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.

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.

I got the iron cloud swivel base. Sweet upgrade.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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!!

Think it is time to start another build! Mer-Benz 144wb 4x4 High roof sprinter!

Keep the van and get a additional Cargo Enclosed trailer 6x12 that is your camper. The Astro/Safari will tow up to 5000 lbs.

Great Series, Thanks For Sharing!

Valuable info! Thanks!

Love your van...would be interested in purchasing it.

Throw some art on that plastic and call it custom lololol! Looks fine to me! Solid job over all!!

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

Try a cedar crown molding it may fit

I came for the content, I subscribed for the Sublime banner and American flag in your garage

🤣, 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.

5.30 - there are pop up roof I did see for our van here. i did see it on YT

It's worth mentioning it's a cargo astro/ safari van. A passenger astro is a very different build.

REBUILD!😃😎

I think you should build out a new van!

Hahaha, my ex wife would b!tch to high heavan about the passenger seat wheel well in my 97 AWD Astro.

Hey dude! Do you have a link to the flooring you used? Thanks heaps

Sorry for disturbing you man, Can I ask if you have a Refered link to buy the Mattress like yours? Thanks a lot ❤

Try putting in sliding doors

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

The Astro is a midsize van not a mini

How much?

THANX bruh‼️✅👀➕

Hey if you redesign your storage check out this guys additional counter top / table top kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gJ1df7Bq1MiVln0.html

If you find yourself doing 5 things or 10 things videos, you really have ran out of topics. I usually move right passed them.