RARE 1988 Renovated Astro Van | Van Tour | Full-time home on wheels

What's up Runaways! We are so excited to finally share a full tour of our RARE 1988 Astro Tiger Provan van conversion with you! We have made many changes and renovated the van since we shared our all original tour. We will go into detail on everything, including specs, overland gear and upgrades, and more!
This will be our full-time overlanding home on wheels as we travel the world, and we are excited to bring you along!
#vanlife #vantour #offgridliving
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[@RunawayMattCass]

BE APART OF THE RUNAWAY COMMUNITY HERE: www.patreon.com/runawaymattandcass

[@kickufoo]

I just got a 91 that's exactly like this. Really inspiring remodel!

[@sageoliver8526]

Nice idea with the awning and tool storage

[@mikebeckham55]

I am totally blown away by your build on your Astro van! Well thought out and executed. May the good Lord keep you and protect you in your travels.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much Mike :) We love our little van home she truly is everything. Thanks for being here for the ride

[@sageoliver8526]

We have an 89 that was just front end wrecked. Engine and tranny less than 50k miles..debating salvage or storage and repair. We have loved it!

[@kaohsiung99]

Save it!

[@summerginther]

I love how you’ve kept it so original while updating it!! Those driver seats seriously look so comfortable 😍 I cannot wait to see this thing in person it’s truly so cool!!

[@RunawayMattCass]

That was truly our goal! And yes the seats are literally like recliners! Hope you can see it soon!

[@kirkallgayer1643]

I love it be safe God bless you two 🙏

[@carpman_here8133]

It has been so fun watching the build. Pat yourselves on the back for a job well done. Love the love between you two. Who doesn’t love an Astro?

[@RunawayMattCass]

We really appreciate it and so happy to have you on the journey with us! And yes everyone's gotta love an Astro! 🤙

[@_Nomad_Chad]

Great build! There's so much storage, for such a small space. The outside setup looks so cool also.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you so much!!! We love how it came along! It was nice taking a different approach of building slowly over time to figure out how to make the space work the best.

[@_Nomad_Chad]

I unintentionally took the slow route also. After a year and half I've learned this van cant support my habit. I can't stop buying backpacks. I need help. 😆

[@RunawayMattCass]

@@_Nomad_Chad hahaha! Everyone has their bane of storage. Ours is often things we collect like rocks! 🙃

[@TheWoodensong]

Looks so much better than when you got it! Bravissimo! Oh, and Happy New Year, Y’all! ~ “Ol’ Scooter” down in East Texas…

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks Scooter! We put a lot of work into making it ours while trying to keep some of the original look. Happy New year!

[@dylanized101]

Nice color coordination

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much :)

[@everett3223]

Nice set up!

[@jorgchildres2809]

I am currently working on a low mileage 2005 ASTRO van that was used as a maintenance vehicle. After watching this I'm definitely looking for an awd version.

[@RunawayMattCass]

The all wheel drive versions are awesome. The rear locker is such a good solution if you do a two wheel drive vehicles. We obviously love Astros and would love to see yours come to life :)

[@terrymathis4213]

This is so awesome. Never seen this before. Saw Astro van conversions, but never like this.

[@ktk2094]

Fun setup.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much! We love our little home on wheels

[@bonnienklyde918]

Super cool, thank you 👋

[@RunawayMattCass]

Glad you like our little home!

[@setpowerusa]

Nice video!🤩 Love your build! And happy that you enjoy the fridge🥰

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you!!! and yes it is working great for us!

[@darrellfort1668]

great video! vanlife4ever!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks Dareell! Van life is the freaking best 👌

[@darrellfort1668]

@@RunawayMattCass agreed

[@madilynndawn]

Oh my gosh, this is a DREAM! I always say my Astro would be the perfect van if I could stand in it lol you guys did an amazing job (and so much storage!) 💚

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you so much!!! We love her. Astro vans are the best!

[@paulgardner4931]

Your van is cool, I've only seen 1 before yours, "doom adventures" have got 1, I love older vans rather than new ones, they've got so much more homely feel to them.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you!!! We actually know Doom Adventures and met them in Baja. We love the older vans too - they have souch character and charm! Thanks for following our journey. Cheers!

[@williamwoehl3868]

Great build you 2!!! So cute and functional!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you! We are loving it!

[@susanmboudreau]

I love your van I have a Chevy Astro all-wheel-drive, which I love and I had never seen anything like this van. You’ve done a beautiful job.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much! She is our little dream home ... it's fun, practical, capable. Checks all the boxes for us! We would love to see your astro. We can't get enough of them ! So many down here in Mexico too!

[@Keith1212]

great tour! subbed!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Welcome! So happy your apart of this wild ride with us!

[@haslintravels]

I love what you did to the van! The colour is awsome!!! I really like your van, it feels lo ligt and airy even if a van is tiny!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks! It took us a couple rounds converting and flipping things around to figure out what really works best for us and what feels right! Finally, feel like we nailed it down

[@stephensoles3773]

Sweet rig! I'm curious where you got air bags for the back. I tried to find some for my Safari but no luck(Canada}. A part number would be awesome.

[@RunawayMattCass]

The work was actually done full custom from a shop in Idaho that has since closed. The mounting brackets were fabricated on sight, the bags are 100 psi bags but we would have to dig quite a bit to find the paper work on the brand.

[@asavag3]

Your van is so rad. Keep up the content, guys!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks bud! Check out the latest video we go over our next adventure in our little home

[@davidlane1248]

The pop top has the cool factor and slightly better MPG, but I want a hardtop version so badly. More storage, easier breaking camp, etc. Although, as a single guy, I'd probably remodel the couch/bed area to have a full sized slide out futon mattress and use the upper sleeping area to mount a good sized TV with deep storage behind it for outdoor stuff, such as a porch rug, folding chair, etc. Would make it a great beach bum camper I was worried this video was going to be a little too hippie dippie millennial over romanticized swill, but your modifications are extremely practical and well thought out to suit your needs. I still think that space is too small for what you're trying to do- for an overlanding couple, i feel like a 4x4 truck and overhead camper make more sense- but if it's making y'all happy, then more power to you!

[@RunawayMattCass]

The hard tops are so nice! We love them too.... but this little rig is perfect for us and our family. She is reliable, convenient to drive, and obviously pretty bitching! We have love the upgrades we have done to make her look and run her best while giving us a peace of mind!

[@Edhooey]

Love the spare tire carrier. I remember, as a kid, seeing old pickups driving around with them up there. It seems like a very logical location, especially for camper vans, since it's that much less weight that's being toted around on the rear of the vehicle. Do you notice any difference in engine cooling with the spare up there?

[@RunawayMattCass]

Yes weight distribution was the top reason for us putting the spare there. With our back rack setup, we would have had to have gone for a steel swinging arm style type installation on the back and we just didn't want to add any more weight to the rear axle then we already had. We haven't had any issues overheating at all. Everyone seems to think that it would but there is actually plenty of room for airflow (the tire sits about 8 inches off of the grill and the holes on the wheel itself allow for air to pass through). We've driven from Tennessee across the US, down the Baja peninsula and into central Mexico with it so far and haven't had any issues!

[@Edhooey]

@@RunawayMattCass Awesome! Yeah I remember all those 70's and 80's pickups when I was a kid, driving around with the spare up there and they never seemed to have an issue. I suppose not seeing that anymore is a style thing as much as anything. I think it makes way more sense than toting it all the way in the back, way up high like so many overland folks do. Anyway, love your Provan!! I just stumbled across your channel, but I'll definitely be following your adventures! Cheers!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much for being apart of the wild ride! So much more to come :)

[@jflgreen]

I have questions! What do you stow in your thule box on top? Is that thule box the reason you have your fourth solar panel separate since they take up space on the roof? Where do you stow that solar panel when you are traveling? did you remove the original propane furnace and fridge? is the only propane system your stove/oven? does the chinese diesel heater need ventilation? where do you stow the fuel for it? and where are your license plates under your storage boxes and spare tire?

[@RunawayMattCass]

We store a bunch of ourdoor gear in the thule box. Ex: our backpacking gear, paddles, cooler. We actually have the 4th panel separate so that we can chase the sun with it when we are parked in the shade. It also keeps us from adding more weight to the roof. We stow it behind the drivers seat. We did remove the original propane furnace and fridge and yes our oven is the only propane user now (its nice having seperate cooking/heater fuel sources when living full time) the diesel heather has an air intake for the cabin air and it vents exhaust out/brings engine air in through a passthrough in the flood. The fuel tank is actually behind the drivers seat. Our license plate is bolted into the bumper under the tool box. TN doesn't have a front license plate so we don't need one with the spare tire in the front. Cheers!

[@chip582002]

Love your van, I didn't even know they made this version. My only disappointment is that it's not AWD since you didn't mention it. Why would they create such a cool vehicle without making it AWD. I'm a big fan of the Astro van, my first was the year they came out, 1985. It had a 4 cyc engine with a standard tran and stick on the floor. It was really cool unfortunately being the first year out it had some issues. After about a year we got rid of it. However being a van owner primarily I went back to the Astro several times. I owned the 1985, then 97, a 98, 2000, 2003 and maybe a couple of others. Not counting all the other vans VW (first vehicle), 1973 Ford Econoline, 79 Dodge Maxi van, Several Chevy vans including a 1984 short Chevy van with a diesel engine. My last van is the 2000 chevy astro AWD that I currently drive. Good luck and good times!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you! And yes a bunch of these were the AWD models and a few even had full 4wd conversions. Unfortunately, with them being rare, you don't exactly have the pick of the litter when looking for one. This one was in pristine shape and low mileage so we opted for that with the idea that we could eventually do a 4wd conversion if we decide to. For now, the lift, all terrain tires and upgraded locking rear differential has gotten us everywhere we need to go! Cheers!

[@vidguy007]

Having a similar Tiger I’m concerned by the wood supports on the roof Those roofs are plenty strong however I would never add any weight to that roof I’d also be concerned about the GVW.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Appreciate the concern but no issues here. The entire point of the supports is to redistribute weight off of the roof. We have also swapped out for heavier duty struts. In regards to GVW, we are slightly over but GVW is always based on the weakest point, not what the entire vehicle is capable of (obviously the engine/transmission can handle more than GVW as there is a payload capacity) The weakest point of the Gen 1 astro is the fiberglass mono-leaf spring which we have swapped out for heavier duty steel leaf springs and an air bag suspension.

[@VanDoghies]

Excellent job on all the mods guys! Love the wheel/tire upgrades especially. Did you also add tire pressure sensors as part of the upgrades? The offroad LED lights are amazing! What was the scare in Washington?

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you!!! We haven't done pressure monitors yet but it is something we have thought about in the future. We have already used the led off road lights more than we thought we would. The scare was with gun shots around our van at night. Link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5zXf2uLiNCCeas

[@VanDoghies]

@@RunawayMattCass Dammmm, that's one of our biggest concerns of way out of the way dispersed camping so far. Definitely wish there was a group element on iOverlander or other apps for safety reasons in some areas.

[@RunawayMattCass]

@@VanDoghies we are actually making part 2 of our vanlife safety mini series about keeping camp ready to be able to leave! Also, a cool thing on ioverlander in Baja has been that people log "alerts" for anywhere that something sketchy has happened. I think that feature should be leveraged more!

[@michaelsmith9308]

Great renovation, IF you were to sell this home what would be the price.....................?

[@CarlosG2288]

The upgrades look awesome! I'll need to contact your buddy at garageboundllc, been struggling to figure out where to mount a full spare. I noticed you have some 2x4's on the shelves going up the roof, is that just a precaution or are you seeing any sag from the weight?

[@RunawayMattCass]

Definitely do - Michael is great! Yes the 2x4s are to accommodate for the cargo bin and 3 solar panels. It started to sag before we used them - we then added them and the sag isn't 100% gone but is minimal and hasn't gotten any worse. We definitely wouldn't have the weight that we have up there without them.

[@themasterkendog6544]

That thing looks awesome! WTH!!! What lift did you go with, Journeys? Pucks in the front? and looks like you got rid of the fiberglass rear leaf springs...(when you had the transmission problems I saw the leaf springs) I'd like to get my Astro looking like that!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you!! We love her. Yes we went with the Journey's 3-5 kit so we have pucks in the front, swapped the fiberglass leafs for steel and have the shackles. This allowed us to comfortably fit 30" all terrains. We also have an air bag suspension in the rear that we can adjust depending on weight and the surface that we are driving on. Cheers!

[@candyoffthecouch495]

I have just boughtva Astro Tiger. How did you mount the traxs? Love your video.

[@GarageBoundLLC]

Thank you for the shoutout!!! What was your scare in Washington?

[@RunawayMattCass]

Absolutely loving our front tire mount and tow points!

[@RunawayMattCass]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5zXf2uLiNCCeas

[@RunawayMattCass]

Watch this KZbin video and you will see it!

[@stephopalopal]

😘❤️👍

[@RunawayMattCass]

🙌🙌

[@kaohsiung99]

I guess I missed where they showed the bathroom

[@mattbrisbin4563]

Nice work on packing the electrical in! Curious, isn't the factory converter an "inverter charger"? Could you have added more batteries to the factory setup with the same result?

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you! It was quite the squeeze lol. I don't remember off hand but from what I remember, the factory pack have a very limited inverter - maybe 600 watts? This would not have sufficed for us. Ultimately, the existing 35 year old set up was very outdated and I did not trust it. I overhauled all of the electrical and found melted/burned wires everywhere...it was quite frightening. If your van is going to be treated as a camper for a few trips a year and the inverters output can keep up with your needs, the existing power pack might be a great option to save on some space. One major thing to consider is how the existing system is going to charge your batteries - ex: at what voltage? is it stage charging? is this appropriate for your batteries? It certainly won't be ideal for a lithium set up. Ultimately, for full time living, I wanted to have a new system in which I was certain each component would play nice together and would ensure the longevity of our lithium battery investment. I hope this helps! Cheers!

[@mattbrisbin4563]

@@RunawayMattCass makes sense. Anything and everything to keep that precious lithium in great shape!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Ain't that the truth! Haha

[@questioner1596]

How was worldwide availability of that engine and van? Just wondering if parts are available in South America or Europe?

[@RunawayMattCass]

From our understanding Astros were sold throughout North America and Japan. They were very common so they were also brought into many other countries. Quick search of Astros for sale in Germany and quite a few show up which indicates general availability in Europe and same with Peru for South America. Astros shared many parts and drive train with the Blazers, and s10s (as well as any GMC equivalent) so those are also areas to source parts. Ultimately, there's no silver bullet to a vehicle that you're going to find readily available parts for anywhere in the world. Our goal was to simply have a vehicle that was available or commonly found in several parts of the world and that were simply very common so if parts had to be shipped in, they'd be easy to find.

[@orlandobabe]

Do you worry about mold build-ups on the thing that is between the roof and the vehicle?

[@RunawayMattCass]

We haven't had a problem, but we keep up with checking and making sure we let it air out every now and again

[@caelgrayheavens1234]

Are you a part of the KZbin partner program? How long did it take you to get 1000 subscribers❔ Any tips for Young creator?

[@RunawayMattCass]

Welcome :) Keep consistent , be authentic to you, and have fun! We got a 1000 subs pretty quick just took a bit longer to finish the watch hours. Thanks for being here for the ride

[@caelgrayheavens1234]

Thank you

[@Fossilsforall]

links to the lights??

[@RunawayMattCass]

We got them from harbor freight they work great!

[@grumpyiwegianpodcast3505]

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem

[@renedemers3205]

Nope. How do you wash and clean yourself. I saw a bathroom in a Box. You must hear everything when you sleep with those canvas walls and freeze at night.

[@cwebb8859]

I love the variation in your videos! Never gets boring on your channel :D!!! You are missing out - Promo'SM !!!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks, bud! We work really hard on making our videos entertaining and fun to watch! So your comment is much appreciated!

[@outoftime788]

wtf why would u take this over the shutle bus? hell na......

[@RunawayMattCass]

It is all relative to the people living in the rigs... We loved our bus but our van is also amazing :)

[@Maxedoutminimalist]

Living with a female in a van sounds incredibly unstable

[@RunawayMattCass]

No problems here!