My Toyota Hiace CamperVan Project

[Go_Slow]

Hi Guys!
Have always dreamed of doing the australia tour, so recently brought a hiace commuter (SLWB, and can stand in it!) got the added benefit of LPG aswel.
Picked her up cheap cleaned her up. The engine is nearing its life, however I just wanted to ask.

She has worn valves, which is the problem. Whats the worst that will happen with a car like this? Im figuring I might use it till the engine is buggered then change it, rather than before hand. She drives pretty smoothly i must say, and I have driven her on two journeys around 25km.

Also, does anyone know how the chinese import engines go? I see them on ebay for 1800-2500, aftermarket. it has a 2RZ ENGINE.
Ive been qouted the 3grand mark for a reco of my current engine.


BEFORE CLEANUP.

 

[Go_Slow]

After clean up.





Was hoping for some tips, regarding the engine. Yes I know we all love our holdens

Ive also been told, that if I fixed the head, it might put to much pressure on the bottom end, and then that'll go. Is this true?

 

[noddys VP]

Basically be careful about import engines for Toyota vans. They don't always bolt in the way the old one came out. i have seen them create big problems. If it was me i would fix the head, get new valves fitted with hardened valve seats, i have done this on many LPG hi ace vans with the 2RZ motor, The bottom end it quite strong but all Toyotas hate LPG, Basically no one adjusts valve clearances, (shim type). If you do go ahead with the motor change try and get another 2RZ, there not very common because they don't really break down unless there on LPG.

 

[HSVXU6 VT]

Campervan

Hi go_slow. I have a 86 hiace that I am converting into a campervan. I bought it in Melb and by the time I had driven it home the bottom end was a knocking and wanting to throw a leg out of bed, the van cost 900 so no big deal. I bought a new imported/asian? 4y motor off fleabay. My son and one of his mates put it in for me and it bolted straight in, it had a 3y in it. I use it to go backwards and forwards to echuca every 3 or 4 weeks (400ks) as well as using it for day to day instead of the HSV. I have done about 18,000 with the new motor, very happy with it, pulls like a train, into top at 45 and pulls out over 130, it has 4 on the tree, would like a 5 speed though. Going touring at Christmas up through NSW, inland for a while and then onto the coast road and up towards Sydney to go on the road that they have built over the ocean, went on the old one a few times so it should be good. Hope all works out for you with your conversion.

 

[Go_Slow]

Hi go_slow. I have a 86 hiace that I am converting into a campervan. I bought it in Melb and by the time I had driven it home the bottom end was a knocking and wanting to throw a leg out of bed, the van cost 900 so no big deal. I bought a new imported/asian? 4y motor off fleabay. My son and one of his mates put it in for me and it bolted straight in, it had a 3y in it. I use it to go backwards and forwards to echuca every 3 or 4 weeks (400ks) as well as using it for day to day instead of the HSV. I have done about 18,000 with the new motor, very happy with it, pulls like a train, into top at 45 and pulls out over 130, it has 4 on the tree, would like a 5 speed though. Going touring at Christmas up through NSW, inland for a while and then onto the coast road and up towards Sydney to go on the road that they have built over the ocean, went on the old one a few times so it should be good. Hope all works out for you with your conversion.

hey mate, that sounds great, ive actually found a second hand engine with 200,000 on it and am getting it put in as i type this post (its at the mechanics).
ive spoken to a cabinet maker and his going to charge 700 to get a full corner cabinet in there, and then, two boxes on each side of the rear part of the van, which you can place a board to make the bed. if that makes sense to you got the dual battery hook up going to happen soon, and luck for me, i got an old cd player which i just put in. ill be putting up pictures soon when i get the cabinet guy to finish with his gear, maybe you could show some of your work,
the only problem i neeed to solve now, is how we can get around the heat that builds up in the van, i know you can open a window, but maybe there is a way to better ventilate and not risk security.

TJ!

 

[ToMMMaY]

For a car you would be planning to drive around australia
make sure the engine is A1
be the worst to break down in the middle of nowhere

Also what about those little heat spinny things on the roof

 

[Go_Slow]

For a car you would be planning to drive around australia
make sure the engine is A1
be the worst to break down in the middle of nowhere

Also what about those little heat spinny things on the roof

hey mate, i brought it a new radiator, new hoses, its got a brand new water pump, app its rocker cover was leaking and getting the rear main seal done anyway. (this is the second hand engine)
i agree with you, but those engines are pretty reiliable provided you look after them. i mean
the engine i brought the car with, was running on 3 cylinders, worn valves 2 max (would only work on petrol, NOT lpg) and still went. had been pissing oil from the rocker cover and water pump seal was leaking tooo!! lol its a change over too, poor wrecker is just going to be using it for scrap.
a wrecker told me, those engines only stuff up when they get put on lpg... the engine i had had 483000 on it, with a second oil filter done by a home job!! lol...
it comes with a 3 month warranty, so my intention is to use it a shitload in 3 months, so i can see if its all good, he said they heat test, and check for smoke out of the exhaust...though dont really know how much that tells me.

also those spinny things rotor ventilators, im looking into them!!

 

[Shorty33]

I've considered getting a campervan several times, but each time, the costs and benefits don't stack up for me.
I did the Australia tour in a HQ panel-van, and I undestand the importance of being able to stand up in the vehicle. The other factor that I identified is being able to get from the front to the back, without getting outside. Getting out when it's cold, wet, &/or windy is a bummer, and it is a big plus to be able to avoid that.
My brother had a motorhome. He joined the Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA), and I went with him on several CMCA trips. They are very social, they have a great magazine, and a lot of people there have dealt with the issues that you are addressing, and are happy to help. If I was in your position, I'd join CMCA.