Cam's AWD Astro Camper Build

[Costman13]

Some more slow progress...

Have any of you built your own swivel seat base??

 

[nonhog]

Slow? yet faster than me. LOL. I have been converting a full size GM van swivel to work in my Safari. Its not fun but its getting closer. Problem is what works in my head rarely works in reality.

 

[Costman13]

I seem to have a very similar problem...

 

[Herbie]

Have any of you built your own swivel seat base??

I made new base rails to use with the Discount Van Truck swivel base.

 

[RVflyfish]

Has anyone tried either of the Astro bases here? https://shop4seats.com/van-seats/van-seat-bases/chevy-van-bases.html

 

[Costman13]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm starting to think that welding one up will be the best solution for me. For some reason, I really do not trust those "universal" swivels.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't use a few pieces of tubing, with a plates on top and bottom and a big bolt through the center (similar to what Johny5 does - pictured below).

 

[Costman13]

More slow progress...

 

[Bikersmurf]

You’re making good progress. Speed wise you’re <3 months... I’m > 4 years... so you should try to celebrate the little victories.

 

[Costman13]

I'm almost there!

 

[Survival Bill]

NIce I am guessing the seat pulls/slides to the front for the bed?
I want to redo my setup to something like this kind of like how the VW Vans are setup.

 

[DetroitDarin]

Looks terrific! I'm sorry if I missed this part - but how are you going to manage additional weight?

 

[Costman13]

NIce I am guessing the seat pulls/slides to the front for the bed?
I want to redo my setup to something like this kind of like how the VW Vans are setup.

Exactly. The big drawer pulls out and supports the bed platform. The drawer rolls on 5 mini casters.

 

[Costman13]

Looks terrific! I'm sorry if I missed this part - but how are you going to manage additional weight?

I have a new leaf pack in the rear and cranked the tortion bars a bit. It handles better now than ever.

I’m not sure exactly how much new weight I’ve added, but I would guess it isn’t a ton. A few sheets of plywood and laminate floors worth.

The stock interior, with seats, rear heater, carpet, etc, was quite a bit heavier than I expected...

Prior to the lift, the van was so sloppy and washy on the road. After the lift it was far too stiff (with the interior gutted). Now it rides as it should. If anything, a bit on the stiff side still.

I’ve kicked around with adding a rear sway bar or airbags (I had them on my Tacoma), but I don’t feel I need to just yet.

 

[Survival Bill]

Exactly. The big drawer pulls out and supports the bed platform. The drawer rolls on 5 mini casters.

Very Nice does it go all the way to the front seat as right now I just have a plywood bed behind the drivers seat and it is pretty much all the way to the back door so I can stretch out I tried the side to side but these vans are just to narrow for that.
I have allot of excess weight in my van tons of tools and recovery gear floor jack extra oil think the house batteries really are the biggest weight to bad Lithium Ion Batteries are so expensive the back end is down a bit thinking of putting in coil over shocks now to help it out.

 

[Costman13]

The bed platform is about 80” long from front to back. I have about 6” until the back of the seats when folded down.