my van was the build Colorado Camper Van did before this one, and i also have nothing but good to say. i have been meaning to post some pics and a small writeup, but have not gotten around to it yet (or wanna beat Derek to the punch) mine was a RB ford e350 though, slightly different
CCV astro van!!
- Thread starter dsw4x4
- Start date
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Very sweet! I thought I had read in another thread that the Astro had to have a slide out side or rear bed and not have the bunk like this one does. Now that I know this can be done I'm in saving mode for the setup. Questions are:
- If it's getting the top only and I'm doing my own interior cabinets and seating, how long would that take?
- We exchanged pms before regarding the fiberglass high top and now I see you have your own molds, how much does your supplied top up the price in comparison to me supplying and you working with a top I find locally and bring to you?
- What is the measurement of the bed up top, how much headroom and how much weight can it hold?
- Lastly do you have any pics of this van with your supplied top in the closed position?
Van with Top Closed
Hey RocKrawler,
Here's a pic of the van when it's in the closed position:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dzinelvrslc/6250295428/in/photostream
It's pretty low profile, even with our Yak box.
Hey RocKrawler,
Here's a pic of the van when it's in the closed position:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dzinelvrslc/6250295428/in/photostream
It's pretty low profile, even with our Yak box.
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
So what does just the top job run, and is it available in kit form like your e series setup?
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.
dsw4x4
Adventurer
Astro tops are 5000.00 they do not need to have a slide out bed like you said. For that price you get everything you see in this vans top including the bed except paint to match is extra. I do not sell them in a kit form although you could probably persuade me into doing it. I do not sell the ford tops in kit form either but again you could probably twist my arm. most people that think they want to do it themselves usually change their own mind after talking to me about the work involved. It does not matter to me one way or the other so i do not try to talk anyone out of it. But it is a lot of work and it is one do it yourself project that the end product is truly a result of having the right tools and resources to do the job.
Derek
Derek
TroySmith80
Adventurer
Very cool! Depending on pricing and availability, i may be interested in the top/bunk only (no cabinets) in my '93 AWD. Is the roofline the same between the older body style and the new? I think it is only the front end and fenders that are different, right?
ihatemybike
Explorer
It depends of which body length you have. 85-89 short only, 90-94 short or long body, 95-2005 long only. Aside from the length difference between the short and long bodies the roof lines are the same.
I love that these vans didn't change much over the 21 year run.
I love that these vans didn't change much over the 21 year run.
TroySmith80
Adventurer
Ok, mine is a '93 long-body, so the CCV topper should fit then. Derek, what do they cost?
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Could you elaborate a bit on the "right tools and resources" needed if said persuasion was done?
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dsw4x4
Adventurer
Off of the top of my head a overhead hoist is handy or several tall strong friends for each time you need to set the roof on the van and take it off. All the normal hand tools chop saw, electric metal snips and shears, cut of saw. Spray Glue gun for upholstery and carpet to finish the edges. Lots of tarps to protect your interior if your not going to remove it. The heavy military kind because hot chips will burn through anything else. I am sure there is some other little things that are handy to have that I have forgotten. A shop out of the weather that you can get the finished project out the door when done helps too!!
TroySmith80
Adventurer
Oh, you already posted a price and i missed it. Thanks for the info. A bit more than i was hoping for but probably fair, looks like a very nice system. Could much money be saved by doing a manual lift instead of electric? I only have a couple thousand to spend but that would only have to be the top, lifting mechanism and tent. The bed and the rest i could do myself.
Wiley
Adventurer
Check out Herbies build thread, it is awesome, but last time I checked the project was still ongoing as it is a good amount of work, and life gets in the way. But it will give you an idea of what is needed, and he did a great job documenting what has been done so far.
I have always wondered, if the elctric lift fails, is there any way to manually lift/lower it, or are you stuck (hopefully down not up) until it gets fixed?
I am also curious, if one didn't need a rush job, what is the average turn around for something like this (personally for me it would be just the top/bed not interior stuff, but I realize this answer will vary depending on the job) , and how far ahead should one start the process? I have been on the fence for one of these mods since I got the astro, and while I keep trying to talk myself out of it, I now you have to go and show me this sweet setup. I realize there are many factors which would dicatate how busy you are. If I have anything more specific I will take it to PM, but figured this could be good for all. Thanks.
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dsw4x4
Adventurer
That and figuring in your time and the quality of the end result should also be a factor. If you have 100 hours into a project that saved you 1000 dollars was it worth it?
As for build time I am currently booked up until the end of the year I take half down to reserve your build date and then I build the top ahead of time so if things go well and I am ready for you when the van gets here 3 days will get it swapped onto your van. If your just doing a top.
Derek
As for build time I am currently booked up until the end of the year I take half down to reserve your build date and then I build the top ahead of time so if things go well and I am ready for you when the van gets here 3 days will get it swapped onto your van. If your just doing a top.
Derek
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