Toyota Estima Van Conversion Tour!

Tour of the interior of our 1992 Toyota Estima Emina van.
A total conversion has been completed to turn this minivan into a little home on wheels. We have been driving it around New Zealand for a month now and have more kms to go!
We cannot claim credit for this conversion, as we purchased it from other backpackers. Whoever did it though did a great job!

[@debslifesimplified6406]

My favorite is the bed turning into a table and bench seats. Love the simple kitchen. Nice and to the point. Love your build.

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Thank you!

[@lweleven3423]

Very nice back side 😂😂😂 great little conversation

[@tinabeane]

Time Machine Button!!!! ;) Very cool setup, love the table, back kitchen setup and the clothesline.

[@arielasummit]

Brilliant tour Jenna! The van conversion is awesome...and you look pretty happy. Love you guys

[@danieladams2986]

I wish you both many joyful adventures. Brilliant video

[@grahambowman5077]

I watched this and loved what I saw so much that I bought one! a 1993 2.4 petrol auto.....I Love it!

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

That's AWESOME! Love it!

[@user-gp8zf3xd3t]

This is the best camper for Estima. Great, tasteful. Thank you for the wonderful video. Go on, you're doing great.

[@kelliethorne1200]

Great conversion! Love that table!

[@123olic]

Wow. I'm on the Verge of buying a Toyota Estima here in England so I can travel all of Europe this summer. Your video has help me ALOT! I love the set up and the fact you can easily turn the bed into a living room. I think I'm going to build my little van into how you guys have done it, it's perfect :) Hope you both had an amazing time in New Zealand. I too did a whole year in a van there and absolutely LOVED it! Winter got a little cold but I delt with it ok :D. Thanks so much for your video! Hope you're both doing well. Olly :)

[@subspaceanomaly]

did you buy? I bought an 90's estima in the uk last year, have camped in it by just shoving a double mattress on top of the back seats folded down but currently just doing a quick refurb. Kept one captain's chair but took the others out.

[@DmitryKlimov72]

Nice review! I had same car and at this time I have the 4-th Toyota estima (in the nearest time I'm going to buy 5-th). It's easy to get on this car, but it's hard to find a replacement ... Toyta Estima forever!

[@dianavega9291]

Love your setup.

[@maubert82]

Just like a boat with all the nooks and crannies! Awesome to see you guys :-)

[@vuilgatmusic7333]

Oh man, great conversion and video! This makes me want to do a video on my Previa (Estima) conversion.

[@pjstuey4770]

woodpecker bay, got to love the coast road :)

[@RubenLopez-gm1gp]

Nice video

[@user-vg6pj2my2n]

Awesome! We have a 2003 Estima and going on a 4200 km trip. And back again! But I haven't started converting it yet. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@yarno_the_irondad9685]

thanks for all the explanation about the toyota estima. Considering also to buy one in May when I will go to NZ.

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Enjoy your time in NZ! It's amazing!

[@robertpitre6074]

Very nice video ,it's the best set-up i ever seen about van conversion and god know i saw alot,your table and kitchen are awsome!!i wich you alot of nice trip !!! Robert from Québec,Canada

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Thank you so much for your feedback!

[@kishorveliyam]

Very nice.

[@danimaster1969]

Very good prezentation guys. We want to go to a New Zealand tour in December and January.

[@janetohuchi8726]

The mystery button is Japanese...it says: HEATER!!

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Thank you!

[@user-mb6qn5nw4h]

That's a great conversion! Smart table especially. The button is in Japanese and not telling to "transform the vehicle into a robot". It's telling " Heater priority for rear sheets". So it might be useful in winter while you are chilling in your sweet table area.

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Thanks!

[@sweetbabysean]

awesome van! I was looking at my analytics and it says that I got a bunch of views on my video as up next from your video :))) well done!

[@bruceleeky]

Hi Matt and Jenna, you guys are awesome. In regards with the Japanese words on the dashboard, it means "priority given to the rear" I think it is about the aircon. Don't you worry it is nothing about booster or other. I am a traveller myself and I like your videos and estima conversion! Love you guys

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Thank you!

[@abk9314]

i love this layout

[@jaahdajinnahgoeswalkabout6819]

I've got one of those buttons too!! And always been scared of it ;-)

[@skiddy1984]

Awesome video, can't wait to see more of your adventures and live vicariously through you both. Call me childish, but when I read the description I read it as "enema" lol.

[@pifkingmail5584]

How much headroom does it have for a 6ft person?

[@russian_friend555]

Thnak yoy so mutch! Want to buy estima 2007 at this year for camper - and your video best motivation to give a choice)

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Awesome...we loved the estima! good luck!

[@tonychan5388]

That's a very Cools layout , it's a very good reference for my 2004 Estima from Japan to Sydney. The switch marked in Japanese and Chinese means " Rear seat has priority for Air-Con service " nothing else, it is safe to try it if the air outlets were not blocked... Happy New Year and All The Best

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Thank you!

[@shanekelley7682]

I've got a 96 Lucida amazing car!

[@marvelous_molecules9022]

also that means rear heat that Japanese button

[@sun6v546]

U R the king of the road , Mite . have a wonderful journey of LIFE . U R sooooooooooooo lucky ..... :)

[@anthonyfloyd2785]

Hello Matt & Jenna. I am doing a similar build for my Previa and I have a question. How did you change your oil with the access point underneath the drivers seat? Did you remove the cargo box behind the drivers seat?

[@hyeyoungkim5196]

The button is for the heater of the back seat. I think.

[@kevinwizardo2508]

The Mystery Button is for the Rear Heat, you hit that button then turn on the rear fan, should blow hot, just check the coolant after just in case!

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

good tip!

[@vickimathews1970]

Katakana alphabet used for borrowed words, the first one is "hi" second one is "ta" with a long sound for both, so sounds like heetar (phonetically).

[@andre3434]

Heya, do you have a picture of the wooden base layout and dimensions? I'm from NZ and just got a Toyota Estima... We LOVE your conversion and want to do the same bed/table layout! Thanks

[@colonelcasserole]

Thanks for this guys! Great tour, especially the table/bed set up! Is your engine beneath the passenger seat in the 92 estima? If so are you able to access it easily with the bed/bench set up? We are about to build our bed in a 97 estima but trying to find a design where we are able to flip the passenger seat right back to access the engine. Thanks and great job :)

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Hayley Reid thank you! Yes the engine access is under the passenger seat and we had no problems getting to it with this set up! I considered showing that in the tour but wasn't sure how interested people would be in that. darn, I wish I had! Good luck with your conversion...excited for you!

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Hayley Reid should mention it didn't go all the way back but it was easy enough to access when needed :)

[@anakkedahstudio3012]

good video..old estima reliable and cheap👍👍

[@TEKNOFIED]

Love it. I hope you had a great time. Hopefully, the next owner enjoys the van as much as you both did. That Japanese button is for rear heat but what it actually does when pressed is blow hot or cold air through the door vents to direct air to the back of the van.

[@Stefeasy1]

Where did you buy the squab/cushion things that you sleep on from?

[@Toronto_Life_Diary]

that switch is for the boss (VIP)in the back seat to take over A/C and heat ,

[@beckyjones8437]

How does the bed/ table work? Looking to build one in my camper so would be great to see that part/ its workings in more detail!

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Sorry we sold the van but I can try to explain for you. The two storage areas were basically simple rectangular boxes. The middle piece (the table) rested on supports beside edges of those rectangles. The middle piece had one hinge on the bottom side closer to the window for the entire piece to pop up, and another hinge just a bit further in on the bottom so that the table could fold down.

[@tastingchina4026]

That button means rear seats got priority

[@kimrice3740]

Its is super sweet

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

thanks!

[@tessmoonwalker5717]

Pro tip when in a toyota or Nissan . Google lens with the google translate app can help. Or.. take it to any toyota or nissan dealership and they should know. :)

[@lushash678910]

Can I ask where you got the separate mattress sections? Also what you used to support the table section of the bed when it was being used as a bed? Thanks!

[@Useaname]

There's a great place in the UK called Bumble Campers. They convert these vehicles to campers and hire them out. Check out their website and see a nice conversion.

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Unfortunately we didn't do the conversion ourselves so I'm not sure, but I think it was a foam mattress cut into sections. I would try The Warehouse! For the table, there was an additional piece of wood added to the edge that the bed could rest on. Does that make sense? Sorry, hard to explain!

[@lushash678910]

Matt & Jenna Travel - X/Y not? Yeah I think I understand thank you!

[@robertpitre6074]

And for the knob,i think it's for ejectable seats!!!hang on!!

[@RubenLopez-gm1gp]

I like it

[@user-js4rc9bb8x]

COOL!

[@alanmac8807]

Do you think this would be suitable for someone 6,3 - 193cm or would I have to do without the little kitchen at back?

[@carlerdelt9048]

we have an estima too! can you tell me how you bring the curtains on?

[@veronikaculejova7869]

Hello guys! You have done a wonderful job! I am organising currently interior of my toyota previa in New Zealand. And wondering, how did you make the curtains rails or whatever is there, looks very handy. I hope it's not simply original designed by toyota :D Thanx a lot!

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Hi Veronika, the curtain rails were already there -- the curtains were just replaced and tacked onto the existing hardware. Sorry I can't help!

[@veronikaculejova7869]

@@mattjennatravel-xynot2718 Oh, my bad luck:D .. Thank you for this information anyway:) Take care guys!

[@jaahdajinnahgoeswalkabout6819]

I tried getting curtains made for mine - but it was difficult cos there is nowhere to drill into. I'm still trying to solve this one. Yes - I too am interested in how they made those curtains. I don't really fancy Reflectics. I'm going to a van builder soon - I'll discuss this problem. I'll come back with the answer.

[@paulobarros4666]

Could you please tell us the name of the filming location? It is beautiful. Thank you.

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Hi Paul, this is on Highway 6, on the west coast of the South Island. North of Punakaiki and south of Charleston, I believe. The highway in this section hugs the coast and it is truly beautiful!

[@paulobarros4666]

Matt & Jenna Travel - X/Y not? Thank you so much.

[@marvelous_molecules9022]

in America its called the previa but the previa tail lights and the head lights look nothing like that but everything else in the van is kind of the same except for the door placement is n the other side also in austrailia its called the tarago

[@suzymiller4482]

Could you please link where you got your rain shields? I have a Previa and don't know what kind to get. Plz and thank you.

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Sorry, no idea--they were already on the van when we bought it!

[@danhoward6174]

did you strip the plastic guards on the inside

[@michellehavre6821]

you are lucky the car is a Toyota. reliable and wont let you down. Just wondering what you do if there is a breakdown?

[@Previalegend]

How much did you pay for the van?

[@bradfordman1]

"Rear seat priority heater". That's literally the translation. Just checked lol

[@zddin6962]

Cool... look nice , i had 0ne this estimar super chager i will convet it hihi...

[@phillkustom1493]

That button activates the Flux Capacitor!

[@StevieLynn]

the button is for warp speed

[@nilsstabler2056]

how large is your bed area? could this work for me with 185cm?

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Matt is 5'11" (180 cm) and it was fine for him, just big enough. You might find it a little bit tight but depending on how many people you have sleeping in there, you could sleep on the diagonal and it would probably be ok.

[@charliechang7186]

The Japanese reads "Rear Seat Priority", probably the blast of AC fans will shift to the rear with full blast. But judging the video was 2018,..... this info is late , very late ....hahaha

[@1618RSP]

the switch is for the rear seat heaters

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

1618RSP kind of irrelevant now with those long gone...wouldn't it be nice if it heated the bed instead? :)

[@alexandramcleod2079]

What about insurance with the modifications? Cheers

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

The insurance process in NZ was super simple and we had no problem at all.

[@douglasfursdon1741]

The mystery swith on dash is rear hestet on my Toyota Estima van that you r wondering what is it for at 4:68 to 5 minutes

[@onyxaries]

It has curtains all around so we can have some quiet time 😂😂😂😂

[@latifatip6288]

same! i came here to know what the hell is tht button... btw u got original seat:p ..

[@coryvosspeter680]

Wondering where the waste water goes and where is the toilet?

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Hi Corrie, this is not a self-contained van. Therefore you would need to camp at a campsite with a toilet and grey water facilities. I highly suggest the campermate app to find suitable campsites and public toilets in NZ. :) Thanks for your question.

[@Michael-bq8uu]

Its not a van its a waggon, in Australia anyway 😊

[@marvelous_molecules9022]

wait thats not an estima its an estima lucida or estima emina

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

It's an Emina

[@robbietheretrorobot949]

Great vans, very versatile. Ive done a few conversions on these now. Check out my 1st conversion on my channel. 👍

[@TheSprungschanze]

Hey guys, just wondering if I will have enough space for sleeping since I am almost 1.90m tall. There will be a second person in the car who is not my girlfriend :-)

[@ianmcnab2519]

THis van cannot be used for Freedom camping in NZ as it does not meet the NZ standard for self containment . No usable toilet , where do you tip the water after washing dishes etc , NOT acceptable to be tip out into the enviroment. if using this Van you MUST stay in a camping ground . Liable for instant fine if caught freedom camping . Be aware.

[@mattjennatravel-xynot2718]

Thanks for you comment Ian. Indeed, this is not a self-contained van. Therefore you would need to camp at a campsite with a toilet and grey water facilities. I highly suggest the campermate app to find suitable campsites and public toilets in NZ. :)

[@devindakandaramage1128]

Very messy van

[@Useaname]

Very messy name