Date:         Fri, 12 May 2000 10:54:00 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: T****a Vanagon? Hiace vans
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>This van was called the Hi-Ace.  When I worked as a ski guide down in New
>Zealand, we had four of these in our fleet.

The Hiace is Toyota's full-sized van, coming in 3 wheelbases: short, long &
extralong. Short isn't too common,long is about the size of a Bay VW,
extralong is too long. There are also dual-rear-axle jobs which may be
conversions. There is a very basic dual-wheel version with a flat floor too
(no wheelarches to intrude).  Current versions come in 2WD, parttime 4WD
and full-time 4WD. Engines are 2.0, 2.4l gas; 2.0 & 2.8 atmo & 3.0turbo
diesels (which apparently really fly, probably do over 100mph easily, if
the 2.2 turbodiesel Estima, a narrow-bodied Previa, is anything to go by).
They can be bare-bones or super luxury, with electric curtains, hot & cold
box, power everyting, triple sunroof, digital dash...you name it, it's
available. Only problem is, most 3.0turbos are automatic, and the 3.0turbo
Super Custom is only available in SWB. The luxo jobs are all Japan-only
models but lots are coming into NZ secondhand.

If you want the best nonVW van, the Hiace is the only way to go.

Andrew
New Zealand