So... Now that you're crosseyed from sewing all those squares (or diamonds, or lines, or god forbid, tesaracts....)... http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3839/keh4.jpg slap your insert pattern down on the sewn piece, centre it, and mark it out. Why didn't we just cut it out, mark the lines and then ...

Ok, here goes. First, you really need a walking foot sewing machine. A regular housewife garment machine just simply will not do. A walking foot machine ensures that the top layer and bottom layer of fabric move at the same speed through the machine. It makes a huge difference over a seam that's 4' ...

Resewing a pair of covers takes about a good 8 hours before you count any funny insert top stitching, french seams, piping, or other complications. The square stitches probably added 3 hours to the pair of seats, with all the layout, stitching, extra bobbin winding, etc. Materials? I used vinyl that...

I'm sewing up another backrest and the headrests, maybe I'll take some pics for those who might want some tips on sewing up covers.

Sure is a big difference! Pic attached of the old seat. I'm going to have to fab up some bases for the seats though... I'll probably move them 2" down and 2" back for a start. The fresh foam in the new seats sits me even higher than the tired old stuff in the cargo ones. May as well do a s...

Cover is installed now. Just gotta take the steamer to the wrinkles and work them out, then in the van they go!

Gonna be much comfier!

Bent the rocker in behind the wheel well during some spirited driving on a forestry road, so I pulled it back out and banged it back into rough shape. Just the single skin part, so super easy to fix properly later on down the road. Also just finished sewing seat covers for my van, check out the thre...

Thought I'd post up a teaser pic of the seat cover I just finished sewing up tonight... I'll have installed pics tomorrow... For the past 10 years or so the office chairs/benches at my shop have been an old set of the head rested, arm rested, reclining buckets from an Astro that we mounted to some r...

It depends on how tall you are, but I find that the Astro seats already put me much too high in the cab. I have to duck to see some traffic lights when first in line! I can't imagine adding 1.5" of height to the seats. The swivel listed is fine, structurally (you gotta watch out, I've seen some...

I'll come out of the closet, and say that I'm Bryan Wiesendahl, owner/operator of GTRV. I joined this site because I'm currently building my own 4WD conversion camping/hunting rig based on an Astro. I chose the astro because of the easy 4WD conversion, the nice size, availability of affordable chass...

Vancouver, BC.

I can help out with hinges, or a full pop top kit if you like. I make hinges that are essentially the same as the Reimo hinges used on westfalias.

Shipping is an issue with a pop top. Last time I shipped one it was a package about 1'x5.5'x10', weight depends on what parts can be fabricated on site.

I haul a lot of plywood for my business, and in my opinion, an astro is not the van to do it in. I can get by throwing a sheet or two in, sneaking it under the front seat bases, but any more than that and I hook up my 4x8 trailer and load up in that. You should have seen what I strapped to the roof ...

Curtains mounted on tracks, ropes, bungees or rails are susceptible to extra dirt, get in the way of shoulder checks, and have a few other downsides. They are, however, extremely easy to set up when at the campsite, and are probably the best option for a full time RV. I prefer to use aluminum strips...