A forum for van conversions, van living and travel

The vanlife => Van Conversion => Topic started by: ian84 on August 03, 2016, 04:50:52 PM

Title: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on August 03, 2016, 04:50:52 PM
Hi folks, just signed up to this forum.

Name is Ian from Melbourne, Australia.
Got me a 14 seater Hiace commuter. Got two girls 2 yrs old and a 4 yrs old. Hence we needed such a long van.

Plan to keep the seat behind the drivers. So in total 3 front plus 2 back total 5 seats.

For questions on how to do stuff which section is best to ask? Is there a forum specific to the hiace?

Just a few questions. .
What is the thickness of the inside wall of the van and also the outside skin?

Using self tappers what guage is best 8G or better 10G to the inside wall for securing things to it.

Got me a awning but trying to get ideas or of there are brackets.. To suit because it's a high roof. So no roof racks. . How to attached a mounting for thr awning. . Any product to suit? In Australia? Making use of thr drip lip. . Etc. .

Anways. . Excited to get this project under way. . . Seats out tomorrow.

And if others have done the same with a commuter let me know your ideas!

Thanks!

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/f4d0606584d28e301660d6270658143e.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/4106007f56313745b8ce43502a10b712.jpg)
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: BurningRanger on August 04, 2016, 12:32:43 AM

Can't provide any useful info but interested in how this turns out. I too have young kids and finding a 4 berth van conversion is almost impossible.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on August 19, 2016, 11:52:33 PM
Hi folks,  just a update.
Nearly done. .    Just waiting on lighting to arrive. . 

Also waiting on 2 x 100w solar panels  to create 24v 100w into a mppt charge Controller to charge my 150AH

Battery isolator Installed. 

Just put the  bed in last night. .  And my two girls were wanting to sleep in the  van!

So far so good.. .  (I hate caulking!)  sealant. . .  When doing the awning brackets.




(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/9d1b0d327cbe244189454976576301b1.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/c143afaddc19f016e687ec4156ddbd6e.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/9e2eb9421855dd34dec7bc8aaa0b3799.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/588657bfe517e23adff11c53037a0b72.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/07cedda6402814271498b570a290abd5.jpg)
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/1169d97dd43b7d73c638e00905c84283.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/142d7fcff264ed9c6851eb28c7bf0d5d.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/bfbe7b66047fde06ec1c590f559f7691.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/9ce31ccc830add3b704671b75e256a49.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/2ebb81780f40e0bf769e5a6d965f77d8.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/903a4e2ac3ac441904902baaba606cdc.jpg)


(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/c7750cb7b7702659fbf912c988c88990.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/1c77c11e363d185273aaad6950ee73db.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/f2098b781c846f7cf854d0d0c1ad5a7b.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/fa4b4fb34022741bc20c17d096e2d212.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/24f01665700b3975d21c2e712798dc87.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/4e1193c9bcb9ec134651281e3d2fcb64.jpg)
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on August 19, 2016, 11:53:27 PM
And Oh yeah. . . The  wife is half way thru making curtains..
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on August 20, 2016, 12:36:21 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/4298574c5714b9537f33203c8486a28c.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/940dc8ac8e60c3e6dfa6ce480ddb42c8.jpg)

Some more pic this morning.
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on August 20, 2016, 12:43:31 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/209223cad06a2e2c85c6b9e7dd570470.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/c581a0ade0386d9d38dab7079c205ef7.jpg)

The electricals.
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on August 20, 2016, 12:49:03 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/6cdecd13464c4b3394fbdf1313cedd1b.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/137be32df3f4fcb51ead94a63d3bd842.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/4923c39cf538554cb8186e5e86f67ed7.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160819/86f95ddfa718f0bad38ae1c90e26218a.jpg)

Various angle shots.
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on August 20, 2016, 03:54:23 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160820/58e172e4c4d030accd4035f29a584d72.jpg)

Added a table to raise the fridge to make use of space underneath (for toilet)
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on August 30, 2016, 01:22:00 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160830/a6b0eea83a3284bbdfc6b1e15555924d.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160830/04e59289bda6c0f6ae7823939b514013.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160830/6adf3c5324b73028e8d82db82ce5e287.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160830/88f362506cd51fe32b19b666f1639509.jpg)

Awning is up as well as awning tent. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160830/5f1deed64f13c7cfdbb05bf94c4ef752.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160830/e3c1a3359516507f4778887be855191f.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160830/ce4306a66f29adc52dbef57246705aef.jpg)
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: Roger 68 on December 27, 2016, 10:53:50 AM
Hi, I'm in the process of getting an awning for my commuter. I like the look of the Kings one you have. Did you make the brackets yourself or did you get them made somewhere?
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on December 27, 2016, 11:58:14 AM
Quote from: Roger 68 on December 27, 2016, 10:53:50 AM
Hi, I'm in the process of getting an awning for my commuter. I like the look of the Kings one you have. Did you make the brackets yourself or did you get them made somewhere?
Yep it's the kings brand from 4x4 super centre.

Bracket was self design and I got a aluminium place to bend it with their bending machine.

U need to work out the right angle,  basically it's just two pce bent to the right angle.

And pop riveted.

Can remember thickness,  if I remember right it's 3mm.

Ones bent make sure no  cracks,  cracks in aluminium can't be used. 

I might still have the drawing of the shape if u need it. 

Cheers.
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on December 27, 2016, 11:59:12 AM
Quote from: Roger 68 on December 27, 2016, 10:53:50 AM
Hi, I'm in the process of getting an awning for my commuter. I like the look of the Kings one you have. Did you make the brackets yourself or did you get them made somewhere?
Get the kings 3x3m,  and also get the mosquito net,  great to keep the flies out!

Awning tent also a good match.

Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: Roger 68 on December 29, 2016, 10:52:55 AM
Thanks  Ian. I didn't realise they did a 3m x 3m awning, that sounds great. I could only see 2.5m x 2.5m on their website and they don't answer their phone. Maybe it's just the time of year!

I would love  to have a copy of your drawings. I live in Heidelberg West and there's lots of engineering firms around here that could knock up a bracket easily. I think you can email things to me through this forum or just post it here.

How has the awning been working for you? Do you get rain coming in between the awning and your van? Do you think the tent could be attached to the van in such a way that you could have the van door open and not get mozzies in?

By the way, I laughed when I first saw your post. I also have 2 kids, 2 and 10 weeks. A plain van just isn't enough anymore! I used to have a Bedford van but needed rear seats so I have the same as you now, a 2004 Commuter with 5 seats.

Cheers, Roger
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:26:09 AM
sorry for late reply, I use Taptalk app on my phone to manage all my FORUMS i am on.... but its been playing up hence couldn't reply whilst I was away!

Just got back from the Hi country Around Mt Hotham, dinner plain, and Anglers Rest etc..

basically, our first time camping in the Van.

Sorry, i meant to say 2.5m x 2.5m  not 3x3.  the 3x3 is the mesh floor that I got from them also.
Customer service can be pretty crap from them, the warranty must be sent via email etc.. then they will issue either a pickup and send u out a new one or for you to drop off and swap etc...

But it's cheap!, I have had warranty put thru with no problems just time to wait for thats all ( approx 1 week) so yeah... at those prices u can't really complain too much...

The fly Net awning was the first time used this trip, and mate!! the flies out there! even in the hi country!  We really loved the Netted Awning Tent!  makes a difference between a good experience or a crappy one with flies whilst u are cooking and eating!

I have attached three photos of the van set up on this trip so u can get an idea.

we also got 2 awning walls, which helps stop the rain from getting in side wards.

as far as rain getting in between the awning and van, not really, as the rain will run down the gutter of the vans roof.

one thing to note on the gutter, Since we pop rivetted the awning Bracket on the gutter lip. 
The front bracket ( middle of the sliding door) that was an issue, as we left the sliding door open, and because the bracket is in the gutter ( Lip) the water cant run down/up  so it over flowed and dribbled into the cabin, to resolve that on this trip we just had the door close whilst raining.  I will have to notch out the gutter before and after the front bracket and make a by pass guttering around it so water can flow....

The back doesnt matter much as its just a side of the van.. or i might even make a bypass for that also.

with the netted awning, with the Van slide door open it does keep the Flies out, its not a 100% seal, but does a good job...

If you are asking to leave the slider open to sleep at night with mozzies.....  I hate mozzies....  I prob wouldnt leave the door open...

but one thing i added before leaving on this trip,  I designed a 3mm acrylic window to be installed into all 4 window panels.

check the photo to see what i mean....  its my FLY screen, so we can open the 4 windows and have air flow whilst sleeping. when raining you will have to close the window and leave just a gap for ventilation. or else the rain will come thru the fly screen etc...

12V van, is a must.  I got ones with the Clip so it can be attached anywhere inside. and keeps the air moving if it gets stuffy.

eg...  when it's raining and can't have the windows wide open, the 12v (8inch fan i believe) was able to keep us comfortable to sleep.






Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:27:14 AM
more pics..

need to post these one by one.... as limit to only 128kb each pic!
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:28:09 AM
more pics..
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:29:44 AM
pic of the gutter that needs a by pass.... at the moment it caused water to dribble into cabin when raining with door open
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:32:29 AM
pic of the Acrylic window with fly screen.  its flexible so its a matter of just bending it and popping it in the window, which means the outer window cannot be opened, as it will hit the acrylic, and this trip i used ducktape to hold it down in 3 spots, meaning, we drove with all the acrylic window installed. did 120km per hour no probs.  HAVE TO TAPE IT DOWN!

if u dont it will fly out!  i will retape it along all the 3 sides now.

Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:32:55 AM
...
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:34:36 AM
pic from inside showing the window open to the max, to allow air in.

I got a guy i use in Bayswater who laser cuts these.  he has my files, so if u want he can do a set for you as well. since we spent time to get the template pretty much spot on.
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:35:23 AM
here are my 8 or 10 inch 12V fans.  A must for the warmer months.
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: ian84 on January 02, 2017, 04:36:56 AM
shoot me an email i can get back to you on the bracket template

ian    @     hobbyzone  .  com   .  au

(without the spaces of course)
or if you use Whats app messenger u can add me on 0433111061.
cheers!
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: Freetasman on July 26, 2017, 09:54:26 AM
Looking good, I am in Tasmania and planning to get one Hiace Commuter as soon as I sell my caravan.
IMO the Hiace is an excellent choice for Australia because there is parts and service in the outback.

Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: Belinda on April 09, 2018, 06:27:03 AM
Hi Ian,

I've just come across your post in a search for advice on roof racks for our commuter.

We did a conversion on a 2007 Hiace Commuter and are one month into a three month journey (the first of hopefully many, so we are still figuring out how to do it best). We didn't realise that getting roof racks would be such a problem but every salesperson we have spoken to so far doesn't know how to get around the high roof. Do you have any advice? Did you find any products that fit?

I like what you've done to attach the awning. We might go that way. Our priority now is the awning but we'd like racks too for storage, so if you have any ideas on racks your wisdom would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Belinda
Title: Re: First project: 2004 Toyota hiace commuter 14 seater, high roof.
Post by: Camper_Dan on April 09, 2018, 08:19:19 AM
Greetings & Welcome!

If you do a search for high roof gutter mounts, you'll find what you're probably looking for.

Cheers!