I think people over look they can add more solar. Just by making slides for them. That way you can park. Then slide them out. I even seen some people put them on the side of the vehicle. Then use tilt brackets..
I need friends like you in my life dude 👍🏻 Back in October 2018 I bought my first astro van, a 2000 for $1700 bucks, best money I’ve ever spent on a vehicle My van has already outlived 4 other newer cars I’ve owned along the way 🤣 I recently installed a new alternator, new battery & filters, and new tires on it, at almost 204,000 miles it still runs LIKE A CHAMP and I cannot wait to take it on a long trip again 🤟🏻
@@flyg74 I've lived in a van for a couple years and when I want to get away from hustle n bustle. Noise n drama. To read my bible and pray. I put my key in the ignition and drive. 😊 Peace like a river only comes from Jesus
Got dispatched to tow an Astro van one day last year. When you hear Astro van as a tow truck driver you get both excited and depressed…. But the one I towed ended up being a van life set up with a bed, micro fridge and even a forced air pvc system. It was amazing
@@faroutfamily fun to convert if you know what you're doing. which 95% of people don't. I'm looking to buy an AWD astro for business and it's near impossible to find. the market is flooded with people who bought an awd astro to convert it, they rip out everything, let the van sit for 3 years, no maintenance, get tired of the project and sell it as a "camper" with literally a few 2x4 sticks holding up a dirty old mattress 😂 I really wish this wasn't trending so much it's making it impossible for me to get a decent one
Excellent video. That USB water tap thingy is absolutely at Canadian tire for $10 Got one last week with slight mod can fit 4liter water jug. They're great , easy to use and is like having running water in the van. 😊
This is one of the best Astro van tours I've seen. I'm guessing that with your solar layout you can keep your van in the shade and charge at the same time. Really smart!
Yep that's part of the appeal to the slide out, it's a little more versatile. I saw one person do it with another panel underneath so they'd get double charging when they're solar awning is pulled out.
Great work. I love the swivel seat. I have a 2000 AWD cargo version and did a simple build with a Maxxair fan and 100 watt panel feeding into my Jackery 500 battery for my fridge. I did make a shelf for books that's still empty so I'll be buying a mushroom guide since everyone needs one.
Do it! I updated the comments with some of the gear I used to outfit it. LMK if you ended up going with the swivel. I actually have an extra one I didn't use if you need one.
Absolutely love this! I’m looking at a 2001 with super low miles right now and debating. I think seeing this just helped me decide to go for it. I’m gonna have to leave the back seat too. Due to having my grandson & others at times. So this will work and I’m so excited,
Thanks for that. Before I got the van, my wife and I were driving down a dirt road in Big Sur and there was a massive sprinter in front of us. It looked pretty ridiculous bobbing through the woods. So I made my decision about the Astro or something similar then and there. I love the Sprinters for their space and they're really great if you can afford one. But something about them didn't sit well with the type of lifestyle we live. (Not knocking anyone who owns one, I'll probably end up with one day myself if my family expands.)
@@faroutfamily I agree with all of that! I’ve definitely seen some sprinters struggling up in the mountains, but like you said, nothing against them. It’s just not what I need right now.
Fabulous ideas! Love the solar awning and water pipe shower that would heat in the sun. I was just wondering if I could do something like that when I get my van and also I own a mobile home in Florida and was thinking I could find a way to use the sun to heat water. as well. Love the bed in a box! Great job.
Amazing. It's so nice to see you working with you what you have. Although the dream is to upgrade at some point, the truth is, its not so much the gear but the experiences that enriches a beautiful life. I really appreciate this video.
I'm so glad you made this video I had the thought of making a solar panel like that but my thought was to have them stacked so when you pulled it out there would be 1 or 2 underneath and give you that much more In the same space.
There's actually a video where someone does that on a van. It's a great idea to have two. Honestly if I have the opportunity to get smaller panels and do that, I probably will. I'd really love the space to put a storage box on the top.
I slide one, usually a long board, under the solar panel on top. The racks are still there so I just bungee or strap it down. Then if I bring multiple I put the others inside. My goal was to figure out a side rack system where I could hold them on the side of the van, but it never came together. One day!
JOF is great, I put their 2-4" body lift in it to start, when I bought the Astro it looked like it had no clearance bc it was so low. It definitely looks a little beefier now. But yeah I'd love to get it up a little higher, there's some roads where I've taken it that I wish I had more clearance on.
Awesome! There was a stretch where my daughter didn't want anything to do with the outdoors. But I swear as soon as we got the van she wants to go camping every weekend. That's probably the best thing that's come out of converting the Astro TBH. Hope you guys have some great ASTRO adventures!
Like the solar panel awning idea! Dont knowcwhy most people like to have stove on outside. Cant cook in stealth mode in a store parking lot. Like to have everything accessible from inside. Especially my microwave. Hehe
Amazing solar set up the panel side is the first I’ve seen not to mention awesome. If the photo business ever slows you have a career to fall back on van builder. Stay safe
Thanks! It took some trial and error to get it right. I'm 240lb and it holds my wife and I pretty well. I have some adjustments I want to try out on it, but we've enjoyed it so far.
When folks like you do a simple build I think if you put together a book teaching others to put their own system like yours you could probably sell it for a reasonable price.
Very nice and versatile build. With 536 K on the odometer, I've just retired my 1999 GMC Safari SLT. Will put it up for sale in the spring when it's no longer buried in snow. lol
@@faroutfamily The 4.3 Vortec is bullet proof. Over time you will replace everything attached to the engine (alternators, starters, fan clutch, water pump...etc.), but my engine was never opened or overhauled. Same for the transmission and differential.
Good job 👍👌 and love ur grandma's number plate and ur grand father's fishing basket.. and I am gonna in cooperate some of ur ideas in my a astro conversation God bless u.. Appreciate the video 😊
Nice van build. I noticed you tried covering your license plate at 13:34 but didn’t cover it at 2:00 when showing your he back part of van. Thanks for sharing your van build.
By far, the BEST build I've seen. There's many great builds out there, though yours is right up my alley. Awesome work. I've got a back up cam/mirror as well though on my next van I want to get a higher quality. Do you mind sharing what brand/model your mirror is?
The only issue i can see it how everything packed away isnt perfectly immobile isnt there and issue with weight shifting or just annoying jiggling noise?
My wife and dog and I have been on the road for 4 months now in our ‘98 Safari. Nice build out. Where did you get the swivel for the passenger seat? I’m having a hard time finding one. Thanks.
I got mine off of Northern Tool for under $100 and bolted it between the passenger seat bottom and the seat base for the floor. I had to do a little drilling to customize, but it works great. I wish I had done a video on it. Maybe I'll tear it out one of these days to give you an overview.
I normally keep my clothes in a duffle under the box. TBH we're not always traveling with the pizza oven, so there's ends up being a lot of space under there for stuff. I'll put my shoes underneath the back seat most of the time, there's a big gap under there where we can store lots of stuff.
I think people over look they can add more solar. Just by making slides for them. That way you can park. Then slide them out. I even seen some people put them on the side of the vehicle. Then use tilt brackets..
This Is A Great Setup You And Your Miss Be Careful And Enjoy your House On 🙂 Wheels Thanks For The Video Eddie From Athens Alabama.
I love your idea to use the panel as an awning. So creative!
Love the setup especially with keeping the 3rd row and magic box.
That Awning/Solar panel business is right on. You on track my dude.
Very cool. The Astro is a good size package with a common GM drive train. The unique rear hatch/doors is the best part.
Totally agree, there's so much you can do with those rear doors.
I need friends like you in my life dude 👍🏻
Back in October 2018 I bought my first astro van, a 2000 for $1700 bucks, best money I’ve ever spent on a vehicle
My van has already outlived 4 other newer cars I’ve owned along the way 🤣
I recently installed a new alternator, new battery & filters, and new tires on it, at almost 204,000 miles it still runs LIKE A CHAMP and I cannot wait to take it on a long trip again 🤟🏻
Nice! They don't make cars like they used to. The simpler the better.
Any advice /tips looking for older Astro van? I’m low in cash and I need to move out out of apartment in order to save $. Thx
@@flyg74 I've lived in a van for a couple years and when I want to get away from hustle n bustle. Noise n drama. To read my bible and pray. I put my key in the ignition and drive. 😊 Peace like a river only comes from Jesus
engineered to fail and anti repair. not like the old days anymore.
I will never look at Astro van the way I have again. That's the bomb
haha, my goal is for no one to ever call the Astro a "creeper van" again
Got dispatched to tow an Astro van one day last year. When you hear Astro van as a tow truck driver you get both excited and depressed…. But the one I towed ended up being a van life set up with a bed, micro fridge and even a forced air pvc system. It was amazing
Glad it wasn't mine , lol. They're fun to convert, but you have to get creative.
@@faroutfamily fun to convert if you know what you're doing. which 95% of people don't. I'm looking to buy an AWD astro for business and it's near impossible to find. the market is flooded with people who bought an awd astro to convert it, they rip out everything, let the van sit for 3 years, no maintenance, get tired of the project and sell it as a "camper" with literally a few 2x4 sticks holding up a dirty old mattress 😂 I really wish this wasn't trending so much it's making it impossible for me to get a decent one
Great Build .. I have a Love Affair with Astros/Safaris .. Very Cool
I love my Astrovan AWD. Just got it running again. Excited about converting. It's grey too!
Awesome build. Lots of great ideas. I'll be getting at my conversion this summer. I have a '96 hightop awd.
Excellent video. That USB water tap thingy is absolutely at Canadian tire for $10
Got one last week with slight mod can fit 4liter water jug. They're great , easy to use and is like having running water in the van. 😊
Yeah they're great! My original idea was to rig it up to a sink, but the sink would've been so small I don't think we would wash much in it.
I have a 1998 Astro van and you have given me many ideas to converse my baby for travel. Thank you for sharing and happy trails.
Have fun!
Impressive vision and skills!👍🏻
This is one of the best Astro van tours I've seen. I'm guessing that with your solar layout you can keep your van in the shade and charge at the same time. Really smart!
You have really mastered out this Chevy Astro, lm looking to purchase one like yours by the grace of God, l will find one like yours--- its great
Yep that's part of the appeal to the slide out, it's a little more versatile. I saw one person do it with another panel underneath so they'd get double charging when they're solar awning is pulled out.
Where did you get the solar panel?@@faroutfamily
Great work. I love the swivel seat. I have a 2000 AWD cargo version and did a simple build with a Maxxair fan and 100 watt panel feeding into my Jackery 500 battery for my fridge. I did make a shelf for books that's still empty so I'll be buying a mushroom guide since everyone needs one.
"All that the rain promises and more" is a good one ; )
Great build!! Love the swivel seat!
Thanks for posting. I'm poaching most of it!
Happy trails!
Do it! I updated the comments with some of the gear I used to outfit it. LMK if you ended up going with the swivel. I actually have an extra one I didn't use if you need one.
@@faroutfamily Hi, which swivel brand or product is it? Any link to it please? I'm from Europe and hard to find a decent swivel
Love those copper curtain rods. Incredible van build
Men do tour, outside to inside...they love to show of the toys and works...ladies always start on the inside!
Haha, I'm always most proud of the damn mechanical work I did, but everyone wants to see the kitchen LOL
Absolutely love this! I’m looking at a 2001 with super low miles right now and debating. I think seeing this just helped me decide to go for it. I’m gonna have to leave the back seat too. Due to having my grandson & others at times. So this will work and I’m so excited,
@@tanyaLooking_InTheRear-View Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help : )
Love that solar awning.
brilliant idea with the solar awning!
The best Astro Van conversion I’ve seen! Amazing conversion!😍 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks to sharing your experience, nice setup , I like your hot shower pvc pipe easy to built better that than buying a new expensive one
Very nice build on your Astro…Love the multi fold bed/table/storage unit…
Happy travels!
Frank
Love the bed and awesome slide out for the fridge. The shower is great. Over all everything is awesome. But where is the toilet?
Astro van and Chevy conversion vans will forever be cooler and have more character than a sprinter van.
Thanks for that. Before I got the van, my wife and I were driving down a dirt road in Big Sur and there was a massive sprinter in front of us. It looked pretty ridiculous bobbing through the woods. So I made my decision about the Astro or something similar then and there. I love the Sprinters for their space and they're really great if you can afford one. But something about them didn't sit well with the type of lifestyle we live. (Not knocking anyone who owns one, I'll probably end up with one day myself if my family expands.)
@@faroutfamily I agree with all of that! I’ve definitely seen some sprinters struggling up in the mountains, but like you said, nothing against them. It’s just not what I need right now.
I have a 1999 AWD Astro with almost 188,000 miles located in NM. Would make a great camper van...
Very unique bed build. Really awesome how you accommodated other passengers.
Got me 2001 Astro can’t wait to build it. It’s looks just like yours
That bed/table box is pretty ingenious. Great build!
4:05 Whoa, that's the Corona Arch trailhead in the background! Not too often I see a place I've actually been in these videos 👍
I absolutely love the doors of an Astro!
Great Van + video! Photographer too overhere in The Netherlands. Curious for upcoming video's!
I lived comfortably in a van for 5-years with a fraction of what you put in yours.
Love that magic box...such a smart idea for a bed conversion 👍
Great awning idea. Install the show tube on the other side and you can hang curtains from your solar awning for your showers
Fabulous ideas! Love the solar awning and water pipe shower that would heat in the sun. I was just wondering if I could do something like that when I get my van and also I own a mobile home in Florida and was thinking I could find a way to use the sun to heat water. as well. Love the bed in a box! Great job.
Nice build brother!!! Cool idea with that solar panel awning.
It's funny, I was watching a "The long way Up" motorcycle doc with Ewan McGregor and the made one for one of their support vans.
The best Astro Van Conversion and bed conversion I've seen.
This reminds me of
Honey! I Shrunk Our Kids Sequel. Kid becomes giant.
Especially the solar wings.
I have a GMC SAFARI that's like an Astro van that I want to fix up like yours. You've given me inspiration!
Soooo sick. I’ve been watching Astro videos since I bought mine a few months ago and this is the best I’ve seen. Well done!
Dual purpose solar PV module AND awning?!? NICE!
Really clean looking Astro on the outside too!
Great build! I love those Astro vans for their cool dutch action hatchback rear door; way to take good advantage of the door space!
From one 1999 Astro Van owner to another.....I love it!!!!!!
Great conversion!
This is rad! Nice one! 💪🏽🏄🏽♂️
Very inspiring! I have a 2004 Astro AWD that I've thought of doing up as a camper. You have given inspiration! Thanks!
You won't regret it!
Amazing. It's so nice to see you working with you what you have. Although the dream is to upgrade at some point, the truth is, its not so much the gear but the experiences that enriches a beautiful life. I really appreciate this video.
Clever idea about the sliding solar panel 👌.
I'm so glad you made this video I had the thought of making a solar panel like that but my thought was to have them stacked so when you pulled it out there would be 1 or 2 underneath and give you that much more In the same space.
There's actually a video where someone does that on a van. It's a great idea to have two. Honestly if I have the opportunity to get smaller panels and do that, I probably will. I'd really love the space to put a storage box on the top.
Awesome Van tour.
brilliant bed setup
Awesome! Curious how you bring your surfboards along?
I slide one, usually a long board, under the solar panel on top. The racks are still there so I just bungee or strap it down. Then if I bring multiple I put the others inside. My goal was to figure out a side rack system where I could hold them on the side of the van, but it never came together. One day!
Great ideas! Ingenious.
Very practical vehicle. I wore two Astros out! 1986 and 1996
Nice work. Creative. Love the slide out Solar and the box. I have the same van. Get a Journeys off-road lift and your set. 👌🏻
JOF is great, I put their 2-4" body lift in it to start, when I bought the Astro it looked like it had no clearance bc it was so low. It definitely looks a little beefier now. But yeah I'd love to get it up a little higher, there's some roads where I've taken it that I wish I had more clearance on.
I love this! Thank you for the tour. I also travel with a young daughter and am currently building my 05 Astro camper.
Awesome! There was a stretch where my daughter didn't want anything to do with the outdoors. But I swear as soon as we got the van she wants to go camping every weekend. That's probably the best thing that's come out of converting the Astro TBH. Hope you guys have some great ASTRO adventures!
Great job on the van! I really like the pull out solar panel as an awning! 🖖
You are a genius. Unbelievable build. I’m so impressed. Get read you a million views on this one. Congratulations!!
Ha, thanks. I didn't think I'd get as many as this thats for sure! I thought I'd be lucky to get a couple hundred.
Love the solar slide out!
Thx4sharing from one Astrovaner 2 another :)
AWD sounds fun!!!!! Unfortunatedly My 1997 Astro Van didnt come with That package!!! Thanks forSharing
This is a beautiful build, smart spacious. I love the cedar and lighting. Nice job
Hoping for more videos from u! 👈 Outdoor footage with nice music is a niche, I think. Something relaxing to watch in these trying times 👍
Great build! What type of backup camera do you use? Thank you! ~Tracey~👍
Like the solar panel awning idea!
Dont knowcwhy most people like to have stove on outside. Cant cook in stealth mode in a store parking lot. Like to have everything accessible from inside. Especially my microwave. Hehe
I was thinking about trying an air fryer in there. I gotta see if the wattage will work first though.
Wow yea... I watched the whole thing... Astro vans are the best...
Hell yeah, Thanks Marc!
Very clever build. Lots of clever ideas.
Love how you've used the space!
Really Really Cool!!! That slide awning is the BEST!!! Where is the toilet???
Ha, outside in the great wide open! There are sometimes where I wished I had one for sure.
Spectacular creativity and execution
That Astro is badass 👍
Nice build, thanks for sharing it with us. Happy travels.
Amazing solar set up the panel side is the first I’ve seen not to mention awesome. If the photo business ever slows you have a career to fall back on van builder. Stay safe
Now that is a genius bed set up. Well done!
Thanks! It took some trial and error to get it right. I'm 240lb and it holds my wife and I pretty well. I have some adjustments I want to try out on it, but we've enjoyed it so far.
fream ride for me and the wheelchay needs a ramp tho
chair dang auto corrupt
Love the magic box.....
When folks like you do a simple build I think if you put together a book teaching others to put their own system like yours you could probably sell it for a reasonable price.
Dude,you are an engineer...very smart build
Great job on the build and the video!
Danny and Lynn
Awesome work
Very nice and versatile build. With 536 K on the odometer, I've just retired my 1999 GMC Safari SLT. Will put it up for sale in the spring when it's no longer buried in snow. lol
Holy cow, I'm enclosing on 180k and was getting worried LOL
@@faroutfamily The 4.3 Vortec is bullet proof. Over time you will replace everything attached to the engine (alternators, starters, fan clutch, water pump...etc.), but my engine was never opened or overhauled. Same for the transmission and differential.
Good job 👍👌 and love ur grandma's number plate and ur grand father's fishing basket.. and I am gonna in cooperate some of ur ideas in my a astro conversation
God bless u..
Appreciate the video 😊
Nice van build. I noticed you tried covering your license plate at 13:34 but didn’t cover it at 2:00 when showing your he back part of van. Thanks for sharing your van build.
Awesome build! Great ideas!
By far, the BEST build I've seen.
There's many great builds out there, though yours is right up my alley.
Awesome work.
I've got a back up cam/mirror as well though on my next van I want to get a higher quality.
Do you mind sharing what brand/model your mirror is?
Yay for you family matters, nice video🥰❤️❤️
Love the look of the Astro van.
The only issue i can see it how everything packed away isnt perfectly immobile isnt there and issue with weight shifting or just annoying jiggling noise?
that solar panel idea is a WIN, Im amazed I havent seen it before of it before ! the magic box is another sweet creation..
Beautiful build! Very clever solutions. I especially like the bed box ! U should patent that !! ❤️👍🇺🇸
Thanks! Took me a a lot of trial and error. There's still some updates to it I want to do, but it's surprisingly sturdy!
my 86 astro van is jealous. It asks, do you have a fire extinguisher on board?
The shower thing is genius
A lot of people ask if it's a potato gun when they first see it lol.
IM LOOKING INTO THE ASTRO THING.GREAT INFO FOR SURE.
Do It!
Metchie and Dell could be like waddle and hill🤷🏾♂️
Nice build and video! Curious where you bought your front seat swivel?
My wife and dog and I have been on the road for 4 months now in our ‘98 Safari. Nice build out. Where did you get the swivel for the passenger seat? I’m having a hard time finding one. Thanks.
I got mine off of Northern Tool for under $100 and bolted it between the passenger seat bottom and the seat base for the floor. I had to do a little drilling to customize, but it works great. I wish I had done a video on it. Maybe I'll tear it out one of these days to give you an overview.
Definately one of the best functional conversions! Where do u keep your clothing? Shoes? Bags?
I normally keep my clothes in a duffle under the box. TBH we're not always traveling with the pizza oven, so there's ends up being a lot of space under there for stuff. I'll put my shoes underneath the back seat most of the time, there's a big gap under there where we can store lots of stuff.