11 Amazing Chevy Astro Conversions
Key takeaways
Considering a Chevy Astro Conversion for Van Life?
With a square shape, inexpensive upfront cost, & optional AWD, the Astro van is a great option.
But how does it stack up against other popular Budget Americana models like the Ford Econoline, Chevy Express, GMC Savana, & Dodge Ram van?
In this post, we’ll find out.
11 Amazing Chevy Astro Conversions
With a square interior shape, robust suspension, & small footprint, the Astro van provides a good platform for designing a layout… but which is the best?
Here are 11 of the coolest Chevy Astro conversions ever:
Build #11: High Roof Chevy Astro with Slide-Down Bench Seat
- Highlights: This Chevy Astro campervan was purchased from a third-party conversion company that installed a high roof, overhead cabinets, and a convertible bench seat/bed. The current owner took out the two swivel seats in the middle and replaced them with storage boxes that also serve as a “kitchen”.
- Van: 1994 Chevy Astro
- Owner: @thewaywardhome
Build #10: Astro with Slide Out Bed and Swiveling Passenger Seat
- Highlights: This Astro has a bed which converts from a bench seat to a bed with a slide-out frame and some extra cushions. The side wall has a countertop, storage, a fridge, and a sink. The rear has some under-bed storage drawers.
- Van: Chevy Astro
- Owner: @journey_with_whitewalker
Build #9: Chevy Astro van with Floor Bed, Awning, and Dirt Bike Carrier
- Highlights: This awesome astro build has a floor bed, which makes for lots of head room inside. The van features overhead shelves for storage, and a large side mounted campervan awning outside. The back of the van has a dirt bike carrier installed.
- Van: Chevy Astro
- Owner: @peanutbutter.cowboy
Build #8: Astro Campervan that Seats 5 and Sleeps 2
- Highlights: This Astro campervan has a rear seating bench with three seatbelts. At night, the bench folds down, and cushions are added to turn it into a bed. There’s a small kitchen unit with a sink and storage, and room for a cooler.
- Van: 2004 Chevy Astro AWD
- Owner: @bjornthebus
Build #7: Astro van with Convertible Bench Seat and Rear Sink
- Highlights: This DIY Astro conversion has sort of a unique build. There’s a convertible bed that slides out into a bench, across from a countertop that has a sink at the rear of the vehicle.
- Van: AWD Chevy Astro
- Owner: @seizetheadventureyt (photos from youtube.com)
Build #6: Astro Build for One with Rear Stove Slide-Out
- Highlights: Astro owner Brian is a filmmaker living in his Astro full time. He’s installed lots of storage for film gear, along with a platform bed. The rear of the van has some slide-outs for outdoor cooking, and he’s installed a fridge between the two front seats.
- Van: Chevy Astro
- Owner: @brian_bear_butler
Build #5: Chevy Astro with Wheeled Slide-Out Bed
- Highlights: This DIY Astro build has a clever bed design that easily slides out on wheels to its full size. There’s a long countertop area with some storage underneath, plus a desk or shelf next to it.
- Van: Chevy Astro AWD
- Owner: @dalt_online
Build #4: Astro campervan with Platform Bed and Sink
- Highlights: This simple one-person build has a large rear bed with some storage underneath. The “kitchen” unit has a sink and some storage underneath. The fridge is located between the two front seats.
- Van: Chevy Astro
- Owner: @coleschronicle
Build #3: Chevy Astro with Large Rear Bed and Awning
- Highlights: This lifted, AWD Astro has a simple interior build. The owners have installed a large rear bed, wood paneling, and a small storage compartment and countertop area at the front. An awning and camping chairs make for a great outdoor hangout spot.
- Van: Chevy Astro AWD
- Owner: @vannawhiteastro
Build #2: Blue Chevy Astro with Fixed Bed and Mood Lighting
- Highlights: This Chevy Astro is a DIY build that sleeps one person in the rear fixed bed. The front area has a countertop and a pull-down bench. The van is rigged with some awesome color-changing mood lighting.
- Van: Chevy Astro
- Owner: @the_ethnic_explorer
Build #1: AWD Astro van with Slide-Out Bed and Lots of Counter Space
- Highlights: This DIY Astro Project has a slide-out bed with an interlocking frame. Across from the bed is a long countertop with a sink and room for a stove. The rear window opens up to let extra light and air inside.
- Van: 2005 Chevy Astro AWD
- Owner: @chevyvanlife
10 Reasons Why Vanlifers Like the Chevy Astro
The Astro van is simple, durable, & easy to drive – but is it the best option for vanlife?
Here are 10 reasons why vanlifers like the Chevy Astro:
- Inexpensive: The Chevy Astro is currently one of the cheapest vans on the market. Most are around $7,000, but you can find an older model for even cheaper.
- Last a Long Time: Chevy Astros are super reliable vehicles that last hundreds of thousands of miles.
- Comes in AWD: Chevy manufactured the Astro in both RWD and AWD. The AWD option is excellent for driving in snowy conditions, or getting to hard-to-reach campsites.
- Easy to Drive: The Astro is smaller than it looks, and it’s pretty easy to handle and drive.
- Fits in a Standard Parking Spot: The Astro will fit in any parking spot that a large minivan would fit into.
- Good for Simple Conversions: Because the Astro is a small van to convert, it’s a great choice for a first DIY conversion, or a simple no-build conversion.
- Square Interior Shape: The boxy shape makes the build-out easier because you’re working with right angles.
- Robust Suspension: The Astro has a pretty tough suspension system. That means it can handle heavy builds, and rutted roads.
- Rear Swing Out Doors: The rear of the Astro is pretty unique. It has two swing out doors on the bottom that open left to right, and a window on top that opens outwards. This allows you to open just the window to let in some light and a breeze.
- Can Tow if Needed: The Chevy Astro can tow up to around 5,000 pounds if you need to ever tow around a boat or trailer.
7 Reasons Why Vanlifers Dislike the Chevy Astro
As with every vehicle, there are downsides to the Astro van.
Here are 7 reasons why vanlifers dislike the Chevy Astro:
- Small Interior: The Chevy Astro looks large, but it really has around the same cargo capacity as a large minivan. You aren’t going to be able to put in as many amenities as you would in a larger van like the Ford Econoline.
- Poor Gas Mileage: The Chevy Astro gets a combined gas mileage of 19 MPG. This isn’t awful, but for the size of the van, it’s not great either.
- Can’t Stand up Inside: The cargo height of the Astro is under four feet, so there’s no way you can stand up inside without a roof lift or pop top.
- May Need Lots of Mechanical Work: Chevrolet stopped manufacturing the Astro in 2005. So, all Astros on the market are at least 17 years old. These vans do last a long time but any vehicle over 15 years old is prone to some serious mechanical issues.
- No New Options: If you’re looking for a shiny new Astro, you’re out of luck. If you want an Astro, you’ll have to buy it used, meaning potentially high mileage, and wear and tear.
- Loud Cabin Noise: The engine is very close to the driver’s cab, and cabin noise is really loud, especially when driving on the freeway.
- Dated Look: The Astros just don’t have a sleek exterior like a brand new Mercedes Sprinter. Though, this could be a plus if you’re into the look of early 2000s vehicles.
Cost, Dimensions, & Fuel Economy
Now that you know a little more about the Chevy Astro, let’s see how it stacks up against Ford Econoline, Chevy Express, GMC Savana, & Dodge Ram van.
Chevy Astro Cost
Cost: Chevy Astro vs Ford Econoline vs Chevy Express vs GMC Savana vs Dodge Ram Van
| Model | New | Used | Price |
| Chevy Astro | N/A | $7,750 | Check Price |
| Chevy Express | $38,100 | $26,995 | Check Price |
| Ford Econoline | N/A | $15,750 | Check Price |
| GMC Savana | $38,100 | $26,700 | Check Price |
| Dodge Ram Van | N/A | $8,795 | Check Price |
Chevy Astro Dimensions
Dimensions: Chevy Astro vs Ford Econoline vs Chevy Express vs GMC Savana vs Dodge Ram Van
| Model | Interior Height | Interior Length (cargo) | Interior Width | Ext Length |
| Chevy Astro | 46.9 inches | 126 inches | 55.9 inches | 189.8 inches |
| Chevy Express | 55.1 inches | 126.8 inches | 62 inches | 224.1 inches |
| Ford Econoline | 53.9 inches | 121.4 inches | 73.6 inches | 212 inches |
| GMC Savana | 55.1 inches | 126.8 inches | 62 inches | 224.1 inches |
| Dodge Ram Van | 56 inches | 124.8 inches | 73.5 inches | 192.6 inches |
Chevy Astro Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy: Chevy Astro vs Ford Econoline vs Chevy Express vs GMC Savana vs Dodge Ram Van
| Model | City | Highway | Combined |
| Chevy Astro | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG |
| Chevy Express | 11 MPG | 16 MPG | 13 MPG |
| Ford Econoline | 13 MPG | 17 MPG | 15 MPG |
| GMC Savana | 11 MPG | 16 MPG | 13 MPG |
| Dodge Ram Van | 11 MPG | 14 MPG | 12 MPG |
Conclusion: Is the Chevy Astro Right for you?
There are a lot of reasons to like the Astro van: It’s inexpensive, reliable, & comes with optional AWD – but it may not be for you.
Biggest factors:
- Inexpensive
- Comes in AWD
- Long Lasting
- Square Interior Shape
- Small Interior
- Dated Look
- Poor Gas Mileage
So should you get one?
Maybe! We’d recommend the Chevy Astro for vanlife over other Budget Americana vans like the Chevy Express, Ford Econoline, GMC Savana, & Dodge Ram van for vanlifers who like the Chevy brand but want AWD. Don’t care about AWD? The Chevy Express offers a slightly larger platform for a similar price.
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