Will HiAce 4X4 Work As A Hard-Core Overlander? @4xoverland

People in the US would give body parts for this.

20 years ago my wife and I travelled around Europe for 3 months in a 4x4 Toyota Hiace camper van. It was built in Japan and then exported to England where I purchased it. It had a 2.8 diesel motor that gave a respectable 10kays on a litre. It had an automatic transmission with manual transfer case including low range and a diff lock. I never took it on any serious off roading, but we did need to engage 4x4 at a campsite in Germany that had hectic rain overnight and we were the only vehicle that could get out. That 4x4 ability was a very useful feature indeed. The kitchen was at the back and the dining/sleeping area was in the middle, with packing space in the raised fibregalss roof. Everyone we met on our trip where very impressed with the compact nature of our little van and the 4x4 ability was always a great discussion point. It was the perfect vehicle for our needs. Wish I still had it...

With a van you also have the added bonus of people being happy to see you, thinking you’ve arrived with their grocery order.

Europeans have built camper & expedition vans for decades. The North American boom just started barely a decade ago aside from few exceptions like Sportsmobile. Though the base vehicles nowadays are fairly similar, the big difference is weight. European camper van converters have dealt with the 3500kg weight limit since the 90s due to driving licence legislations. US (and Canadian?) vans tend to use much heavier furniture and accessories. Many Sprinters, Ram Promasters (Ducato & siblings) and Transits in the US have dual wheels (dualies?) because they are so heavy. There is a growing trend and market to create lightweight, tough, minimalistic and flexible conversions including increasingly clever camping boxes. Your project is great. In Europe we don't have this particular Toyota Van. You will come up with innovative stuff, but please don't assume that you enter virgin territories, that nobody has yet done an overland cargo van. There are plenty of sources, brands and channels. You just need to look beyond van life videos and you will find it, many of them in German 😉

I am driving a VW T5 4 motion van for 425000 km. A very reliable car. After some work it has a good clearance, a low transmission, a high insulated roof and modular furniture. I had offroad lessons with 60% gradient and 50% pitch. Of course you have to spend some money to make it tough. On the other hand, owners in Europe have to build their van in another way because of the climate. Much more rain and winter conditions here. You will not cook daily outside in rainy and cold conditions. So the kitchen is inside. And of course you need a good heating system. I am working for technical boards all over Germany for the whole year. From 30 to minus 15 degrees Celsius the VW van 4motion is one of the best concepts for Europe. Australia is completely something else...

You didn't expect the troopy to be less comfortable than the Van? Seriously? You must love it rough mate!😁

FINALLY! Landcruisers are getting stale. This is going to be a wicked rig!

The video we were all waiting for 👍

Thanks Andrew, this is a most exciting development in overlanding and moderate 4wding in years. Im so appreciative of what you've done with this clip. Regards, Grant.

Andrew, the beard is dope! I get massive Ernest Hemingway vibes - love it!

I love the creativity that you bring to every build. Bravo Andrew!

In Germany it is also very popular to customize Vans for camping and overlanding. Many people build there vans to use it for every day stuff and for camping

I've been saying this for years and wanted to build a Hi-ace 4x4 myself but never (still not) had the funds. Will be following this build all the way.

These vans are going to be the next big thing in Australia, the van life /overland thing hasn’t had it time in aus yet. The other thing for these is “dad vans” the cool version of a minivan

I have had several vans and found the best way is a double bed on a frame with 400mm clearance under it. 10ltr jerry cans fit under it. Slide boxs under the bed that have cloths food water and tools in them. Always put water containers in a plastic box because if they leak it is a nightmare to pull everything out dry the floor mat and insulation. I use rubber matting on the floor. Easy to keep clean tough and helps reduce noise levels. The bed goes right to the back of the van. Build a shelf across the front with gas ring fridge ect and shelf space for cooking. You sit on the bed for cooking and is an all weather set up.

G'day Andrew, on YouTube home improvement channels, the comments section is always awoft with "experts" who will tell you you're always doing everything wrong. Ignore them. If we listened to them, we'd do nothing. Glad you're taking the leap and developing a new vehicle.

Volkswagen had the best idea decades ago, a pop top van, copied by many but probably never bested for simplicity. With the almost endless number of options to build whatever you want today, to each their own. I prefer a simple design, comfortable sleeping and inclement weather hangout being the primary design goal. Everything is easy and enjoyable in good weather, the test of success is how much you can enjoy the vehicle in bad weather. I anticipate an amazing indulgence in off-road extravagance from these two, it should be an interesting build.

Awesome brain storming.Looking forward to seeing it come to pass.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

Funny to hear that now all of a sudden the disadvantages of a troopie all come to mind. Out of the troopie bubble finally. But very very nice you did and showing us something different!

So stoked to see this come together! Dream Team = Greatness.