Premium Members Bill Powers Posted October 7, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Hi Guys, I'll chime in here for a change. I've had Chevy Astros since '94. My'92 2WD was a pig in the snow. It never broke and hauled anything I wanted to load up. The '98 is another story. It's an AWD model and the gas bill complies. It'll climb trees if I ask it to. The problem is that I have replaced just about everything on the serpentine belt. Alternator, Oil Pump, AC Compressor, All the idlers twice. The door locks break, the ABS sensors are shot. (Pull the fuse and stick some electrical tape over the dash light.) I replaced the fuel pump and sending unit last week. The fuel spout filler leaks now. That's next. It's a love/hate relationship. Mostly I love it. Great for hauling carts, cases, motorcyles, and people. Neither van ever left me stranded by the side of the road. $5,000.00 USD and it's yours. I'll buy the beer and pizza. We can take the Audi. Later, Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Steve Fracol SOC Posted October 7, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Guido, I must say that is a good looking van. Black with black wheels....nice touch. Only thing that would make it "more cool" is a Flat Black finish. Truly Steadicam color. HA! After spending a lot of time in LA lately... I think for the owner operator with just a Steadicam rig PKG and not a lot of extra stuff, the Pick up with camper shell top is the way to go. Mini van is OK as well...but having had several mini vans as personal family vans when our kids were small I just got tired of driving them. I like the idea of a 4x4 4 door short bed. Go anywhere (just about) and lots of room in the cab. If and when I decide to downsize from the Sprinter Cargo van I think a pick up is in my future. Steve "4x4 pick up fan" Fracol, SOC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Guido Lux Posted October 7, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Steven, Flat black coming up next spring! I'll send some new photos then!! Guido Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Nick Bennett Posted October 20, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 I think for us european guy the T5 is the way to go!I just got mine 4 weeks ago and I have to say, I will not go back to anything else!Its got enough room for all the gear and 4 people!And after a few minor mods it even is cool looking!It also has enough power for the autobahn!! Nice Wheels, I've got the Kombi version with 180BHP enging and Caravelle lowered springs, it's the best van I've ever had. Where did you get the black wheels, are they 17" or 18" Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Guido Lux Posted October 21, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 21, 2006 I got those here in germany and they are 20"!!!Nice,huh!? I just put some 9,2" lcds in the seats and a dvd-player with a harddisc!!Very nice feature!I can also put the director in the backseat while I run around with the steadicam and he can use my van as a videovillage...! He'll love it!! Guido "about to move into his van" Lux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jamie Hammond Posted November 20, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Kinda thought I'd bring this thread back to life. I've just bought myself a VW T5 and after splashing out on the outside,its time to turn my attentions to racking this thing out. I've worked with many camera cars over the years all with there own racking systems and hide away cubby holes, from single shelf in the back to the back part completly split into three sections for camera, steadi, magliner etc.. As we all seem to have a variety of different vans and vehicles, it would be nice to see how others have racked theres out. Give me some ideas, I know its a completly individual thing, but seeing how others have squeezed as much space out of a vehicle in as vesatile fashion would be a great help. Ta J :ph34r: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Dzyak Posted November 21, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 I used to carry my Magliner and other production gear (camera, ARRI light kit, pelican AKS, tripod, Cstands, etc) in the back of a '92 Nissan Pathfinder. That worked okay for the most part, but the downside of an SUV is the windows. I was the victim of a smash and grab at one point. Bad. I currently drive an '04 Chevrolet Avalanche. Great production vehicle. It doesn't scream "production vehicle" the way a white panel van would and it doesn't have the window problem of an SUV. I can fit everything I normally need in the bed so that no one knows what is inside. And if I ever need extra space, I can fold the back seat down and even extend the bed by dropping the midgate. And when I'm not working, I can fit the kids in the back too! Wish I got better gas mileage and parking is a pain sometimes, but until I get that cush above-the-line job requiring only a laptop and a phone, I'll have to deal with the truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members jay kilroy Posted November 21, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Guido, That VW is awesome. What is the model name of that, T5? Looks very different from US van model. Which would make sense, since here it's the "Eurovan". Would love to see more pics, I am a huge VW fan. jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Guido Lux Posted November 25, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 Hi Jay! I'm on the road right now,so my connection is very slow! I'll be back tomorrow and I'll put all of my VW T5 pix online for you to check out! It was the best decision to buy the T5. When you open the back you can buid up your rig while having a "roof" above your head! I even put 8 LED lights in there so its daylightbright even at nite and you don't have to worry about getting wet when its raining! I'll take some new photos on tuesday and you'll be the first to see them! Guido "almost lives in his T5" Lux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jamie Hammond Posted November 25, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 Hi Guido, Also looking forward to those pics. I picked up my T5 last week, racking out tomorrow, superchip coming next week. I think I love my van more than my kit....well almost. Gonna get myself some chains and a tan...start saying I pity the fool, coz the T5 is going A-team styly J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jason Torbitt Posted November 25, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 I've lost count of the number of camera guys / Steadicam Ops I've met or know of with VW T5's. I made the decision that I would get one next year, after I spent a couple of hours driving to a job in one a couple of months ago. Amazing experience. So much space, plenty of power under the bonnet, cut down height means getting into most car parks with no trouble, as Guido mentioned, the roof over your head when working out the back is a fantastic plus! And, tons of space to work/ spread stuff out in the back. I just drove past a VW dealer on the way to a job today, that's only 30 mins away from me, so I'm going for a browse on Monday. The amount of driving we have to do, we should be allowed to do it in comfort/style! Of course, the main selling point is that it's big enough to get a couple of hours sleep in the back of too :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Nick Bennett Posted November 26, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 26, 2006 cut down height means getting into most car parks with no trouble Jason, if you buy from a VW commercial dealer they will be able to fit caravelle springs to any T5 (although this is not an advertised option), this lowers the height by another inch and firms up the ride a touch, good if your thinking of the 174BHP version. Ive had two T5 Kombi's and the first had standard springs, even with all my kit and passengers it used to ride a bit high. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Guido Lux Posted November 27, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 There's more to come... This is just to get you hot!! http://web.mac.com/mojolux Hope you like it! Guido PS: I like the "I pity the fool" part! Would suit me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.