Not all Toyota Hiaces are created equal when it comes to campervan conversions. The model year, body length, roof height, and drivetrain all affect what's possible inside — and how much your build will cost. Here's what to actually look for.
The H200 series ran from 2004 to 2019. It's the workhorse of the Australian campervan conversion scene — partly because thousands have been imported from Japan, and partly because the conversion industry has had 20 years to develop products for it. Pop top kits, furniture templates, electrical systems — everything exists for the H200.
The 300 series launched in 2019 and is a significant redesign. It's a better van in almost every way — more power, better safety features, more comfortable to drive. But the conversion ecosystem is still catching up. Pop top kits exist, but there are fewer options, and some fitment is still being refined.
Our take: For a conversion on a budget, the H200 is the better starting point. If you want the newest tech and can wait a bit longer for parts availability, the 300 series is the future.
Yes — significantly. The Long Wheelbase (LWB) Hiace has an internal cargo length of around 2.8m. The Super Long Wheelbase (SLWB) stretches that to around 3.2m. That extra 400mm is enough room for a proper fixed bed without sacrificing kitchen or seating space.
Most full campervan conversions (bed + kitchen + seating) work best in an SLWB. An LWB can work for a simpler setup — a platform bed, a pull-out kitchen — but you'll constantly be making compromises.
Our take: Get the SLWB if you can. The price difference in Japan is modest and the extra space makes a huge difference in how liveable the van is.
The standard Hiace roof gives you around 1.28m of internal height — not enough to stand in, and barely enough for a pop top conversion. The high roof (also called Grand Cabin or Commuter) gives around 1.63m internally, which is much more liveable and gives the pop top installer more to work with.
Most imported campervans have the standard roof, but high roof H200s do come through. They command a premium but are worth it if standing headroom in the van (pop top down) matters to you.
The H200 Hiace came with a 2.5L or 2.8L diesel (the 2KD-FTV and 1GD-FTV respectively) and a 2.0L petrol (2TR-FE). For a campervan, diesel is almost always the better choice:
The 2.8L diesel (introduced in the H200 facelift around 2010–2012 depending on market) is the pick. The older 2.5L is solid but down on power compared to modern alternatives.
Our take: 2.8L diesel. Always.
For an H200, aim for 2009 or newer to get the updated interior and improved safety features. The 2014–2019 models are particularly sweet spot — they're old enough to be affordable, new enough to have low-ish mileage if you pick well, and the 2.8L diesel was standard by then.
Watch out for pre-2006 vans — the earliest H200s can have issues with the 2KD-FTV diesel and parts are getting harder to source.
4WD Hiaces exist (they're rarer and command a significant premium) but for most campervan use cases they're overkill. Unless you're planning serious off-road use, the standard 2WD rear-wheel-drive Hiace is perfectly capable. It handles dirt roads, fire trails, and most remote Australian camping just fine.
If we're building a campervan from scratch and price-sensitivity matters:
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We import Hiaces to this exact spec regularly. Browse what's currently available, or get in touch and we'll source one to order.
