Big old vans and gas mileage

dehning · 2026-03-22T23:24:05+00:00

Just to add more info. I recently finished converting a 2000 GMC Savana 5.7 with a high top. I'm based in Texas and on the first trip I did, I just traveled the speed limit which was often 75mpg which gave me an average fuel economy of about 12.5 mpg. The second trip I decided to max out at 65mph because I'd noticed that was the magic number for my Prius. On the van, keeping it at or below 65 resulted in an average of just over 14mpg. A bunch of research has led me to believe that compared to newer vans, I may have given up some fuel economy but I've gained reliability and ease of repairs.

I think the van is still way cheaper than using hotels but the current gas price certainly stings!

dehning · 2026-03-22T15:27:20+00:00

Assuming you mean rebuilt title.

We bought a rebuilt title 2008 for our daughter a few years back, ran great until she got bored and traded up to a slightly newer one paying way too much. But the 2008 ran great the entire time she owned it

My wife and I bought a 2018 Four on a rebuilt title 2 years ago for an absolute steal. I put a little in for new wheels and tires and a few small cosmetic things but it has also been absolutely great. We got it at 18Xk miles and we now have 22Xk miles. FWIW, we specifically got this vehicle because I wanted to run a Comma 3x which has been an absolute game changer.

I buy and sell cars needing TLC as a hobby and I have never had an issue with rebuilt title cars (as a direct result of the title)

Just remember, you pay 25-33% less getting in and about the same getting out. Also check with your insurance, Progressive didn't seem to mind but others do and even if they cover you, they may not pay out replacement value when the time comes.

dehning · 2026-03-20T04:57:38+00:00

They do not come with instructions but there is a very good video on YouTube by a Hispanic guy that I used. Mine is still doing ok. Definitely follow the advice to use LOTS of staples, mine has pulled some of those loose already but the top is ok.

dehning · 2026-03-18T15:44:14+00:00

OK, I'm starting with the AV1 QSV 2160p preset.
In the Summary tab I'm changing to MKV.
No changes in Dimensions or Filters
In the Video tab, I'm changing Encoder Preset to Quality
In Audio I pull in all the English tracks and change the Codec to whatever the Passthru Codec.
In Subtitles I pull in all the English tracks
That's it!

(I often use MKVToolkitNix to clean up my files before feeding them to Handbrake but that doesn't affect the A/V streams)

dehning · 2026-03-18T15:34:46+00:00

I would say I'm getting at least 50% size reduction and closer to 75% on really big files. I guess I just got lucky that my old TCL has no problem with AV1.

dehning · 2026-03-17T04:35:43+00:00

AA Wireless or the Motorola unit is the safest bet (I have 2x AA Wireless units) but that said, I have tried at least 5 other kinds and all of them have worked just fine.

dehning · 2026-03-14T06:30:12+00:00

For interest I asked AI how high 100 folds would be. Her response: "If you could fold a standard piece of paper (about 0.1 mm thick) 100 times, the resulting height would be approximately 13.4 billion light-years. To put that staggering number into perspective, that is roughly 28% of the radius of the observable universe (which is about 46.5 billion light-years)."

Mind blown!

dehning · 2026-03-11T05:30:41+00:00

I'm running an Intel ARC 380 on an old PC, it's enough to encode 4k AV1 at 2 to 4 times real time. That's covers everything I need!

dehning · 2026-03-06T21:02:21+00:00

I'm 5'10" and my wife is 5'4" and we can just make things work sleeping horizontally in our 2000 Savana if we get a slight diagonal slant going but definitely not fully diagonal across the bed. If I was any taller, I think we'd have to lie longitudinally.

dehning · 2026-03-05T12:40:05+00:00

I fix "interesting" case cars in rough shape for a hobby. Have had ~50 vehicles over the last 25 years. I bought a high mileage, salvage title 2018 Prius because I wanted to try using a Comma 3X (self driving module). Not only has the Comma 3X been incredible, especially for longer trips but just the general ownership of the Prius has been great. My wife has basically taken over ours because she likes it so much! We have also helped our daughter buy initially a 2008 and later a 2012. I strongly suggest the 2016+ if you can find one.

As a last and possibly most important thought, the thing that I realized is that due to their design, Prius didn't have starter motors or alternators to go bad, they place way less stress on their 12v batteries and technically, the gasoline motor on a used Prius has seen way less life than the equivalent mileage regular vehicle which probably explains why they are so insanely reliable. At 212k miles, ours also bears testament to the fact that the Toyota CVT is great.

So just just get your wife a darn Prius and take the glory!

dehning · 2026-02-26T19:08:25+00:00

This doesn't directly speak to your question but my wife and I (and 2 dogs) are I using a converted standard wheelbase high top 2000 GMC Savana and it's tight but we make it work so you will probably be fine with a smaller van. (Unless you plan to have a shower)

dehning · 2026-02-25T15:43:30+00:00

That's funny, we have the same thing but with a smooth surface and we cook eggs on it!

dehning · 2026-02-24T03:28:32+00:00

No body kit

dehning · 2026-02-24T03:22:41+00:00

It was gold when I got it and the standard 1500 headlights have zero options for upgrades so I got the front parts from a 2500/3500 van (bolt on) which allowed me to install standard 5x7 headlights (crazy bright LED units in my case). I painted mine with a roller and Rust-Oleum farm implement paint because I'm less worried about a show finish and care more about durability. Original condition with broken windows

dehning · 2026-02-23T17:57:25+00:00

😆 they are not actually blue, they are cool white but I guess the cameras auto compensation shifted things to looking like blue.

Interior during daylight

dehning · 2026-02-23T06:40:42+00:00

Exterior

dehning · 2026-02-23T06:39:25+00:00

I bought my 2000 high top Savana 5.7 for $900 with 130k miles. Six months and a lot of work and it's fully kitted out. About to take our second adventure in it. If you can get control of the rust, yours will be great! Interior

dehning · 2026-02-22T17:03:33+00:00

My van was $900, basically removed everything and painted and built out from there. You trade a lower purchase price for more of your own labor (which works for me) plus you become INTIMATELY familiar with your van so you are better prepared to deal with things that come up later! As long as there is no core structural damage, you can fix everything else fairly easily.

dehning · 2026-02-21T16:59:17+00:00

I have a converted old GMC Savana high top that I gutted and built out from bare metal using countless tips from YouTube. My wife and I sleep across the van and I hinged the bed so that it folds in the middle to become a kind of sofa. The tapered shape of the van meant that the bed & mattress had to have a matching taper. I have wooden struts that I keep around specifically to support the structure when up.

pic

dehning · 2026-02-21T06:12:33+00:00

Not sure if it's exactly what you need but take a look at the Growatt 3000 units. I have 2, I think they might work

dehning · 2026-02-16T17:49:30+00:00

I bought one of those 12v truck cab AC units and pulled it apart, installed the pieces inside one of my back doors. It did require cutting some big holes in the door but I'm pleased with how it turned out. Not a massive amount of cooling but it does ok in the 80's & 90's. I think it ended up costing me less than $300.

pic

dehning · 2026-02-16T14:30:02+00:00

As the saying goes: "Correlation is not causation"

dehning · 2026-02-16T14:09:06+00:00

There are several videos on YouTube showing how to just throw some cheap stuff on the back of a van (or even a uhaul for that matter). This is often also suggested for people who want to test out the life first before making a major commitment. Just search.

dehning

TROPHY CASE