of year so we were trying to beat the heat up in the mountains. Virtually no mosquitos, the biting flies on the other hand...

Brought my scuba gear up and made a dive. Found an old fishing pole that was trademarked 1927. Was a cool find, and the water was 65 degrees. Perfect.

Yes rear Bilsteins off of a first gen Nissan Titan (04-14). We did a lift kit on a new truck at work and we put some giant Fox dual piston with reservoirs on it. They sat around for a while till the ol' lizard brain kicked in and got me thinking. They are the perfect length for my 7 inch lift. Only required some very minor grinding of the bottom bushing to get it to fit into the bottom shock bracket.

[1lowcab]

Perfect, can't go wrong with Bilsteins!! Wish they made Bilsteins for the rear of the Armadas.

BTW, sweet find on the fishing rod.

[TurnNburn]

You can delete that stupid air ride/auto leveling crap in the back. I haven't done it with bilsteins, but here is some info to point you in the right direction.

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/sto ... ersion.cfm

[1lowcab]

Luckly I have an SE with no air ride, but it also means I have the lower towing capacity.

There have been a few guys modify Titan rear Bilsteins to work on the Armadas but they just aren't valved right, Armadas have a lot more junk in the trunk then the Titans.

[AstroWill]

I will just leave this here:
c6 c7 d3

2000_c100_connector_end_view.pdf

(457.13 KiB) Downloaded 70 times

[TurnNburn]

YES!!! it does exist! Thank you so much Will. When we finally meet up I owe you like 7 beers!

[AstroWill]

You are most welcome Balakay!
-Mr. Garvey

[TurnNburn]

Finally got around to getting rid of my LED headlight assemblies a few days ago. I have stated in other threads that they suck, so I wont get into it to much here. However, I decided to go with the "euro" style, serviceable, "sealed beam" housing from Hella (links below).

These are pretty rad for a couple of reasons. First, the glass and the throw of the light from them is excellent. It has a nice wide beam that shoots out pretty far to the side of the road and its sends light 10x times further then the dumb LEDs on their best day. And second, they are serviceable and except a standard H4 head light bulb. I opted for a step up from standard wattage and got the 100w bulbs, Hella brand as well.

I am so pleased with the performance of these. And I am instantly disappointed that I didn't do this the day after installing those POS LEDs. I realize since this is only a small improvement of what normally would have been there I have no one to blame but myself for waiting so long. But, if you have standard sealed beams and want a bit of extra light, get these!

HELLA 003427811 190 x 132mm Series H4 High and Low Beam Headlamp Kit
https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003427811- ... B001G72VIK

HELLA H4 100/80W High Wattage Bulb, 12V
https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H4-100-80W ... B000COBLKW

I also ordered rear door seal as discussed in another thread that seems to have been deleted. However, this thread shows what seal I am talking about. The fit and finish is identical to the OEM seal (some minor trimming will be needed to make it fit around the 3rd brake light). And the quality is excellent.
https://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=62849

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MKEKX6

Ages ago I ordered and installed LED interior lights. They were bright as hell and that was awesome for illuminating the interior. But they would over heat and melt the solder and eventually start to flicker. I just scraped off the flickering ones until it didn't get hot enough to melt but eventually I would have scraped off enough that they were not bright enough. I bought, for some reason, a box of 12 of these. I eventually went through the whole box and ordered some new ones. These have some 20 or so hours on them and still haven't flickered, whereas the old ones could do it in minutes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078MLRNCX

Been a while since I have posted some van pics in its natural habitat. Van porn commence...

[WinnieVan]

Oooweee Blawk-ay.

Keep it up big fella.

Love the combo of the 5.3L, Z71 and AllTerrain badges!

[TurnNburn]

Realized to late that the z71 badge is crooked. Might take it, and the 5.3 badge, off and assemble them vertically under the all terrain.

[Mmusicman]

I decided to go with the "euro" style, serviceable, "sealed beam" housing from Hella (links below).
HELLA 003427811 190 x 132mm Series H4 High and Low Beam Headlamp Kit
https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003427811- ... B001G72VIK

I have the SAME exact set for my 92. Like everything I do... I bought them years ago and haven't installed them yet.

I have a post somewhere where I tested them with an HID bulb. The results were stunning!
My 92 sits low and headlights are behind a phantom grill, so a little extra intensity is welcomed.
I was quite happy with the pattern too. I expect to finally put these in soon.

I have no plans to change the headlights in my 2000.
With my high lift... my headlights already blaze directly in the eyes and mirrors of cars in front of me.

I wasn't aware of the Hella 100/80W halogen.. but coupled with this Hella housing, you have a winner!
Great price too!

[TurnNburn]

They actually make a 130w/90w as well if you are interested. I just opted for regular high output. The 100w seems to be just fine for now.
https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H4-100-80W ... M4VYH&th=1

[TurnNburn]

I don't know why I like it when the shadow does this, but it always puts a smile on my face



Visited 13 hot springs over the long thanksgiving holiday. This is at trail creak hot springs, sitting at around 6300 feet.


It got really cold that night at that high of elevation and the ice did some trippy stuff on our spare tire


Passing cars with ease with the v8 in there. Even going 80+ still plenty of grunt to get around stuff.

[akforceten]

nice blake looks like fun

[sixsix]

Great shots, thanks for the posts.



Mike

[WinnieVan]

It got really cold that night at that high of elevation and the ice did some trippy stuff on our spare tire

I was like -- why da fugg you laying on your back looking at the spare in the snow?

Then I remembered... duhh... it's on the bumper of your van.

[WinnieVan]

TNB -- any worries about the current with the high output bulbs on the stock wiring?

EDIT: I guess not. Didn't realize each lamp was on a separate 15A fuse. Should be golden at 100W then!

I might grab those bulbs. Driving my van at night is scary AF.

[GreatWhite]

[quote="TurnNburn"]I don't know why I like it when the shadow does this, but it always puts a smile on my face