Completely New to this, not only a Hiace Super Custom but

Hi all, newbie Super Custom new owner here from Coventry UK

First Hiace, first Toyota even and Jap import, I have so many questions to ask.........

I have had experience with Toyota and all things import after spending from 1996 to 2004 managing the local Toyota parts department here in Coventry, I know my way round the parts EPC

I have just bought a 1993 2.4td super custom, it has lots of fun toys and is in very good condition, need to get it insured which if anyone can point me in the right direction that will be great, I want to get it serviced which is easy enough and also fit some 17 or 18 inch alloys and drop it slightly. I believe the stud is 5 x 114.3 but what is et for searching other vehicle alloys that will fit, also who else has dropped one, the front is torsion bar? so a matter of winding down or undoing something on the torsion side and the back, can you get dropped springs or is it easier to cut a coil or two out?

Like I said, loads of questions from this ex-VW man and plenty to learn

Will post pics when at home

Hi Mick,

Nice to hear, picture of the van would be nice as well

So you have the Japanese version with the 2L-TE engine right? This is nice, since it is the only country (Japan) with that engine in the bus. The rest of the world only got the 1KZ 3.0 turbodiesel if they wanted something with a turbo.
I have your van, the Euro version, same engine without turbo, but I would like your turbo setup on it

Torsion bar can be wind down, there are bump stops in both directions.

You actually have coil springs in the back? I would expect leaf suspension.
In case of leaf suspension you can remove a leave and/or shorten the shackle at the back. Just check if the shock absorber has enough.

Please use search function, I think some people already did some lowering and big rims.
In the back you can fit some huge wheels, but not in the front because of steering clearance.

Just make sure that the coolant system is okay. So if the color isn't looking that good (or even if it is) just flush the coolant system a couple of times, and replace thermostat and radiatorcap (which is not on radiator but on the engine) while your at it.
This makes sure the coolant system is working well, that is basically the only danger of these vans. But if the coolant system is in good shape, you don't need to worry. I floor it going up the mountains (going very slow) and temperature does not rise at all!
If you had a VW T3 on diesel before, you may know it is virtually impossible to drive it up the mountain (on highway) without it getting hot.

Thanks for the reply, yes the 2l-te and thank you for the info on the jap market model only, full service is on the cards once my mk3 Vento has sold and I've insured this.  

Looking for a normal door mounted mirror as I really don't like the Jap market one, I need the nearside front indicator, do you know if its separate from the headlamp?

The van definitely has rear springs as my mate said he'll just chop out a coil or two    

Can't post pics from external links for 7 days apparently

Ok interesting! Im curious what mirrors you mean.

Could you post your model code? Something like LH118L-SBMWRW or so, can be found under the hood on tge grey plate with all the numbers

the model code is, have you the ability to list the spec of my new toy from that then

LH100G MRPGT
2L TE
2ON Colour
FH11 Trim

Ok nice, yeah I see the coil springs in the online EPC called toyodiy.com

http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/g_J_1993_TOYOTA_HIACE_LH100G-MRPGT.html

I knew about the 2L-TE, but not about coil springs.

Do you have air conditioning?

And what is the axle code? Should probably say something like G282 or so.

it does have a/c front and rear, switch on the panel on the rood before the moon roof,

the trans/axle code is A340E G144

struggling with insurance at the mo, I have had modified/classic policies for the last 12 years and no claims is not part of classic policies, so I'm having to go in with no no claims with import specialists and getting £1000+ quotes

Insurance - Adrian Flux were fine with me. I'm not insured for commuting but it's a "normal" mileage policy for about £250 pa. (This year's premium was actually lower than that- £145 with 4 years no-claims). Policy is underwritten by a company called Kinetic, if that's any help.
My wife and I are both over 50 with clean licenses and we live in rural Scotland, both of which no doubt help... but still....£1000 seems punitive, they don't want your business!
This is on a 2.8l diesel with no turbo, an imported superlong wheelbase model that wasn't sold in the uk.

Hope this helps... good luck and keep looking!

Cheers,
             W.

Hi,
      This is probably stating the obvious but I'd sort insurance before you make any mods... then ask what the effect would be of any mods you make before you carry them out...
If there's some reason why insurers are wary of you and your import, modifying it will only make them more so!!!

Once you have a quote, I guess you can ask what effect your mods would have, then decide, but it might be worth holding off making them until you can build up a record...

Sincere apologies if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs!!!!

Cheers,
             W.

Hi W

Don't worry, I've always been one to declare all mods on my toys, they will use any means possible to not pay out on a claim.......

With me having classic/modified policies for so long I've not had a normal policy for over 13 years, I think I'll go with who I am with on my Vento and just pay the extra £300 they want on top of what I paid last month to insure the Vento

I am looking up alloys though there are some diverse stuff out there at 5x114.3 and as long as the centre bore is 67.1 or more and offset 30/40 max I should find some lovlies for it, tweak the torsion bar at the front and cut a coil out of the springs and job done

mickB wrote:

I am looking up alloys though  there are some diverse stuff out there at 5x114.3 and as long as the centre bore is 67.1 or more and offset 30/40 max I should find some lovlies for it, tweak the torsion bar at the front and cut a coil out of the springs and job done

I'll be interested to see how you get on with finding wheels, i've had a hard job finding some, & when i did, they were about £700 for 16" without the tyres, all because they need to be rated for a van, so i'm getting the aftermarket ones i have refurbished.

Hey Mik,

If the van has a camper interior then you can get some insurance through one of the camping clubs. I insure my van through The Camping and Caravanning club for £223 fully comp, and includes domestic, social, and commuting, which is a bargain. Membership of the Camping and Caravanning club is £37 on top of that per year.

http://campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/membership/

Rich

Hi Rich, it hasn't got full camping interior, has the 2 sets of seats that swivel and drop into a bed, interior lighting, curtains but I have no cooking facility or table which I don't really want to put in, what's the minimum I could get away with to be classed as a camper?

Just realised I can add pics of it now, will upload when I get home tonight

Here is the new beast

mickB wrote:

what's the minimum I could get away with to be classed as a camper?

Good question: it varies.

Looking at the rules of Glastonbury is quite illuminating as they are definite and strict.
The main thing I picked up from them was a sink for cleaning teeth, making coffee etc.

A bed that fits too seems to be important - google for info and discussions.

My idea was to find a nice lightweight camping/tenting cabinet, stick a sink in top with a single tap system and bungee it onto one of the seats. That idea may change over time though . However the basics of light-weight, anchoring and temporary fitment of stuff that looks like it belongs is IMO key.

I know you were looking at changing the passenger side mirror, but if you added a fish eye mirror to it, which I think is why the mirror has that style of fitting, it will make a little more sense. It's great for getting your parking bang on and squeezing in and out of tight spots. Just a thought.

Bit of an update, still got loads I want to do, need to get that rear end down loads as I can then wind the front adjusters some more for a good drop all round but still with some rake, changed the front tyres to 225/50x16 so that's three different sets of alloys, and 4 different sizes of tyre so far lol
Roof rack is from a classic VW seller and I think it looks ace,