by When overlanding enthusiasts talk about ultimate Toyota off-road rigs, the Land Cruiser 70 Series usually dominates the conversation. However, Australian builder Headspace Campers chose a different route, transforming a humble commercial van into a serious 4×4 overlander capable of tackling extreme terrain.
The project started with an Australian-spec Toyota HiAce LWB panel van. The LCV is different from the cab-over HiAce sold in Japan, as it has a front-engine layout and a larger footprint. While the donor vehicle is rear-wheel-drive, this one has been converted into 4WD with a transfer case from the Land Cruiser 200 Series, low-range gears, and air-locking differentials.
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In order to further improve its off-road credentials, the team fitted the van with a heavy-duty suspension including adjustable remote-reservoir shocks and massive 35-inch Toyo Open Country Mud Terrain tires wrapped around 16-inch wheels.
Headspace Campers / YouTube
These upgrades result in a generous ground clearance of 300 mm (11.8 inches), which is more than any factory Land Cruiser. In fact, the company tested the HiAce against a modified Land Cruiser 70 Series camper and the results were impressive.
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Visually, the van is retrofitted with off-road steel bumpers, a snorkel, steel bash plates, a heavy-duty winch, a dual spare wheel carrier, electronic side steps, side awnings, and a pop-top roof conversion with a roof rack. The rest of the bodywork remains largely stock, as with the halogen headlights and the factory French Vanilla (white) shade.
More Room Inside The Cabin
Headspace Campers / YouTube
Where the HiAce stands out over traditional off-roaders is its interior packaging. With a cargo area length of 2,740 mm (107.9 inches) and an available cargo space of 6,200 lt (219 cubic feet), the van outshines practically any SUV.
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The extra room allowed Headspace Campers to fit an indoor pop-up shower with a hot water system, a convertible downstairs lounge with a seating area that converts into a bed, and a generously equipped slide-out kitchenette with a dual-burner induction cooktop, sink, refrigerator, and more.
The electrically operated aluminum pop-up roof adds a second sleeping area with a 1,450 mm (57.1 inches) wide by 2,100 mm (82.7 inches) long bed featuring a memory foam mattress, massive interior height, large canvas windows, and timber ceiling with integrated LED lighting, USB charging ports, and storage pockets.
To keep everything running off-grid without a generator, the camper houses a 48V electrical architecture backed by a massive 200 Ah lithium battery. According to the company, this allows occupants to run dual air fryers, induction cooking, refrigeration, and split-system air conditioning simultaneously through the night.
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Furthermore, the HiAce features underbody water tanks and long-range fuel tanks with a total capacity of 275 liters (72.6 US gallons) of diesel. The 2.8-liter turbodiesel powertrain remains untouched, producing 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) and up to 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. The van has a payload capacity of 1,500-1,600 kg (3,307-3,527 lbs) and a towing capacity of 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs).
How Much Does It Cost?
In terms of pricing, Headspace Campers offers two packages for the HiAce camper conversion. The standard package costs AU$ 18,950 (US$ 13,600) and the premium one commands AU$ 27,590 (US$ 19,800) before engineering and installation costs.
However, if you want the bigfoot stance and off-road prowess you’ll need to pay extra for the 4WD conversion, the uprated suspension, and the 35-inch tires. As for the donor vehicle, the starting price of a Toyota HiAce LWB in Australia is AU$ 56,395 (US$ 40,500), meaning that the pictured build is well into six figures. Headspace Campers announced they will soon present a new HiAce 4×4 build with an even longer bodywork.
