Field Journal
The Journal — Trail Reports & Van Build Field Notes
The MillerVantures Manifestos
Why we build, what we believe, and how we judge every modification on our 2005 Chevy Astro.
Read the manifesto
Our Lifted Astro Gets New Rear Leaf Springs at A&C Powersports & Custom Fabrication
We took the lifted 2005 Astro to A&C Powersports & Custom Fabrication in Chilliwack for new rear leaf packs, better shackle geometry, and honest advice on what to fix next.
Collapsing Radiator Hose on Cooldown: The Clue That Led Us to the Radiator Cap
The upper hose was sucking flat every time the engine cooled. We didn't assume — we tested. Here is how the radiator cap's vacuum valve entered the picture, and why loosening the cap fixed the symptom while we sourced a replacement.
The Day the Astro Disappeared
Harrison Lake FSR, no itinerary, no reservations. Just curiosity, a hidden campsite, sunbeams breaking through storm clouds, and a van that finally stopped feeling like a project and started feeling like home.
The MillerVantures Manifestos
The MillerVantures Manifestos: why we build, what we believe, and how we judge every modification on this 2005 Chevy Astro.
The Astro Gets Teeth: Winch, Light Bar, and Fog Lights Done
The 2005 Chevy Astro's exterior electrical package is complete — Smittybilt 10K winch, 40" Brightsource light bar, and OEM fog lights all wired and working. Here's what we did and why.
600 km, Two Summits, and a Trip Back to Where I Started
A 600 km shakedown run on Highway 3 — Allison Pass, Sunday Summit, and back home to Princeton. The 5" lifted Astro proved its fundamentals.
JOR 5" Lift on a 2WD Astro: Full Spec Breakdown
The full JOR 5" lift kit, now installed on a 2WD 2005 Astro. What's in the kit, the install sequence, a costly Moog part-number mistake, and the correct front-end part numbers for the 2WD platform.
Harrison FSR — Dust, Crowds, and That View Anyway
Six hours round trip on Harrison FSR — first real test of the JOR front lift, KYB MonoMax shocks, and new brakes. Sunny Saturday in June means dust, crowds, and views that make up for it.
FSR Driving in the Fraser Valley: What You Actually Need to Know Before You Go
Forest Service Roads are not Hwy 1 with gravel on them — they are industrial access roads. What you actually need to know before running BC FSRs out of Chilliwack.
We Pointed the Astro Down Silver Skagit Road and Let It Sort Itself Out
A weekend run to Silver Lake Provincial Park — 45 minutes from the driveway, a long way from everything else.
Overlanding BC: A Real-World Guide to British Columbia's Backcountry
Everything we've actually learned overlanding British Columbia in a 2WD Astro — what FSRs to start on, what the road conditions really look like, what gear matters, and the local rules nobody writes down.
Seabird Island: Sq'éwqel, Sumás Mountain Views, and a Slow Drive Through Stó:lō Country
Twenty minutes east of Chilliwack, the road bends onto Seabird Island — Stó:lō homeland, working farmland, and one of the best mountain backdrops in the Fraser Valley. Here's what we've learned about the place and why we keep going back.
Harrison Lake FSR: Two Days of Quiet Water and Smoky Sunsets
We pointed the Astro up the West Harrison Forest Service Road and didn't see pavement for two days. Glacier-fed water, smoke-filtered sun, and one very content 2WD van.
The Hidden Winch Bumper: Custom Steel, Smittybilt X2O Gen 2 10,000 lb, and the Recovery Kit
We didn't want a winch hanging off the front of the van like a bolt-on afterthought. So we built a hidden winch bumper to tuck it behind the steel — and stocked it with gear we actually trust.
JOR 5-Inch Lift Kit on a 2005 Astro: A Real-World Shakedown Guide
Everything we learned installing the JOR 5" lift on our 2WD Astro — geometry, the Eaton Truetrac LSD, a Moog front-end refresh, and what we'd do differently.
First Shakedown: Harrison FSR and What We Learned
The lift held. The fridge didn't. Lessons from 48 hours on rough gravel.
Overlanding in a 2WD: A BC Backcountry Guide
You don't need four-wheel drive to get off the pavement in British Columbia. You need patience, the right diff, and the humility to air down before you get stuck.
Why We Chose a 2005 Astro Over a Sprinter
Budget, parts availability, and the joy of an underdog rig — the honest case for a $4,800 2005 Chevy Astro over a $60K Sprinter for BC backcountry overlanding.
Dynamat vs. Kilmat: What We Used and Why
An honest, non-sponsored take after deadening every inch of metal.
Fraser Valley's Hidden FSRs: Our Local Favourites
Three Forest Service Roads within an hour of home that don't make the lists.
The JOR Lift Kit Install: What We Got Right (And Wrong)
A weekend job that turned into three. Here's what we'd do differently.
What's Next — Future Adventures on the MillerVantures Astro
Trips we're planning, upgrades still on the list, and how to follow along as the Journal keeps growing.
Roof Rack Planning — Load, Mounts, and What Actually Goes Up Top
What lives on the roof, what does not, and how we spec'd a custom 60-inch steel basket that clears an awning without adding forty pounds we don't need.
Choosing a 270° Awning for the Astro — What We Shortlisted
Freestanding vs. mounted, batwing vs. wraparound, aluminum vs. steel. Here's how we picked a 270° awning for a 60-inch roof rack.
EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus Upgrade — Why We Switched Off the Jackery Track
We planned to run a Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro. We ended up with an EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus. Here's what changed our mind.
Camper Build 1.0 — The First Interior Layout
Bed platform, storage, and just enough kitchen to boil water. Here's what worked in v1, and what we already know we're changing.
Thermostat and Cooling System Repair on the 4.3L Astro
Coolant temp was creeping high on a warm climb. We replaced the thermostat, hoses, and cap — and checked everything else while we were in there.
O2 Sensor Spacer Install on a 2005 Chevy Astro
An $18 spacer, twenty minutes under the van, and a P0420 that finally stayed away. Here's how we did it.
Diagnosing the P0420 Code on a 2005 Chevy Astro
The check-engine code every high-mileage GM V6 owner sees eventually. Here's how we chased it, what we ruled out, and the fix we tried first.
Learning Live Data on the 4.3L Vortec — What Normal Looks Like
Codes tell you something is wrong. Live data tells you why. Here's what to watch on an Astro 4.3, and what "normal" reads like.
Why Every Adventure Van Needs an OBD-II Scanner
A CA$120 tool has already saved us at least one tow. If you drive an old van into remote country without one, you're gambling.
Building a Mechanical Baseline Before Building a Camper
Before we lifted, bumper-swapped, or slept in it, we brought the 4.3L back to a known good state. Here's every fluid, filter, and hose we touched.
Welcome to MillerVantures: Building an Astro Around Smiles Per Gallon
A quick introduction from Darren and Tanya — who we are, why we bought a 2005 Chevy Astro, and what this site is going to be.