nobodyhome
Adventurer
Hey Everyone, CJ "Nobodyhome" here with an overview of my newbie build. I've been an avid explorer of the unknown in various Jeeps for many years now. Although I do still have my trusty YJ, I've found it harder and harder to enjoy the Jeep because of the noise, stiff ride and (dare I say) occasional broken stuff. I was surfing the web one day when I saw an Ad for Colorado Camper Vans where someone had tricked out... an ASTRO?! ******!
After some research, I decided mehh what the hell and bought a 2WD for $500. I was hooked by the idea. Comfortable, Quiet, room to stretch out.. and AIR CONDITIONING?!! WHERE DO I SIGN! Later on, I came across an old, used up AWD Astro and just had to give the poor thing a home. Thanks to many people on this site and a few others, I have combined their ideas with my own to plan the perfect Overland Van for my needs.
I've been receiving many great encouraging messages from our fellow Astro/ Safari fans to post up so here goes. I'm playing catch-up a little, so I will post in order of my little projects.
PLEASE NOTE... I am a complete RUBE with big ideas and very little experience with Astros, overlanding, auto mechanics and posting to forums. I was on a different website/ forum and although there were some great folks there, overall I just didn't have the best experience... but so far everyone here has been great so thank you for that.
That being said... here goes nothing from nobody...
The journey started in Boise, ID. I had just drove there in my 99 2WD Safari, code name "Creeper Van". I ran across an '03 Astro AWD in primo shape.. except for the 216K miles, but what the heck. It's mostly loaded, with rear A/C and Heat and a tow package.
Thus started the long journey home. 860 miles through snow, black ice and hundreds of miles of... dirt... LOTS of dirt. Needless to say the van performed perfectly.:smiley_drive:
Here's the first stop on the journey... my favorite coffee joint in Jordan Valley, OR. Beautiful place...
After a few minor tweaks and repairs, it was past time for tires!
Those pitiful 215/70/16's had their last road trip and were on the way to the recycle yard.
Here are the Hankook 235/75/16's going on pre-lift:
They rub like hell on everything, so off goes the front bumper cover. As many others have said, it rubbed on the bracket and bottom part of the cover. As I was preparing to remove/ trim the cover, I noticed how easy everything was to pull off which gave me hope for the future. Then as I was looking at the sub bumper support, I said.. mehh, good enough. So it got a good sanding and a few coats of flat black:
Sometime after, I hit it with bed liner. The texture was little rougher than I would prefer, but small price to pay for the durability.
Gerald over at our favorite overlandvans.com is sending out their 2" body lift kit which will be installed in the next few weeks.
Stay tuned for more. Always open to words of advice and encouragement!
After some research, I decided mehh what the hell and bought a 2WD for $500. I was hooked by the idea. Comfortable, Quiet, room to stretch out.. and AIR CONDITIONING?!! WHERE DO I SIGN! Later on, I came across an old, used up AWD Astro and just had to give the poor thing a home. Thanks to many people on this site and a few others, I have combined their ideas with my own to plan the perfect Overland Van for my needs.
I've been receiving many great encouraging messages from our fellow Astro/ Safari fans to post up so here goes. I'm playing catch-up a little, so I will post in order of my little projects.
PLEASE NOTE... I am a complete RUBE with big ideas and very little experience with Astros, overlanding, auto mechanics and posting to forums. I was on a different website/ forum and although there were some great folks there, overall I just didn't have the best experience... but so far everyone here has been great so thank you for that.
That being said... here goes nothing from nobody...
The journey started in Boise, ID. I had just drove there in my 99 2WD Safari, code name "Creeper Van". I ran across an '03 Astro AWD in primo shape.. except for the 216K miles, but what the heck. It's mostly loaded, with rear A/C and Heat and a tow package.
Thus started the long journey home. 860 miles through snow, black ice and hundreds of miles of... dirt... LOTS of dirt. Needless to say the van performed perfectly.:smiley_drive:
Here's the first stop on the journey... my favorite coffee joint in Jordan Valley, OR. Beautiful place...
After a few minor tweaks and repairs, it was past time for tires!
Those pitiful 215/70/16's had their last road trip and were on the way to the recycle yard.
Here are the Hankook 235/75/16's going on pre-lift:
They rub like hell on everything, so off goes the front bumper cover. As many others have said, it rubbed on the bracket and bottom part of the cover. As I was preparing to remove/ trim the cover, I noticed how easy everything was to pull off which gave me hope for the future. Then as I was looking at the sub bumper support, I said.. mehh, good enough. So it got a good sanding and a few coats of flat black:
Sometime after, I hit it with bed liner. The texture was little rougher than I would prefer, but small price to pay for the durability.
Gerald over at our favorite overlandvans.com is sending out their 2" body lift kit which will be installed in the next few weeks.
Stay tuned for more. Always open to words of advice and encouragement!
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