R2D2 The new HorPig

[K85 Octane]

Pulled the engine cover just to run 2 rear channel speaker wires lol. Commitment to keeping it clean! Also, I didn’t port this box but it crossed my mind. Two 6x9 with ample room inside, should it have been ported? Kinda late now since it’s carpeted already :/

 

[K85 Octane]

R2D2 is ready for the shampoo and detail appointment later today! Get the rental funk and soda stains off and it’ll feel more like mine
Also, I don’t know what the deal is with AVIS, but their car sales customer service sucks. This purchase has been in limbo for a while now. I paid $10k deposit and was looking to finance the rest. Their phones suck and no body calls me back. If my temp plates come and registration is done, did I just get this for 10g’s? Lol

 

[ktmoutfront]

Not unless unless you get the title delivered in your name only, also.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Unless you do the calculations on the speakerbox, not porting is a better bet.

 

[K85 Octane]

Found a clean way to get the wires out of the interior. The driver side channel from the tail light goes through to the underside. There’s a plastic piece that’s foamed in there, shove it to the side and run the wires through. I notched the “cap panel” at the bottom for the wires and put back on. Turned out clean and no holes needed.

Apparently I wired everything right cause she towed the Kubota tractor just fine

 

[K85 Octane]

Also, shit is getting serious soon!
lol
Compared to an actual Blazer/Bender update, its pathetic but I’m enjoying tinkering again. Still working on pouring concrete for Bender so I can start messing with it again.

Gauge pod is nice. I have lots of flat spots to put it. Not many A Pilar options for Express vans Haha. Went digital this time. Just different interior compared to the blazer’s analog dash. Good time to change fluid and filter

 

[K85 Octane]

Was told this is estimated between 10-11k pounds. That’s well over what the K5 and Uhaul trailer weigh. Handled like a champ, though it was all flat driving.
For towing Bender on a serious trip, I’d like to find a 4:10 axle and throw it in before. Seems like it would be easy enough. Hang the calipers and swap it over, reflash the computer.

 

[imiceman44]

Was told this is estimated between 10-11k pounds. That’s well over what the K5 and Uhaul trailer weigh. Handled like a champ, though it was all flat driving.
For towing Bender on a serious trip, I’d like to find a 4:10 axle and throw it in before. Seems like it would be easy enough. Hang the calipers and swap it over, reflash the computer.

View attachment 381352

I just picked up a set for my suburban, 4.10 to replace the 3.73
I had to get the front pumpkin as well cause 4x4.
The way it is it towed 10k but it has to work hard, 4.10 would make it better.

 

[K85 Octane]

Haha
I think I’m at 3.42!!!
The super deep 1st gear helps get the weight going but I’m thinking it will have the most trouble with hills/mountains both on smaller highways and larger freeways.

That’s my thought process anyway

 

[imiceman44]

Haha
I think I’m at 3.42!!!
The super deep 1st gear helps get the weight going but I’m thinking it will have the most trouble with hills/mountains both on smaller highways and larger freeways.

That’s my thought process anyway

Don't you have an 8 speed?

 

[K85 Octane]

6L80 or 90 whatever
8 speed is in the V6
10 speed is in the Transit

So I’m not sure if running it in 4th @ 2700 rpm is better than in 5th @ 2500 rpm. The van doesn’t use 6th much when towing. Haul mode keeps it in 5th mostly. Drops to 4th at the glimpse of a hill. I don’t see it going over the Cajon Pass or Grapevine with any speed lol

Just thought the deeper fears would be easier on the drivetrain and trans.

 

[K85 Octane]

So I haven’t towed with anything other than my fathers CCLB Dmax 4x4. So it’s easy and rides great no mater what.
The van did a great job but it bucked a lot going down the road. (Forward/back kinda motion) Doesn’t bother me too much but if I’m 3 hours into a 14 hour drive...it’s going to.

What’s a solver for the buck? I might do airbags or those fat bellows bumpstops to help with the load. Not sure that’s a solver though.

 

[imiceman44]

So I haven’t towed with anything other than my fathers CCLB Dmax 4x4. So it’s easy and rides great no mater what.
The van did a great job but it bucked a lot going down the road. (Forward/back kinda motion) Doesn’t bother me too much but if I’m 3 hours into a 14 hour drive...it’s going to.

What’s a solver for the buck? I might do airbags or those fat bellows bumpstops to help with the load. Not sure that’s a solver though.

Weight distribution hitch.
It's $200-250 and makes towing smooth and safe

 

[imiceman44]

6L80 or 90 whatever
8 speed is in the V6
10 speed is in the Transit

So I’m not sure if running it in 4th @ 2700 rpm is better than in 5th @ 2500 rpm. The van doesn’t use 6th much when towing. Haul mode keeps it in 5th mostly. Drops to 4th at the glimpse of a hill. I don’t see it going over the Cajon Pass or Grapevine with any speed lol

Just thought the deeper fears would be easier on the drivetrain and trans.

I know LS engines like high RPM, so let her rip.
I think anything under 3000 is fine

 

[K85 Octane]

Question about the transmission fluid level. Ok hold on...first... FOCK you GM. You put the exhaust crossover right below the rear pan bolts AND put a SHINY DIPSTICK in for the transmission. WHO THE FOCK can read oil on a shiny dipstick?!!!!! Assholes

Anyway, because certain info isn’t included in owners manuals anymore, I’m curious what the 6L80/90 transmission fluid and filter capacity calls for. I started with 8 quarts and dipstick was dry. Now I have 10 in and it’s wet but can’t see where. Afraid I over did it but I can’t tell.

Side note. Interesting that I’ve read 30,000 mile interval for a Silverado but 45,000 for this van. Same weight, same drivetrain. Smells like BS.

 

[centexk5]

I don’t know the capacity answer but I do know that the 6L80//90 are very sensitive to fluid changes and need to be done every 20-30k. The converter stays locked up 100% of the time and the computer allows for a certain amount of slippage during shifts and driving around. Puts a TON of wear on the lock up clutch and it will eventually eat itself to death. Best way to prevent that is to keep the fluid very fresh (yes a full flush, not just a pan drop) and retune the trans module to flip flop the lock up. Lots of reading out there on it.

 

[K85 Octane]

Interesting change GM made for that. Couldn’t have just left well enough alone. Kinda sounds like “torque management” except they’ve locked out the converter. Do you happen to have a good link or article saved? Thanks

 

[centexk5]

Nothing specific. Just pulled from different performance forums and tuning forums. I got a 168k miles out of mine and had tune, long tubes, intake on it and towed several trailers and have a heavy foot. Most people seem to lose theirs around the 140-160k mark. If caught early enough, a new converter and full flush and they can be brought back to life.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

You're complaining about a shiny dipstick. My G8 doesnt have one at all. Supposedly a sealed trans for 100k...

You ever get the title/loan crap figured out?

 

[K85 Octane]

My ‘17 mustang says 150k before trans fluid/filter change. LMAO they want the rear end oil changed at like 60k.

Yes, that title issue was absurd. After the smog and vin verification was done, they came back wanting it certified weight checked. Did that and a week later they wanted me to sign a DMV paper saying the weight was under 8,000lbs. They also warned me that my SMOG cert was now over 3 months old and that the DMV might want a new one. They didn’t but I’d have AVIS come pick it up and see them in court if they asked for it. So scandalous with the hidden BS.

So I’m out $150 and they only reimburse customers with a $100 Amazon gift card . Fock AVIS, never again. I won’t even rent from them in the future.