Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT 3rd time's a charm with a 3 car workshop

[loganb]

The Contis are a good tire. Are you running the HT or the AT version?

I'll plug my favorite Swiss army knife tire, price the Yokohama Geolandar G015. Quiet on the highway and great in rain/snow/ice. They are moving to an updated version, G018 I think is the number, so they are probably closing out the old number.

I've got the AT's on it. I was accidentally pricing the 2016 AT price vs 2024 HT price above, current AT price is 272.99 before a $80 coupon for a set of 4....so that's more of the inflation in price I was expecting.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Yoko's! Looks like the G015's are 244 and the G018's are 269 so right in the same price range. The G018's are definitely more aggressive and a deeper tread which with winter approaching is tempting...hum......

 

[OutlawDrifter]

All of the Yokohama G015s I've bought have been Made in USA also.

I ran a set of the Conti ATs on my last F150, they were a fantastic tire for sure.

 

[nicholam77]

Hey Logan, just catching up here. Seems you're staying busy.

What CAD software do you use? I'm becoming "OK" in sketchup as I work out my cabinets and stuff but I feel like the basics could cross apply to something more 3D printer centric?

For things you're going to 3d print, it's better to use an engineering CAD software like Logan suggested. It does a better job with STL export (especially with the interior of models and what should be solid or not), and it's way easier to make iterative changes, especially if you use parametric modeling (essentially variables for your dimensions that you can quickly edit).

Sketchup is great for anything else. Personally I use it for floor plans / floor models of my house.

I originally was using Fusion but switched to Alibre as I wasn't super fond of some of their restrictions on their hobbyist level but my concerns were probably mostly overblown and unwarranted. In terms of professional level software with boatloads of online tutorials, I think Fusion is the leader there.

My biggest gripe with Fusion (and granted, I'm a total novice compared to you), is their update schedule. It's constantly pushing updates, and really wants you to not only be on the latest, but also a pretty recent OS version to. At least when it comes to Mac. And also the borderline requirement for cloud connectivity.

That said, I'm sticking with it, because like you said it's free, pretty fully-featured, well-documented with tons of tutorials, and stuff like the Gridfinity plugin is great.

Was hoping it might be quieter....doesn't seem like it. Not that its a big deal as it runs for 20 seconds...but would have been nice

I replaced an Insinkerator last year and thought it would be quieter, too. It's a small thing... but ever since I read about Gregor lining his sink in soundproofing material in the Midcentury Moto Mecca thread, I've always wanted a quieter sink setup lol. Maybe one day.

I'm using the Kasa/TP-link switches, they seem cost effective and have done all that I've wanted/needed. At some point I would like to get deeper into home automation...but with the list of stuff I'd like to do that is ahead of them it's probably not happening for awhile

Kasa is great, as long as you have an internet connection. I believe in some cases the switches schedule is stored in on-board memory, but I would not count on any automations in the Kasa app functioning without cloud connection.

That said, they are decently made, well packaged and documented, reliable, and cheap. Nice app. I would choose them over any other non-name-brand WiFi switch. I've been using 2x of their in-wall switches, 5x smart plugs, and 2x RGB bulbs for about a year and they've been very reliable.

I love that their 3-way switches can use a dumb switch as the 2nd switch.

You should probably finish that Plane Till first, but when you're ready to get into home automation, go straight for Home Assistant. I think you would like it.

Also taking the time to write breaker numbers on the backs of all outlet covers I remove to save "Future Logan" some work....hopefully.

That's a good idea!

4 more sets of 3-way's just got dropped on the porch so that's probably tonight's project

Yikes. I hate installing smart switches. I once struggled with a single Kasa 3-way for about two hours. Maybe your house has larger boxes, idk, but I don't envy you.

Damn now you have me looking at the Vessel screwdrivers. I already have a set of Craftsman, handful of Klein, and some Wera. But I like screwdrivers.

 

[gearhead1960]

+1 on "Also taking the time to write breaker numbers on the backs of all outlet covers I remove to save "Future Mark" some work....hopefully". I try to write down each circuit on my breaker panels list, but it's filled up....

 

[jar944]

I'm using Alibre Atom

I thought alibre disappeared. I haven't used it in 15-20 years. It used to be totally free for students/hobbyist back then.

 

[loganb]

All of the Yokohama G015s I've bought have been Made in USA also.

I ran a set of the Conti ATs on my last F150, they were a fantastic tire for sure.

The nearby tire dealer I prefer keeps the Conti AT's on hand, the Yoko's have to come from the distributor so going with the Conti's. Scheduled to get Installed Tuesday.

I thought alibre disappeared. I haven't used it in 15-20 years. It used to be totally free for students/hobbyist back then.

It's improved from those days but definitely still a rare bird. I think their value prop is basically "you can buy a lifetime licenses with us....who else can you do that with?". They sent me a 40% off to upgrade offer with their Black Friday sale....not going to bite but for the small shop without collaboration requirements forcing Fusion or Solidworks it's a very viable option and far cheaper then the big boys.

 

[jonshonda]

My biggest gripe with Fusion (and granted, I'm a total novice compared to you), is their update schedule. It's constantly pushing updates, and really wants you to not only be on the latest, but also a pretty recent OS version to. At least when it comes to Mac. And also the borderline requirement for cloud connectivity.

That said, I'm sticking with it, because like you said it's free, pretty fully-featured, well-documented with tons of tutorials, and stuff like the Gridfinity plugin is great.

Having professionally used Solid Edge, Solid Works, and Autodesk Inventor (which Fushion 360 is based on) I can say without a double Inventor is light years behind its competition. The only reason it's still around is the cult of AutoCAD users who found the transition to Inventor easy, and they are awfully hard to convert. It's funny when you read the forums regarding Inventor users with previous Solidworks experience, and their thoughts pretty much mirror mine regarding just how far behind they are.

I currently use Inventor and do find Fusion 360 to be useful, but it's just different enough from Inventor to frustrate me and make me just switch over to my work machine and use Inventor. Regarding it being cloud based, almost everyone has moved that direction as the software is so demanding on gear and updates that it's just much more simple to host it on a cloud. This change happened roughly 5+ years ago across almost every CAD platform.

Thanks for reminding me of the Gridfinity plugin, I will have to look into that soon as I continue to play with that system.

 

[loganb]

My next mini side quest project has arrived after 7-ish hours of road time today



Some re-assembly required.....but at least it was on the "list" for this week so this was a planned side quest

 

[madison069]

We have a grandfather clock, only downside to it is having to wind it often. Usually it’s me that was winding it so it got old.

 

[loganb]

We have a grandfather clock, only downside to it is having to wind it often. Usually it’s me that was winding it so it got old.

This should be what is called an 8 day clock or one that needs winding basically once a week. Its currently setup in the basement which we don't use a ton so will have to set a calendar reminder to wind it. This one strikes on the top of the hour only, but as we have a often occupied guest bedroom in the basement I'm thinking after I get it setup I won't wind the striker weight to not disrupt any guests.











From talking with the clock repairman/reseller who had it on consignment, he dated age of this one very early 1800's which aligns with some quick Google searching of the name plate on the face. It's showing it's age and has had some repairs to the wood framework but the movement seems solid. It's just got wound and time set, so will give it a day and see how it does holding time, it was in service till the day it went to the repairman so should be good unless something got bumped in transit.

If it's staying accurate-ish tomorrow I'll probably work on a tieback/wall anchor for it to help stabilize it and reduce the risk of errant kids bumping in and causing a crash. As it sits now, the top needs leaned back at least a solid inch to plumb out so some shims are gonna be required as well. If I can get that all done, I'll work to get the movement centered in the top/valence and then put the top onto it

 

[loganb]

Back to the list today

Finishing the garage door trim painting



Now back to garage...inaugural usage of rhino ramps



First time doing the ****** fluid change on wife's Volvo XC60



And was back at autoparts store 45 min after leaving as I thought I had a 17mm hex socket...but was wrong



So now I have one and have the rest of the fluid draining out. This fluid has been in there long enough probably going to refill and drive it a bit then drain and refill again

 

[bj383ss]

Back to the list today

Finishing the garage door trim painting



Now back to garage...inaugural usage of rhino ramps



First time doing the ****** fluid change on wife's Volvo XC60



And was back at autoparts store 45 min after leaving as I thought I had a 17mm hex socket...but was wrong



So now I have one and have the rest of the fluid draining out. This fluid has been in there long enough probably going to refill and drive it a bit then drain and refill again

I just did the wife's xc90 this past summer. What happen to putting dipsticks on transmissions? So stupid you have to use a scanner and that stupid pull the drain plug while it's running.

Bret

 

[loganb]

I just did the wife's xc90 this past summer. What happen to putting dipsticks on transmissions? So stupid you have to use a scanner and that stupid pull the drain plug while it's running.

Bret

Agreed!

For those who haven't experienced the dealership friendly service on these



You drain these by removing the small plug with a torx bit from the center of the larger plug with the stand pipe on it. The larger plug is removed with a 17mm hex socket to drain entirely then you put both plugs back in and remove the fill plug with a T55



Pour a gallon or so in, get the fluid to 50 or 60C and then pull the small plug out and let it drain. That standpipe serves as the fluid fill level when it's level and fluid at the specified temp.

They at least made it feasible to get to the fill plug without removing anything else...small miracles.

End of the day...it's not terribly hard...just dumb from the user service point of view. I did drain the first batch of fluid back out and refreshed it...at least makes me feel better

 

[bj383ss]

Agreed!

For those who haven't experienced the dealership friendly service on these



You drain these by removing the small plug with a torx bit from the center of the larger plug with the stand pipe on it. The larger plug is removed with a 17mm hex socket to drain entirely then you put both plugs back in and remove the fill plug with a T55



Pour a gallon or so in, get the fluid to 50 or 60C and then pull the small plug out and let it drain. That standpipe serves as the fluid fill level when it's level and fluid at the specified temp.

They at least made it feasible to get to the fill plug without removing anything else...small miracles.

End of the day...it's not terribly hard...just dumb from the user service point of view. I did drain the first batch of fluid back out and refreshed it...at least makes me feel better

Yes that is true. I did have to remove the air box on hers. I bought a drain and fill kit from FCP Euro. Was $100. Was 3 drain and fills plus new gaskets and drain plugs. But I already had a scanner so you would have that cost as well if you didn't have one. She's good for another 50k.

Bret

 

[loganb]

So onto serpentine belt service which is rather involved....

So airbox and battery have to come out



Now you can see it



AC compressor has to be removed from mount but charge lines do not have to be removed






And getting the belt with new tensioner and idler in



Now here is where I'm maybe irritating future Logan...I'm most of the way to the water pump and the vacuum pump and I have the parts but am going to hold off. I have enough **** going on the next couple days I need to get this done....hopefully I'm not back I to this in 10k or fewer miles.

But as I am here...this motor mount you're seeing a top view of gets replaced as well

 

[bj383ss]

Man that is way more room in front of the engine than the xc90. I think it has like 1" of clearance between the front of the engine and the fender well. The straight 6 is a monster engine. How many miles does hers have?

Bret

 

[loganb]

Man that is way more room in front of the engine than the xc90. The straight 6 is a monster engine. How many miles does hers have?

Bret

So I'm in for more headaches if her next one is an XC90...great lol.

130k miles on it, bought it at 50k and has been great....getting to the point with 2 kids that she's thinking about the next one but she doesn't like the tahoe/yukon/expedition sized things so the XC90 has been on the list. Her parents have a Kia Pallisade sitting in our driveway she's driving tomorrow so will find out what she thinks of something that size.

I've got a service kit from FCP on the way for the AWD and rear diff service...was ordered yesterday so won't be here for a week but that will hopefully complete th3 service work for awhile

 

[bj383ss]

So I'm in for more headaches if her next one is an XC90...great lol.

130k miles on it, bought it at 50k and has been great....getting to the point with 2 kids that she's thinking about the next one but she doesn't like the tahoe/yukon/expedition sized things so the XC90 has been on the list. Her parents have a Kia Pallisade sitting in our driveway she's driving tomorrow so will find out what she thinks of something that size.

I've got a service kit from FCP on the way for the AWD and rear diff service...was ordered yesterday so won't be here for a week but that will hopefully complete th3 service work for awhile

That might depend on the year you get. My wife's is a 13' with just over 70k. I think they changed from the P2 platform to P3 in 2015. Totally different car.

Having said that hers has had no mechanical issues at all from new. It is the FWD version so I don't have any of the complication of the awd system. I change the oil every 6-7k.

The main things I have had to fix are plastic parts that the TX sun has destroyed over the last 11 years. I just had to buy a new taillight because it got a small crack in it and retained water that shorted out the LED strip that is non repairable. $400 for a new taillight ouch!

The manual shifter lock mechanism was also plastic and broke but that was pretty easy to fix. The one that got me was the rear window regulator that is all metal parts except for two plastic clips that hold the cable and the plastic broke.

The 6 in hers is only a 3.5L but that sucker scoots along pretty good for the weight of the vehicle. I wouldn't want her to have any more power than that.



Bret

 

[loganb]

Close to the end of work tonight


Slide the fuse box loose to get a 10mm wrench and remove 2 bolts and you can get this cover off the drivers side motor mount




Which then allows you to get the lower 2 bolts which the transmission hangs off out.



Then it's hit reverse on the last couple hours of work to put it all back together!

As it sits now it's back together and has been run. I have 3 motor mounts left to do, but I apparently only bought 2 of them....so going to go change clothes, pour a drink and sit on the couch while I see if I can get the remaining one locally in the morning or if I have to order it in.

All in all this was a pain in the **** for a serpentine belt....but far easier then I feared.

 

[loganb]

Back at it after a first am appointment...onto other side for motor mounts

The dog bone ish shaped torque strut arm is getting replaced as is the motor mount underneath it...but I only have the bottom one and strut arm won't be in till tomorrow so we'll remove it 2x.

2 bolts gets the torque arm out after popping coolant reservoir loose



Yup....needs replaced


Then these 4 bolts come out. At least bolts were fairly standardized...an 8, 10 and 15mm have done 95% of the work so far





And there is the fluid filled mount...3 more bolts and it's out



And setting next to the new one...the mounting point is definitely sunken so looks like the magic factory fluid is all gone and past the point of replacement



And back in




Only difference in reassembling is you need to jack up the motor a bit to get the 4 bolts on top started and relieve some pressure as that casting tightens up and gets the engine in the proper position. All in all under 30 minutes and the torque strut arm will get done tomorrow after the new one arrives at Napa as it had to shuttle from the Des Moines warehouse today.

 

[loganb]

No action shots but got the headlights cleaned up, used the kit from Cerakote and big improvement at least in how it looks.



So left on the round of work:

• Coolant change
• Last 2 motor mounts
• Rear diff and AWD fluid change
• Intake and cabin air filter changes

Eventually a CAT converter replacement is going to be needed as it's throwing check lights thanks to the downstream sensors. It's not terribly expensive and it's annoying the wife so it's probably getting done soon-ish

 

[madison069]

I've had a bad O2 sensor give me that type of check engine light, I was able to confirm it when looking at the live data on a scan tool. Changed the sensor and the problem went away.

 

[loganb]

I've had a bad O2 sensor give me that type of check engine light, I was able to confirm it when looking at the live data on a scan tool. Changed the sensor and the problem went away.

I haven't dug into it yet, but dealership(who was trying to sell parts and labor) claimed the o2 was working properly, the CAT just wasn't operating well enough anymore. No loss of power, slight decrease in mpg...other then CEL no other symptoms. We don't have emissions checks here for registration so don't have to worry about that at least...just the wife approval factor

 

[gearhead1960]

I would replace O2 sensor(s). @zmotorsports at one time described a similar issue. He replaced sensors 1st, problem solved. My son’s Subaru also had similar issue. Dealer wanted replace Cats for $2000 which would have included sensors. We did just sensors ourselves and problem solved. Rockauto had OE sensors for a very reasonable amount. Ultimately, you might need a Cat and you will replace sensors at same time. Might as well try just sensors 1st. Could save you a bundle.

 

[nicholam77]

The grandfather clock is pretty sweet

And was back at autoparts store 45 min after leaving as I thought I had a 17mm hex socket...but was wrong

Socket or wrench sets that don't come with a sequential set but rather "commonly used sizes" is a pet peeve of mine.

Great job on all the car work, you sure have done a lot in a few days. By the time you get it all refreshed your wife is gonna be ready for the next one lol

 

[82355]

Your wife is right to not like the size of the Tahoe. They are silly.

Get a Suburban like the good lord intended.

Martin

 

[Boostingaz]

I'd go for an old 7.3 Excursion. I looked for one for a long time. People didn't really keep those in good shape unfortunately.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I'd go for an old 7.3 Excursion. I looked for one for a long time. People didn't really keep those in good shape unfortunately.

Biggest downside to a Excursion is they eat front brakes like crazy and they don't fit in most residential garages.

I'd still take my 454 motivated Suburban or an 8.1L powered Yukon XL 2500 all day over the Excursion.

 

[Bob Heine]

Yup....needs replaced

Logan, after I made a few upgrades on our PT Cruiser Turbo, I shredded the upper engine strut mount. Replaced it and quickly shredded both upper and lower mounts. Bought a kit to add a rubber insert to the web.

When the third one started to fail I bought solid bushing upper and lower dog bones and other than the free massage it provides when stopped at a light, they have held up well.

Not sure exactly how much power my Cruiser produces but in stock form the normally aspirated PT was 150hp, turbo was 180hp and the GT was 230. Pretty sure I'm in the 250hp range with the intake, exhaust, stage 1 computer, composite intake manifold and 93 octane tune.

 

[loganb]

I replaced an Insinkerator last year and thought it would be quieter, too. It's a small thing... but ever since I read about Gregor lining his sink in soundproofing material in the Midcentury Moto Mecca thread, I've always wanted a quieter sink setup lol. Maybe one day.

Ironically I thought of that exact same thread as I'm laying under the stainless sink, looking up at the factory soundproofing on the stainless sink....

That said, they are decently made, well packaged and documented, reliable, and cheap. Nice app. I would choose them over any other non-name-brand WiFi switch. I've been using 2x of their in-wall switches, 5x smart plugs, and 2x RGB bulbs for about a year and they've been very reliable.

I love that their 3-way switches can use a dumb switch as the 2nd switch.

I ended up buying their 3 way switch kit which has a "main" and a "satellite" switch instead of trying to incorporate a dumb switch. Problem has come up though as their 3-way switch kit requires a neutral on the "main" switch where the power comes in, and even though my house is fairly new...on at least (2) of the 3-ways I wanted to put smart switches on don't have neutrals at the circuit where power comes in....well ****. So going to have to figure out what to do there....but after I get all the rest of the switches replaced

You should probably finish that Plane Till first, but when you're ready to get into home automation, go straight for Home Assistant. I think you would like it.

LOL....the plane till is probably the top of the list on garage projects I want to get done....really hopefully it can happen this coming weekend!

Damn now you have me looking at the Vessel screwdrivers. I already have a set of Craftsman, handful of Klein, and some Wera. But I like screwdrivers.

The more I use that electric screwdriver....the more I like it

I would replace O2 sensor(s). @zmotorsports at one time described a similar issue. He replaced sensors 1st, problem solved. My son’s Subaru also had similar issue. Dealer wanted replace Cats for $2000 which would have included sensors. We did just sensors ourselves and problem solved. Rockauto had OE sensors for a very reasonable amount. Ultimately, you might need a Cat and you will replace sensors at same time. Might as well try just sensors 1st. Could save you a bundle.

I've thought about doing the O2 sensor and see how it does.....the Bosch one isn't that bad. The CAT is actually pretty cheap for a CAT...RockAuto is 363 thru 576 depending on which one you do. Other thing I've read is a O2 spacer to pull the tip of the sensor back a bit out of the stream can help fix the errant CEL

The grandfather clock is pretty sweet

Thanks! It may have stopped working shortly after that picture...maybe. Another thing to work on this weekend....

Great job on all the car work, you sure have done a lot in a few days. By the time you get it all refreshed your wife is gonna be ready for the next one lol

Thanks! And yeah....that fear is there

Your wife is right to not like the size of the Tahoe. They are silly.

Get a Suburban like the good lord intended.

Martin

I'd go for an old 7.3 Excursion. I looked for one for a long time. People didn't really keep those in good shape unfortunately.

Biggest downside to a Excursion is they eat front brakes like crazy and they don't fit in most residential garages.

I'd still take my 454 motivated Suburban or an 8.1L powered Yukon XL 2500 all day over the Excursion.

Only disagreement is that the biggest downside to an Excursion is the name in the front grille

Personally....I would have 0 issues with a fully loaded Yukie with 40k or 60k miles...I'm happy to buy a fully loaded one with some of the depreciation wiped off instead of a brand new lower level options/trim package for the same money. The wife....yeah that large of one isn't happening. With 0 plans for more kids ....the very large SUV is probably significant overkill. I personally don't see much of a benefit of a 7 passenger SUV without room for some level of suitcases/luggage behind. I've talked with her about a minivan...she's extremely hesitant

I looked at Edmunds....the Volvo is worth in the range of $6.5 to $7.5k with 130k miles....so in my mind it's not worth it to worry about mileage and sell now due to depreciation....it's basically all done....just drive it till it's a maintenance basket case or other issues drive replacement.

I'm headed towards central Iowa for 2 days with family for Thanksgiving with a new Samsung tablet and not much to do....so I'm probably going to do some searching and make a spreadsheet(yes I'm a nerd) on some new vs used costs for some of the potential 7 passenger replacements. I'm honestly not likely to show it to the wife...but more for my information to understand how much dough I'm going to have to shell out....in hopefully 2 or 3 years

 

[madison069]

Minivan does rock in the utility department. Just have to get over the fact it’s a minivan.

Wife wanted to downsize from her old minivan so she’s in an Outback now. She’s loving it currently.

 

[loganb]

Just have to get over the fact it’s a minivan.

Ahh you've been there as well. Yeah...the wife has the anti-minivan mindset for sure...though she's admittedly never really looked at one, been in one, paid any attention to one....so it's being discounted prior to actually being considered.

Now to be fair....my struggle with the van has nothing to do with the van and more the manufacturer. I grew up in strong GM household, when we lived in Detroit they were a significant customer for Dad's employer. They did work for all the Big 3, but GM was the biggest of them. He grew up with all GM's on the farm....so it's generally carried on even though wife is rocking the Swede wagon

Of the list of minivan makers anymore....you've got:

• Chrysler: Future isn't looking bright
• Kia: Still struggling with that one from where they started though the inlaws like the Palisade that's in my driveway now
• Toyota: Sienna seems to be the best of the bunch here and I see lots of them in the neighborhood and at school dropoffs etc
• VW: Not sure I want another Euro-ish model here

Practicality wise....I think the minivan is the most practical for her for what she wants to do with the vehicle. If we were going shopping tomorrow though I think I'd have to almost forcefully drag her to look at one though....good thing I'm not planning to do this tomorrow

 

[loganb]

Logan, after I made a few upgrades on our PT Cruiser Turbo, I shredded the upper engine strut mount. Replaced it and quickly shredded both upper and lower mounts. Bought a kit to add a rubber insert to the web.

When the third one started to fail I bought solid bushing upper and lower dog bones and other than the free massage it provides when stopped at a light, they have held up well.

Not sure exactly how much power my Cruiser produces but in stock form the normally aspirated PT was 150hp, turbo was 180hp and the GT was 230. Pretty sure I'm in the 250hp range with the intake, exhaust, stage 1 computer, composite intake manifold and 93 octane tune.

Dang I hadn't even thought of a refurb type kit for those would be an option! Nice work! After looking closer at the mounts and the general concept...yeah I can see how you could easily shred those with the extra ponies she's pushing out

It took the local Napa guys a couple phone calls and my physically showing up for them to find it...but they did find the ordered torque strut/upper mount so 3 bolts later it was in and the coolant tank was back in position:



Forbidden koolaid from tank and radiator was drained and refilled:


No I did not do a full flush and drain....it got a similar treatment about 40k miles ago, it drains about half the coolant based on factory coolant capacity spec's. Fluid was premixed G48

And loaded up to haul the used fluids from 2 or 3x oil changes, 1 ****** fluid and a radiator fluid swap to the local part shop who takes it....of course the oil tank was full...drat! So back into the garage until next week to see if they can take it then

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I'd vote the Toyota if you're heading that way.

We had an '05 Caravan early in our relationship, it did serve it's purpose well, we eventually grew into the Suburban with 4 kids + doggo. After owning a couple of Suburbans, not sure I could go back to a smaller SUV, even with just 3 of us left in the house.

 

[XJSuperman]

I grew up in 3 of the Chrysler/Dodge vans. Seemed to be great for us at the time, but that was then, and this is now. They're much sportier than I remember as a kid, and now the interiors are even more versatile. All that interior cargo/kid space under roof is pretty nice...

 

[madison069]

We had a Toyota Sienna here, it was a good van but it was just getting old and rusted to the point of not passing inspection. The wife had the van before we met so it was me who had to get over the fact it was a minivan. The newer ones are Hybrid though, not sure how I feel about about those. But, if you’re going older then you should be able to get a gasoline engine only model.

But I will say, I remember those conversions vans and how much room us kids had in the back. Family friend had one and it was a major upgrade from the truck bed with a camper top on it for us kids. We actually had seatbelts if we wanted to use them! Riding 50 miles to the big city was more comfortable in the conversion van. Wonder if they still exist?

 

[Bob Heine]

But I will say, I remember those conversions vans and how much room us kids had in the back. Family friend had one and it was a major upgrade from the truck bed with a camper top on it for us kids. We actually had seatbelts if we wanted to use them! Riding 50 miles to the big city was more comfortable in the conversion van. Wonder if they still exist?

Cody, I was wondering the same thing. We had a friend in our Corvette club who towed his trailer with his race tire equipped big block '66 to events. It was fun for a bunch of adults to go to dinner with a designated driver. They still make them and there's probably one near you.

https://www.gmcconversionvans.com/new-vehicles/

 

[loganb]

I'd vote the Toyota if you're heading that way.

We had an '05 Caravan early in our relationship, it did serve it's purpose well, we eventually grew into the Suburban with 4 kids + doggo. After owning a couple of Suburbans, not sure I could go back to a smaller SUV, even with just 3 of us left in the house.

The Toyota is the front runner in my mind too if we go that unlikely route. The potential of adding a dog back to the mix in a year or two is strong and even for a medium size dog it's as much stuff as another kid in the mix

I grew up in 3 of the Chrysler/Dodge vans. Seemed to be great for us at the time, but that was then, and this is now. They're much sportier than I remember as a kid, and now the interiors are even more versatile. All that interior cargo/kid space under roof is pretty nice...

We had the GMC Astro or equivalents growing up....I think I recall 3 of them. Learned how to do basic tuneup's and spark plugs/wires on that 4.3 that was partially recessed back into the cabin with the fairly shallow "nose" of that....first time I then did them on one of the farm trucks I learned that not all spark plugs were a PITA to get to like the back 2 on that 4.3L was!

Having to remove that rear bench seat to haul big stuff in the back...definitely less fun

We had a Toyota Sienna here, it was a good van but it was just getting old and rusted to the point of not passing inspection. The wife had the van before we met so it was me who had to get over the fact it was a minivan. The newer ones are Hybrid though, not sure how I feel about about those. But, if you’re going older then you should be able to get a gasoline engine only model.

But I will say, I remember those conversions vans and how much room us kids had in the back. Family friend had one and it was a major upgrade from the truck bed with a camper top on it for us kids. We actually had seatbelts if we wanted to use them! Riding 50 miles to the big city was more comfortable in the conversion van. Wonder if they still exist?

I had a classmate in high school whose family had one of the conversion vans....rear seat folded flat for a bed, full swivel captains chairs in the middle....pretty nice! They still do them but the more common ones I see now are the sprinter style vans in the passenger configuration setup for 8 or so people to ride in luxury. Easy to drop 125k on one of those without putting bathroom in though so it suddenly makes the fully loaded Wagoneer/Yukon/Escalade look cheap-ish!

 

[nathanOH]

Hey don’t forget about the Honda Odyssey in all of this. My wife loves hers and you can haul a lot of junk in one when you fold the back seats down and pull the middle row out.

 

[Boostingaz]

The Toyota is the front runner in my mind too if we go that unlikely route. The potential of adding a dog back to the mix in a year or two is strong and even for a medium size dog it's as much stuff as another kid in the mix



We had the GMC Astro or equivalents growing up....I think I recall 3 of them. Learned how to do basic tuneup's and spark plugs/wires on that 4.3 that was partially recessed back into the cabin with the fairly shallow "nose" of that....first time I then did them on one of the farm trucks I learned that not all spark plugs were a PITA to get to like the back 2 on that 4.3L was!

Having to remove that rear bench seat to haul big stuff in the back...definitely less fun



I had a classmate in high school whose family had one of the conversion vans....rear seat folded flat for a bed, full swivel captains chairs in the middle....pretty nice! They still do them but the more common ones I see now are the sprinter style vans in the passenger configuration setup for 8 or so people to ride in luxury. Easy to drop 125k on one of those without putting bathroom in though so it suddenly makes the fully loaded Wagoneer/Yukon/Escalade look cheap-ish!

We had a GMC Explorer Limited van growing up that we used exclusively for road trips. It had the turtle top, lay flat bed, captain chairs, built in TV (my dad hooked up a Nintendo in it so we could play games), had the star light headliner which back in the day was "fancy", that thing was like riding around in a lazy boy! I think ours even had a little refrigerator, I was pretty young so don't quote that part. They are definitely super nice. That's probably about the only van I would actually drive.

Ours had a beige transition paint job, kind of something like this.