Measurement from back door to front seats

[trailblazr81]

Hey guys, Im thinking of getting an Astro/Safari for some light towing, people hauling, DDing when its too hot or cold out for my '68 VW Bug, and as a camping vehicle. Im looking for a 1996 or newer van to replace a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee that gets 15 MPG, doesnt tow well, and too short to sleep in. My question is how much space is there between the front seats and back door/hatch? I want to remove 2 bench seats and throw in an air matress. Im 6' 1" and would like a couple inches more than that to sleep comfortably while camping.

[astroturf]

Hey guys, Im thinking of getting an Astro/Safari for some light towing, people hauling, DDing when its too hot or cold out for my '68 VW Bug, and as a camping vehicle. Im looking for a 1996 or newer van to replace a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee that gets 15 MPG, doesnt tow well, and too short to sleep in. My question is how much space is there between the front seats and back door/hatch? I want to remove 2 bench seats and throw in an air matress. Im 6' 1" and would like a couple inches more than that to sleep comfortably while camping.

Welcome to the forum. Just informally measured mine and you'll have well over 7 foot. Buy it, Stretch out, and enjoy. Jim

[trailblazr81]

Welcome to the forum. Just informally measured mine and you'll have well over 7 foot. Buy it, Stretch out, and enjoy. Jim

Beautiful!! Room to sleep, room for camping gear and get to keep my subwoofer. I pulled the subwoofer out of my Grand Cherokee so I could try to sleep in it with all my gear and clothes piled on front seats. Not ideal.

[sufferee]

my 97 cargo measures 8'3" to the back bottom of front seats.

[Big_kid]

Welcome aboard!

My 95 conversion will fit a full 4x8 sheet in the back. It's tight, but it fits.

Add a hitch & a tranny cooler, these vans will tow pretty well within reason.

What kind of bug do you drive? (rat rod, stock, baja, Cal look, etc)? I've got 2 buggy projects and am always keeping an eye out.

[trailblazr81]

Last camping trip I loaded up the bug, and slept in a tent. Works but not great; and loaded for camping only room for myself in bug. And not the most comfy for road trips. If you can put sheets of plywood or drywall in the van then thats great!! I could load more crap in it than when I had a S-10 with shell on the bed. Tho I might get called to help move stuff more.


Next will be a 3" lift, tires, and a 1915cc motor.

[JaxSPL]

Didn't somebody post an image od the measurements a week or two ago? I'm at work and can't get to too many things right now so can't look it up.

My '89, if I remember correctly, was just shy of 8ft. That's from the seat bracket to the back doors. Of course mine is a lot smaller, it seems, than most, plus not the year your lookign at getting. So much for my help.. hehe

[Big_kid]

Nice Baja!
My 95 conversion has the folding seat/bed in the back. It would be small for me and I'm only 5'8", but the van loaded up with the family & gear pulls our popup camper pretty well. Just keep the van's tow/weight ratings in mind and you'll be fine. I've read good things about adding Timbrens to the rear for towing, but I have no 1st hand experience with it.

[JaxSPL]

Maybe this will help.

1990 chevy Astro SWB

Looks like 72.5".

1990 Chevy astro LWB

Looks like, if I'm reading it right.. 87.5"

These are not for the 96 and the site didn't have any for that year. I'm not sure if anything changed as far as lengths go. Wish I could get a better image with legible writing on them. Hope that helps somewhat

[astroturf]

Maybe this will help.

1990 chevy Astro SWB
[ http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/6272/chevroletastrovanswb199.gif ]
Looks like 72.5".

1990 Chevy astro LWB
[ http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7531/chevroletastrovanlwb199.gif ]
Looks like, if I'm reading it right.. 87.5"

These are not for the 96 and the site didn't have any for that year. I'm not sure if anything changed as far as lengths go. Wish I could get a better image with legible writing on them. Hope that helps somewhat

Found this on the web. This is for an 02 Cargo Version.

Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity 1
Front Head Room (in) 39.2
Front Leg Room (in) 41.6
Front Hip Room (in) 64.9
Front Shoulder Room (in) 64.0

Exterior Dimensions
Ground Clearance, Rear (in) 7.4
Rear Door Opening Height (in) 42.0
Side Door Opening Height (in) 46.8
Ground to Top of Load Floor (in) 26.6
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 77.5
Overhang, Front (in) 32.5
Overhang, Rear w/bumper (in) 46.0
Rear Door Opening Width (in) 57.2
Side Door Opening Width (in) 34.5
Ground Clearance, Front (in) 6.8
Height, Overall (in) 75.2
Wheelbase (in) 111.2
Step Up Height - Side (in) 20.6
Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in) 189.8
Step Up Height - Front (in) 18.8

Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in) 47.2
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in) 98.6
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Console (in) 126.0
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in) 57.2
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in) 51.6
Cargo Volume (ft³) 170.4

Hope they don't mind that I borrowed it. Jim

[gtkane]

From the back window to the back of the seat, mine measures 1.25 inches.
...then again, it's a little different...