andy_george

I had some left over egg-crate accoustical foam I used to line the underside of my sidexside (Honda Pioneer 1000) hard roof to absorb some sound. I didn't have a lot, but I removed the slider door panel and packed the foam in the empty cavities of the slider. Didn't help a ton, but it did make it more solid sounding when closing.

My Savana didn't cause me complete grief, but it definitely needed more upkeep than I'd expect a VERY HIGH mileage NV to require. No doubt whatsoever. We sold it at 140,000 miles, and by that time I had replaced multiple wheel bearings, AC lines, water pumps, the side door hinges needed constant attention to keep the from binding, leaky passenger door, brakes that couldn't stop it (even with the best pads possible), and the blown transmission was the last straw. I'm sure they've improved since 2004, but like other people have said, it's still basically the same van, with GM putting extremely little effort into making improvements.

Good question.....No van is going to get the latest and greatest, most innovative and groundbreaking technology and comfort thrown at it. It's a segment based much more on utility and business than personal comfort. We owned a Savana, and my brother has an Econoline, so comparing was easy. The other vans are just much older platforms, especially the Ford, and it's totally obvious behind the wheel. The NV feels more rigid, less squeaky, brakes and steers better, and is just built to a tougher standard. The only other option I had was the Transit, and the lack of any real towing made the NV a no-Brainer for us.

I second that. The brakes on the NV are massive and provide great pedal feel and stopping power.

The pic that chphilo posted sums up the design of the NV perfectly..... "Designed" to cover the mechanicals, not "styled" to look like the driver is making up for having a small you-know-what;) Nothing wrong with the styling of today's trucks, but it seems they are in a never ending game of "we can make ours look tougher than the competition" at the expense of practicality.

Good info, jaredg. Let us know what decision you make, Sebastion!

Good info, jaredg. Let us know what decision you make, Sebastion!

I did the same thing to the rear wheel wells. I think they look better in black. Although I went the lazier route and just used rattle-can black, and I'm quite surprised how well it's stayed on....

Just like motor oil, everyone has their own theories. Here's mine: rust most definetly does still happen, especially in northern states like my home state of Michigan. They spread the sh*t so thick in the winter it turns the road white. Spraying down the sheet metal and underbody as much as possible, along with waxing, seems to help a lot. Have I ever seen a car with undercoating defy nature and physics and not rust at nearly the same rate as non-undercoated...? Nope. It may be different where you are, but my opinion is that the only way to prevent serious rust is washing and washing more.

If I was you, TAmc41, I'd never pull a trailer like that. You should do what's safest and buy the trailer, then let ME tow it around for our family vacations for a few years and give you the full report! Just tell me where to pick it up;) I'd also think you'd be just fine pulling it....

This is a big deal to you, so if you want to make it your quest to get them resolved, by all means, go for it. But just my quick $.02..... Black shows every defect and speck of dirt possible. I vowed years ago to never own anything black because it shows dust immidiately after a wash job (and I'm waaaay too picky!). And if any panel needs repair, like my 2011 Mustang GT hood, even the most reputable body shop in Michigan can't match black *perfectly*. Black reflects so beautifully, but is shows everything:( As far as pulling to the right, I always that was normal in most cars? Very possibly made worse by road crown, but also as a safety feature to some degree.... A sleeping or passed out driver is less likely to head into innocent traffic. Not sure why your new van would seem so much worse than your old one though....? Good luck, hope you get everything resolved to your satisfaction...!

Nice work! Way over my skill level, for sure! Glad she's happy with it!

I would think the camber being off would be unlikely, but surely not impossible, and it could affect both braking and handling like you describe. Do you know of anyone else with an NV in your neck of the woods you could drive to compare?

Not sure I understand what you mean by the front tires being driven into the road hard..? Like the weight transfer to the front wheels is excessive under hard braking? That the camber is changing when the front drops and makes the inside shoulder of the tire dig in? I've always been very pleased with the brakes and controlled body motions for such a big, heavy van, so elaborate and maybe we can help ya.... The crosswinds do seem the affect the NV's, but I'd say it's just physics, with the huge square catching lots of wind. It seems worse than with our old Savana, but that van was shorter, more rounded, had tiny tire sidewalls, etc, so it's hard for me to compare...

Nice setup! Nice trailer, and I like the clean white van and the wheels look great!

Mine was squeaking, and I found the solution was the put some lube (grease seemed to be a partial fix, but anti-sieze thread lubricant solved the issue) on the square rubber bumpers on the front jam of the door. They are directly above the cone-shaped thingys. Try that and see if it helps. And I'm still threatening to put some dynamat on the interior of the slider door, to make it close with a nicer "thud" Andy

Here in Michigan there still aren't many passenger NVs, and a small amount of cargo versions. But my wife just got back from charleston, SC, and said there were a ton of NVs down there. Especially cargo ones. I still get tons of looks and compliments with ours. I like driving something a little unique in a world of look-alikes......

Hahaha! I agree with Rad, JB is from now on my go-to guy!;). I had no idea the horn could be shut off, I think I'll do that today....! Thanks for the info!

Agreed, a big yank gets them out if they've been in for a while....

Hahahah! The horn does work when you press the center of the steering wheel I'd assume?

Welcome! Smart decision!

Good info for people. That's the normal way to dim the lights for some automakers, but it's not universal, for sure....

Looks good!

Well it stinks that you had to sell the NV, but if it puts you more at ease it was probably a good choice. And had you bought a Transit I wouldn't have been a bit jealous. But your choice to buy a crew cab Platinum F-150 makes me hate you! (With jealously!)

Good to hear!