Derek's work has been posted on ExpeditionPortal.com for as long as I've been a member there. Good stuff. He made it a business a few years back and posts various projects on Expo's van forum for all to see. The business is Colorado Camper Van.
Here is a recent Astro that he has done.
I would really like someday soon to have him convert my angled "V" top to a straight up "Penthouse" or "H" top as they're called.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... -astro-van!!
Converted AWD Astro pop top camper van by CCV
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97CargoCrawler
- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 754
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:50 pm
- Location: Near Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
Re: Converted AWD Astro pop top camper van by CCV
I'd love to see pix of the inside of the Penthouse. How does one get up in there? That is an awesome setup!
1997 SAFARI 2WD CARGO
"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." Nikola Tesla
"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." Nikola Tesla
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mdmead
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2153
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:45 pm
- Location: Selah, WA
- Contact:
Re: Converted AWD Astro pop top camper van by CCV
Cool!
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
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Snowgeek
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 168
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:10 am
- Location: Boise, Id
- Contact:
Re: Converted AWD Astro pop top camper van by CCV
So i just dropped my van off to Derek 2 days ago. I was able to check out one of his e350 builds and see my top and fabric.
I choose a black for my top....i will explain my thought process later. He offers 3 layer insulated fabric, fantastic fan, and I had him sew in a full zipper on the left side window to be used as an entrance and exit when our baby is asleep down below.
One of the best surprizes is that the top is tall enough that we can leave all bedding in place when we close the top.
Everything looks really good and well thought out. I am so excited to pick up the van on monday! I will post pics and a full review of my experiance in the coming weeks!
I choose a black for my top....i will explain my thought process later. He offers 3 layer insulated fabric, fantastic fan, and I had him sew in a full zipper on the left side window to be used as an entrance and exit when our baby is asleep down below.
One of the best surprizes is that the top is tall enough that we can leave all bedding in place when we close the top.
Everything looks really good and well thought out. I am so excited to pick up the van on monday! I will post pics and a full review of my experiance in the coming weeks!
2004 Astro (was AWD now 4X4) 125,000 miles: purchased April 2012
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here
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LiftedAWDAstro
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Converted AWD Astro pop top camper van by CCV
Looking forward to the report!
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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H2OJoe
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:49 pm
- Location: White Salmon, WA
Re: Converted AWD Astro pop top camper van by CCV
Snow geek, did you get your van back? Got pics? 
2001 Astro LT AWD "Redneck Edition", 4" Custom Lift, 30x9.5R15LT on stock wheels, Hightop conversion, custom interior, custom roof racks, external solar shower, front recovery points. SOLD
1997 Astro LS AWD Starting build soon.
1997 Astro LS AWD Starting build soon.
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LiftedAWDAstro
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Converted AWD Astro pop top camper van by CCV
Yes he did...this thread has it all!
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
-
Snowgeek
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 168
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:10 am
- Location: Boise, Id
- Contact:
Re: Converted AWD Astro pop top camper van by CCV
Sorry for not paying attention here it has been a very busy year. This thread is nearly dormant at this point but if any one has questions on my top please let me know.
I am very happy with my CCV top but I will say it comes with its quirks. I would not recommend it for someone who wants a totally maintenance free top. Derek is great and has some very great ideas and solutions that other top manufacturers don't offer, but with experimentation comes a learning curve. I have had a few problems that many would feel the need to return to CCV to fix. I have been able to tackle them on my own with guidance from Derek and am satisfied with that.
Currently we have room to sleep my 20 month old baby and to mid sized adults up top, you sure can't say that for many other tops out there.
The van does sit at a bit over 8 feet tall so no garages for me but I can deal with that.
I did choose the insulated walls and a Fantastic Fan and couldn't be happier with both of those choices.
Ryan
I am very happy with my CCV top but I will say it comes with its quirks. I would not recommend it for someone who wants a totally maintenance free top. Derek is great and has some very great ideas and solutions that other top manufacturers don't offer, but with experimentation comes a learning curve. I have had a few problems that many would feel the need to return to CCV to fix. I have been able to tackle them on my own with guidance from Derek and am satisfied with that.
Currently we have room to sleep my 20 month old baby and to mid sized adults up top, you sure can't say that for many other tops out there.
The van does sit at a bit over 8 feet tall so no garages for me but I can deal with that.
I did choose the insulated walls and a Fantastic Fan and couldn't be happier with both of those choices.
Ryan
2004 Astro (was AWD now 4X4) 125,000 miles: purchased April 2012
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here
Colorado Camper Van poptop
4" Overland lift, Rancho 5000 Cooper AT3 245/75/16 C,
4x4 - NP236 Transfercase
Propex HS2211 propane heater
I am copying a few of you hope you don't mind!
See my build here