I've been told I'm a van guy...

[tribri1]

I never really put two and two together, but on a ski trip a friend of a friend turned to me and said, "so you're kinda a van guy aren't you?" After some thought I determined he was right. Like any good child, I blame it on my parents and the 1979 GMC van conversion that we drove all over the west. After 20 great years they replaced it with a 1989 Astro which I happily borrowed for climbing trips to the Sierras. I rebelled a bit in high school and bought a '68 Jeep CJ5, returned to my Chevy roots with a '91 S10. As much as I loved my S10, I did not feel complete until I bought a '96 Caravan. Still things were not quite right so for the last 4 years I have been driving an '86 Westfalia Weekender. I loved my Westfalia, but found that my lifestyle could no longer handle driving 35 mph up hills so finally last month I bought a 2003 Astro AWD.

My first roadtrip was a weekend float down the Deschutes river. I loaded the van with 3 people, plus my raft and gear. It handled the hills like a champ and delivered us to the launch in style.

I sent it off to GTRV two weeks ago to add a V-Top. I will have it home just in time for my summer road trip from Portland to Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, Denver, Moab, Salt Lake then home. Once I get back I will start working on the 'downstairs' interior. My dream is to have a sleeping platform that still allows for bench seats in the stock location and with a stock look. Extra bonus if I can still use the stock seat anchors. I have three design ideas I'm playing with.

I look forward to sharing my trips and ideas as well as hearing all of yours. The road is long, with many a winding turn that leads us to who knows where, who knows where...

[ihatemybike]

Excellent, another Expo Astro!

[safari kev]

welcome aboard. sounds like its gonna be a great trail rig when you're done. when you get it back, post some pics. pop top astros are cool.

[mdmead]

Can't wait to see the pics of the newly converted van!

Welcome!

[Quill]

A van was high on a young mans list in the 70s along with Jeeps, T-Buckets and muscle cars. Oh wait nothing has changed.

[doyoulikeithere]

A van was high on a young mans list in the 70s along with Jeeps, T-Buckets and muscle cars. Oh wait nothing has changed.

Thats funny, back in the 70's is when I was young!
Ive had the Jeep, the muscle car, and I sure as heck have had the van.
Lately I was thinking a T-bucket would be a fun project!
Thats the only problem with a young mans list is that he's old before he completes it!