Astro camper van.....

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ryanhettenbach
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by ryanhettenbach »

i pondered the same question.

I figure if you brace the steel roof and weld in strong hood hinges...like from a 70's Caddy, and then support it with good gas struts it could be possible.
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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

dunedog wrote:Image

I'm thinking on using this,seeing it's sitting in my driveway,and the pop top condo's are probably too expensive for me.Their tops aren't available now.
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1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
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1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
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T.Low
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by T.Low »

dunedog wrote:Image

I'm thinking on using this,seeing it's sitting in my driveway,and the pop top condo's are probably too expensive for me.Their tops aren't available now.

Pop tops are still available in Vancouver. Not cheap, and apparently can't get the T-Top, only the V-top (angled). (Gee, how do I know this...hmm)
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Moreforles
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by Moreforles »

mines a 94, I picked it up for $500, it was running when I bought it but I think I let it sit too long, I had the fuel tank and pump replaced, now getting 60 psi but still wont start, getting spark so I've been told its most likely the spider intake/injector? so when the weather breaks, I'll get started on it (hopefuly)

plan on running a 4' wide (partially hinged) by almost 7' long bed on the drivers side form the front seat to the back doors, on the passenger side, low counter from sliding door to back door with sink and either 2 burner propane cooktop or use a folding camp stove. A tv either on the counter or mounted (not sure where yet) on a wall bracket. either small refrigerator or 12 volt cooler

Hitchhaul on back for water tanks (2 fifteen gal) and propane tank(s)
2000 Astro, passenger van. Converted into a cargo van, used for Carpet cleaning (10 lbs of crap, in a 5 lb bag)
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GEJ
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by GEJ »

Yeppers-look in ebay for frig's where I have been shopping for a replacement frig for my RV.(got to look in the RV section)I think you are looking for a two way frig.Be aware they are not cheap.
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1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
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ihatemybike
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by ihatemybike »

Check with your local RV dealer for old campers that are getting parted out, the school bus conversion forums always mention this.

For your TV are you wanting big or would a ceiling mount LCD with swivel work?
Last edited by ihatemybike on Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Aaron

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Moreforles
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by Moreforles »

as far as Cleveland goes.... been here all my life, been tired of it, at least half of that time. I have family in Va. and NC - good for visits and a couple that my wife and I went to high school with just bought a house in Texas and that will be another good place to visit. myself, I looking at Southern ohio
2000 Astro, passenger van. Converted into a cargo van, used for Carpet cleaning (10 lbs of crap, in a 5 lb bag)

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Moreforles
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by Moreforles »

So far, other than using it like a storage shed, filling it with RV parts and such, I had to replace the sliding door window as some crackheads lived across the street from my friend and a rock magically ended up inside the van, shattering the window. That was the main reason I got it to my house to keep anything else from happening to it. as simple as it sounds, the previous owner, had bought it from salvage yard (yep, salvage title) the drivers side had been side swiped, from the drivers door to the back doors.... the guy ordered a new panel from the dealer and put it on, had it in primer but started playing with drugs and needed money (good thing I guess, otherwize I wouldn't have got it so cheap.... now it I can only make myself do what I can imagine........ (easier said than done....)

My hobby as a couple years ago, is gold prospecting, so far I've spent time and about $300 on equipment and gas and fees, to find about $100 worth, but pretty good with a gold pan now, just need to be in a place that has some to find....

Thats the main thing I have in mind for the astro camper van... easier on gas than the big RV, enough room for me and if I set up the front seat to swivel, someone else can use the bed and I'll recline and snooze in the seat.

As far as the prospecting goes the next peice of equipment will be a good metal detector, possibly one that's usable underwater as well, and then after that, new scuba tanks or a Hooka system..... (compressor and airlines)
2000 Astro, passenger van. Converted into a cargo van, used for Carpet cleaning (10 lbs of crap, in a 5 lb bag)
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T.Low
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by T.Low »

ihatemybike wrote:Check with your local RV dealer for old campers that are getting parted out, the school bus conversion forums always mention this.

For your TV are you wanting big or would a ceiling mount LCD with swivel work?


Here's an excellent school bus conversion. May or may not be a few usable ideas for a smaller RV, but it sure is a fun read.

http://www.vonslatt.com/
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BLAZER
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by BLAZER »

Moreforles wrote:I looking at Southern ohio
Be careful what area :-# :muhaha: :D
Seriously, if ya decide to come towards Cinci, let me know, I can help ya out a little.

Rebel
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by Rebel »

The Tiger Gt's that are a full motor home range from $8,000 to $12,000 for a 1989.Yeah-like I said they are pricey.So if you find one at a good price and restore it ,it would be hard to lose your investment.
Love the way that first gen. motor home looks. Have only seen a couple around. Got any pics of that model Gary ?
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Mat Mobile
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by Mat Mobile »

dunedog wrote:Image

If I could get Matt or Peter to find me one of these up in Quebec,it would be my choice.
They don't produce the top for the Astro/Safari size van anymore [-(
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Moreforles
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by Moreforles »

TV doesn't have to be that big, in fact I've got a little tine color tv with i think a 4" screen somewhere in my house, havn't seen it for a while... but a small LCD model will probably work fine (use less power that conventional one too I think)

I'm looking for 5 to 10 acres in Southern/central Ohio, around Cambridge, where I 70 crosses 77. Close enough that I can comute for awhile to keep my current customers, until I get situated there, and build a clientel there big enough to support my life style or hopefully a better one than I have now..... All work and little play makes for a tired body.....
2000 Astro, passenger van. Converted into a cargo van, used for Carpet cleaning (10 lbs of crap, in a 5 lb bag)

robertg
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by robertg »

i browsed that bus rv site. neat stuff!
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GEJ
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Re: Astro camper van.....

Post by GEJ »

A good rv forum to visit is http://www.irv2.com

They cover pretty much all forms of rv's

Since I last posted to this thread I learned that the Tiger Provans GT's was a pop-up version and the XL's where the hard top version as I pictured below.



Image


If you PM Vangeorge,he is closely connected to Provan and I am not sure if you can still get the pop-ups for Astros/Safaris from them.He did tell me that the molds for the XL's are long gone.
Call me Gary

1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer


Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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