Honestly you have the most functional and comfortable Astrovan I've seen yet. I have a GMC Safari, basically the same thing and I'm building it out to look something like yours!
These Are the kind of builds I really love because these guys use very minimal stuff, use it very effectively and efficiently , and the cost is extra low. nice job dude.
Thanks a ton Dave! The cost was extra low compared to many other builds...but not the cheapest. I want to make a video showing how you can build a camper van for Super Cheap.😁
Thanks! We had plenty of time to think and plan. LOL! Since it took 3 years to build. My buddy, Eric, labeled it "The Best Astro Build in the Country". He's too nice. :)
Wow! Awesome Lynda! Glad you like it. The van recently performed great on a 106 day road trip thru Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. I hope to explore more places with it soon. Thanks for checking out the video. :)
I'm doing my research for an Astro. I used to have one for my mobile massage biz. Wish I kept it! This layout is perfect for me. I'm a designer and I think you did a top notch job. Super organized and tidy. Thank you.
Thanks Arctic Fox. I've been very happy with the dual inside/outside cooking setup. They both have their pros and cons. I would say I use the inside setup the most.
I literally said, "GO COOGS!" when you did. 😂Love so much about your build. I'm in the market for an Astro right now. My family had one when I was growing up and it was a reliable beast that I love taking on road trips!
For sure, he did a fantastic job on the power center. I just met up with my Dad on the road in Colorado. He was impressed that the power center has held up so well after 4 years of use. Besides swapping out 2 fuses and replacing a worn out inverter, the power center has performed amazingly. Go DAD!! 👍😁
I love the fine details you explain and show. Amazing build. Please grommet the holes in the aluminum plate behind the power center where the wiring goes thru or put some protection around those wires
Hi Shawn. Thanks for checking out my van build. I appreciate your comment and will pop open the power center and see if I can track down the wires you are talking about. Thanks!
Hi Crystal. Yes, cooking inside the van while in the city or while it’s raining is great. Also, it’s nice to have the doors open and cook from the back of the van at state or national parks. :). Thanks for checking out the video.
Yours is a great and well planned build! But your Dad steals the show. I've seen many of these vids but have never seen electrical work of this caliber in a van solar setup before. Go Troy and GO DAD! lol
Thanks Rick! Yes, my Dad did a fantastic job on the electrical and other aspects of the build. I’m very grateful for his assistance. I learned so much from him during this build. It was amazing!
Hi, I'm a seamstress, and I like the tape on the bottom of the curtains instead of sewing because it provides a bit of weight to hold them down. Looks good too. When the tape gets dirty, put some new tape on!
Awesome! The engine has been great. My van is in the shop now getting the dreaded fuel pump replaced. I don't have an inside the van access door, so they're pulling the gas tank down to get to it.
Hi dr.frank i have 98 astro cargo. 2nd owner 239k on the dash ive had van for less than a year. Differential ran out oil and broke rear 1k less than a week having electrical issues any tips or suggestions on common shorts/trouble wires i can check
Seen countless videos and van tours and while it’s great to grab ideas from here and there, this is the most consolidated functional preferable build I’ve seen - great job to you and your pops! The layout is awesome, I’m sure I dig it because I work in tech as well!
Thank you. I’ve had the van for 6 years now and have lived/traveled in it for 5 1/2. The layout has worked out well. 😁. Thanks for checking out the video. 👍
Hey Troy! Just wanted to say thanks for these build videos. We used these a ton for our build and you saved us a lot of hard work . You rock man! See you out there!
That’s great! Glad they were helpful. Your channel recently appeared on my home screen. I’ve watched a couple videos. Fun couple! Have a great road trip!
Joseph Compnotta hell yeah. Great van I had 198.000 on mine. But last fri some guy hit me at 40 mph I was at a dead stop getting off the freeway he totaled my 2002 astro . I was more the a lil sad . Hes definitely going to buy me another astro
Thank you Maria! Things get messy and unorganized quick in such a small space, but the good news is it doesn’t take long to get it back to clean and organized. :)
Indeed! It was quite a long process, but so glad it's complete. Now, if I can just kick this coffee habit. ;) But, they just emailed me and want to give me a free coffee for my b-day on Thurs. Can't pass that up? Right?
Absolutely amazing job!!! With how small your van is compared to a cargo van, it looks just so much larger inside there. Very nice, clean, great organization and well thought out. Your dad did a sweet job setting up your power system. Have a blast at the Grand Canyon and a wonderful Birthday!!!!!!! :)
Thank you very much for the wonderful compliments. I think my Dad secretly reads the comments, so he'll love this one. :) Yes, my Dad did a hell of a job on the power center. I look at it and REALLY appreciate it every day. I love pulling up next to big Class A RVs knowing that my van is small, but has most of what they have for an extremely small fraction of the cost. :)
I have watched loads of these videos and yours is the best small van and most creative use of the space. Really well done... I hope you are having a blast on the road.
Thank you, Boise! It was tough fitting everything, including the kitchen sink ;) into this van. My van doesn't compete with all the professionally built Sprinters and Pro Masters out there these days, but for small, compact and inexpensive, I agree that it is one of the best. Thanks for checking out the video.
Indeed! Really enjoying the van. I’ve owned it now for 6 years and have been living/traveling in it for 5 1/2 years. I have only made minor changes to the original build. 👍 Thanks for watching. ✌️
Glad to see some true thought and not another hack job. I have an AWD version and watched many videos for ideas for mine. Swivel plate for office chair is awesome and proper. "All" others hacked seat up and mounted on top of seat bracket instead of floor mounting underneath. Obvious issue was geometry as top of seat bracket is angled. When you spin the chair, you are now sliding out of it. And it's arched not flat.🤗
Nice set up Troy.. Heck yeah Go Astros!!! H-Town all the way!!! Dude I really like this setup. It's good to see you back on RU-vid bro.. Take care and God bless
Great build. Love the way you set it up. Not sure why more people don't convert an Astro van into a camper. Seems like the perfect size for a stealth camper.
Thanks Andrew. 👍 Right, I think the Astro van is a good size for one person, maybe even with a small pet companion. Two people would be cramped, but I’ve seen people do it.
Yes, sorry I missed you all and RV Texas Y’all at the RV show. We went down every row and explored many models. Had a good time there with my buddy Greg. Love the ‘Stros! Currently following the UH Coogs and Rockets closely.
I just became the owner of an '05 Astro Cargo van, It was a internet service unit for 10 years and sold as surplus. 165k on the Speedo After the strip out the crap I don't want inside and good cleaning I plan on making it a camper as well.
That’s cool! Good luck with the build. My van was a phone company service van as well. They usually do regular maintenance on these vans to protect their investment, so it should be good for a while. Congrats. I bought mine at 106k and now have 145k. Still running great with repairs here and there.
I started out looking at vans as my first choice for converting to an RV, however, I could not pass up a diesel short bus. I love watching these types of van builds because they keep me on the path I want which is minimalist living. There are a lot of great ideas from van builds.
Nice! I’ve been hearing about many people working on Astro van builds. That’s great! I’ve been living in mine now for 4 1/2 years, so it can be done. I wish I could stand up to put on jeans, but I get by, plus I have the whole outside of the van for standing. :)
Excellent! Thanks Robin. The inside/outside design comes in so handy in a stealth van. I'm in the city now and I really like being able to use the kitchen from the inside. While on my last road trip, I used it primarily from the outside at campsites.
I can honestly say this is probably the best thought out build I've seen in the 3 years or so that I've been researching this stuff, I'm definitely subscribing, greetings from Baytown by the way!
Hey shawn! Thanks for the compliment and "Hello" Baytown. My Mom and Dad grew up in Baytown and moved to Houston. I still have family in Baytown. Cool!
218000 miles and running STRONG. Ive only replaced the radiator and fuel pump other than standard maintenance things. One of the best vehicles ever produced. Ive seen them go well over 500k with minimal repairs.
That’s awesome Anthony! My van just rolled 152,000. I’ve done a lot of suspension work, wheel bearings, water pump, fuel pump.....plus lots more. Still way less than what I would be spending on an apartment and repairs on some other vehicle. 👍
Mine, a 2001 Astro has 206,000 on her and running strong. Taking her out to New Mexico this summer from Florida. I have a new mechanic and he had to put a pulley in. That is the only problem I have ever had. But I am a stickler on keeping her up to par. The body is not doing so well but I could care less as long as I get down the road. My friend who had an older one and he had 300k then trany went out. I love mine but they are small and I have a big dog. I would take that van to Alaska today if I could. I found your chanel because of your Van. I was looking for tips and I stayed because you have good content also. Thanks.
Cool deal! Glad you found my channel. True. I hear these Astro van will last a long time if you take care of them and keep up with the maintenance. I’m just about to roll 150,000 on mine, bought it at 106,000. I would love to do a summer in Alaska with my Astro...it’s on the todo list for sure. I’ve been to Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado the past two summers and all three states have great areas that stay cool. I did go to Utah last summer as well and it did get hot, but well worth the trip. Good luck with your van. I hope it goes a couple 100k more. Thanks for checking out my videos! 😁✌️😎
I have a 93 Astro that I am currently building for cross-country trip I have already put a new motor in and all new suspension and steering that was essential but my 250000 mile Van I feel has another 250k left in it these are awesome vans and your build is inspiring going to take a lot of notes from your videos
Excellent! Good luck with your van and the road trip. Yes, Astro vans have some quirks, but were well made van. I recently finished a 106 day road trip and the van was great. Put on about 8000 miles.
Fascinating what you did with this Astro! That's honestly one of the most practical builds I've ever seen and your power setup is just incredible. Yes, the GM 4.3 must be the very best American V6 engine ever. I had an '87 Astro that I bought used for $1,800. Dropped in a rebuilt 4.3, drove the wheels off of it for the next decade and sold it for $2700. I have some videos on my channel of my 4x4 Econoline I drove all over Baja California.
Cool, I’ll check out some of your videos. Yes, the Astro engine is GREAT! What a return on your initial investment. Awesome! I bought mine for $4000. I suspect it’s worth a bit more now. 😉
Really nice setup. Very good ventriloquist talking without moving your lips ... go Astros.. I am from Houston.. but have lived in Vegas 11 years now ... nice van keep up the videos
Thanks James! Great comment. Indeed, I'm a ventriloquist. I really wanted to make this a professional quality video. I'm very proud of the job my Dad and I did on the van and didn't want to cheapen it with ughs and ums. Voice over work takes way longer though. Yes! Go Stros! I have only flown into Vegas for a short layover, then back on a plane. Vegas is a destination I plan to visit in the future, for sure. Don't know how van friendly it is?
