Astro/safari interior configuration

[jeffryscott]

Hey Astro/Safari folks, I have seen stock interior pics, but can't really find any showing the seats folded or configured in any way. Is the seating arrangement very versatile? Do the bech seats lay flat to make a bed or anything similar?

What mads have you done that allow continued seating for 7 if the need arises.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[ihatemybike]

Most of these vans come with forward folding benches. Pretty versatile and easy to remove when I need to use the van for moving.

I made a platform for the rear cargo area that is level with them folded. The platform and seats form the base for a full size futon mattress. When needed the futon mattress can be folded and held down with cam straps freeing the seats for use.

 

[Herbie]

I took out my stock Astro seats and put a fold-flat bed/bench from a conversion van in between where the second and third rows would be. My setup is semi-permanent, but I could pull the six bolts and undo a few other connections and put the two stock benches back in.

If you were going to regularly need all three rows but still wanted a sleeping platform, I would look at building something that would span the gaps between the fold-forward seats and extend rearward for length.

Incidentally, if it helps - you may have noticed that you have one sliding bench and one fixed bench. These are basically interchangeable. I swapped my sliding bench into the middle row for a while so I could yank it forward to make room for gear. You have to swap the seatbelt receiver (for the outboard passenger-side lap belt connection) and some of the right-side plastic trim over from the original second row, but it's a bolt-on thing. Maybe you could get hold of TWO sliding benches and then you might be able to slide them pretty close together when folded forward and then you'd just need an aft platform to extend the bed to full length.

One additional note about using the fold-forward seats as a bed platform: Headroom. Folding the seats forward obviously doubles-up the thickness of the cushions and would make your bed platform 4-6 inches higher than a fold-back seat like I have. The downside is that you'll be closer to the ceiling and might not be able to sit up in bed. The upside is that with a taller bed platform, you'll be able to fit more gear underneath. If I had gone this route, for example, I could have put my fridge in the back of the van instead of behind the driver's seat.

 

[jeffryscott]

Thanks for the info. I don't have an Astrofari at my disposal, such I am asking these simple questions. Nor have I even driven one to even see if it is something I would really want. I do, however, love the idea from the examples of lifted AWD/4wd models I have seen here and at astrosafarivans.com

I would love to get a sense of just how difficult a trail a lifted, transfer-case swapped Astrofari could do. So far the only pics/videos I have seen are relatively mild dirt, snow and mud.

Keep the info flowing ...

I took out my stock Astro seats and put a fold-flat bed/bench from a conversion van in between where the second and third rows would be. My setup is semi-permanent, but I could pull the six bolts and undo a few other connections and put the two stock benches back in.

If you were going to regularly need all three rows but still wanted a sleeping platform, I would look at building something that would span the gaps between the fold-forward seats and extend rearward for length.

Incidentally, if it helps - you may have noticed that you have one sliding bench and one fixed bench. These are basically interchangeable. I swapped my sliding bench into the middle row for a while so I could yank it forward to make room for gear. You have to swap the seatbelt receiver (for the outboard passenger-side lap belt connection) and some of the right-side plastic trim over from the original second row, but it's a bolt-on thing. Maybe you could get hold of TWO sliding benches and then you might be able to slide them pretty close together when folded forward and then you'd just need an aft platform to extend the bed to full length.

One additional note about using the fold-forward seats as a bed platform: Headroom. Folding the seats forward obviously doubles-up the thickness of the cushions and would make your bed platform 4-6 inches higher than a fold-back seat like I have. The downside is that you'll be closer to the ceiling and might not be able to sit up in bed. The upside is that with a taller bed platform, you'll be able to fit more gear underneath. If I had gone this route, for example, I could have put my fridge in the back of the van instead of behind the driver's seat.

 

[ihatemybike]

Herbie described my sleeping set up. I have nothing between the two benches, but don't notice as long as we sleep with our head near the back door. He's correct about headroom, but we typically aren't in the back unless we're sleeping.

I've never had a van that both benches didn't slide.

 

[Herbie]

I've never had a van that both benches didn't slide.

Interesting! Must be a year-to-year thing. My 2003 only had one sliding bench, and the front seats only have one armrest on the inboard sides. Most other vans I've seen have two armrests.

 

[ihatemybike]

Wonder if these were changes for the 2003 and newer vans.

 

[ihatemybike]

I would love to get a sense of just how difficult a trail a lifted, transfer-case swapped Astrofari could do. So far the only pics/videos I have seen are relatively mild dirt, snow and mud.

This is Grumpy completely stock on aired down to 20 psi on worn Primewell street tires.


More off road park coverage.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/46437-Grumpy-takes-to-the-trails

The Jeep drivers I was with kept saying they were impressed with what the van could do. I stayed with the group all day and only had to figure out a couple bypasses. Limiting factors on the stuff I tried were ground clearance and old transmission.

 

[jeffryscott]

I've seen that video of Grumpy, but have somehow missed the photo bucket pictures and video. That helps a lot. Thanks!

From your experience with Grumpy and the jeeps,would a lifted and t-case swapped Astrofari be as capable as say a stock Liberty or 4-door Suzuki Sidekick? I'd be satisfied if it was close (again perspective, I've owned several Suzukis)

Not asking for too much am I?

Ok, one more interior question to get back on topic. Are the optional middle row captains seats a direct drop in replacement for the bench seat? I did look at a 2wd Safari yesterday just to see if it something I'd even want to pursue and they intrigue me more.

Thanks.

...

This is Grumpy completely stock on aired down to 20 psi on worn Primewell street tires.


More off road park coverage.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/46437-Grumpy-takes-to-the-trails

The Jeep drivers I was with kept saying they were impressed with what the van could do. I stayed with the group all day and only had to figure out a couple bypasses. Limiting factors on the stuff I tried were ground clearance and old transmission.

 

[ihatemybike]

I personally think a 4" lifted/2-spd cased Astro will be as capable or better than stock Libbies and 4 door Kicks.

Captain seats are bolted in, while factory bench seats use a quick release mechanism. They aren't set up to easily swap between the two types.

There were optional split reclining benches available, but they don't have the ability to fold forward like the normal ones. I've thought about finding a set for when I'm traveling with others and don't require the ability to sleep in the van.

 

[Herbie]

I would love to get a sense of just how difficult a trail a lifted, transfer-case swapped Astrofari could do. So far the only pics/videos I have seen are relatively mild dirt, snow and mud.

Here's one of my favorites of T.Low's van:

From this awesome slide show:
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/...Vedder Mt Fathers Day 09/?albumview=slideshow

 

[jeffryscott]

Sweet, that is what I am looking for. Thanks. It looks like quite a reasonable compromise between space, family hauling and capability to get out and about. Hmmmmm ...

 

[T.Low]

Wow, thanks Herbs, I forgot all about the Vedder Mt pics.

SInce you asked, JScott, here are some facts:

On one trip, I drove thru some muddy snow and then had to back up and pull a stock XJ thru it. Same trip, diferent place, ha to back up and pull a modified Explorer thru what I just drove thru.

Then the trail traffic came to a stand still while two big Jeeps were having a winchfest thru the snow, so I took a mudbog route along side the trail. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the Astro boggin.:ylsmoke:

Another trip on a trail rated "Easy 4x4", a stock (but loaded for camping) Jeep Sahara (the driver said they are the mall crawlers of all Jeeps) scraped bottom three times while I an the entire trail clean and with no wheel spin.
Another trail a guy in a stock 4 dr Jeep (Wrangler type, not XJ) said he was scraping where I was running clean. Again, I didn't touch anything.

I usually air down to 18lbs, had success with the Eaton posi until a clip broke and burned up the clutches. Probably should have gone back to another Eaton but was a reactionary and went with the Detroit Locker.

For reference sake, I do have a lot of experience at picking lines (white water kayaking, enduro and motocross, mtn biking, wheeling, football running back, etc) and drive very conservative and cautiously (although a few guys would beg to differ) and so far I've only been pulled out of the snow fter high centerring twice on frozen comapcted end of season mountain snow.:snorkel:

The only problem I've come across so far is that the long steering bar out front rubs on the main pulley when the van gets seriously cross axled. It scared the living crack out of me the first time it happenned. It does no harm to pry the bar out and away from the pulley so problem solved. Oh, and I popped the back doors ajar when it gets that cross axled once or twice.

 

[jeffryscott]

Nice info TLow, experience often does trump big tires ... This van thing gets more interesting all the time.

 

[Herbie]

Wow, thanks Herbs, I forgot all about the Vedder Mt pics.

No problem, too awesome not to share!

Oh, and I popped the back doors ajar when it gets that cross axled once or twice.

Aaron over at ASV says rock rails will help with that. I hope so, my driveway is on a slope in two directions so I have trouble getting the dutch door to close right if I back into the driveway!