Chevy & GMC Vans

Welcome to the site, ra. Nice van and yes we would like ALL of the pics. One thing you will learn about this site is that we love pics.

Awesome van raSafari! Love the front bumper/grill guard combo. I see you built in anchor points as well. =D>

Please post up the full build in the Van Camper section!

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Awesome van raSafari! Love the front bumper/grill guard combo. I see you built in anchor points as well. =D>

Please post up the full build in the Van Camper section!

x2

astrozam wrote:

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Awesome van raSafari! Love the front bumper/grill guard combo. I see you built in anchor points as well. =D>

Please post up the full build in the Van Camper section!

x2

X3!

Very nice!

Nice raSafari!

Thanks... appreciate it! It's been a learning process for sure, as this is my first van. Lots of projects in the future as well.

The interior build is basic, but fits me comfortably. I travel a lot and play outside, so after debating vehicles and seeking counsel from friends I decided on an Astro/Safari build. So far so perfect...

Sorry for the multiple posts... the forum only let's me attach three at a time?

raSafari Continued...

More raSafari interior. Glad you like photos, I've enjoyed documenting the build!

I gotta say... it's a really fun project... but nothing gets me stoked more than when a stranger on the side of the street gives the van a thumbs up or when someone stares really hard at the van.... and eventually smiles.

Nice van.Could you please give more details of the bed??.I have something similar planed for my Ole Yellar project with a sleeper across the van right behind the seats.I measure ruffly 69" across wall to wall.So far I have looked at some of the semi truck supplier mattress that can be custom ordered for a size.They are the memory foam type.If you need a mattress,you might want just google search for that.

raSafari wrote:Built a bed in the rear that sleeps sideways (I'm 5'8", a perfect sideways fit)

Really? There's only 4'7.5" between the walls (with factory interior trim).

Well, he is sleeping up at glass level and using that extra space. Plus it looked like he removed most of the trim and that frees up a lot of room.

My apologies, I should have posted that in the Van Camper Section. I'll add a link there...

I ripped out all of the rear trim over the wheel wells... those plastic/carpet cabinets take up a huge amount of space. With those out, two of us (she's 5'2") fit well. The bed is plywood with some nicer pieces for trim. I bought a piece of 2" thick foam from a local upholsterer and bought another piece of memory foam for the top of that. It's almost more comfortable than my bed in my house, and almost as expensive (foam prices are based on gasoline prices...) all told it ran me $200 in foam. But it's low profile, comfortable and it fits. I ran into a small issue with the rear AC unit that came with the van. I wanted to rip it out of the back to give more room for the bed but in a hurry I decided to just cut be bed around it instead of bleeding the AC and capping the pipes. It hasn't turned into a space issue.

This was my second attempt at a bed. The first attempt was with a folding bench seat because I wanted the option to transport more than 2 people with seat belts. It made a comfortable seat, but the bed was short for two people (the rear trim was still in place) but I slept comfortably diagonally. The seat is for sale.

Since I'm traveling throughout the winter, I recently insulated the back windows with bubble wrap reflective foil. It's attached to the glass with suction cups and has dramatically changed the temps inside, especially since I sleep just below the window height.

I built and fab'ed the grill guard with a local welder. I wasn't impressed with what I found out there in existence, nor was my wallet. I told him what I wanted, drew and measured it up and he put it together. He was psyched on the project, as was I. I didn't want to fab or buy bumper relocation brackets. Heck, this is a lifted Safari - I want it to look good, plus now there is a little more protection on the front end.

Thanks for the comments!

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:...sleeping up at glass level and using that extra space....

Exactly. 68"(5'8") from glass to glass. When I get to the interior on my Blue van...I'm thinking to have the drivers rear side window area either swing up/out or perhaps make a 12" slide out...which may or may not retain the glass, probably would have to make a metal or wood panel.

raSafari wrote: I built and fab'ed the grill guard with a local welder. I wasn't impressed with what I found out there in existence, nor was my wallet. I told him what I wanted, drew and measured it up and he put it together. He was psyched on the project, as was I. I didn't want to fab or buy bumper relocation brackets. Heck, this is a lifted Safari - I want it to look good, plus now there is a little more protection on the front end.

Thanks for the comments!

Ya'll guys with these custom bumpers are killing me! Its going to be so hard to make one with out being a copy of one allready made. I'll give it a try but if i do copy yours, its only out of flattery.. Looks great.