The Manly Minivan

[MightyP]

Got a few things done on the minivan.

Finally painted my hubcaps. When I switched from PlastiDip to paint, the hubcaps were kind of forgotten.



Added airbags in the back. Very happy with them so far. Still kinda paranoid I'm going to rip out the lines, but I have to keep telling myself that it won't really hurt anything. I'll just go back to having reverse rake with the trunk full.





Added a decal




And took the family camping. This actually happened a while ago and I never got around to sharing. This trip is what got me really thinking about adding the airbags.

 

[Ratubbs]

Family. That's what it's all about. Good to see a Dad getting the kids out of the house and into the world. Great write up. [emoji1417]


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[HP1GCM]

Family. That's what it's all about. Good to see a Dad getting the kids out of the house and into the world. Great write up. [emoji1417]


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agree 100%

 

[Stone618]

Got a few things done on the minivan.

Finally painted my hubcaps. When I switched from PlastiDip to paint, the hubcaps were kind of forgotten.




Added airbags in the back. Very happy with them so far. Still kinda paranoid I'm going to rip out the lines, but I have to keep telling myself that it won't really hurt anything. I'll just go back to having reverse rake with the trunk full.





Added a decal




And took the family camping. This actually happened a while ago and I never got around to sharing. This trip is what got me really thinking about adding the airbags.

Looking good. Just being there for the kids is a big part of fatherhood.

Couple quick questions.
Where did you go camping?

Do u have a link for those airbags?

I got two 5yr girls and the wifey and want to take them out for their first camp trip. Thx. [emoji106]

 

[MightyP]

Looking good. Just being there for the kids is a big part of fatherhood.

Couple quick questions.
Where did you go camping?

Do u have a link for those airbags?

I got two 5yr girls and the wifey and want to take them out for their first camp trip. Thx. [emoji106]

Thanks. I took them to Guadalupe State Park, which is fairly close to our house. It was my kids' first camping trip, so we wanted to stay within an hour of home and have clean/useful bathrooms. The park was nice and I'd recommend it if your family isn't ready to really rough it. If you're on Facebook, I'd highly recommend the Texas Overland and the North American Soft Roaders groups. Both are very helpful and active in Texas. And reserve your camping spot early, if you use a state park. They fill up fast.

I got my airbag kit from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/LIFT-60809-Series-Air-Spring/dp/B001CW6IBU

 

[MightyP]

I've done a few more things this week. Buffed out the headlights. They've been foggy for a while, but I really messed up the passenger side one when I baked it to seal a leak.





Got some new shoes. 265/70R17 Nitto Terra Grapplers. Really like the look. Now I just need some time to test out the traction. Also used a couple Quick Fists and some clamps and made a shovel mount for the roof rack. Wasn't sure how much I'd like the setup, but the shovel is much more secure than I expected.

 

[MightyP]

Okay, so I'm actually kinda proud of how I put together the shovel and mount. I started by painting the shovel. I realize it's kinda silly, but since I admit this is more of a minivan than an off-roader, I'm going with it.




Next, I attached the Quick Fists to the rack. I used 2 clamps per Quick Fist. One on the horizontal bar and one on the vertical. The combination does a great job keeping the clamps from moving around from the weight of the shovel.





Finished product up close




And the one downside... I rub the garage door going in and out.

 

[MN4RNR]

And the one downside... I rub the garage door going in and out.

Good idea. I like how that turned out.
Your shovel. Is it rubbing the garage door opening or the door itself? If it rubs the door you may be able to adjust the travel of the opener up a bit to gain another inch or so of clearance.

 

[MightyP]

Good idea. I like how that turned out.
Your shovel. Is it rubbing the garage door opening or the door itself? If it rubs the door you may be able to adjust the travel of the opener up a bit to gain another inch or so of clearance.

Thanks. And I hit the seal of the opening, but that's all. I actually rub the door itself. And I'll have to see what I can do to adjust the travel.

Thanks again

 

[Powder_Hound]

Very clean, very nice, and well done. More than a manly mini van for sure and it's looks perfect for what you are doing.

Soon it will be a great time to take those kids off of the pavement to explore some of Americas less crowded beautiful places.

 

[tc05runner]

I've done a few more things this week. Buffed out the headlights. They've been foggy for a while, but I really messed up the passenger side one when I baked it to seal a leak.





Got some new shoes. 265/70R17 Nitto Terra Grapplers. Really like the look. Now I just need some time to test out the traction. Also used a couple Quick Fists and some clamps and made a shovel mount for the roof rack. Wasn't sure how much I'd like the setup, but the shovel is much more secure than I expected.

I'm glad those tires are working out nicely! Finally found you on the forum here. I'm always down for some wheeling. That's shovel mount looks awesome too.

 

[MightyP]

I'm glad those tires are working out nicely! Finally found you on the forum here. I'm always down for some wheeling. That's shovel mount looks awesome too.

Thanks! Actually going to do a little exploring tomorrow if the rain isn't too crazy.

 

[tc05runner]

Same here. But from what I've heard it's gonna be pretty bad. Some hail also But I've already got a lot of it from the past storm


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[MightyP]

I got lost on my way to the mall again. Ended up at Hidden Falls Adventure Park with some new friends from NASOR. Had a great time. I packed a sandwich for lunch. They laughed and offered me one of their steaks. Yeah... This is how you explore!



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[MN4RNR]

Looks like a great time. I really like the first shot by the tree and that is a good looking set of rigs.

 

[MightyP]

I have a trip I'm planning to Padre Island coming up and it's anybody's guess when my Tred Pros will arrive, so I bought a set of Traction Jacks. Well, I wanted to test them before I went to PINS, so I went to the local mud pit and got myself stuck. Then I used my TJs to self-recover.

Short version, it took me longer to get stuck than to get free, so I'm happy with my purchase. And it was nasty, muddy clay, so I can't imagine a much worse scenario for the TJs to have to work with.





Here's me trying and failing to get stuck.





And then a few pictures just because it was nice to get outside







And the cleanup. Hopefully my wife doesn't notice the driveway...

 

[AdmiralAugbar]

Those last two pictures are fantastic :bravo:

 

[MightyP]

I'm actually pretty tired, so I'll leave the commentary on the trip until later. Bottom line, Padre Island (PINS) is definitely worth the trip. I've been to a lot of beaches and this is the first I've been to where you could get to a place and not see or hear anyone else. At all. Seriously. Look north... no one. Look south... no one. Stop and listen... Just waves and birds. Except for desperately needing a shower, I could have stayed forever.

I really wish I had a better camera...

 

[unevolved]

I'm actually pretty tired, so I'll leave the commentary on the trip until later. Bottom line, Padre Island (PINS) is definitely worth the trip. I've been to a lot of beaches and this is the first I've been to where you could get to a place and not see or hear anyone else. At all. Seriously. Look north... no one. Look south... no one. Stop and listen... Just waves and birds. Except for desperately needing a shower, I could have stayed forever.

That looks awesome. Did you have to register, or anything? Or just drive out there and park? I'd love to go down there sometime soon.

 

[MightyP]

That looks awesome. Did you have to register, or anything? Or just drive out there and park? I'd love to go down there sometime soon.

Thanks. It's a $10 entrance fee (or $20 for the year) and you drive until you decide you like a spot.

They have a modern campground with bathrooms and showers, or you can just go setup somewhere.

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