Chevy & GMC Vans

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...

Excellent, another Expo Astro!

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.

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

Welcome!

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.

Quill wrote: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!