Pop top installed on my van

[T.Low]

After almost twenty years of kayaking and changing out of wet cold clothes outside behind the door of the Honda, the Bronco, the next Honda, the Tacoma, the Ram, the Dakota, the F-150, and the Murano, I finally gave in to the envy of my paddling brethren that drove vans; mainly Vanagons. They could jump inside and change like Superman in a phone booth. They'd pop back out, all dry and warm and freshenned up. Yeah, I decided I needed a duffle bag on wheels.

A little over a year ago i began to research to figure out what vehicle would fit this utilitarian need; my ultimate personal kayak/mountain bike shuttle rig that could do some lite off roading and camping, and do well on the freeway, over the mountain passes, and easy downtown at the micro breweries.

I decided on a modified, lifted, 4x4 converted, pop top Astro van. Not that I'd ever seen one exactly like that.

I brought home an "03 Astro in February and have been having fun with it ever since.

While we're not quite there yet, last night I took one very large step closer as I brought the van home from GTRV in Vancouver BC. They installed my pop top. Yippy kay yay.

They claim the top is strong enough so that I don't have to unload it to pop it. The fabric is acryllic so it won't mold or mildew. The bunk is plenty for Jen and I.

And the view from the loft is spectacular.

[hutchman]

Great looking rig.......I have tried to come up with a solution to the "I want a Sportsmobile, but I don't have the money" issue and you may have hit the nail on the head.

[Binford]

Hey, snap an interior shot of that too, eh? I've always wondered what those look like inside! I haven't a clue....

Looks cool from the outside though! Good going!

[Jerry]

That's great, Tom. You didn't waste any time in bringing that improvement to fruition. You have turned your Astro into a truly competent adventure vehicle. My compliments to you on good planning and implementation.