ASTRO Camper Van Build Tour - 4x4 Chevy Van Mini DIY Camper Conversion
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2021
- In todays video we feature Mike and his Chevy Astro Van 4x4 Camper van conversion. This van features storage, sleeping a toilet and many cool stories and some tips.
#astrovan
#campervan
#vanlife
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![[How To] PLAN Your STORAGE & SHELVES | 3 Design Concepts for Van Life & Campers | ASTRO Van Build](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pvoF5AXwWOY/mqdefault.jpg)
This guy cracked me up, I bet he enjoys life. Good organization, it has just what he needs, and wants. Thank you.
You bet
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures +++q+++qq+q+++++++++++q+
You know some people might see this guy and think he’s too tough, or weird, but he seems very smart and genuine and super cool :)
Yes, he is an awesome guy
Jeanne here and I’m not a back scratcher!
👍🏽👍🏽
THE BACK SCRATCHER MIC DROP!!!
🎤 🙌🏼
I was waiting for him to Bring up Patrick's Van..Great van..Patrick's is Van of all vans..that guys cool.
Thank you very much Don
Love this guy, so down to earth and funny. Love his van: it serves a couple of purposes. Everything very thought out, simple and a attainable built.
Thank you Janet
Just realized Mike's wearing a thinker thunker shirt. Hell yeah.
Love! Love looking at him too! Very masculine which I admire.
I’m happy you found this video
Good Morning :) I finally got my dream camper van last week - it was a real miraculous shock for sure; some news friends I've made decided to purchase me a vehicle so that I can get my life back :) My ride is a Dodge Grand Caravan with an extended roof on the top with a total standing height of about 6'. The Van is a conversion with the back seats already taken out, a shower and standing basin w/drainage hole added, solar panels on the roof, shore power A/C unit, solar powered shower, hot water heater, refrigerator, and power strip for whatever else I need to run :)
I'm slowly moving out of my home, which is foreclosing, and into the Van, and now seeking work. Please pray for me if you will because I've been unemployed for several years now and need to find work right away so that I can pay my friends back.
Oh wow, congratulations
Love that toilet! I am a fan of the Astro van myself.
It’s a good solid vehicle
Love his energy! Hope you reconnect after he upgrades his van.
Thank you Trinka
I JUST LOVE THAT BIKE!!! OLD FRAME, MODERN HIGH TECH FABRICATED BRAKES! GREAT VAN TOO! REALLY ENJOY THIS VIDEO! HE'S A MARINE! THEY DO NOT ALLOW BORING!!! LOL...EACH ASTRO VIDEO, I'M LEARNING. GREAT VIDEO!
Right on!
Cool dude. Cool van. I've been back and forth between an astro van, cargo van, and going 4x4 truck with camper. Man, the astro is starting to win.
Just go for it
Thank You' Fantastic video! Your So right' Its a Truck' Imo, with a Hoodie! 🚐 'and Thank You for Your Service!✈🌎🌍🌏🇺🇸👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Ingenious back scratcher lol nice bike rack and exercise mallet.
Thank you 😊
Love the Thinker Thunker shirt, he knows what's up.
He sure does
Nice build, can tell you’re a great carpenter (that cabinet was well built), great personality too. OORAH thank you Michael for your service, saw that USMC tatt right away.
Thank you very much
Dude is a character. Very entertaining. Cool van 🚐
Thank you very much
Mike Rocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed
legs. Heyyyyyyy Patrick got some nice leg's. 😊
Thank you Torrie, cycle 100 miles weekly
Wow, what a Bitchin' van and bike, seems like a great guy too !
Thank you David
It's literally a step stoole 😂 What an incredible guy and build
Many uses
I'm not jealous I have a E350 Ford Econoline van 1995.. my friend Kick-Ass punk rock style OI!..
Sweet
This guy's so cool. Love how he's got his rig set up and that he's wearin' A Thinker Thunker tee!!! Props!!!! 👍👍👍
Thank you Angelina
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures ya gotta see his van!!!!! It's something out of star wars and MAD MAX combined! LOL Can't miss it here in Jersey
HA, ha...! The new thumbnail is perfect
Thank you 🙏🏼
What a cool guy!! I could definitely enjoy a beer with him
Me too
I have a 2WD and like the tips.. didn't know it did things... i really like mine
Awesome van
Trying to figure out where I recognized this guy and realized I have bought stickers from him. nice guy\
Sweet
He's straight to the point very humble too good job on the van love your personality good luck on your journey 👏👏❤️
Thank you very much
Thinker Thunker! I have the tshirts, too!
Love Michael
I appreciate the back scratcher, i will buy one.
Me too
Sucha dope build and an even dopper person! Thank you for sharing this vid!
Glad you liked him
Great interview thanks Patrick.
Thank you William, this was fun
Love my Astro, I removed my passenger seat and have my fridge and my diesel heater fuel tank mounted there.
Sounds like a cool rig
This guy is so much fun - having a ball. Liked everything about his build & also enjoyed the interview. Thanks, Patrick!
Thank you 🙏🏼
I have a 2002 and I have had the seats out for cargo - children going to and from college. I have decided to put a twin bed in a plastic zipper bag and a small dresser to go camping as I am no longer willing to sleep on the ground. I did think it had steel beams in the sides, but am glad to know it has side walls. I also forgot about the latch release on the back door. I put a blazer engine in in 2012. So coming up on 20 years with 'the van'. My kids want me to sell, but now I can resist.
Glad the video was helpful
Hope you didn't sell it, I regret selling mine at 330k miles, now I'm struggling to fine another one.
On my camper astro (1st gen)I wired a stealth rear hatch button (electrical)above the license plate and one in the rear seat area accessible from the bed.
Pretty cool
Love it thanks for sharing !!! Happy travels live FREE !!
Thank you very much Barbara
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures thank you for all your wonderful videos of amazing people living their dreams the way they want !! I look forward to them haha wish I could join the nomads silly me doesn’t drive though
Damn wish I would’ve thought of that back scratcher 🤪 I’m going to try that.
Great idea
Yeah grew up with the Swin bicycles, but yeah if you have to go somewhere it beats walking yeah you know what I mean, I love the vintage frames to build up from awesome, Love the van nice set up
Exactly!
You're scaring me in the way that peeks my non-van interests, tee-hee. ☮
Ohhh 😮
I absolutely love the back scratcher idea!
Me too!
Great tour/ideas, van. Thanks
Thank you Farrell
What a cool guy with a versatile build. You have me thinking about my cargo decision versus the passenger 🤔
Glad it was helpful
My kinda man .Love the van build .
Thank you Mary
You and me both my friend he has a kick-ass E350 van Econoline like mine also this guy that is interviewing you.. th350 Kick-Ass
Thank you 🙏🏼
Outstanding vid and interviews Michael.
Thank you Jeffrey
Think this is one of your top tier guest. Can't wait to see him again
Thank you very much
On my way to Walmart to buy a toilet brush now. I’m going to name mine Bruno. No special reason.
Seriously though, I love his toilet. No bucket, folds flat, and no carrying around waste. Where can I get me one of them???
Ha, ha, ha...!
Nice guy, good comfy rig
Thank you very much
Thanks Patrick for another great tour!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it
I knew I liked this guy before and then he shows up in a Thinker Thunker shirt.
Michael is awesome
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures Awe, shucks.....
Very cool build! I like the simple-yet-functional approach. Great tour and interview!
Thanks so much!
seem like a cool dude! im in NY and just started this week. 03 Astro AWD. Did my first overnighter in NJ yesterday. i need window covers! got spooky hahaha
You can reach out to me and we can showcase your bill on its very own episode
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures oh man that would be fun. do you use IG or anything too?
I have this same van. I’m thinking about removing my passenger seat to make room for my hide away bed. So my kitchen can be at the back doors. And it will allow it to slide out.
Oh wow. Sounds like a plan
20:00 way back in the day...aka the 70's I put big mudder tires on my bike too. I even used a rope and or Chains in the winter when I had to ride to school in the snow... Yep, mommy didn't take use to school in the days.
Funny funny mannnn!👍😂😂😂😂
Thank you very much
I have the same igloo cooler…maybe 1 day of 95 degree heat then ice is water…
Oh noooooo
Yep, I sadly found that out - I can get up to 3 days but then it's dump time and re-ice... My pal who sold it to me owns a bait and tackle shop so since he lied to e I'm just TAKING ice when I need it :)
I LOVE IT!
Thank you 🙏🏼
@@NewJerseyOutdoorAdventures your welcome hope to cross paths one day
Yeah awesome I love it, I’d exercise with that that is bad ass dude
Me too
Nice job Michael !! A lot of good ideas. Happy trails to you !! Les
Thanks, you too!
👌 nice
Thank you
Awesome!!!👠🚌👠
Thank you 🙏🏼
Great Van, nice guy!
Yes, agreed
bike guy!!!!!! nice rig. try riding a townie by trek.
Yes. Oh wow, will check it out
Great video!!!
Thank you 🙏🏼
I love this guy and his practicality!👍😊
Yeah, he is living his best life
I've got a 2001 AWD Safari Cargo, and that was an interesting point he made! it's true. The passenger models have more double walled coverage throughout the van.
Yes, good information
The passenger vans have double wall ribs in the back for 2 reasons. First is to add rigidity around the window openings and second to meet federal crash standards for a 'passenger compartment', neither of which are required in a cargo van.
The absolute 'beefiest' Astro/Safari out there though, if you can find one, is an an unmolested 'upfitter' cargo van. The majority went to conversion companies(high tops, slider windows, fancy interiors), however I have seen a few in the wild that were still running around as plain cargo vans. They have the double wall ribs like a passenger van but without the factory window openings.
Cool dude..💪🤙🎯💯
Yes, agreed
I've seen that cabinet behind the driver's seat in 3 or 4 videos with the same dimensions but different configurations. I'm building out my 2000 AWD Astro cargo right now and I'll definitely include that.
Astro and Safari vans had a raised roof one. Looked like the bigger Explorer vans.
I like the extended ones.
Oh nice, cool
I was looking for this swivel seat!!!
Not sure if they are making it anymore
I have a 2000 chevy astro van. The cargo one. Since like 2011.... I've done alot to it cosmetic wise. It's murdered out zombie hunter style. The inside is sick with zombie graphics I made the wall and roof panels. Well I put chunky tires like very borderline. I can still make sharp turns. But it did give me better gas mileage and a lil less power. 🤷 whatever. I don't speed in it anyway cuz I take care of it. 😂 I've done it all in that van. I have other cars come and go. But not my astro van.
Love your video 💣👌👍👍👍👍
Thank you 🙏🏼
Interesting dude
Thank you Noah
I see that huge beater behind the seat. Is that for a tool or a weapon?
Wait for it…
I’ve been wanting to rig the back door on my Astro as well! More details would be cool but he made it sound pretty simple.
Jump over to his channel
ua-cam.com/video/KhcJxDf9UK8/v-deo.html
There goes that campervan again..😅😅😅
He it comes
What a cool guy and what an awesome build! Love his sense of humor! 💛
Enjoy your travels man! 🌵
Thanks so much!
He said Marines in Calif. My father was stationed at El Toro, then it closed then stationed at Camp Pendleton. He did three tours overseas. I wonder if Mike and Brian ever crossed paths. But my dad was there in the 70's not 80's. I have a 98 chevy astro, ive done a no build on my van, ill try and find Mike to chat about the lift he did. I have a newer transmission and engine in mine. Still a lot of leaking issues with various hoses and things slowly getting fixed.
Quite possible
Ask me anything....
Fantastic!!! But I was afraid he was gonna accidentally break his side mirror out there for a minute!!
Oops
We loved watching Mike. Very knowledgeable. We really like hearing all the information about mountain bikes and Astro Vans. A friend of ours use to work at the GM factory here in Baltimore. What a shame GM didn't keep up with the times. Lots of great little tricks with his van build. SUPER FUNNY!
Thank you
Mark ( & Teresa)
Thank you Mark
Hit me up if you need work in Jersey!! Great rig!
Thank you for the offer
You should get in contact with Chrome Valdez (Vanity Vanlife), he was a DJ back in the day as well.
I couldn't even lift that or a sledge hammer 😅
Great idea
Chrome answered a couple of my questions on one of his live videos recently - I'm on the fence with his channel, I love a lot of the content and he's the real deal as far as being a vanlifer - He's just really into it all about him so while I do watch it end up FFW-ing through a lot of it these days. I fully respect his UA-cam presence, I suppose I wouldn't mind my channel growing like that - The boarder is the issue right now. I'm not a fan of the shot so I won't be able to cross over for some time so we'd all have to wait for him to get down here. I'm sure me and Chrome in a video together would be a laugh-riot
just buy one of those telescope ladders I've got one telescope ladders are awesome you need to buy one my friend.. and you can put them away anyway it doesn't take up any space by one..
Good suggestion
Custom aluminum system is on deck
ua-cam.com/video/V8KwNOyGA-Q/v-deo.html
LOL...did you guys round the corner to the VFW for a cold one?
Next time
I❤️pot2
Thank you buddy checking in
Will this dude adopt me, please!
Maybe
Great van!😎
If planning to convert to 4x4, which is more cost effective, converting from the AWD or 2WD.
I'm almost convinced to sell my motorhome & join vanlife w one of these.
Thanks.
Do it 👍🏽
If we're talking Astro van, you can only convert the AWD easily - It's a transfer case swap and shifter kit
@@AstroVanTribe Cool! Thanks so much. Now off to find a decent one in this market!😎
@@Go_Play_Outside I must have mistyped or auto correct screwed it up - You can only do the AWD to 4x4 not the 2wd
Need to find out where that toilet came from. good set up.
I found this one on Amazon - Just look for camp toilets
"Thor's Hammer" was a bit much. 🙄
.....I did want 2 mention how the quality of your presentation has improved on these videos. You were stilted and awkward in front of the camera and appeared "Camera-shy", but now UR much more natural when you speak. Kudos. 👍😊
Progress
What are the 'strings'/zip ties hanging from slider 'arm' for? (sorry terminologically challenged) Also I see no curtains. Do you use the common reflectix/fabric window coverings? Thanks for sharing and Joy on your Journey ~
Yes, great question
I used burlap as a screen and sleep with the door open when out in the wild - The hemp twine is how I tied it up - My tinting is very dark so you can't really see in BUT I do plan to do window coverings that snap into place, roll up and snap in the rolled up position as well...
interesting guy. nice setup. oh NO....This van lifer is going to pass on the skateboard.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Nice Van, great build Oh-yah my brotha👊🏽
Do you have a link or contact for the swivel seat guy? Need one for my gmc safari 👍🏽 love to buy local & for the small shop guy rather than big box 📦
Thank you very much. He may reply to you here or pop over to his UA-cam
If your ever in Atlanta hit me up. I have a safari I could do with some tips on.
Will do
Just bought a 97 Astro to turn into weekender. No idea what I’m doing but just love all the videos and ideas. Can I ask your bed dimensions? Trying to build one east/west but don’t want to “barely fit “. Thx again
🤘🤘
Thank you 🙏🏼
He's basically a part-timer just like me.. guys you don't have to live in your van full-time if you don't want to.. part time is just as good.. I know because I do it too and I have my own Base. ..
Part time is better than no time! Happy trails to you :)
@@weirskruud hell yeah my friend I couldn't agree with you more I have my campervan I live at sometimes and I sleep out of it sometimes but not all the time I live up in Jersey with hot in the summertime but it's hot so I'm glad I have a small base are used as well..
As long as we are all having fun.
Secure the hammer on the floor with clamps so if in accent it doesn't go flying an kill you or others
Oh wow, great tip
Mike what kind of bike rack is that?
I'll try to remember to get back to you on that - It's well made but not something very common