Buying a Hiace , anything to look out for?

[soundbeltfarm]

I am looking at buying a LWB hiace for carting bikes and just carting other stuff.
are there anythings i should be looking out for?

also i want to be able to put seats in it so i can use it as a coach for carting kids for sports and road trips for the boys. do all the hiaces come with mounting points for seats under the floor? or will i have to get something made up and certified?
Thanks for any help

SBF

[FJRider]

If you put seats in ... Seat-belts may ALSO have to be fitted for WOF ... depending on year of rego of the van.

Structural RUST is the big thing to look for.

[Edbear]

Better to buy a coach and remove the seats, you'll get better sound proofing and lots more extras. As said, only some rust to check for.

They are generally bullet-proof but you can tell if a diesel engine is stuffed by smelling the oil on the dipstick. It should start instantly hot or cold. Most have done high mileages. I had an '84 Custom 2.4D way back and it was streets ahead of any other van, esp in ride quality.

Check the cam-belt replacement and that it has been serviced regularly. Diesels do not last if not regularly serviced! There should be no smoke when hot and under hard acceleration.


Most fuel pumps have been serviced since the diesel fuel was changed a few years ago, but not all diesels were affected by it though. Only other check would be the clutch engages quickly and smoothly.

[bogan]

not overly sure what to look for in a hiace specifically, but vans in general, dont get an undepowerd POS engine. I also use mine for bikes, found a bench seat (from a hiace) that folds forward on the bottom of front legs, bolted that in the fornt so now takes bout 30secs to switch from bike mover to people mover :D

[sinfull]

As Edbear says buy a coach and remove the seats ! a short W/B is fine for carting two sport bikes at a time in ! I carry a daytona and a speed triple in mine together and it will fit a harley on a slight angle ! ( i have built a storage area over the fire wall behind the seats for the dog to sit on and taken up an extra 8 inches further into the rear)

If its diesel Car jam the thing to make sure the miles are consistant ( i don't mean 1000 k between warrants iether lol)

Again like Edbear says a 2.4 turbo goes real well a 2.4 non turbo are guttless as the minute you add a few kg's in the rear !

[CookMySock]

Try to get a post-95 3.0 turbo one if you can swing it. These go like a haunted shithouse.

The autos are solid if they're serviced.

Steve

[Hans]

Try to get a post-95 3.0 turbo one if you can swing it. These go like a haunted shithouse.

The autos are solid if they're serviced.

Steve

Avoid the atmo diesel with an auto gearbox. It is a dangerously under-powered p.o.s. And that's when it's empty.