Astro AWD "Stroverlander"

[Stroverlander]

Thanks bud, I'm stoked on it!

[Stroverlander]

Installed and set up the Orange Electronic P409S tpms display unit in the van today. For now it's plug n play and velcro'd in place until I wire it into ignition on and fab a little bracket for the display unit. It's great being able to track tire pressures and temperatures.

[Stroverlander]

So just a little fall cleaning, maintenance and modification.

Detailed the van again after six months of neglect then set up the rooftop tent to air out and wanted to start on a few modifications. I took some measurements for led lighting I want to add to the inside of the RTT along with a quick-connect wiring harness for when I add a house battery.

Now that the van sits a bit higher, I lengthened the extension on the ladder a bit by drilling new holes for the lock pins, not wanting to increase the distance between the steps too much to err on the side of caution. I'll add some sort of custom base at the bottom or the Camping Lab extension ladder so the angle isn't so extreme.

I'll be adding some rope rings and straps to the underside of the tent so I can roll up the cover to keep it out of the way of the sliding side door and a few rings for guy lines to stake down the tent as well.








The lower set of holes are new for a just a bit more extension


I also found a NP233 transfer case out of a Blazer with wiring and TCCM but the shipping was prohibitively expensive, so still on the lookout for something fairly local.

[BIGdaddy]

Has anyone come up with a functional Z-bed for these vans? Something that mimics the usability/convertability of a vanagon's interior?

[T.Low]

The van looks awesome! Great job. Too bad about the geographic location of the tccm.

Big Daddy, we have gone back and forth about copying this interior from the Safari Condo Astro (out of Quebec). GTRV (Out of Vancouver) also makes a Westy style interior.

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[Wiley]

Wow your van looks great, I wish I saw this when I was considering painting my rims..eventually decided it wasnt worth my time.

Also, now that I have been living in my van, I would kill for an interior like the one T. Low posted. I dont mind my setup though not ideal, I knew it was sufficient for my needs. I have thought of it before, the living space is something that would make it much more enjoyable though.

[Stroverlander]

Yeah, I like the setup in that photo too. Eventually I'd like to build a kitchen unit along the driver's side with cabinets, sink, fridge and power center while keeping the center and passenger side cargo area open for cargo and additional sleeping space if needed. I can see where the swivel passenger seat would come in handy too.

T.Low, I'm going to have to start perusing local junkyards for suitable t-case and tccm, that other one got me all excited!

[T.Low]

T.Low, I'm going to have to start perusing local junkyards for suitable t-case and tccm, that other one got me all excited!

It's sure been useful for us, and depending on where you like to go, it could certainly be useful. You'll love it.

Wiley, of course who wouldn't love that $10,000plus interior, but if we waited until the vans were totally kitted out before we went anywhere, we'd never go anywhere, right? You've travelled so much with your van, I am super envious.

[Stroverlander]

It's sure been useful for us, and depending on where you like to go, it could certainly be useful. You'll love it.

Wiley, of course who wouldn't love that $10,000plus interior, but if we waited until the vans were totally kitted out before we went anywhere, we'd never go anywhere, right? You've travelled so much with your van, I am super envious.

Bingo. My minimalist side keeps getting in the way of building anything too permanent into my van though for longer trips and living out of, an inside kitchen would be nice at times.

[Stroverlander]

Updating the evolution of Stroverlander gif:



Collated lift measurements throughout build:

OLV 2" lift, with 235/70-16 (29.2" OD) tires (ground to fender):

LF 33"
RF 33 1/4"
LR 34 1/8"
RR 34"

OLV 2" with FTS202 leaf springs installed:

LF 33 1/4" (+2 turns preload on torsion bar as this side was sagging again, same as pre-lift)
RF 33 1/2"
LR 35 5/8"
RR 35 5/8"

Additional front lift via torsion bar adjustment (stock torsion keys):

LF 34" (+4 turns, approximately 2 turns remaining before bolt bottoms)
RF 34" (+2 1/2 turns, only 1/2 turn remaining before bolt bottoms)
LR 35 5/8"
RR 35 5/8"

In between above and below there was a bit of fiddling with torsion bar adjustment for final tweeking before alignment (no records kept) but there isn't much left to adjust with stock torsion keys.

Current lift measurements with 245/75-16 (30.7" OD) tires, full 27 gallon fuel tank (max torsion lift, stock keys):

LF 35"
RF 35 1/8"
LR - 36"
RR - 36 1/4"

^ It appears the leaf springs have settled and sagged a bit after add-a-leaf install with some towing and hauling duty this year as the new tires should have gained 3/4" of lift alone but close enough and there is probably some margin for error for full fuel tank, uneven ground, etc.

Continuing work in progress and will include installing new leaf springs for the load support as my original springs are fairly shot even with the add-a-leafs. S10 leaf springs, either #22-687 (3+1 1350 lbs) or #22-687HD (4+1 1710 lbs), still not sure as I don't want less load capacity than stock (1410 lbs) but also don't want extreme lift from the HD springs even though I can still adjust height lower 1" to 2" via the adjustable lift shackles (currently in max lift - bottom hole for 2" lift)

Not sure if I want to install lift torsion keys or not in order to gain a bit more flexibility in adjustment potential as torsion bars are now at max lift or close to it with stock keys. Also considering 1/2" to 1" longer body lift spacers (and probably slightly longer brake and power steering lines) and adjusting torsion bar lift back down to compensate to relax front axle angle some and move the suspension back towards middle range of movement.

I'm not interested in lifting the van any higher and certainly not reinventing wheel with any of this as it seems to have been well sorted for the most part by OLV and others. I do prefer to find a good compromise for my needs with good load support, handling and the least amount of stress on front suspension/steering components and axles.

We'll see...