COULD HIACE 4X4 REPLACE MY TROOPY?  

Gwen was such a gem in this video.

Love Gwen's Q&A, possibly the only person that can stitch you up with the pointy questions.

“You’re going to be driving dreams on wheels” Gwynn is wise and a perfect cheerleader for this project!

Sometimes in life loyalty to a brand ( Troopy ) makes us blind to see that there is a better way to do things. Don't let loyalty to a brand rob you of a whole new adventure. Make a change the van is a whole new opportunity of space and comfort. Let one season end and embrace a whole new era in touring.

You wouldn't believe the places we went in Australia with a Mitsubishi L300 4x4 van

I cannot bloody wait for this build , the good AND the bad, the conversation starters.. . Brilliant! Don;t worry, in a years' time if it doesn't give you the buzz... the fizz, then you can always start a business delivering packages to people living in remote hilltops. "Overlandrew Gwini'ace Delivery Services."

Andrew congratulations are in order. you're doing the right thing with your choices. both the 2.8 troopy and the hiace are setting the internet on fire. everybody is waiting for you to set a new benchmark. I bow my head to you. I've discovered you just a couple of weeks ago but boy am I happy I did.

Keep building. We will watch.

In Lesotho the 4x4 Hiace is the minibus taxi of choice. The South Africans bring their kitted 4x4's to Lesotho and then post on Instagram about conquering this or that pass under challenging technical circumstances while the Hiace filled with passengers overtakes them on it's fourth trip up there for the day.

came for a 4wd video , left with advice on healthy longterm equal patrnership marriage advice. this was just brilliant!! your wife challeges you for the better and she is right there with you ! awesome to see

Gwen's point that you've got to drive dreams on wheels made me stop in my tracks. I had never thought of it quite like that, but this is exactly what the machines are, and exactly why I love them. Thank you, Gwen.

Outstanding and awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

Keep building.💪👊 I love the insight and wisdom and different dynamic you bring to the 4x4 world. Also... I love the relationship and council and trust between you and your wife. 🙏🙂 Keep up the great work.🙂🙏

The help with the onterior is easy. Copy what VW Westfalia did on the T3 and T4. Put a kitchen row behind the drivers side but make one change. Instead of a full time built in cooktop make a kitchen box you can use outside the van. Put a poptop on it. Modern day VW T3 Syncro.

HAPPY 4X4 40th ANNIVERSARY ANDREW. Your knowledge & wisdom shared here over the years in Overlanding, in all kinds of 4X4 Vehicles, in the lifestyle of an explorer is like a precious oasis in the fury desert. Thank you for sharing. And all the best to your future endeavours. 4WD TRANSMISSION ALL THE WAY.

Love it when Gwynn makes an appearance. Not afraid to ask Andrew the tough questions. And her opinions are spot on.

As someone who spends the majority of their working week driving a Hiace 300 long distance I look forward to seeing Andrews opinion on the vehicle and what he does with it

I find myself smiling whilst watching you two. Great video. Thanks.

And that is the reason I love my estimas. I been a van person for years. The old egg estima was a very capable 4wd van. and 2 moon rooms, swivel seats. Much easier to work on that a hiace. But glad to see other "experienced" people finally looking outside AT a box .

Every time Andrew mentions a Suzuki Jimny, I grin from ear to ear. 🙌🏼😌

Got a defender, w460, w163 nowadays & had multiple vehicles. The one I miss the most.. Mitsubishi delica l400 spacegear. It had its flaws & now sadly rotted away but I think it may have been my favourite vehicle I ever owned. Reliable, proper 4wd with low box & surprisingly very capable.

Really excited about this platform . First seen one at the 4wd show couple of years ago . been keeping an eye on carsales ever since :)

I love how both of you talks about this decision .. Whatever path you decide good sir I know it will be for the better good!!! What a lovely couple 🎉🎉🎉

Andrew once you pic the colour and make that van yours. You will love it. I recon with this build you might kick off the van life fraternity like in the US. Can’t wait to watch it unfold. 👍

The sliding doors and space are game changers for a camper build. It will go anywhere you need it to go. You can always twin lock it if needed. Very keen to see how the build goes.

I really enjoyed listening to you have that chat with Gwen & looking forward to there build ;)

Enjoyed the dialogue between you and Gwen Andrew It really made the whole thing come alive in some way . A good dinamic

Very interesting. I've seen some substantively wonderful build outs of vans into campers. It's really quite the thing these days. I wish you the best of luck.

Am always looking forward to your videos, quality, truthful, non biased.

The van life for young travelers is getting very real and explosive here in Australia right now , you are breaking new ground here in Aus …… thank you

always a good mum , don't question it just go for it , very excited to see what you will do with this box delivery thing and cannot wait until i see it in action

can't wait to see this evolve !

Congratulations ! It's going to be a hell of adventure, thanks for letting us follow it

Like your discussion with Gwen. Same I have sometimes with my wife. Looking forward to the build. BR

You can use most 4x4 for general off road camping haulage/transport, but if you can't stand up in it (like a camper vehicle or separate tent etc), then you have the universal issue of having to 'crawl' in and out of something, which is just a pain in bad weather. I have a Land Rover Defender 130 with custom racks, storage boxes and a flat bed tilt tray on it, which I intend to put a Trayon camper on and I think that's about as versatile as I'm likely to get.

Hey Andrew 👊🏼 We all have to evolve... which includes our car/vans, set ups, etc. This naturally helps stimulate us mentally as well as physically by giving us new goals and horizons. As for the, Risk:Reward:Ratio Well, you have great instincts (As does your good wife), trust them, brother 🍻 Best of luck with it, ATB Gus 👍🏼

Forget the 4x4 scene!!! two side mount tents and a roof top tent and you have a multifamily rental!!!!! (i look forward to seeing the outcome of this build) Great to see variety. ; ) super straight body (dream platform)

Andrew I love your channel, I think building the van is a great way to broaden your viewers, and maybe after the van something else that may capture more people.

Always wanted to do this after a mate had a l300. Can't wait to see this build!!

Kind of like how people put stickers with what states they have been in or what countries they have been in on their windows, maybe put some slightly desaturated topographical map graphics over the color of your choice on this van so when you look at the van they are reminders of where you have been or maybe places you want to take it and maybe you can overlay a "X" over those coordinates when you get there. All of this and the scratches and dings basically tell a story and it will truly be dreams on wheels.

I think you're onto a good thing. If it works out well then Bus 4x4 will be busy churning these out. I tried a VW Transporter 4Motion with a Siekel high lift kit for a couple of years and the only thing I thought was lacking was real rough-country ability (no low range either). It was really good as a tourer though. Went to a Troopy with an AluCab roof, but it wasn't quite big enough to live 'inside of' after the VW.

Happy to see you getting some inspiration from American van life after all the inspiration you have given us US tourers. 😊

You crack me up Andrew lol. If I'm hearing you correctly (with no judgement), what you have been chasing all these years, is Peace. The ability to effortlessly traverse this beautiful world like a ghost or spirit, unencumbered by the effort and inconvenience of a physical being. To be one with it with minimal effort. To experience it without being troubled by it. The spiritual beauty of it seem to bring you peace and joy. The inconvenience of it (cooking, cleaning, shitting, things being a bit awkward and not perfect with minimal effort) seem to bring you frustration and suppressed rage. You are a perfect expression of your existence.

I totally get what you're saying when you walk away and look back at your vehicle and get excited by it. I'm like that with my 80 Series. And between a 4WD van and a Troopy, no contest. It will be the Troopy for me (no matter how offroad capable the van is, or how much more interior room it has etc).

I've been waiting with much anticipation for this series. I usually enjoy trip videos most but I'm very keen to see how this series comes along. Thank you for doing something different Andrew 🙏

You have a keeper there. She questions you with the questions you need to ask yourself. I've had a 4x4 Hiace since the early 90's. When my brother got stuck with the trailer behind his 2.8l Hilux I towed his trailer out, then towed him out. Started with a 2wd 1.8 petrol Hiace and when thumbing through the manual found they made a 4x4 version so I kept looking till I saw one with a 2.4l N/A diesel with hi/lo manual box. Once that got too old I bought a 3.0l turbo manual 4x4 and have had that for over 19 years. I don't miss the hi/lo transfer and it has been amazingly capable, out performing a stock 4x4 Navara. I do like the view from a van.

I think you'll grow to love vans. The extra space is a big bonus.

I've owned a 1989 vw Syncro and now ówn the same Toyota Fortuner shown in this video. Camped with both as stock and kitted. My father built campers on the VW Microbus platform (Cock's Campers).....Nothing compares. I'll take you're new build over anything new out there.... all day long! I miss my Syncro and it'll beat the Fortuner off road in many ways, especially with lockers in the front too. Sitting on a winner for sure, but the combined price😢

Looking forward to the episodes. Going to be challenging to make that look good. But I have faith. 😂. I wonder whether the shorter one would be a better choice.

I used to have an early l300 van and it was an amazing vehicle off road the biggest benefit was the view out the from and it slowed you to watch front wheel placement and overall a better view out the windows. the troops has terrible seats and the suspension in std form is very hard on you. IFS is a great all-round front end where you get a better ride. all the modern electronic aids also make it better off road. I have a Pajero 2000 that could go way better in mud than most dull cabs because of traction control and anti lock brakes.

Very much looking forward to seeing this Van project develop, I think it will be a game changer, cheers 👏👏

I remember the old mitsubishi delicas 4x4 looked very cool, good look with this

I use to watch your shows on tv years ago & I bump into your channel today with this Hi-Ace. Missed you Malume. I recognised your voice immediately. 😅 Love your work Malume. Much love from Pretoria, South Africa. 💥🎉❤️🇿🇦

Best think about a van will be walking from the front to the back without having to go ‘outside’, maybe not an issue in Aus but on a wet weekend in Scotland it’s a blessing.

This is fascinating to see the thought process. I saw these Hiace for the first time in South Africa last October and road around m in Kruger . I fell in love with them, wistful of my VW Caravelle. I can see this conversion being a great experience. The solidity of the frame and the reinforces new real 4x4 running gear is an excellent idea. The van looks so much better already compared to the taxi versions slammed to the ground. Eager for more. Regards from rainy Switzerland

Watching this Van Build

Andrew Looking forward to this Van build. BTW bring back the goat.

Gold. Love the journey and can't wait to see the results

Your wife is a peach! She has passion for your passions! Priceless 💞

Your builds come with 40 years of perspective. Plus they are custom builds. I don't mean it as an insult but a lot of people buy the whole kit and have it installed. Seeing you build gives a lot us DIY types ideas and knowledge for our own builds.

This is going to be a great build Andrew, fun factor that its not easy finding kit for it and that we have your wife helping love it

I love the idea of the van with all the space and the new possibilities it will afford you. I am interested to see if the chassis will be strong enough, and if the body of the van itself will be strong enough? I’m really looking forward to viewing your progress. Best wishes from Ireland.

The buzz that you are after- I reflect back to Gwen’s comment in one of your previous videos, “It’s about the destination!” And I think that’s where you will find your buzz with where you will be able to go. The stigma of vans is exactly that a stigma- I find it far more comfortable in ergonomics than any other traditional box car 4x4 we are marketed to believe. I own a modern VW crafter. I can drive it endlessly! I went to Rocklea and met James today and test drove the conversion. A possible order for my business.😊

Always beautifully narrated by both of you, you are the '''David Attenborough''' of overlanding!

looking forward wen you start to change that van .

Always better when the team is together .all the best you 2'

You both are so sweet! 😄❤️

It seems like the van might potentially be a better comfort vs 4x4 ability compromise. I suppose you have to ask yourself how much of your troopys off-road ability you would typically use on a trip. If this vehicle has maybe 80% of the ability of the troopy off road but is twice as comfortable for long term travel for 2 then it's kind of a no brainer. Also if you had a little work desk in the back and starlink you could potentially travel, edit and post videos on the road. It would be a completely different workflow to how you typically make videos but it might be worth a thought.

Changing the vehicle always is the inside and passion that you will have to find the perfection.i am old now. but before I was younger, i did the same.i understand.

really enjoy, when you guys get together, your a great team :)

I am eagerly waiting to see how your Hiace4x4 will turn out. Am sure your Troopy also has its fingers crossed like me hoping that it will not be dethroned. Waiting for the update.

Love the Troopy, but I'm very much looking forward to this build series.

I think you’ve made your mind up bro🙊. Looking forward to see what happens. Phi. England.

Andrew you are to me the David Attenborough of camping 😂 I love your enthusiasm, it invigorates me to continue to camp and explore. Love you and your channel! BTW, You were specking directly to me when you said going camping with your mate, looking back at your truck/ campground and feeling good about what you see. It never gets old. Our 19’ Airstream Bambi which we’ve owned for 24 years and our Tundra never fails to take my breath away 😂 Before I retired I bought the Toyota Tundra new. I agonized for weeks if I should have gotten a 4 x 4. We have been camping in semi wilderness areas since 1983 throughout the US in State Parks, National Parks, BLM land, etc. and only got stuck once on an old coal mining road. But if I had to do it all over again perhaps I should have especially since a similar Tundra today is $50,000 more then what I paid in 2017. Please keep living your dream and we will live it with you on your channel.

A work colleague of mine has a 4WD hiace, not the work van version, but the car interior version. And he drove it through reasonably deep snow, about 25cm ok. But was not able to go through 50 cm and off road, where as my LC 150 just cruised through it without any problem. Main problem with the hiace is lack of ground clearance, more than anything. The approach and brake over angles are terrible for serious off roading, unless you rip off the bumpers and give it a serious lift. But if your not planning or doing any hardcore off roading or driving through deep mud or snow then the hiace could well be a wise choice. It certainly has plenty of space to turn it into a campervan. I built a basic camper conversion for my LC 150 so my wife and I can easily sleep in the back when we want to.

Just go for it Andrew.Best wishes from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

😁 I'm looking forward to this one. If I had the money, I would ask if you could make me one and ship it to me.

Love your build & camping set ups... But I keep it so much more simple with less items on my build. Less for me is better) but the the builds coming, we enjoy them highly! Greetings from the Colorado Desert/Mojave Deserts of California!

What a great woman does to make har man great. She is the rock behind you. ❤

Awesome. Thanks.

Congrats on 300K! Well done mate.

Interested to hear how you feel about it over time. I just sold my Prado and all its comfort for a Troopy and I am so happy. Mostly the charm and truck feel. I wanted a truck. But this is really cool to watch unfold. Look forward to the next episode

my step dad got the new gen hiace in 2007 when he was about 57yo when he started his first business, diesel. he retired with that van and it has 400k on it, it was perfect and a member of the family l think a 4x4 toyota van would be amazing

Currently on my 55th lap around the sun. I've been a "vanner" al my life. Started with a VW fleetline back in the 80's. I've owned many vans (Vito's, VW syncro, Iveco) and been to places where no vans should ever go. There's something about having all the creature comforts wherever you go. Always thought the Hi Ace had some potential. I'll be watching this build with keen interest.

We have had a few of these on my site for about 2 years, maybe. In that time we’ve had a few things go wrong with the rear suspension, other than that, there have been no issues. I’d be doing the same thing, if I had the money for one. Can’t see them being a problem on any road you decide to take it!!

The HiAce is tough looking enough when sitting high up, it's pretty heavy duty underneath. I've been on some really rough dirt roads in the Philippines in a HiAce as a passenger and it changed my opinion. It's not just a van like a Ford Transit Custom, it's a truck with a van body. I happen to like the HiAce, I think they are pretty nice. So no issue for me. But also think of the space and practicality you get with the van. It beats the Land Cruiser. I don't have any issues about driving a HiAce, but I am biased, I really like HiAces :D

You can always do a bush Australian Post run in it, You can call it “Go anywhere Australia Post” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Im so glad to see this....this build has my attention it will be great to see what you come up with it will confirm to me that you can build something other then troop carriers.....Question will these vehicles become available for the public or are they strictly being built for the mines....if its available can we have price please what a normal person of the public could expect to pay to have one delivered after 4x4 conversion..

Super interested in seeing how this turns out.

I understand that you need to talk to make content. Sir i just love this banter and awesome questions your wife is making and asking. It really has put the emotional issue mixed with the truth of the monetary outlay between the two vehicles. The van principles could be used on Vw amorak to transporter if they wanted to build them. Hope the 4wd vans come back as the L300 mitsubishi was a shock to see next to hard core 4wd at camping spots.

Extremely interesting video. Regardless vehicle brand you will always compromise. But I recon that fitting a serious 4WD bits in to delivery van should do the trick. I never had Toyota but I have about 21 years of experience driving vans FWDs 20:11 off road. A lot is in air pressure in tyres, you know better then anyone. Reasonably big wheels on the top of it and you should be able to drive through most of the beaches in WA. I drive regularly to Lancelin or Wedge point. No issues. Adding all the bits from LC 200 and Hi-Lux should give you the extra confidence. BDW your lovely wife was a jam. She knows how to challenge you. It’s a good think. 👍

Just remember Andrew. Every new vehicle is a new challenge to make it better.

I got a RWD 100 series hiace with a diff-lock and the biggest ATs that will fit. Nothing crazy but it gets me out bush. Makes camping easy.

Heres how I best describe doing any Overland build. The word is simple "Vision" The only reason you get into Overlanding is down to vision. The only reason you choose a Vehicle in which to do your Overlanding in is because of vision. If someone sees a vehicle and they believe it to have great potential for their needs as a touring vehicle then thats all you need, the vision to do so. You clearly have vision for this awesome looking Van overwise you wouldnt have bought it, you wouldnt have spent time on it, you wouldnt have spent money on it. When you have that vision its then a case of following through and making it become a reality. The amount of thought process that goes into your builds means that no matter what this build will come out great. Wish you the best of luck with it and ill be dialling in to keep and eye on your progress.

@18:59 "Am I more fussy than most overlanders?" Why do you think we keep watching, Andrew? 🤣

The new defender didnt impress me initially at all, but must say its growing on me. The Grenadier was something i looked forward to, and for a moment liked it, but now wouldn't consider it at all. Underlying to our choices will always be brand familiarity and sense of value, its in our subconscious and takes decades to adjust ❤

Andrew, are you prepared to try on vans with a high roof where one can stand obviously with 4x4 capability too? Another vehicle that many will want to see is your review on the GWN Tank 300 or 500 given its affordability ? Hope to hear from you in future episodes.

Seems to me that finally someone in Australia is building MY dream vehicle. its always been my dream to do this. Back in the day I had to build my own proper 4x4 van using a vintage (now) ford transit as the shell. with Landcruiser and Nissan parts to complete the transformation. nowadays I've settled for the closest thing a 96 Delica. good on ya Andrew 😁

Do it!! its a great idea. the charm is that its clever and different. anyone can pickup a magazine and read J70s are great, but this is unique. i think its so good of an idea Toyota should make factory spec overlanders on the platform. 2.8td !!

You should try getting a sponsor for portal axles for this bad boy And for the kitchen, consider trying to put it on rails so it can be pulled out the back and used outside or inside. If you put the sink at the end and turn it 90 degrees to face out the back you could use it inside or while standing outside.