Key highlights
- 35-inch tyres and 300mm ground clearance give the HiAce serious off-road capability.
- Land Cruiser 200 Series hardware and diff locks turn the van into a capable 4×4.
- Pop-top roof, indoor shower and kitchenette make it a practical off-grid camper.
Toyota HiAce vans are typically associated with tradespeople and airport hires, but this Australian-built example has been converted into a four-wheel-drive camper that can go where Land Cruisers have long been trading. Built by Headspace Campers, the Toyota HiAce LWB has been converted into a four-wheel-drive camper that combines the off-road components of a Land Cruiser with the larger space of a commercial van.
An Australian-specified HiAce LWB panel van serves as the donor vehicle, which is distinctly different to the front-engine cab-over chassis used in Japan. The front-engine design provides a significantly bigger footprint than the overseas models. The rear-wheel-drive van has been modified with a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series transfer case for four-wheel drive and low-range gears, as well as air-locking differentials
Upgraded suspension with remote reservoir shocks also allow the conversion to utilise 35-inch Toyo Open Country Mud Terrain tyres on 16-inch rims, providing a healthy 300mm of ground clearance. That’s even more than a standard Toyota Land Cruiser would offer off-road, and Headspace Campers has even tested its modified HiAce against a similarly modified Land Cruiser 70 Series camper.
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Features that will keep this HiAce running on Australian terrain
The Toyota HiAce conversion includes a number of heavy-duty upgrades for tackling Australia’s demanding terrain, including;
- Heavy-duty steel front and rear bumpers
- Steel bash plates
- A snorkel
- Heavy-duty winch
- Dual spare-wheel carrier
- Electronic side steps
- Side awnings
- Pop-up roof conversion
- Roof rack
- 35-inch mud-terrain tyres
- Front and rear air lockers
- Low-range gearing
However, the van retains some features of the original factory specification, such as the white paint and halogen headlights. The biggest plus over a standard four-wheel-drive is the amount of space inside, with 2740mm of length and a capacity of six cubic metres or so, providing ample room for a camper conversion.
Inside there is an indoor shower with hot water, a convertible lounge that turns into a bed, and a slide-out kitchenette with sink, fridge and a two-burner induction cooktop. An electric pop-top provides a second sleeping berth 1450mm wide by 2100mm long, plus extra room and headroom when the van is stationary. The van also has a memory foam mattress, canvas windows, timber accents, LED lighting, USB ports and storage pockets.
A 48V electrical system keeps it off-grid
The camper has also been designed to spend extended periods away from powered campsites. A 48V electrical system with a 200Ah lithium battery provides enough capacity to power induction cooking, fridges, air-fryers and even split-system air-conditioning.
Water tanks are tucked underneath the van, while long-range diesel tanks provide a combined 275-litre capacity. The mechanicals of the HiAce remain largely traditional. The 2.8-litre turbo-diesel produces 130kW and 450Nm, while the van’s claimed towing capacity is 1700kg and payload is in the region of 1500-1600kg.
How much does the HiAce camper cost?
Headspace Campers has two camper conversion packages on offer, starting at AU$18,950 for the standard package and $27,590 for the premium trim level (engineering and fit out costs aside). Those prices do not include the extensive 4×4 conversion, suspension upgrades and 35-inch tyres seen on this particular example.
The base Toyota HiAce LWB model alone starts at the sum of AU$56,395 in Australia, meaning a fully-spec’d specimen can easily reach six figures. While that may not be the most economical way to enter the off-road camping scene in Australia, the HiAce is massively advantaged over a conventional 4WD camper van in terms of interior space. Headspace is also planning another HiAce 4×4 build but with an extended wheelbase, which would make it even more versatile for long distance travel.
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