Testing My Van Out In the Snow

I took my lifted 4x4 GMC Safari offroad and into the snow. This was just a test trip. I wanted to test everything in some cold weather, I wanted to see how the van would handle, how my dog would handle it, and how I would handle it. I absolutely hate driving offroad in the snow ever since I rolled my 4runner down an embankment snow wheeling a few years ago. I didn't get up to that much this trip, no fire, no dinner, just a little quick and dirty night out in the snow totest things out.
Follow me on Instagram @SARGEinc
Have a good day!

[@MrBagley55]

I like who you breezed right past the hesitating dude in the Jeep Wrangler

[@gregkocher5352]

I had a 1994 awd Astro. I used it on interstates, creeks, graveled hill roads in all weather. I gave it away with 318,000 miles. I did have some awful moments with transmission. But once fixed never again. What I wish I had was a better rear diff. I was possible to get opposite wheels off the road. It did what I needed during a hard time in my life. I wish something similar was available now.

[@SARGEinc]

I actually don't get why they dont make the equivalent of these things now, I think they'd be popular. These things are sweet, but them all being so old makes them definitely not ideal for everyone.

[@kevinnorris3052]

YOU need to relax but good on you for getting out there the more adventurous you get the better you set up your van and you'll be happy that the dog is glad to be wherever you are so it's more of a you thing I'm 6 years in love it but have more of intention and you'll feel more comfortable

[@Kenithnewell-zp5ov]

I like your van dude its cool.

[@SARGEinc]

Thank you, I like it too!

[@rogeriorodriguez1212]

Excellent video

[@s427rt]

Beautiful road! Astro-power! Good luck man!

[@SARGEinc]

Thank you

[@sebastianslife91]

Great video😮

[@richardwillett7464]

Dog looks fine.

[@EYE_SPIDER]

Daaaang thats a lot of snow brotha!

[@valiant1968]

Familiar territory for me! Nice to see what S. M. looks like when it snows up there!

[@SARGEinc]

Hopefully I'll get up there again this winter, hopefully on a day with more light and conditions that allow me to get all the way to the top.

[@LoudStereoTINYDICK]

Thats such a badass van 👍

[@SARGEinc]

Thanks!

[@leadnsteel1428]

I miss these vans. I drive a 1997 awd with a 2 inch lift and 31 inch all terrains. I just do light overlanding and camping and it does great off road.

[@woffordsoverlandjourneys8618]

The Astro all-wheel drive is the best you can get for the snow

[@leadnsteel1428]

I have a 1998 awd it does better in the snow than my 4x4 Chevy Colorado.

[@gayasparagus]

They're Hella fun to fling around in an empty parking lot

[@richardgallagher913]

Thanks for the adventure. Where is this location? Very pretty. Looks like my turf, the Adirondacks in upstate NY. Where did you get that cool headliner from? Look forward to seeing more from you! Take care!

[@SARGEinc]

This is in my hometown of Abbotsford BC, which is is south west coast of Canada, just across the US border. The headliner is actually stick on wallpaper, that I applied to corrugated plastic. The stuff that you use for a science fair projects lol. I do have a video on it if you're more curious. Thanks for watching!

[@leoameoso820]

Work on n you’re throttle control a little bit. Think of an egg between you’re foot and the acceleration pedal. You might feel a bit better. Let the van creep through it. Also a little lower air pressure in the tires will help you you’re confidence

[@SARGEinc]

I definitely lack for smoothness!

[@vermondcooper4029]

Im so confused when u said about puttin van n 4x4 mode. But my thing are'nt these kinda vans are full time 4x4 on da AWD models tho?

[@SARGEinc]

This van started as an AWD van, but I swapped it to a np233 transfer case from a blazer. Now it has 4hi, 4low, and 2wd, manually shifted with a shifter. I made a full video on theis channel a while back if you want to know more about the swap.

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

I was so mixed between getting a transit connect or a Safari.... looking around on Van. Island right now. I probably should have gone with the Safari! this is quite the storm my dude.

[@SARGEinc]

I'm excited to find out what tonight brings, lol. I do like the Safari, but at the same time, it has broken down twice🤷‍♂️

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

@@BT-dl8kq they seem to have rust issues, too. although most west BC models should be fine

[@cvisconti4568]

Do you have a 4 x 4 and you’re worried about snow? What ??

[@corey5675]

It's crazy how much snow we had last year! This year is lame with all the rain lol. Going up Sumas today in search of some pow.

[@SARGEinc]

It is pretty crazy. I'm going to Osooyos for the New Year to do the Desert Dip(polar bear swim) again. Last year, they had to chainsaw a hole through 4 inches of ice, and this year it's pretty unlikely that there will be any ice at all. Every year is different, but it's only the first day of winter, so there's definitely plenty of time for there to be snow. Any up there today? I actually was thinking about going up there yesterday, but then I realized I had too much shit to do before before Christmas. Hopefully in the new year, I'll actually get out and do stuff again. I need to figure out how to manage my time better.

[@corey5675]

Safe travels man! I'm sure the Coq will be nice and clear for ya at least. No snow at Sumas unfortunately but did have a nice fire by my lonesome lol. Time management is definitely a skill worth mastering. The bud makes things harder in that aspect 😂 I'm still down for a fire one day if you ever want to get together! Happy holidays neighbor 🎄

[@leomoonify]

Uh, no! I think that I'll stay right here in Florida!

[@antonroux6737]

what do you do for having enough oxygen when you sleep in your van overnight? and how do you prevent massive condensation inside from your breath?

[@SARGEinc]

There's definitely enough airflow to keep me alive in there. There's enough gaps is panels, around the doors and whatever that you're not going to suffocate inside. As for condensation, it definitely does condensate in there. I have the roof fan up top, and I can open up the side windows to vent, and I even have another usb rechargeable portable fan that I can use to circulate the air around. Ultimately though, when it's cold, I mostly seal it up and it will get condensation. I just make sure to air it out later. I haven't spent extended time in it during the winter, so I usually go home the next day or the one after, and air it out real good.

[@leadnsteel1428]

You need some better snow tires. I run the Firestone winterforce tires on mine. In the regular season just the Firestone destination all terrains.

[@SARGEinc]

We don't that much snow where I live, so I've never even ran dedicated snow tires. I probably should though if I'm planning on playing in the snow more

[@leadnsteel1428]

@@SARGEinc yeah or get some all terrains. Try the General Grabber atx or xt. Mickey Thompson baja boss are great and Toyo Open Country are also good ones I go overlanding and camping with my astro I have a 2 inch lift and 31s.

[@sokodad]

Could you do a battery set up that is under the bed that could run an electric heater that can recharge off your alternator of your van?

[@SARGEinc]

I do have a battery that is under my bed. It's built into the side wall and is charged off my battery, powers the fridge and stuff. And I actually just bought a mini electric heater that was on sale for $19.99, it's 175/250 watts. I'm pretty sure I have an old inverter around here, or I might have to buy one. But I think I will be able to power that heater, at least on low, with that battery for a while. I also have considered getting a Jackery type power pack, then I could run the mini heater off that. That's probably a problem for the fall though now, it's starting to feel pretty springy where I live.

[@sokodad]

@@SARGEinc we just had another storm so I think winter is here for awhile where I live. That’s a good idea on the little heater. Even a little one helps. I’m not sure size of inverter you need but I actually picked a Duracell 400 watt up at the local hardware store that clips to the battery.

[@GenaralZod]

Nissan first then Toyota followed making their minivans smaller. 😞 I love these midsized vans like yours. They are perfect for van life ...and I love that yours has 4wd. I could not fine one with low enough miles when I bought my van.

[@SARGEinc]

I had to wait for a while before I found mine, and it was probably in worse condition than Ideal. But I just decided to for it, and I'm all in, I'll fix whatever is needed. Realistic on this van and all old vehicle, it's pretty much everything that needs to be replaced at some point lol. I definitely like the smaller vans, the big boys are cool, and can be built out real nice, but some of these van builds are just RVs

[@GenaralZod]

@@SARGEinc 👍

[@GrassControlLandscapeLLC]

Hey if you mind me asking what year and model is this van

[@SARGEinc]

This is a 1998 GMC Safari, but it's been modified. Journey's Off Road lift, bigger tires, and the AWD transfer case was swapped to a proper 4x4 transfer.

[@MrAsapatrick]

Hello Sarge, where idid you source the cool cab lights? Thanks for the great videos!

[@SARGEinc]

The are from Amazon. They are led cab marker lights, I just bought random ones that would arrive in 2 days😂

[@MrAsapatrick]

@@SARGEinc Did you make an install video of the cab lights?

[@fishaman7834]

Stumbled upon your channel .. pretty cool content....just subbed…

[@BeingWolfy]

@@MrAsapatrick - He did.

[@BeingWolfy]

Thanks for taking us along on the trip!

[@pujabelgian]

Great straightfwd setup. My shep loves the snow. Maybe your dogs in a bad mood bc you pulled the plug and blamed him. lol

[@SARGEinc]

I like this theory 😂

[@michaelglenning5107]

Dude, I think we have the same SAFARI. My dog is a pup.

[@SARGEinc]

Your Safari sounds sweet!

[@AlY-jv2ew]

Good video, but man, who cares abt dog mood. YOU own him not the opposite. Otherwise just enjoy great van, beautiful snowy forest, your rig! What LEDs bulbs do you use in headlights? Other lights? Would u put diesel in the van? Safe travels

[@SARGEinc]

I don't have led bulbs in the headlights, although I have a set at home that I'm going put in soon. I have a lightbar on the front, I think it's 24 inches, single row, and from Amazon. As far a diesel heater goes, I definitely have thought about it, but I don't plan on camping in the real cold enough to justify it. But if that changed, I would definitely consider adding something.

[@AlY-jv2ew]

@@SARGEinc I meant diesel engine. Thank you

[@shovelheadneckbolts]

Air down 25 psi all around

[@user-id5gq3vz8o]

С.. Ука!!! **есть в нем Табурет😑?

[@user-id5gq3vz8o]

Хм.. Я ишачил.. Пыр.. ТеПерь.. Тыв Тундра.

[@eddie451]

Hey I Was Trying To Watch Your Video But It To Dark Sorry Didn't Like It At All.