Chevy Astro DIY Stealth Camper Van Build EP 9: Swivel Seat, Fridge, Window Coverings
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- čas přidán 19. 11. 2022
- Episode 9: Installing a swivel seat base, making window coverings and installing a Dometic electric cooler/fridge in my Chevy Astro stealth camper van. AMAZING 6 week DIY stealth camper van build! In this 10-part van build series, I'll be converting a Chevy Astro Van into the budget friendly campervan of my dreams. I'm calling it the Adventure Van, because that's what this van will allow me to do; become a full-time outdoor adventurer and nomad!
Visit my website for a written description of my Chevy Astro Stealth Camper Van Build project:
hseekinglost.com/van-life/stea...
seekinglost.com/van-life/stea...
seekinglost.com/van-life/stea...
*LINKS TO TOOLS & MATERIALS USED IN THIS VIDEO*
Materials:
Dometic Cooler - amzn.to/3ASeA3Y
Swivel Seat Base - ironcloudmetalworks.com/Store...
Scotch Heavy Duty Adhesive Velcro - amzn.to/3cQPz1g
3M 90 Hi-Strength Spray Adhesive - amzn.to/3RlEa8z
Roll of Reflectix - amzn.to/3QkGoE3
Black Felt - amzn.to/3KPElH1
Refelctix Tape - amzn.to/3KvCuXw
Ventshade Window Visors - amzn.to/3cRCZ1N
Snow Depth Rod/Marker - amzn.to/3TCP5wa
Tools:
Dewalt Cordless Impact Driver - amzn.to/3cRg46B
1/4" Drive Quick Release Bit Extension - amzn.to/3Qh2UO6
Craftsman 3/8 Drive Drill - amzn.to/3KKAwCK
Dewalt Angle Grinder - amzn.to/3TBJNkN
Craftsman Socket Set - amzn.to/3cIKBUa
Hammer
Punch Set
Seeking Lost may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase something through the links above.
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That swivel chair is low key an ideal office/gaming chair. All you need is one of those fold out tray setups (like in a commercial airplane) attached to the chair so you can put a laptop or a keyboard and mouse on it.
Check out ep 10, i do build a board for my laptop, mouse and external hdd to sit on my lap. After almost 2 years, i still love the setup
The truck is really coming along!! Awesome work man!!
How smart to leave the gap opening on the top of the side windows! Thanks for sharing that idea! 😊❤ Everything about your build is amazing!
Thank you!!
Just go to the salvage yard. THem swivel seat bases are a dime a dozen.. As GM full size vans fit the Astro\Safari vans.. The are $20.00 each...
That's a great idea, for those that have the nearby junkyards and a little time to look. I had the luxury of neither during my build.
Great videos! Can’t wait for more and to start mine! Definitely inspired me to get back to planing my build.
I'm not sure the exact year I know it's a 1990s maybe early short wheelbase Chevy Astro van on eyeballing it was a work van just like yours but this thing is in beautiful condition thinking about ditching my pickup truck and camper and going with this instead of going back to a minivan or a full size van I have heard a lot of positive comments about the Chevy
The window coverings are very clever.
Thank you!
Excellent idea!
I will not make fun of your crank widows! By far my preference.
Why are they your preference, if you don't mind me asking? I would love to have power windows. It's such a pain(dangerous, actually) to reach around the seat while I'm driving on the highway to crack the passenger window. I thought about converting to power windows, but the conversion would be pretty ridiculous. The easiest way to do it would probably be to just swap doors from a junkyard van, but would still need the computer for it, all the wiring going to the computer et cetera. It just wasn't worth it.
@@SeekingLost my reason for this preference is my previous experience with a vehicle that had power windows which stopped working dependably, which then caused security problems when I couldn't lock the car up when I was away from it, and had to deal with trying to keep the weather out of a window opening when the window would not close. Having to cover that opening with some other material (plastic) was loud, harder to see through, and was still not secure. I would rather have had the mild, occasional inconvenience of crank windows rather than a full time expensive and dangerous problem of non- functional electric windows. Not necessarily issues important to everyone, but important to me.
@@rowanmulvey8632 I had a feeling you would say failed power window motors. I personally find them pretty easy to replace, for about 35 bucks a piece. I'll take the day to day convenience of power windows over the inconvenience of it possibly failing once over what, 20 years of ownership?
Happy Thanksgiving Eric!!
Happy Thanksgiving! 👋
Thanks you too! Gobble gobble!
Northern tool has a swivel base for around a hundred bucks man
Well too late for that! Just had a look. Northern tool says this about their swivel mount... "Designed for use in tractors and slow moving vehicles (Not recommended for use in cars, trucks and SUVs)". Probably a legal thing. The one I bought looks much stronger, at least. Ah well, no regrets, even at $400 it was totally worth it for the utility it provides.
@@SeekingLost Yeah, its not dot approved, but neither is your $400 swivel base. With the seatbelts being attached to the van body and not the seat, Im not real worried about the seat base.
I have a 2002 Chevy Astro cargo van. I was wondering if you would know if I can just turn passenger seat 180% and just bolt it down. Will the bolts line up??
Yep, you can do that!
@@SeekingLostthank you!
Can you please tell me the model number of the fridge
A link to it is in the video description, along with a full parts list
I've never seen 3Ms "high strength spray adhesive, but I've been using the normal strength version for decades, and it has never failed, on dozens of different sorts of projects. I cannot imagine what would require any higher strength adhesive when all you're doing is gluing a very light layer of black fabric to a very light sheet of relfectix. Are you worried about heat causing the adhesive to fail?
Yes worried about the heat causing it to fail, and after a year of use there is a little bit of peeling around the edges. As I Put the window coverings away, I will fit them in between my bed and back door, and this action will cause Some peeling around the edges. One of my magnets came out too. I had to re attach the magnet and glue on the felt again while I was home a few weeks ago. Not a huge deal, I'm OK with doing a little bit of maintenance on these. I used to use this 3M90 Spray to For automotive headliners as well. always went for the 90 over the 77. I'm sure the 77 works great but if they make 2 different strengths, I figure might as well spend an extra buck or two and get something a little stronger.
@@SeekingLost Thanks for exposing me to something new! I clicked on your video because I plan to make a set of similar window coverings. I suspect I'll probably store them similarly to the way you do. I'll go find some of that Super 90, now that I know about it. If you're having trouble with the edges peeling, I may alter your design a bit and sew the edges.
@@tedpreston4155 That's exactly what I would suggest, sewing the edges. This is what I wanted to do When I was at home last but didn't have the time. I suspect it will hold up very well with the edges sewn, probably never have to worry about it
With the swivel seat can you still lean the seat back? Thank you.
Yes you can, As long as you scoot the seat up a little bit