Toyota Hiace Camper Van Conversion - Part 1

[@Buzzhumma]

I have the same perfect van and I just can't get over how perfect it is . just enough room to do everything you need without having to find a special carpark. That's big enough for any van because 6 m is the legal limit for a normal car park otherwise you need to go find a park out of town a bit

[@michaelgregory7704]

Your pillow blockout curtain idea is really neat-I think I'm gonna copy it for my build. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Just make sure you have a good easy to access storage space for them all

[@michaelgregory7704]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Yes, I can see how that makes good sense - thank you!!

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I bought a 2008 Hiace Commuter at a Pickles auction a couple of weeks ago. Mine's complicated by having a chairlift at the back. My wife won't be tripping with me, but it will be handy for loading her into the vehicle, so it's not going to get the conversion I envisioned. I have four seats across, backs to the driver and front passenger seats, and two on the passenger side. And a big empty space where I can lay me down to sleep. I want to run ordinary domestic appliances and that means I must have 10A 240VAC so say a 3000W inverter for some headroom, and THAT means batteries that can deliver around 300A 12V DC. And that is more than your fitout. Most of my fitout will need to be easily removed for my wife's benefit. The four seats are a single unit, it's all or none. Handy to sit at to edit photos, I hope. Perhaps the batteries and electrics can hide under them.. I have empty 7/16 UNF holes begging to be allowed to support some of that angle aluminium. I think Repco has right bolts. I also like the idea of using offcuts of that angle aluminium for brackets, angle brackets from Bunnings tend to not be square. Fun Fact Bunnings used to be a timber merchant, Bunning Bros, in West Perth, I used to walk past quite often 62-64. Wesfarmers used to be a farmers cooperative, I think in the 70s it restructured as a limited company , members got shares. It started buying other businesses, Sunny West Coop, and of course Bunning Bros. And McEwans in Victoria from whence it got its colours.

[@VivemusDivision]

You my friend are a true blue kiwi. DIY at its finest

[@debbiehart2008]

You've done really well it looks great

[@AThousandWords]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: you're a creative genius. As a DIY person myself I loved seeing all the details, thank you!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Hahaha thank you very much!

[@goldenboyi1989]

he is not a Genius-PLease-Albert Einstein and Jesus were genuises though-dont misuse that word

[@vivientan6894]

Thanks for sharing. I can just imagine your sense of satisfaction and achievement. It’s inspiring to know you did it without prior building experience too! I like your layout and thought process.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Thank you, not starting the each stage until I knew what I was going to do and had asked people with the knowledge made it all very enjoyable.

[@ballwizz23]

Probably the most reliable gas van out there. If Toyota made a Sprinter-sized one I'd be the first in line.

[@arielchris1155]

i guess Im kinda off topic but does anybody know of a good website to stream newly released tv shows online?

[@gunnerjonah7183]

@Ariel Chris Meh I'd suggest Flixportal. Just search on google for it:P -gunner

[@arielchris1155]

@Gunner Jonah Thank you, I signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :) Appreciate it!

[@gunnerjonah7183]

@Ariel Chris happy to help =)

[@calzydownunder3497]

One of the best home conversions l have seen without getting a bank loan. Its all great, but the curtains and the bed are totally awsome, l'm steeling those ideas 🚌👍

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Hahaha thank you and you are very welcome!

[@sheeliza]

Hi ... love your honesty about being a total noob! Me too! I just acquired a hiace wide body commuter and it still has its seats inside. I am interested to see myself learn how to do all this conversion stuff! Just a wee bit daunted.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Just don’t rush it man and it’ll be all good, and if you’re not sure about something do a practice run, I did heaps of practice cuts and glues etc before doing it to the van

[@caitlinkaye1339]

hey! for the access point with the leather tab, I wonder if a sneaky magnet under the thin layer could have done the job. the tab and even the consideration of having access was really clever and sleek regardless!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

My other magnets are failing me, this way is very tight as our roads are very bumpy but no matter what as those tiles got sun they have expanded a little around this whole and no longer sit perfectly flat. It’s still very workable and still looks nice, but not how I’d do it next time.

[@laurzkw3674]

So simple and cost effective! Awesome work

[@michaeljohn7398]

Nice and simple. Good narrative and video work. Thankyou. Cheers from Michael. Australia.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Cheers neighbor

[@oneeyedphotographer]

13;40 There are sucker cups you can get that are designed to pull out small dents, those would be more than ample for lifting those panels.

[@lilychor4292]

Looks amazing! Can't wait to see the finished look.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

That's rillly ♥️♥️

[@SamTaylors]

Van looks awesome man. Can’t wait to see the places you take it to

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

You and me both buddy

[@SamTaylors]

When is the Part 2 coming man? Some of us are stuck in the English winter and want to see a bit of Southern Hemisphere sunshine. Get the van going and give us a road trip/tutorial in the field! Need to see some sunshine and beautiful kiwi vistas 😄

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Hahaha it'll be after Christmas, but it's coming man, I do really appreciate the encouragement though 😊😊

[@trevorweeks1611]

inspirational! thankyou for posting. Just about to start on my hiace. one question if you don't mind? What thickness is your flooring ply?

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

I think I went 9 or 12mm, I can’t recall but with the bracing underneath and the tiles on top it’s very solid

[@trevorweeks1611]

Yes.thankyou. I was thinking 12mm. and like you I was going to try and not fasten anything down on the floor. I want this van to be multi purposed. So thankyou for your idea on fastening through the pre-existing wall panel panel holes.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

No worries and all the best

[@oliverhamilton5296]

Hi mate, just had an idea for the floor hatch to get rid of the leather tag. Could glue on a plate of metal underneath and buy a strong magnet that could be used to lift it up if required. The top flooring layer may be too thick for this, but worth a shot?

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

That is a good idea, and I could carve out enough of under the tile to get the metal plate (I’d actually suggest a second magnet) very close to the surface. BUT…after using this for about a year now the leather really is fine, though the square cover has warped in the heat a little because it’s not actually attached to the tiles around it so no longer sit perfectly flush. It’s not enough to stub ya toe, but it no longer looks perfect, and still not sure how I’d get around this and keep easy access to that pump

[@ChrisTurnerPhotographer]

Nice one man looks clean and tidy

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Cheers bro, I was really inspired by your one.

[@ChrisTurnerPhotographer]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography good base vans to start with eh. Cool channel man just found it today after the van video lol

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Tons of space, I think I'd be happy with less space but also wouldn't want to go smaller haha. And cheers bro, really appreciate it

[@NickGranville]

Man, it’s uncanny how much that looks like my campervan. I have a jumbo Hiace too and did a very similar layout based on Chris turners van but with a few changes.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Yeah Chris’s inspired mine a little as well but like you, I wanted mine to suit my needs

[@katee197]

Best video I have seen! Thank you!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Hahaha thank you

[@oneseekinglight9491]

You mentioned that you insulated the ceiling. Just wondering if that means it is easy to replace the original ceiling back in after doing this? Thanks

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Yes I found it easy to do so, I spent a long time wanting to change the ceiling but in the end keeping the same one was just to cheap. Installing it back with the insulation was a smidge tricky but I still managed it on my own

[@internalcombustion8744]

man you had me sitting here reconnecting my ear phones like 10 times 😂 only plays through one side

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Yeah error with this message me video sorry and didn’t want to reupload it when I found out like a week later

[@tianawilson4943]

You done an amazing job

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Thank you

[@jessielongmuir1063]

Mate this is such a good video! What's the name of your video with the floor conversion? Starting mine shortly!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

I didn’t really film much of making the floor sorry as I was filming another project at the same time and wasn’t expecting the van to be so popular But this video here covers the floor a little kzbin.info/www/bejne/hauqYYWsaqmrnNU

[@jessielongmuir1063]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography That video is perfect! Thanks for your speedy reply :D

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

All the best

[@peterspillane7115]

Nice build.👍. How long and wide is the bed base? Cheers

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

I can't remember the exact dimensions but I googled matress measurements first. I then brought my double matress and built the bed frame to fit it, but the storage boxes beside the bed can be removed to fit in a king sized mattress. Most mattress are the same length just different widths.

[@1Polglen]

Thanks for your video, you just confirmed I need to make a hatch in the floor for that mystery bolted on plate in the floor by the door. No idea what it is. I have a smaller Toyota van I'm just starting to work on as my retirement project. Questions.. What was the bung, plug you used to cover the bolt to the spare tyre? And where can you buy wool insulation as it seems you can only order it on line? I thought you need a breather pipe for the waste water tank as part of the compliance regulations? Thanks. Good descriptions in your video. I like the idea of the aluminium L bracket down the side of the van.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

The bung cover was just something I found around home, I'd look around hardware and plumbing stores until you find something that suits and then make your hole to that size. Yes waste needs a breather and that is still to be installed. And I got my wool insulation from www.terralana.co.nz/ You can get it from miter10 etc but direct was cheaper and a lot faster. I got one bag of the thinnest wall insulation and one of the thinnest ceiling insulation for my whole van, but I don't think I'll quiet have enough left to finish my curtains

[@1Polglen]

Thank you.

[@jessengaia4686]

Thanks for sharing bro, awesome to watch & awesome to hear as well.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Thank you!

[@jimpollard7440]

Your prentation is great. No Fuss. Any details on the van? Did you buy it new? If not approx cost and kms.

[@chirsd666]

Nice conversion Thomas. How are the boondocking options there in NZ? Many restrictions?

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Boondocking?

[@chirsd666]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Boondocking = camping in your campervan overnight in places not designated for camping. That's what we call it in North America.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Ohhh it's called freedom camping here. It depends on each region/state, they all have thier places you can and can't stay. There is a motorhome society that if you're a member of give you a big list of cheap / free locations all over the country

[@seamydobbsno1]

Fair play to you mate!!

[@garydurandt4260]

Thanks for this mate, what did you do about the seat belt anchor brackets in the sidewalls, did you cut them out?

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Ohhhh I don't recall sorry, I definitely didn't cut anything out so mine had already been removed

[@tonyedwards8067]

Awesome effort Bro !!! 👍

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Thank you

[@maverickkiwi]

Hey, have just come across your video. Great job! I am also converting a Hiace in NZ, and I was wondering what wool insulation you used. Cheers!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Terra lana is the company. Ceiling for the ceiling and walls or the walls. 2 bags was enough for my van but I just had to order a third as I'm doing my windows with it as well

[@maverickkiwi]

Awesome, thanks!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Any time 🙂

[@orical2832]

Great vid. 👍🏻

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Thank you!

[@mareegourley7484]

hi. how did you atttach the wool insulation to the roof of your van? assuming you have done this.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

I got kind of lucky with it hooked/snagged on each side. And then as my ceiling is in strips I pressed it up into place with the ceiling holding it up. A extra person to help would have made this easier but as I have long arms to arrange things as I pin the ceiling up it wasn’t too bad. Hope this makes sense/helps

[@mareegourley7484]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography wow! you're fast! I have a much older Hiace hitop and the ceiling has a thin dark grey kind of coarse felt just glued straight to the metal, right down to windows. so I don't think your method would work. Think I can probably get some wool in behind the side linings though - might help a bit on these cold nights!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

A big thing with insulation if you don’t cover pretty much everything, it doesn’t work that well. Over the top is best

[@brianrollins3245]

genius to build with no holes in the floor.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Thank you

[@orange42]

Do you need ventilation at night or is it big enough to keep the windows shut?

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

As soon as you add ventilation you really compromise on insolation, I was planning to add a vent, but so far I’ve had zero condensation, I think it has something to do with my window installation covers and how they sit right against the glass as things are working out really well BUT I’ve yet to do a test in extreme cold…but you could ask me how extreme cold went in about two weeks time and I’ll have a answer for you

[@orange42]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Ah I was thinking more of oxygen and CO2 but I just looked it up and as long as there isn't any combustion going on it's plenty of air.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Oh I never thought of it that way, but yeah I’d never cook inside, and haven’t run out of oxygen yet, I’ve stayed maybe 15 nights in the van so far.

[@youngmers]

Can you stand up in that van enough head room???

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

I’m 6foot tall and if my head is down I can stand up, like if I bunch a little, enough space to comfortably get changed but not enough to fully stand. But now that I’ve been using it a lot more the head space hasn’t been a issue at all, as I normally spend all day hiking etc so standing isn’t a high Priority once I get back to the van

[@neildrd]

I don't get it - all this van carpentry/reno effort. Just need a row of fold-up seats at front (as some Hiace models have) for when there's extra passengers and then leave the area behind open. Just need to build a simple fold away bed. Carry your gear in plastic totes. Use a portable camp stove, water jug etc. Keep it simple and flexible so you can put your bikes inside or hang some tarps and haul dirty stuff/yard waste or otherwise move large stuff etc. Easy peazy and practical.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Nothing at all wrong with anyone doing anything they like to suit their needs and tastes

[@brendanlister883]

Hey bro, shall we hang out soon... in stereo?

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

....in stereo?

[@brendanlister883]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Yeah bro, right speaker not working for you?

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Is my audio mono?

[@brendanlister883]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Its hard left bro when you talk it's all left hand side... I thought it was me for second, but checked and it's all left. the music is stereo though...

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Urghhhh gutted. Can't fix it now sadly.

[@trentdoyledoyletrent]

Toyota hiace not too small?!!? May buy one is all!!!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Size has been fantastic so far for just me

[@trentdoyledoyletrent]

Ok, can you inbox me how much the fit out cost sorry haven’t watched the whole thing yet apologize if it’s said!

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

Maybe $2000 nzd including mattress, insulation and sink etc, at a guess

[@trentdoyledoyletrent]

@@ThomasBusbyPhotography thanks! Have a similar budget myself

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

All the best

[@ibrahimm4325]

شكرا

[@alfonsdeml284]

What happened to part 2. I like what you did, quit cleaver.

[@ThomasBusbyPhotography]

It’s here in the channel, with parts 3 and 4 as well kzbin.info/www/bejne/epe4hoCKjN1lkLc