1992 Hiace 4wd RZH119 ex-Firetruck

[flx]

what a great build, thanks for sharing

Thanks!

Actually I'm quite behind the last progresses... Lot of things are in an "almost ready" state but will need to be ready one way or another in a few weeks to depart to Morocco.

Updated the kitchen with a 2nd tablet.


Detail on the gaz canister for the stove (single stove because I plan to have a 2nd one on liquid fuel to mix practicality and find anywhere).

Made a lightweight version of the bed (still not so light...), mostly to keep the mattress ventilated.

My small installation driver is a bit undersized for the task... Didi it but got reaaally hot and needed a few brakes to cool down.

Added a foldable foot because the very front is not very well supported by the rail...

 

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Finally started working again on the side console.

Added a ventilation, will be connected to my 60mm hole in the floor. Can be use both for fresh air ventilation from under the vehicle or to quick connect to my external heater.

Added openings and a countertop

Sink, this is one with a double slant so water is always evacuated even if not on flat ground.

Basic water system for now, with the Dometic faucet, so can easily rotate or move to b used out of the sink.

Notice the filter on top of the jug, it's an Hydrapak one made to be used with water pouches and their quick connect connector, the same used by the Dometic jug, so very easy to connect in the way. Simple, small and cheap.

The waster water jug can be flushed in place, no need to remove it.

I still need to add some kind of shelf here.

Using duffel/bags as cupboard for clothes.

Roof rack is still in progress... Won't do the full story but has been a long and complex story to even get something...

 

[flx]

Took care of the rear hatch, if you remember last year I added the original locking rod and a string to open the latch from inside (my model came without inside opening).
Decided to finally replace the string with the proper handle, which is still available new, as well as the mechanism that goes behind, even the screws... but the damn plastic insert to screw it on are on backorder... have been waiting for 2 months now so got fed up and went for the old tricks...

If it works it works

Not much space to add proper insulation inside the hatch but at lest I added some sound deadening (to stop hearing my gcc spec exhaust through the hatch xD ).

Replaced the aluminium plate by a wood one, and added a white/red light at the right height to be used in bed (and also to with the hatch open to light the area).

 

[littlevulture]

The interior is really starting to seem pretty functional. I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs on the trip.

 

[flx]

Time is getting close before departure...

Got some big fat wire to the roof

And a Garmin Powrswitch directly on the roof, will see how it survives the treatment xD

(didn't take a finished picture but the bus bar are enclosed)

And a Tread 8" for navigation and controlling the Powerswitch.

Put some Overland Fuel cans on the roof, will have 4 9L like that in 2 piles. 1 yellow for diesel (for the external heater) and 3 black for petrol.

I've put a big fatty led bar in the front and worklight all around that also have a warning mode.

And amber only on the left over the kitchen area.

Attached them a bit in a hurry for now but in the long run will do a proper bracket that will bring them closer to the side and avoid the shadow.

 

[flx]

Received the mattress!

(But still missing the matching seating cushion for the front trunk, there was a mistake in the making of the order)

Did the carpet properly

The missing door on the kitchen trunk

Flextrash and storage net

Magnetic connector (and cap) connected to the 60mm hole in my floor (that goes to the flat ventilation under the sink).

External heater connected to quick connects for 12V and hot air.

 

[flx]

Roof

Fuel cans will be piled 2 by side

 

[flx]

Hh

This morning I should have embarked on my ferry to Morocco but it got cancelled... So waiting for the next one on Saturday.

So in the meantime the last small improvements I made before to leave.

Finally got some diesel to test my Chinese heater. Magnetic coupler makes it really easy to setup. Controler comes with an extension cord allowing to have it inside the truck and regulate on temp.

Now waiting not too far from Marseille for my next ferry...

 

[flx]

Ready to embark!

 

[flx]

I am back and the Hiace survived. Only 1 thing failed on the Hiace, I'll let you try to guess what it is

Otherwise the Hiace did really well and I was able to climb over things I would haver never dared to try with it if it was not the only way in a middle of nowhere in a trail. the rear LSD is really doing miracles, I keep being impress by how much traction it gives and allows to climb big steps and very uneven terrain.
It's doing ok in soft sand if you know how to drive it but have a lot less space for mistakes than a real 4x4. Driving errors will get you buried way quicker (but as long as you don't you can manage to stay on top).
The relative lightweight of the Hiace helps also compared to a fully loaded for travel modern 4x4... and compared to a Sprinter it can be half the weight.

Th internal setup worked well... at least it didn't fall apart. But obviously I saw a lot of things I wanted to improve, add or change (was also the purpose of this trip) so I will now have quite a bit more work to do in it.

Will post some pictures along the coming days but I don't think I will do a day to day story.

4500km

Kitchen put to good use, outside and inside.

I need to find a roof rack installed shower cabin for ease of install (and limit wind or hard terrain problems) but the concept of the shower cabin next to the sliding door to go directly from the van to the shower and back to th van is really great!

 

[RevISK]

I am back and the Hiace survived. Only 1 thing failed on the Hiace, I'll let you try to guess what it is

Otherwise the Hiace did really well and I was able to climb over things I would haver never dared to try with it if it was not the only way in a middle of nowhere in a trail. the rear LSD is really doing miracles, I keep being impress by how much traction it gives and allows to climb big steps and very uneven terrain.
It's doing ok in soft sand if you know how to drive it but have a lot less space for mistakes than a real 4x4. Driving errors will get you buried way quicker (but as long as you don't you can manage to stay on top).
The relative lightweight of the Hiace helps also compared to a fully loaded for travel modern 4x4... and compared to a Sprinter it can be half the weight.

Th internal setup worked well... at least it didn't fall apart. But obviously I saw a lot of things I wanted to improve, add or change (was also the purpose of this trip) so I will now have quite a bit more work to do in it.

Will post some pictures along the coming days but I don't think I will do a day to day story.

4500km
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Kitchen put to good use, outside and inside.
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I need to find a roof rack installed shower cabin for ease of install (and limit wind or hard terrain problems) but the concept of the shower cabin next to the sliding door to go directly from the van to the shower and back to th van is really great!
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I love your adventures, truly. They are so inspiring.

 

[flx]

I love your adventures, truly. They are so inspiring.

Thanks a lot!

Was there for the last days of Rallye du Maroc so went to see the start and finish of the last special.
Parked next to a Pinz I camped with the previous day and with Gara Medouar in background.

 

[RevISK]

Thanks a lot!

Was there for the last days of Rallye du Maroc so went to see the start and finish of the last special.
Parked next to a Pinz I camped with the previous day and with Gara Medouar in background.
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Also, really enjoy your photography.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share.

 

[flx]

Half the content of my truck is out because during the night I got attacked by a dangerous desert animal...

Seems all the desert animals like the Hiace

This year again I participate to Pizza on the Piste, meeting other travelers of all nationalities in the middle of nowhere to share a pizza.

 

[flx]

 

[flx]

The first mishap of the trip... was trying to reach a wadi but couldn't find the proper track and went a bit yolo in direction... right through a very soft sand patch without correct pressures.

1b/15psi in the tires, a little bit digging in front of the tires, the mini Maxtrax, low range

And I was out (parked on vegetation as sand is harder, time to get back in long range and dig up my Maxtrax).

The mess...
It shows also the biggest problem of the Hiace in sand, rear diff and front subframe very quickly drag on sand if your wheels start to dig.

It happened that it was probably the hottest day/place of my entire trip and it was 2pm with full sun blasting...
39°C/100°F from the weather info. My thermometer in the living space of the Hiace registered over 50°C/122°F.
As long as you are driving with air coming in it's ok, you don't even feel sweaty as it's a 0% humidity environment. But damn, any effort outside under the sun, even for a quick and easy recovery like that, and you feel the toll. Forced to do breaks every 2min to rest and drink.

Finished the day on tar and went to find a nice campsite to rest and a swimming pool to cool off =D

 

[flx]

Crossing the infamous oued Rheris

 

[flx]

Arriving to Zagora, the paradise of 4x4 mechanics, I take the opportunity to do some overdue maintenance, raising a little bit more the front (and also making the suspension harder, on tracks when driving too fast it had a tendency to quickly get in a pumping effect), and making a bash plates.

The bash plate is not the nicest, is probably too thin, but in Europe no-one can be bothered enough to do a custom one for an uncommon vehicle. Here it was all done in under 2h.

The biggest positive of this bash plate is definitively in sand, the front subframe used to act as a boat anchor in sand if it touched... now it slides over.
On rocks it resisted ok for now... for sure it's not made to drive like a rallye driver over bad terrain... But I also hit on the subframe a lot after this final lift, not that much for the tiny bit more ground clearance I gained but because suspension "pumps" a lot less.


And some rest and "human maintenance" also.

 

[flx]

Camp in Erg Chegaga

Lake Iriki (dry)

 

[flx]

As I arrived early to the campsite I used the time to do my overdue wheel rotation (and re-torque correctly the wheels after the garage). Also the opportunity to have a look at the nice sand lining sticking to the fluid film for rust protection xD