Astro Van Street Cruisers
The Chevy Astro van was a popular full-size van produced by General Motors between 1985 and 2005. A particular customized variant that emerged in the 1990s was the "street cruiser" Astro van. These vans featured major exterior and interior modifications to transform them from work vehicles into street cruisers for showcasing and cruising.
Typical modifications included lowering the suspension for a slammed look, adding custom wheels and tires, putting in posh leather interiors with captain's chairs, installing high-end sound systems, applying custom exterior paint jobs with graphics, and more.
These tricked out Astro vans were a common sight at car shows and meetups where owners could show off their rides. With their cool custom conversions and classic boxy styling, street cruiser Astro vans developed an enthusiastic following in the tuner scene during their heyday These street vans are growing in interest again.
Astro Van AWS Off-Road Cruisers
The Chevy Astro was not just customized for show - some owners also converted them into capable adventure vans. To create an Astro suited for off-the-beaten-path camping trips, various heavy duty upgrades were made.
To allow traversing rugged terrain, mechanics added higher ground clearance, skid plates, upgraded suspension components like shocks and springs. Custom front bumpers with integrated winches prepared them for recoveries when needed off road. Inside, the interiors were converted into small efficient campers with beds, storage for gear, mini kitchenettes with stoves, sinks and fridges, and other camping necessities. Rugged auxillary power and water systems kept such remote campers self-sufficient for days or weeks.
With their available AWD systems, roomy interiors and potential for off-grid customization, Chevrolet Astro vans made great platforms for DIY adventurers and weekend warriors to convert into go-anywhere camper vans in the 1990s and 2000s. Today, these beloved vans are still on the road and on the trails.
Astro Cargo Work Vans
The Chevrolet Astro is a versatile cargo vans popular with work crews from the mid-1980s through the 2000s. They offered ample hauling space with their open rear body and mid-mounted cargo doors, making them popular delivery and service vans.
Their low step-in height and generous side doors made access convenient while also packing loads more manageable. All-wheel drive options lent them usefulness in inclement weather or on worksites. Being inexpensive, simple and reliable, they remained a staple of light commercial fleets long into their lifespan.
While lacking frills, Astros soldiered on as basic hardworking vans for carrying crews and their kit to landscaping jobs, home handyman services, contractor gigs and farms. Whether lugging equipment and materials or shuttling work crews, their affordable versatility and functionality earned Astro vans a reputation as dependable workhorses. Many hard working Astro Cargo vans are still in service enabling businesses today..
