Debated reviving this because I keep going such long time between updates...
Been fortunate to have some time (thanks to the periods of nice weather and Corona2020) to finish up some long overdue projects. But before I ever got to do that, I ended up spending more money on mechanical issues in two months than i spent to purchase the van originally. Seems like the 150k mile gremlins are starting to emerge.
First an ignition coil went bad so I ended up having all the coils and the glow plugs replaced... $1,800. Then I noticed the driver-front coil spring was snapped while rotating tires. Suspension was something on my list to do... but with only one car and little time, it turned in to $1600 bill for new front MOOG springs and Biltsein shocks (those were overdue and rust made the job a lot longer). Then the one of the u-joints **** the bed, so a refurbished driveline swap was added in to the mix... and finally the rear main oil seal leak got to a dangerous point and that ended being another $2,300 job. Turns out the last time this was done, the mechanic put in 3 gaskets. 3. There is only supposed to be 1.
After all of that... I finally found a set of heavier duty donor leaf springs in good condition at the junk yard. I went ahead and ordered new Bilsteins for the rear as well while I was at it. The rear suspension refresh was my first true venture in to the mechanical world of my van (outside of oil changes, tire rotations, etc)... I picked up a Haynes manual, which was great, and everything went decently well. Haven't had a chance to drive it much (all the natl forests are closed around seattle), but around the neighborhood it does seem to feel a lot better.
The old, snapped front coil
New front shocks & coils. Looks slightlyyyy cooler than the 'ol rusty stuff.
Junk yard leafs
Thankful to have a space other than a parking lot to work on the van.
Old shocks --> new shocks
Some shot bushings....
I also finished tinting the windows, which I'll try to post some pics of later this week. Only shattered one window in the process