About to join the club... am i making the right choice??

Just joined so hello.

I've been planing an overland trip from the UK round central asia & north africa. Am a few months from departure and still haven't got a van, mainly because i cant decide what to go for.

But i keep coming across the Toyota Hiace in my research, and am in position to buy one from auction in japan!

Little bit nerve racking as if its wrong I'm stuck with it... What i really want to know is how likely is it to break down on me!

I've been looking at a Hi Top, LWB, 4x4 one. The 2.something TD, the model number is LH119. Its got about 90k miles but looks in good shape outside, waiting to hear bout inside.

Im prepared to spend do quite a bit of servicing before departure, but its better to start with something good.

So is it any good? any comments, as I really am unfamiliar with these vans... Im worried about getting an automatic for a trip like this, should I be?

Scuse my ignorance!

Thanks.

Auto no problem.
Major mechanics, well they are sold the World over so anything that may break can be sourced quickly.
It's the minor and mostly electrical stuff on the SC that may be harder to fix but nothing that should stop the bus being used.

New tyres and brake overhaul a must.

I would recommend that the charging system is checked over and a new battery fitted as a precaution. Other than that a good service and maybe one midway.

Oh and loads of photos!

no worries on the reliabillity side but my 2.8 4x4 auto can sure drink the juice.... gonna be a hell of a lot of fuel stops...mines an LHII9 by the way.. ....

I only have the 2wd van, but I've taken it some hairy places around QLD! It's made two trips from Brisbane to Melbourne and back, and never misses a beat. The aircon gets so cold that even when it was 45C outside through the middle of Aus in the summer, we had to turn it off.

Just a thought... if its going for so much use and going to be so heavily relied on, sure you want to buy without trying, not better to buy when you're there?

Personally im chuffed with my van. "Slight" problem with starting at the moment but nothing else in the 3 years i've had mine.

glow plugs ?

Hey!

Thanks for all the encouraging thoughts... Didn't go for the import as I had some doubts about the state of it from the pics. Instead I'm going to a garage to have a look at a few tomorrow. Very Exciting!

And yes! I will take LOTS of photos! will post the best super customs ones up here when i get back!

So new tyres (hoping to get some chunky AT ones), brake disks n pads, oil, tranz fluid, coolant and filters changed, any more pre prep you would recommend?

Cheers.

javascript:emoticonp('')

Booz!......Don't forget the booz!!!
For when you stop of course!

Well... I did it!

Got a 95, 4x4 2.8 hi top camper (back kitchen not side), with 40k miles on it...

Any tips for insurance in the UK??

Ill post some more info, pics and I'm sure LOTS of questions when i pick it up in a few weeks.

Cheers all!.

TobyB, I have my TOYOTA HIACE SUPER CUSTON for seven yr's now, and I am reluctant to sell it it off. I just want to buy another one, but a converted one. A caravenette. They are a superb motor, and normally very reliable. One thing you must not have is a heavy foot. They just don't like it and they will let you know. A tenner only last's me a fortnight..My van is like TALMAN'S. But I will put in my pic, I am sure I have one iin photobucket, somewhere. I havee some in the other HIACE site, but cannot remember the password. Old age I guesse.

BOB UPTH NORTH.................
]

welcome tobyb

Try Adrian flux, i got a cracking deal from them on mine and as its a 3rd motor i had no "no claims" to use !

Mine due in a couple of weeks with 'lifesure'....£323.62 fully comp...£30 of that is personal accident and legal protection...seem to remember I knocked that bit off last year to save costs......

One thing, you will find they are addictive. Hope it all works out for you

agree with that, i use mine as much as my normal hack these days....