5 Things I HATE About My Custom Astro Camper Van Build
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- Опубликовано: 20 авг 2022
- In this episode we discuss the 5 Things that I hate about my diy astro van build. It was hard to figure out what the list would consist of, but we found some valuable points. This was in response to the "5 Things I LOVE" video that we made a few months back.
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Probably the BEST ASTRO CAMPER VAN starter build video. Well done.
Now Im retired and diabetic so for Me building was not in my cards.
So I bought a 97Astro Conversion 2WD at about 85,000 miles @ $3k. Sold all rear seats.
2nd I bought a 268/600 Bluetti (35000 rechargeable) n Solar panel for $500.00. $145 Bought a gorgeous leatherette futon sofa/bed (I can sit up). Just slide it in. 3rd $100 Ikea 3 drawer cabinet and cut the legs down. Just slide it in. Carpet $49 n $59 2 layers for insulation n comfort. Portable toilet. N sink. Electric water pump. 3 gal. WM Water jug. $40 Car carrier roof tub.
$175 Freezer/ Frig mini. $55 microwave. Made my own window shades. There ya go. No build real build. All about $4K.
Thank you Drew! Sounds like you have a very functional set up that didn’t necessarily have to break the bank. Good reminder that it’s not about building, but rather just getting out there on your first adventure. Thanks for sharing 🙏
I keep a cheap ratchet and a deep socket in the front passenger mesh net that allows me to remove the front passenger seat nuts that hold the seat down. That way I can turn the seat around without issue. When its turned around I just use two of the nuts diagonally to hold the seat down. Its pretty fast. Makes it perfect for two people. At least until you can get a swivel mounted.
That's a good point you make. I have already removed the seats in this van once and it is not too bad at all. Thanks for watching!
I have a 96 Astro and there are some amazing builds out there. Giving me all kinds of ideas for my own and things that people would change is great for me, gives me way more to think about. I love these vans but they are mini’s in comparison to the full size. If I was going to be in mine more than a couple weeks ata time, I would need more space for sure. I too have dogs.
Hello sue! I absolutely agree that there is some amazing builds on RUclips. I love making these videos because it really helps folks decide what is important to them. I agree that the Astro is a little bit on the small side and I’m currently building a full size dodge van with a mid size roof allowing me to almost fully stand. It’s gonna be a HUGE size increase for me and my dogs camping needs. Stay tuned for those videos as you may find some inspiration. Thanks for watching!
I got the iron cloud swivel base. Sweet upgrade.
I bet that’s a game changer! Thanks for watching
I’ve been living in my Astro for 5 1/2 years and it’s sort of just always evolving. I never really built it out to begin with so I tried different types of beds and furniture to try to find the best setup. I’ll buy a cheap futon and then decide after 6 months that it’s not comfortable and try something else. I’d like to be able to sit up and do computer work and play guitar and sometimes I can but it can be challenging.
That’s quite sometime in an Astro! It’s good to stay plastic and change it up as you go.
The benefit of a custom buildout is designing it to fit your exact needs. First build I had didn’t allow me to sit up straight. So I just redesigned my set up to accommodate my exact height preferences.
Thanks for watching!
I don't mind that white strip, it breaks up all the wood and gives it character. Until you redo it, how about adding graphics like you have on the side of your van. Pine trees or mountains would make it look intentional.
I agree that the "head banger" thingee would get old after awhile.
I like your van.
Hey I think that’s a really good idea. A pine tree graphic would really bring it together a little bit more. Thanks for watching!!
If it were a black strip, it would look even better
@@manuelester7420 I went with white to match the fantastic fan housing on the ceiling. Thanks for watching
@@SeizeTheAdventure I have the same strip in the same spot in my Safari.
I used Double wide gorilla tape to cover the bare metal. It looks like black vinyl.
@@manuelester7420 that’s a good idea. Definitely would clean that tricky spot up!
Hey man! Great video! There is a company called fiberine in CA, and they make high tops for these vans for more room. I was considering possibly doing it in the future but I don't want to mess up my van right know as a daily driver! You should check them out! They do installation as well!
Hello! I have heard of this company before, but have never really looked into pricing etc. This would be such a great option for me though. Thanks for the suggestion and watching!
I saw an overland expo video where someone had I think was a land cruiser that they cut a hole in the roof and put a a roof top tent on with a removed bottom so they could stand up inside it. Pretty sure there was a guy that did that with an astro too, I'm planning on doing it with mine also. You can get those trustmade pop up rtts for about $2000 and even though I'm sure it's not as straightforward as cutting a couple holes and screwing it down, it will still be much cheaper than having a pop top made or hi top installed
This is an interesting idea and I will have to look into this some more, appreciate the information. Thanks for watching!
@@SeizeTheAdventure idk if you've seen it but theres a dude named gavio that made a pop top out of a hi top, it's another route that you can take but for me its beyond my time and skill level. With a modded roof top tent it wont cover the whole roof unlike a custom made hi top or pop top so theres no need to cut almost the entire roof out. Just have to position the tent in the area where you need to stand or sit up (the bed). I cant quite remember my math but it should give almost 7ft of standing height and probably 6.5 feet of walking space. I still wish the astro was a little longer but it will still be a quite liveable space with standing room
I Think I told you before that I used two strips of double wide, black, gorilla tape to cover the corners in my van. You could also go to Dollar tree and buy those rolls of vinyl with the sticky back that look like wood and cover that up and cut the edges off with a razor blade. I think it's for lining the inside of drawers. That would match a bit better than black gorilla tape.
Ah yes good call. I will try to not have a roof gap on my next build at all. Thanks for watching
Take a board use a circular saw and you're gonna run the saw half depth of the board and you're gonna run stripes in the back of the board lengthwise that way the board will fold to the curve without breaking or cracking and then you could tack it on. I have done this with dry wall and with wood in attic ceiling
I have seen this method before and that just might work out. Thanks for watching!
Honestly my biggest pet peeve is all the blind spots while driving, Ive had alot of different vehicles and I just find my astro is so awkward to know your 360.. My dream is putting a high top on mine, I seen a sick black astro with a slim high top, AWD and a little lift the other day and I almost died.. goals!!
Ahh yes I definitely could have added that to my list as my cargo van had zero windows and backing into places, and pulling out of parking lots was always a hassle. Really considered cutting out holes in the rear doors for windows but never got around to it.
I really love the lifted high roof Astros. They look incredible and are very practical little overland rigs. I just saw one on marketplace for $35,000 as they are so incredibly rare. Thanks for watching!!
Think it is time to start another build! Mer-Benz 144wb 4x4 High roof sprinter!
Now that's what I am talking about! Thanks for watching
Keep the van and get a additional Cargo Enclosed trailer 6x12 that is your camper. The Astro/Safari will tow up to 5000 lbs.
That's a cool idea. I have seen this be done before!
Great Series, Thanks For Sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Couple simple fixes. 1) add foam pad wrap to the sliding door mechanism, 2) make the large storage panel removable so you can just slide it away for easier access. You could even build better storage areas inside once you have easier access. 3) the white strip and uneven wood is not even noticeable except to the builder. A taller van would make long trips more dangerous, higher center of gravity, rollover risks which are often fatal and anyone or dogs not strapped in, will die... A rollover with all that unsecured gear would be really, really bad. It's a overall great build. Congrats.
GREAT IDEAS! I love feedback!
Valuable info! Thanks!
I hope this video was able to help your decision. Thanks for commenting
I’d like to see more projects on this van! I have an Astro with a very similar setup. Maybe you’ll give me some ideas haha
Subscribe and watch from the beginning 👍
Try a cedar crown molding it may fit
Great idea! Thanks for watching
Love your van...would be interested in purchasing it.
This van is long gone, but if you want an Astro build feel free to contact me at STADVENTUREONLINE@gmail.com
Throw some art on that plastic and call it custom lololol! Looks fine to me! Solid job over all!!
Haha sounds like a great idea! Seems like most people don’t really mind that it’s there. Overall must have been a successful idea in the end. Thank you for watching!!
5.30 - there are pop up roof I did see for our van here. i did see it on YT
Would love to do a fiberglass high top on a van like this. Best of both worlds!
🤣, I actually like that strip of plastic in the corner. Maybe place it behind the boards so the cut edges are hidden behind the tongue and groove boards. But I ain't knocking it here.
Haha seems like most people don’t really mind it! I guess what I should’ve added was when the van heats up in the sun the plastic expands and becomes all warped and crazy looking
I came for the content, I subscribed for the Sublime banner and American flag in your garage
Haha welcome over friend! Two of the best things on the planet, sublime and America! Thanks for the sub and for watching
Hey dude! Do you have a link to the flooring you used? Thanks heaps
I do not have a link unfortunately. It was just the cheapest vinyl flooring at my local Home Depot. I’d suggest a locking vinyl flooring any day though! Extremely durable and water resistant. Also looks incredible. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.
Sorry for disturbing you man, Can I ask if you have a Refered link to buy the Mattress like yours?
Thanks a lot ❤
Google fullsize bamboo tri fold mattress
It's worth mentioning it's a cargo astro/ safari van. A passenger astro is a very different build.
SO TRUE. No windows makes framing EASY!
Hahaha, my ex wife would b!tch to high heavan about the passenger seat wheel well in my 97 AWD Astro.
I think you should build out a new van!
It does sound like fun. Thanks for watching
REBUILD!😃😎
We might have to! Thanks for watching
@@SeizeTheAdventure I'm subscribing
Done.😃😎
How much?
Check out the video titled the 5 things I love about my van to learn how much it cost total 🙂
Try putting in sliding doors
Great idea!
I like this platform a lot, but I hate this big stupid engine, that gets me ~9MPG(!!). I wish It have 4BT, or 2.5L Diesel with abt 300 LB.ft or so. I heard ppl also swap 8 cyl Chevy engines and getting BETTER MPG!
front wheel wells are idiotic, agree
Definitely not the most efficient vehicle. Would be awesome to see a modern version of these vans with more efficient engines!
Hey if you redesign your storage check out this guys additional counter top / table top
ruclips.net/video/J7-LM9ob1fI/видео.html
Wow he did a really great job. That pull out counter top is genius! Thanks for sharing, and watching!
THANX bruh‼️✅👀➕
Thanks for watching friend!
The Astro is a midsize van not a mini
It’s actually considered to be a minivan according to GM. I definitely see it from your perspective as it is pretty much a Chevy S-10 chassis which is considered to be a “midsize” truck. Minivan really is the same as midsize if you think of it as there’s no such thing as “mini trucks”, rather “midsize” truck. Six of one and a half dozen of the other type of situation.
Thanks for watching!
@@SeizeTheAdventure I don't know where you get your information from the GM clearly states that it is a midsize van that is larger than the minivan but just short of the Chevy Express van! Ask any extra van expert and they will tell you the exact same thing
@@woffordsoverlandjourneys8618 I got my information directly from GM. If you do a quick google search you will find that the Astro and Safari were considered to be the first minivans made by General Motors in 1985. Wasn’t trying to prove you wrong my friend, just stating the facts. No I am not a “van” expert by any shape or form, and never have I claimed to be! Just a guy with a camera (and google). Take care, and appreciate one another!
If you find yourself doing 5 things or 10 things videos, you really have ran out of topics.
I usually move right passed them.
Seems like you stuck around long enough to comment 😄