for a minute I thought you said gear and sheep...

Hello, Bjorn,

If you search this archive, there is plenty of advice re vans. You can also try here:
http://forums.boards.mpora.com/showthread.php/53904-Van-fit-outs-A-compendium

HiAce: excellent parts availability, reliable, durable.

VW and Mercedes: expensive parts (but there are second-hand and non-genuine importers), make sure there is a local mechanic or shop near you who can work on them.

Hyundai iLoad: a real challenge to Toyo, Mercs and VW and worth giving serious consideration. Get the diesel, manual transmission spec. Good load space and excellent driving characteristics (much better than Toyos, but not the Euros).

Ford Transit: only get the VM model and the later the better. The load space, even on the FWD SWB model, will blow your mind.

Just remember: on front-wheel drive vehicles, if a clutch goes, the whole engine and transmission has to be removed = quite expensive.

Pitfalls: watch out for rust beginning in the load space, the floor and behind plywood wall protectors. Seek advice in the Forum (there???s some excellent advice from a dude named WindmanV ). Have a look at Valvoline Tectyl 506, which dries faster than deodourised fish oil.

Hope this helps.



Flanagaj: the Hiace in the UK was the SBV here and it was deleted from the Oz range in (I think) the early 2000???s, because of poor sales. The current-shape HiAce in Oz has not been taken up in the UK because of engine-emission standards. You can Google for info. Toyo UK are looking to badge-engineer from a Euro manufacturer for their next HiAce (Google again).

Windxtasy said..

for a minute I thought you said gear and sheep...

Ha ha. Not a kiwi.

I've just got my self a Vito and love it, it drives grate cheap to run and lots of room. Do your homework and get whatever you decide on get it checked out.

WindmanV said...
Hello, Bjorn,

If you search this archive, there is plenty of advice re vans. You can also try here:
http://forums.boards.mpora.com/showthread.php/53904-Van-fit-outs-A-compendium

HiAce: excellent parts availability, reliable, durable.

VW and Mercedes: expensive parts (but there are second-hand and non-genuine importers), make sure there is a local mechanic or shop near you who can work on them.

Hyundai iLoad: a real challenge to Toyo, Mercs and VW and worth giving serious consideration. Get the diesel, manual transmission spec. Good load space and excellent driving characteristics (much better than Toyos, but not the Euros).

Ford Transit: only get the VM model and the later the better. The load space, even on the FWD SWB model, will blow your mind.

Just remember: on front-wheel drive vehicles, if a clutch goes, the whole engine and transmission has to be removed = quite expensive.

Pitfalls: watch out for rust beginning in the load space, the floor and behind plywood wall protectors. Seek advice in the Forum (there???s some excellent advice from a dude named WindmanV ). Have a look at Valvoline Tectyl 506, which dries faster than deodourised fish oil.

Hope this helps.



Flanagaj: the Hiace in the UK was the SBV here and it was deleted from the Oz range in (I think) the early 2000???s, because of poor sales. The current-shape HiAce in Oz has not been taken up in the UK because of engine-emission standards. You can Google for info. Toyo UK are looking to badge-engineer from a Euro manufacturer for their next HiAce (Google again).

Best most objective van post I've seen. Awesome. Thank you!

^^^^No room for the sheep but a short man can sleep in there no problem. Through the side door I've got a single mattress, you can see the yellow and blue sleeping bag on it.

jh2703 said..

Turbo diesel iLoad is what I have, Great to drive with heaps of power an great fuel economy. I've had mine for 4 years now and done 900000 kms,

you have done just under a million km's in 4 years ?

jh2703 said..

Turbo diesel iLoad is what I have, Great to drive with heaps of power an great fuel economy. I've had mine for 4 years now and done 900000 kms, it did blow a motor and a turbo in the first year but it's been trouble free since(replaced under warranty). Services are expensive that's the only downfall, I've got enough room for a bed 4 boards and a quiver of sail as well as all the other stuff that goes with windsurfing.

Wow!

Im in need of a new car and was thinking a holden combo would fit the bill. Does anyone know whether you can fit a 230cm board in above the seats in the upper shelf?

H I A C E.

zacd said...
Im in need of a new car and was thinking a holden combo would fit the bill. Does anyone know whether you can fit a 230cm board in above the seats in the upper shelf?

NO WAY!! WORLD'S WORST CAR!!! A company I worked for as a tradie had 3. They were always in the shop and only had 120K on them. The 3 of them used at least a litre of oil a week and we replaced 2 clutches, a gearbox and a motor in the 6 months I worked there. They were dogs to drive and visibility was down-right dangerous (worse than a HQ Sandman I once owned). Just Google it, you'll see what I mean.

Sprinter Van Mercedes Diesel does 21 mile per gallon. I still have about 6 feet behind the driver seat empty, going to set it up in the spring with small fridge,TV and a bed.
It will fit about 17 boards and 25 sail with no problem

any van generally good. better if parts are cheap but with this you may sacrifice a bit of comfort.

i had a 98 mazda e2000. went from bris to WA and back then last summer down to Tas and back. my only negative on these vans is that you sit right on the engine which makes the front cabin sooooo bloody hot! also, make sure you have aircon. it gets pretty hot driving across the nullabor.

in terms of fitting out a van, we just made a wooden frame and screwed it to the floor (might not want to do this with a newer van). i fitted all my gear underneath or 4 peoples gear in the whole van (if gear is put on the bed).

enjoy, vans are fun :)

$2500
4WD Mitsi Delica



3 x Boards
4 x Sails
3 x Booms
3 x Masts
+ enough room to stretch out