AUS VANLIFE CONVERSION - Toyota Hiace Commuter Campervan

We're finalllllly here!! 5 months of hard work and we are happy to introduce Fin, our tiny home on wheels! Building a campervan from scratch was not on the cards for 2020, but here we are! Wouldn't change it for the world and we are very excited to start our travels around Australia.
Thanks for watching, Shan and Kyle xx
insta: @kyleandshan
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[@kerouacist]

You guys are inspirational and super positive, great job!

[@jasondaines8382]

Looks amazing, brilliant job!

[@kirstiesturrock6]

You guys are going to have the most amazing time!

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Too bloody excited 🤩

[@MISSIONRIDERMOTOVLOG]

i like your patience and dedication to your project. inspiring

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you very much!

[@me-cq7wv]

I got a hiace too and on the east coast of Aus. The Toyota will never let you down and you will probably have noticed the price in campervans going up too. Enjoy and hope this finds you well.

[@NapoleonGARDENINGTV]

Awesome! Very artistic conversion! Thanks for sharing!

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you!

[@stevem8373]

Outstanding job you 2🤙

[@trevorwinkworth1208]

incredible job. wish i had the skills to do that. happy and safe travels.

[@shanecorcoran1491]

Great work guys. I have a hiace commuter that has been decked out as well, she goes great down hills and along the flat roads, doesn’t like hills to much but what’s the hurry. Enjoy traveling.

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you Shane! Hills are not ideal in these big boys, but they are just the best :)

[@andywillcya]

Amazing job guys! A bit too much glue for me (really hot days vapor), but very simple and clean. I love it 👏

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thanks 👍

[@Scrambler85]

Excellent build, just subscribed and I'm looking forward to the next video 👍

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thanks so much! we just uploaded a tour - check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3e9oHpujcyEebs

[@69indigoblue]

Nice making of....the result seems very good. Would love to see a complete roomtour with everything filled and in action...

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you so much! We are having a great time

[@WillemLuntungan]

good van working with very satisfying results. good work

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thanks 😊

[@josecalixmedia]

Where is the heart button?! What an incredible job you guys did! Enjoy your travels

[@obque86nz]

Awesome build . Well done

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thanks Carl :)

[@youngyarnzy777]

That’s cool 👌🏽

[@garywinkworth3380]

hello what an unreal job you 2 have done, really really good. thanks it gives me ideas on some stuff to do to mine. thankyou

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Glad we could help! Good luck with your van 😊

[@orical2832]

Very cool. Currently busy looking for a 4x4 Hiace myself to do something similar.

[@shannonodonnell7735]

A 4x4 hiace would be ideal! Good luck 🤞

[@vimaldepala6379]

Nice jobs guys! Could I ask how much the van itself cost before the fit out? We’re also looking into an older version

[@homeiswherethehartsare74]

Awesome work mate

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you!

[@yachtmustang]

Best Hiace conversion I've seen. Respect. Couple of questions. What window frame did you use for the rear leftside window. What extractor fan did you use. Did you put a toilet just aft of the fridge under one of your table seats. And how do you refill your solar hot water tube as its pretty high up. So impressed.

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thanks so much Chris! I'm planning on answering a lot of these questions in another video so keep a look out ☺️ the fan is a Weisshorn caravan vent with a rain sensor, the toilet is under the seat near the door and I have a very tall boyfriend who can reach the solarshower fill point 😂 will go through the little bits and bobs in a tour video

[@raysallee5156]

Well Done!

[@Mads-zo1ic]

This is such a cool way to deck out the van, nice job guys! Sorry I know this video is pretty old now, but if you do see this, how much does the weight now in the back affect petrol use? Im converting the exact same van and I’ve only gotten to the floor and the bed and I’m already worried it’s causing the van to eat petrol a tad more than before

[@TheLocalfisher]

how long is the bed, it must've been shorter than a double to fit the seat by the door in? how do you open the fridge and access the storage compart compartments under the bed? this info would be very helpful cheers!!

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Yep the bed was cut down to shorter than a double, but we added extra length with another cushion. Just uploaded a tour video where we go through these things - check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3e9oHpujcyEebs

[@claudio12111]

Hey guys! I have this exact van but have struggled for ages trying to get roof racks that fit, what kind of place did you go to to make custom ones? Thanks heaps love your van

[@chicken17boogy]

Hey, this looks fantastic!! Great work!! Can I ask what you did with the area behind the seats where the semi circle is? I see you have moulded the ply around it but your benches seem to cover that area up. How do you access it if you need to?

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Well spotted! We shouldn't need to access that area often but if we need to we can disassemble the kitchen benches

[@LaurenandScott]

Great video.. Would like to see more!

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you! Just about to upload a full tour video :)

[@jayrichtrading6827]

Awesome.......what is the spec for those solar panel and exhaust fan sir? If u don't mind to share

[@MELODYMUNRO]

How would you get that solar panel off if it goes bung? I''m considering a flexible panel but I am not keen on gluing it to my roof. And how do you access the maintenance floor panel under your kitchen?

[@TABISURU2019]

​I am also traveling by remodeling a Hiace van.

[@shannonodonnell7735]

nice!!

[@glassy5716]

It ended up nicely, cool build, but I'm wondering can you stand in it with your head all straight up after this woody roof you added? Also was the extended roof an after market thing or did the van came like this from the factory, cuz in my region its roof is low and not as high as yours here. Enjoy it great video

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you! I can just stand up in it with a slight bend ☺️ Kyle cannot stand up inside - but there would be very few vans that he could stand in! This model came with the higher roof as it is a commuter, the other hiaces have a lower roof, which we had for our last van. It's much nicer having a little extra space to stand

[@MoMcMorrow]

Great video! Amazing build! What is the height of the ceiling? Your head looked like it's touching. I'm trying to decide on which van to get and need to stand in it. thanks! Mo

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thanks! I am about 5ft 4 and I have to bend neck to stand up inside

[@johnswinkels4383]

@@shannonodonnell7735 Bugger well iam 6'3" without my high heels on. You did a great job on the fit out I know I have done two in my lifetime. I would say at a guess you are a chippy by trade.

[@needaweld]

Great job, What did you use on the ceiling, Thanks

[@jodiehobson1676]

Hi guys was just wondering how you covered up the step on the side Its looks like you have a rubber strip is that correct? if so can you tel me where i can buy this stuff

[@yachtmustang]

Sorry couple more questions. What insulation did you put under the plywood floor, what did you use to cover the earthwool on the side panels and what lifting mechanism did you use for your dining table. Thx heaps

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Floor is insulated with reflective foil from Amazon, the earthwool was covered up by the wall panels that came with the van (we just removed them to stuff the gaps), and the table leg was a DIY job - will show it in the tour!

[@gaulix75]

Wow great job !! what year and model is your Hiace ?

[@trext888]

Did u guys have the experience of modifying it or u guys learn along the way while building it?

[@TheGgrover]

Mint!,

[@jballoregon]

How much weight did you add to this build? Did you need to redo springs?

[@amberclarke-nielson8057]

Hi, wonderful build. Can I ask what you used on the back side window that slid down? Looking at something similar for my van. Thank you xx

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Hi amber, it's a caravan window shade made by Seitz - if you look them up online they're about $150 brand new I think :)

[@vdm1901]

Yo tenía una hiace pero me la robaron 😢 me hubiera gustado mucho dejarla así, yo no le hubiera tapado las ventanas, solo las hubiera polarizado y colocado cortina pero bueno, también quedaron bien👍

[@kevincase5947]

Well done

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you ☺️

[@juanmateco]

Hi guys! Your van is one of my two models I’ve been following for my van build. Question about the ceiling. That’s pvc, as you mention in your van tour, but where did you get it? Happy with it instead of ply, as most people do? And where did you get those customised roof racks from? Thanks for the video :)

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Hey! We got it from eziclad solutions, in WA and yep super happy with them - lightweight and look great 😊 the roof racks were custom made by Kyle and his dad, sorry! so glad you're following along! We have created a van build series over on Instagram with a few of our tips and what we would do differently, if you're interested @kyleandshan

[@juanmateco]

@@shannonodonnell7735 thanks for all the info! Will definitely check out your Instagram. Would Kyle and dad like to make another couple of roof racks? Haha Cheers

[@ngt206]

great job guys. Particularly like the simple innovation of sika-flexing the solar panels to the roof. Just as effective I'm sure and saves heaps of weight. Happy travels and hope to see u on the road sometime. @nas_adventures Cheers

[@talyacalcott7256]

Hi, looks amazing guys! Well done, I just bought a Toyota Hiace and I will travel around NZ once I kit it out... I am keen to follow what you guys have done. What size bed do you have??

[@shannonodonnell7735]

That's awesome! We had a hiace in NZ just before covid hit last year - it's so amazing over there. My insta has some of our favourite spots that we got the chance to visit over there (@_shanlea). We have a double bed, and a little bit of extra length on the end for my partner who is 6'4. Good luck with the van build 😊

[@juanitoaquino7206]

@@shannonodonnell7735 N0mn 3md

[@karamlamba]

fantastic beautiful

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thanks

[@bongo3]

G R E A T ....♥

[@MH-rc6dr]

Did it have a lot of mileage when you bought the van?

[@ryankeane8656]

Your gonna have trouble with that solar panel, they need air underneath to breathe. Once too hot they run like shit

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Thank you!

[@razvandobos9759]

We need the HiAce in the US. Mexico has it.

[@hazwaz6385]

what vent did you use?

[@crazyduck1254]

did you just wake up one day and find you had all these new skills?

[@bmim8t10]

Hi, how tall are you and your partner? looks like you can stand up with plenty of head space

[@kikalateef]

this is sick!!!

[@shannonodonnell7735]

wanna come for a ride 🤩

[@jessicarockliff]

How big is your bed?

[@jacksonpaul4755]

Where did you guys get those cool drawers from?

[@DanoCoolo]

They are the Titan Drawers from 4wdSupacentre! They're a great value drawer for the money!

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Yep 'like Dan said, they are the Titan Drawers - they're great!

[@anchoicungdanny868]

Why toyota hiace commuter not be sale in U.S?

[@andreagiolitti8224]

Hi guys, this is an amazing job. I was looking for some inspiration as I'm starting to build my hiace and this was so useful. Can I ask you where did you buy the mattress and the sound/vibration proof tape?

[@thevideographyvan2210]

What insulation did you guys use?🙂

[@shannonodonnell7735]

We used bastion XPS foam for the roof, earthwool in the gaps of the walls, foilboard on the windows (all from Bunnings), as well as reflective foil (from Amazon)

[@abbyfletcher5154]

Wondering if you could give me a guide of the cost the fit out cost you?

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Hey Kylie, we didn't really track the cost well but I'd guess around $15k

[@theforeigner6988]

0:05 pretty well built. I set it in super slow motion, to have a better view. The bus is okay too, by the way 👍🏿

[@shannonodonnell7735]

thanks :)

[@theforeigner6988]

@@shannonodonnell7735 you van is not bad either 😀

[@1958linedancer]

great job but I wish you hadnt sped it up so fast as I couldnt take in what you did

[@joemariesantua2473]

What’s the height from floor to ceiling?

[@shannonodonnell7735]

It's probably around 160 cm now after adding the flooring and roof etc.

[@nazimabdrahim5500]

where can i buy the black drawer? kuala lumpur

[@shannonodonnell7735]

The drawers are from Adventure Kings/4WD Supacentre

[@adampreston285]

How tall is the roof?

[@shannonodonnell7735]

It's probably around 160 cm now after adding the flooring and roof etc.

[@paulnicolas3819]

Make a van tour

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Just uploaded one - check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3e9oHpujcyEebs

[@aboveallthingslove6349]

I went to your page to see a walkthrough or a tour of the van like you find on all those Van tour channels but unfortunately, this is your only video. I like what you did on this van but the last bits of your video after you completed the build didn't really do your wonderful work and design justice. If you do decide to do one I'll see it, being that I just subbed with the bell and if you really aren't into the "KZbinr" thing I understand I'm sure that content creation can suck the hours out of one's day. Either way, Thanx for sharing your build.

[@shannonodonnell7735]

Hi Brien, thanks for the feedback! We have just uploaded a full van tour - hope you enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3e9oHpujcyEebs