I started my company by buying this Toyota Hiace, after a few years of faithful service it was retired and a newer work bus was bought. I then started to convert the old Hiace into a full off-grid campervan. While halfway in, I got contact by a customer that wanted the Hiace build to their specifications. I started to build it for them. I got hold of an original Toyota fiberglass high roof for an extended Hiace. Unfortunately I had a short wheel base so the roof had to be shortened. After the fiberglass was cut, it was all attached back together and bonded together with fiberglass and epoxy resin. It was then sealed and coated with a topcoat of paint used on boats matched to the color-code of the bus. The metal sheeting on the bus roof was cut open and the fiberglass roof was bonded to the bus.
The next step was to pull conduit for the wiring. The entire bus was insulated and the sides were all covered in black felt. A simple but sturdy interior was created with 18mm pine, a pull out bed, 2 large overhead cabinets, a kitchen and a fold away table completed the interior. A complete electrical system was created on board together with a 75 liter water system, solar panel, large roof fan, diesel heater, roll up curtains and a very large battery on board finished the interior.
The exterior was changed by adding an awning, outside lights, functional bull bar, the suspension was raised and 4×4 wheels and tires were added to complete the bus.
The work was 100% done by myself (with my wife’s interference 😉 )
