Thread: 4WD Hiace action!

Like doing the pumice roads with the old L300 years ago. Freaky going down steep slopes without a bonnet though.

Yeah nah...

There’s only one proper 4WD van... that can do it straight outta the factory... the VW Syncro... of which the T3 would be my pick. Had a blast in one of those in the late 90s... went everywhere the Hilux and Cruiser did, with more style and comfort.



The Hiaces are cool and a good base for a project... and available which of course the Syncro isn’t. So I should just shut up. But you get my drift...

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Yeah nah...

There’s only one proper 4WD van... that can do it straight outta the factory... the VW Syncro... of which the T3 would be my pick. Had a blast in one of those in the late 90s... went everywhere the Hilux and Cruiser did, with more style and comfort.

Attachment 136847

The Hiaces are cool and a good base for a project... and available which of course the Syncro isn’t. So I should just shut up. But you get my drift...

very cool indeed!, Iv watched a bit of these on the youtube and liked em.
But, I love my Hiace, its a beast in the waiting!

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Yeah nah...

There’s only one proper 4WD van... that can do it straight outta the factory... the VW Syncro... of which the T3 would be my pick. Had a blast in one of those in the late 90s... went everywhere the Hilux and Cruiser did, with more style and comfort.

Attachment 136847

The Hiaces are cool and a good base for a project... and available which of course the Syncro isn’t. So I should just shut up. But you get my drift...

Style and comfort are two words that should not be used when discussing vans.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Style and comfort are two words that should not be used when discussing vans.

Ill pretend I didnt hear that!

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Style and comfort are two words that should not be used when discussing vans.

You haven't been in ours obviously.

Used to cruise the forest in a delica, that was well kitted out. Great times in the rooster season

Did my time in a 4WD Delica, held its own against Land rovers and 40 series Cruisers at the time. Would have been great set up as a camper.

Originally Posted by ROKTOY

Did my time in a 4WD Delica, held its own against Land rovers and 40 series Cruisers at the time. Would have been great set up as a camper.

Apart from ground clearance and the overhang at the rear, my hiace does the job!
Im keen on lockers so I can crawl through stuff instead of carrying pace and bashing my precious van to pieces (and all its camping cargo) Also be fun to show up all those peacock rangers out there!

Nice driving!

As someone noted he probably needed some mud tires.

@40mm i would expect the Hiace runs a standard 8 inch rear diff and a 7.5inch front so a hilux rear locker and an IFS surf front should fit? If you have free wheeling hubs on the front you could drop an auto locker in the front and save a few dollars.

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Originally Posted by ROKTOY

@40mm i would expect the Hiace runs a standard 8 inch rear diff and a 7.5inch front so a hilux rear locker and an IFS surf front should fit? If you have free wheeling hubs on the front you could drop an auto locker in the front and save a few dollars.

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Cheers for that. Ill keep an eye out for a wrecked surf with lockers.
I have heard the auto lockers are a pain in the ass. Whats your thoughts?

Originally Posted by 40mm

Cheers for that. Ill keep an eye out for a wrecked surf with lockers.
I have heard the auto lockers are a pain in the ass. Whats your thoughts?

A can of worms, Auto lockers are a compromise. Especially if driven on road.
When fitted to the rear they have a tendency to make the vehicle want to go straight ahead when under load, so you need to learn to coast through corners rather than drive through them. I wouldn't fit one to the front diff of a road going vehicle unless it has free wheeling hubs fitted.
Offroad having a front auto locker you get heavier steering when the front diff is under load, eg acceleration, climbing banks, descending etc. when making turns offroad you need to learn to blip the throttle to take load off the front diff to enable easier turning.
Auto lockers are generally maintenance free where as selectable lockers have the potential for failure/non operation due to being run by compressed air or electricity.
Both of my Prados have lockers fitted front and rear, both vehicles have electric lockers in the rear and both can play up due to water ingress, One vehicle has an auto locker in the front, the other an ARB air locker. neither of these have failed me yet (yet). Being selectable in the front is great as my steering isn't affected at all until I flick the switch.
If budget was a deciding factor, then any locker is better than none, but only if you have a genuine need for one. Lockers can often just get you more stuck, quite often a winch is a better option, but then again a shovel and pick can be even more useful.

Check out this guy in his Mitsi!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T6NHiLgJcg