It was a little over a year ago that I first decided to sell my hot rod Dodge Dakota in favor of a more utilitarian kayak/mountain bike shuttle rig that could handle lite off roading and camping.  February of '08, after a few solid months of looking, I found the '03 AWD Astro van that would become my personal ultimate kayak/mountain bike shuttle rig

Last night was another big step completed as Brian and Kelly (the railbats) drove me up to Vancouver to pick up my van with it's newly installed V-top from GTRV.   The view from above is spectacular.  I'm very pleased.  The quality is up to snuff, the materials look good.The fabric is actually acrylic so it will not mold or mildew. 

I had it pre wired for solar panels.  Roy, the owner, modified and reinstalled my factory rack onto the new fiberglass top.  He also remounted my old Thule awning to the van.    Looking forward to getting out.  

Tom

I told him (Roy, the owner of GTRV)  I've got heavy British boats and he said a couple of sea kayaks and mountain bikes are no problemo.  I don't doubt it, but claims are claims, so we shall see.  If I have to put a temporary stantion bar in, I will.  I told him that the enitire idea was for convenience.  I want to be able to drive all day, pull into to camp, pop the top, jump up into the loft and be sawing logs (zzz,) about 2 minutes later..  No unloading, no rain issues to worry about, nothing.  Roy said "Exactly".

And when you follow railbat Brian  around in his Sportsmobile, you've got to be ready in 60 seconds.  He rolls outta the lower bunk, grabs a pop tart on his way from the bunk to the driver's seat, fires up that Powerstroke, and he's off looking for the 6:10 to Twisp.  I got no time for too much breaking down camp and what not.

Thanks for the compliments, Gents.  We're getting there.

Photos of the popped top van...

Rear view...

Of all the questions I asked him, somehow I forgot to ask him that one.  Sorry, (shrugs low and mopes)  I need to remember my Land Rover brothers. 

I doubt it, though.  I didn't see anything on their website but vans.  He said he's been using this Astro top since '94.  Mine may be only his third lifted, converted 4x4 he said.

Gosh, Isaac, thanks for the high compliment.  

I too have lusted after  Syncro Westys for years but ,like Nate, didn't like the realities of Volkswagon ownership, so I could never get myself to make the committment.  It finally came down to Syncro Westy with a Subaru conversion, or modified, lifted Astro with a pop top. 

Now that you have seen the van top conversion and how cool it came out, I thought I'd show you what a big kid looks like on Christmas morning...

Enjoy it, Tom...