Bus4x4 HiAce Off-Roader. ASPW build
Two and a half years building the Bus4x4 Toyota HiAce has taught me a great deal about Van life and overlanding. I’ve learnt that these are not the same thing, but if the van has four-wheel-drive and is built properly, it makes an outstanding overlanding platform.
With the first HiAce build being concluded in October 2026, my all new, and in some ways a more instinctive build begins November 2026.
My goal is to build an Overlander for my own use for the next three years in Australia, and while it is based on the HiAce, there are many components built into our tech demonstrator that I will not be fitting this time. They will also be some additions to make it better off-road.
I am very excited about this new build and I am off to Queensland in November to collect the converted van, to drive it to my workshop in WA. Follow me on this new this journey.
TECH DEMONSTRATOR VIEW NUMBERS:
From its delivery in April 2024 to September 2026 this series, at 28 episodes received 2,32 million YouTube views averaging over 82K views per episode.
Few will argue that Andrew’s influence tends to set trends in the 4×4 leisure market. Like his world-first Troopy conversion and build in 2012 that set the foundation for the Troopy craze that continues today. HiAce 4×4 could be the next one, a delivery van converted into a proper, off-road, off-grid overland tourer!
Part of the process and proof of Andrew’s success is the unmatched enthusiasm among accessory makers both in Australia and South Africa, who get excited about being the first to offer meaningful products for a any new project.
Details of these companies and products are listed below. These will change as the new build progresses:
Partners and products
Systems (work in progress):
- 48V rapid charge architecture by EGON.
- House 1x200a/h 48V battery. EGON and Amptron
- 163L diesel tank. Brown Davis.
- Fridge: 130L Bushman
- Drinks fridge 15L Bushman Roadie.
- Additional suspension components: Superior Engineering.
- Rear bar, wheel carrier and storage box by Cruiser Company, VIC.
- Tyres. Falken 285/70 R17 RO-1
- Wheel Rims. Black Rhino BASIN
- 48V house battery Egon Certified supplied by Amptron.
- Solar panels: 2x200W, high-voltage from Amptron
- Inverter and MPPT from Victron.
- Awning: 180° by Bush Company
- Interior fit-out BullDog Builds, WA
- RHS window slider with insect barrier by Globe Auto Parts
- Side access gull-wings from Mission 4×4.
- Head entertainment unit TBA
- Speakers Focal K2.
- Audio insulation by CarBuilders
Build diary
- October 2026. Conversion by Bus4x4 in QLD.
- November 2026. Collection in Queensland. Solo drive across Aus loaded with components for our build starting in December in Perth.
