Astro 4x4 Adventure VAN

kewilso3

New member
I also use a hammock when sleeping in my van, but once I am finished with the interior insulation and paneling I will not have any good existing mounting points. How did you secure that front point without fear of damaging anything or having it pull out?
 

Sharkfox

Observer
I loved the hammock when I had it installed. I slept in it almost every night for nearly 3 months. Now, my interior is much different and there's no way to hang it anymore.
I used 2 rivnuts in the pillar and threaded two 8mm bolts into them. It's very secure and once the molding is on, it's barely noticeable.
 

Sharkfox

Observer
After a little trial and error, I got the van organized and packed.
The side drawer slides out and contains all of my cooking gear and some dry food. This worked great. I never had to jump in or out of the VAN when cooking because all the food and gear was accessible from outside. The fridge was just lashed down with a couple straps behind the passenger seat.



The rear drawer had mostly clothes and other outdoor gear.



My XR400 rolls in and out without too much fuss.

 

jmeb

Observer
Go for it. I've been really happy with the tire carrier. It's solid and doesn't add any extra steps to accessing the rear of the van.

I always intended to add some sort of skid plate to the water tank but still haven't gotten around to it.
I'm considering selling VAN soon so that's on the short list of minor projects to finish off before it goes on the block..


If you consider selling this, please get in touch. My 2001 AWD Astro is probably in need of replacement in the next year or so, and you've got a head start on a lot of the work I'd want to do.

Awesome build.
 

Sharkfox

Observer
I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to sell.
If you're interested send me a PM. The VAN looks nothing like this now. It has a convertible bed/couch, slide out fridge, cabinets, under bed storage, lights inside and out, curtains...etc.
I'm sloooowly building up to that point on this thread.
 

Sharkfox

Observer
I needed to bring my bicycle along and didn't want it to be on the roof or inside so I came up with another option.
The rear door.
I made up a couple mounting points on one of the rear doors so I could hang my Rocky Mounts bike rack.



Here it is with the bike on the back.



The door opens and closes without removing the bike.

 

Sharkfox

Observer
Thanks for all the kind words...It was fun getting it all set up for travel...which is what I intend to show NOW.

In July 2014, I set out on a trip.
Solo. No plan. No route. Just a VAN and some wheeled toys.
From Minneapolis Minnesota, I wandered West. Most of the way through South Dakota, I decided to head for The Badlands.





I found a campsite. Not quite what I had imagined on for my first night on the road but it was a campsite nonetheless.
Rolled out the awning (for no real reason) and made dinner.



I got the bike out and explored some of the park.
Not a bad sunset in South Dakota.

 

tgreening

Expedition Leader
You know it's not like I don't already have way too many toys with 4 wheels and you have to go and drop that last set of pics, making it reallllly difficult to not ask what you want for the dang thing.
 

izaicinajums

izaicinajums.com
I don't know how I missed this, but fantastic build!

Definitely gave some great ideas for future builds! ;)

:clapsmile
 

Sharkfox

Observer
The next day I ran into a couple from Holland at a trailhead.
I talked to them for awhile. They have been on the road for over 2 years through most of North and South America. I searched to see if they were on Expedition Portal but didn't find them.
Not a bad Land Cruiser...





Did a little sight seeing...It's like another planet in the middle of South Dakota.




I ran into a few other cool rigs along the way and couldn't resist a few pictures.






You can't let the multiple thousands of billboards go to waste so I made a quick stop at Wall Drug before blasting out of town toward the Black Hills.

 

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