Well... I'm in!

Hello!

I posted a while ago as I was thinkin of going for a Hiace SC for a massive overland trip. (HERE)

Well I'm In. Picked up a 95, 2.8l, high top AWD camper this weekend. Massively exciting, only had a few hours behind the wheel so far, and mostly on the M6, but other than a few little niggles, I'm pretty pleased... And have loads of questions for you fine people!

Where to start... Hmm:

- Well, maybe I'm being really thick here. But the ace was advertised as a 2.8L... but looking under the seats / engine cover (which is pretty weird to start with!) at the info plate, it says Engine 3L - Capacity 27xx... Im not much of a mechanic... but does that mean I have a 3L?

- When it comes to un-paved and off-road stuff, how does having the engine in the middle effect performance, handling and durability?

- For my trip I want to get a good stock of extra parts for easy servicing etc... Any recommendations of places in the UK to order these from?

- In the electrics (camper van bit) there is this odd silver box... and ideas what it is!?!



- What are the inner bolts on the wheel hub for? (should i be worried that there a bit rusty (didn't see them when I bought it as it had naff plastic trims on))



Im sure this is just the start of anoying and stuped questions from me... But feel free to take the piss to keep yourelfs amused!!

The silver box is an old Japanese time machine. Feel free to play with it at will. However please ensure your nuts are tightened before you adjust the dial.

Hi Toby

3L is the engine designation, i know its confusing, but it is a 2.8 you have.

The rusty nuts you have ( ointment ? ) are the hub, undo them if you need to remove the driveshaft, bit of surface rust is no problem, a bit of a grease wouldn;t do any harm though !

The engine is in a pretty good place, its quite high up so shouldn;t get caught, but being at the front it means the back end will always be lighter, not a problem as you have AWD, just makes RWD tricker for grip in mud / snow..

As for the silver box, enjoy your travels and sent a card, like Werx said, make sure your nuts are tightened tho :-)

Does it only have the 4 or five cables coming out of it?
Is that black white and three red? It's a bit hard to see...A couple more photos would be good.
It's odd that there's different ampere ratings on it otherwise I'd say maybe an inverter but those bigger cables don't seem to be going to it or that earth for that matter... Smart alternator/Charger maybe?
What's that big red cable going to that needs the heat sink(Cooling fins)? can you get a photo of that?
The other stuff around it might help us nut it out...

Basically I have no freekin idea

Excuse me while I go and learn Japanese!!!!!!

Oh yeah,
And the engine's still up front....your just sitting on it!!!

A bash plate to protect that radiator would be a good move too.

The inner nuts on the hub cover the 'gubbins' .......
If you wanted to I believe you could bolt on a Aisin freewheeling hub (as on older models) if you wanted...something like this...
http://www.aisinaftermarket.com/English/products/Free_Wheel_Hub.php
Not sure why...but the 4x4 forums would know....

Awesome thanks for the info on the CC's and Nuts.

BTW, I'll have you know rub my nuts with WD40 and wire wool every evening... keeps them shiny....

The big black cable goes from the battery down through the floor.

There are only 3 cables coming out of the Flux Capacitor, 1 red goes to the battery, one white goes to the fuses block, one black goes off through the whole in the floor!

The thing with the heat radiator fins is apparently the split charge relay!

RE: a bash plate... is this easy to make? My Dad is a farmer and has a guy who welds tractors back together, is it the sort of thing i could get him to improvise? Anyone done it? pics etc??

Also... can you get a Bull Bar for the ace? any ideas where? (thats Roo Bar for you Ozzies (or Boom Bar i heard it called once. I wont say the explanation!!))

You're on the money with the bash plate. Your dad's mate sounds like the guy for the job. I haven't made one up for mine yet but I've got a couple of sheets of thick Aluminum chequer plate under the house that would be perfect... (from memory It's around 5mm)You might want to use some slightly thinner sheet metal instead though... It's probably more likely around the farm(maybe 2mm or so) What ever you can pinch off your old man

You can get bull bars for them but since you're not in Oz I can't recommend any local shops...
Your dads welder mate should be able to make one fit if you can find a good second hand one that suites the profile of the Van(And doesn't look like it came off a tractor! )....Probably the cheapest way too!
Wreckers,Bull/Tow bar specialists,other farms!!!