I love 4×4 camper van conversions – a good one will offer the freedom of going off the beaten path while still accommodating you in comfort and style. The project I’d like to share with you today does exactly that.
What we have here is a conversion based on a Toyota Hiace. It was designed and built by Free Roam Fitouts, an Australia-based company specializing in van and four wheel drive fit-outs, tailored to the customer’s wants and needs. We’ve covered the company’s work here on autoevolution, such as this high-end moto hauler.
You can tell this is a one-of-a-kind Toyota Hiace as soon as you lay eyes on it – it’s definitely a head-turner.
Although most of the conversion was done by Free Roam Fitouts, several other Australian companies made important modifications to the van. First off, Bus 4×4 did a 4×4 conversion, transforming an otherwise generic Hiace into an adventure machine. What’s more, the van rides on black alloy wheels wrapped in rugged-terrain tires.
Second, The Cruiser Company did all the bar work. At the front, you’ll come across a bumper with a massive, aggressive-looking bull bar that comes with a winch. The winch is a super useful addition if you plan to do some more hardcore off-roading by yourself.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Free Roam Fitouts
On the opposite end, you’ll find a swing-away tire carrier and a swing-away cargo box, both from The Cruiser Company. Underneath, the company installed a utility panel with a power hook-up, an Anderson plug for a solar blanket, a water fill-up point, an ARB air compressor connection, and a trailer plug.
Finally, Headspace Campers added the most significant exterior mod – it replaced the standard roof with a pop-up roof extension. It has zipped windows on the sides and a large solar panel on top. Moreover, gas struts make it easy for you to lift the extension. Other notable upgrades include a Headspace awning and a snorkel.
Slide the entrance open, and an efficiently arranged, welcoming interior will greet you. Regarding aesthetics, the customer opted for matte white U-groove walls, green laminated cabinetry, wood-imitating vinyl plank flooring, and some Tasmanian oak elements like the countertops or panels on the bed platform’s bottom.
As expected on a van this size, the interior has an open layout, with no wall separating the driver’s cabin from the living space. However, the two areas are separated by part of the kitchen. The builder did leave enough space for you to step over into the cabin.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Free Roam Fitouts
The living space is split into three key parts: a kitchen, a seating area, and the sleeping area up top when the roof extension is up.
The kitchen forms an L shape and features a deep stainless steel sink with a cover that matches the countertop, an 85-liter Dometic fridge with a tiny freezer compartment, two drawers, and a Joolca portable toilet with a cover.
On the opposite side, you’ll come across a tall cabinet with multiple shelves. On top of it, you get some additional surface area when the roof is raised.
One compartment by the entrance houses an Evakool 50-liter chest-style fridge/freezer on a slide-out. The slide-out also has a pull-out table, perfect to use for cooking. Even better, you can remove the table from its compartment, drop the legs, and use it wherever you want.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Free Roam Fitouts
A cabinet underneath the sink houses part of the plumbing system: a Duoetto electric water heater and a water pump. The water you use in the sink drains into a greywater tank mounted underneath the vehicle.
It’s truly a game-changer to have the roof raised due to the amount of extra space you have available. Not only will you feel less cramped inside the van, but the most important thing is that you can stand up inside the van.
Setting up the bed is pretty straightforward – you need to use a step to climb up in the tent, drop two panels that are held up by gas struts, and you’re good to go.
The seating area takes up the rear part of the interior. It has two benches, one on each side, and a detachable swivel table. Free Roam Fitouts set them at a good height so you can sit on them even when the roof extension isn’t up. You’ll also notice a Sirocco fan with a light and integrated USB outlets.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Free Roam Fitouts
Each bench offers a sizeable drawer for storage that can be opened when the trunk door is up – the drawers can also be accessed from the inside by lifting the hinged tops above them.
The passenger-side bench houses the power system – its highlights are a 400 Ah battery bank and a 3,000 W Enerdrive inverter. Three charging sources allow you to keep the batteries topped off: solar power, shore power, and DC-DC charging. Moreover, the other bench integrates an outdoor shower connection.
Integrated into the tall cabinet I mentioned earlier is the “command center” for the rig’s utilities. It includes an inverter controller, a battery monitor, a 12V cigarette socket, and a switch panel for the lights, a water pump, and a water heater.
All in all, Free Roam Fitouts turned this into an extremely capable overlanding vehicle, with the help of several other companies. On top of that, you can actually sleep and live comfortably in the van, provided you’re fine with the little available space. To be fair, considering how small the interior is, it packs more creature comforts than I expected.
