Finally

Seattle · 04-25-2010, 11:34 PM

After a year and a half of looking and making offers on multiple vans, we finally have one of our own. Its a 2006 PSD EB with a 50 "like" build-out.

We picked it up on Thursday in Southern California and arrived today (Sunday) back in Seattle. Thanks to this website for all the great reading and advice. Our weekends are going to get much more interesting.

cellularSTEVE · 04-26-2010, 12:10 AM

Congratulations Seattle. I am sure you will love the SMB as much as the rest of us do.

steve

floorguy_724 · 04-26-2010, 12:45 AM

Wow nice van man! Looks a little higher than most, any suspension mods?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

billwilson · 04-26-2010, 06:25 AM

welcome buddy
clean 'er up
get your local mechanic to go thru it
top off the fuel and water
pack with a second set of clothes and toiletries that STAY in the rig
find some local spots, get the maps
GO every chance you can
Plan the big trips, but squeaking out small trips is great and easy if the rig is pre loaded
also the short trips will alow you to see what works and breaks to bullet proof for the Big One
just my two cents

best

BW

Stumpalump · 04-26-2010, 08:42 AM

Wow! Nice rig! Like Bill said I keep basics inside and ready to go. I grab food and go but can even pick up food on the road. As soon as I get home I restock and get it ready for whatever pops up.

spomo1 · 04-26-2010, 09:58 AM

You have a new SMB in Seattle and we are new to Seattle with an SMB... Congrats and as you have already seen here... spend more time out in the SMB then home on the driveway.

bettyford · 04-26-2010, 12:23 PM

Very Nice!!

Ron

bitburger · 04-26-2010, 12:43 PM

Welcome to the PNW SMB group!

Between you and Spomo1, we are the fastest growing region in the world!

I hope it all goes well for you.

Seattle · 04-26-2010, 12:57 PM

Thanks all for the well wishes. We are really stoked!

Regarding the suspension, I was told all stock, but was looking at it, and it appears to have the "old man emu" shocks up front? Not sure if that is standard SMB or not.

My one question to you all is regarding the "float" in the steering, at freeway speeds it takes active participation from the driver to keep going straight. Not bad, just much different than the Audi or BMW previously driven. Being a van/4x4 novice, I am chalking it up to the fact that it's a big heavy 4x4 van with big wheels and tires, but thought I would ask. It was checked out prior to purchase and nothing came up regarding any issues with the front end, just curious to get some feedback from the experienced SMB owners here.

Thanks!

**BroncoHauler** · 04-26-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle

Thanks all for the well wishes. We are really stoked!

Regarding the suspension, I was told all stock, but was looking at it, and it appears to have the "old man emu" shocks up front? Not sure if that is standard SMB or not.

My one question to you all is regarding the "float" in the steering, at freeway speeds it takes active participation from the driver to keep going straight. Not bad, just much different than the Audi or BMW previously driven. Being a van/4x4 novice, I am chalking it up to the fact that it's a big heavy 4x4 van with big wheels and tires, but thought I would ask. It was checked out prior to purchase and nothing came up regarding any issues with the front end, just curious to get some feedback from the experienced SMB owners here.

Thanks!

Old Man Emu (OME) shocks are standard SMB. My SMB tracks fairly well at all speeds. Check all the front-end steering linkages, consider getting an alignment from a shop that can properly do an alignment on a 4wd vehicle, and check the load rating on your tires. Going from D rated tires to E rated tires has made many SMB drivers far more comfortable on the road. Do a search and you should be able to find lots of posts on that topic.

Herb