Toyota Mini-Van

[Stillwater]

I did *not* see this on the road. These were harvested pics from the 'net back when I was coming up with ideas for my Toyota van. I never did as extensive of a conversion to mine since it would remain a daily driver and I might move four people... mine was a bit more convertible. My apologies to whomever posted these 6-7 years ago; I would give you credit if I could.<div><br></div><div>I had a business back in the late eighties into the nineties. We purchased around 8-10 Toyota Vans (yes, that was the model name) for light delivery usage. They ran FOREVER. They were mid-engine with the engine being underneath the driver seat. They were rear wheel drive and had a tendency to s-l-i-d-e in slick roads, sort of like a Jeep Cherokee in 2wd mode. They also had a 4wd version. Nope, not AWD, but true 4wd with locking hubs. This one was on a truck frame and folks actually off-road them.</div><div><br></div><div>Later, my true love was an AWD Previa. It wasn't as robust off-road as the 4wd Vans but it had more room, was more comfortable and FAR better for pavement driving. I miss her dearly.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, on to to some pics I used as inspiration years ago that I <i>rediscovered</i>&nbsp;on my hard drive a few minutes ago.</div><div><br></div><div>First, cheap and dirty but it works.</div><div>

</div><div><br></div><div>How about a giant bed platform??&nbsp;</div><div>

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</div><div><br></div><div>I love this.</div><div>

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</div><div><br></div><div>The Toyota MasterAce Surf. Factory outside of CONUS. 4wd and diesel. I'm in Love.</div><div><br></div><div>

</div><div><img src="http://www.btinternet.com/~goosegog/fergace32.jpg"></div><div><br></div>

 

[Stillwater]

For the safe of reference, my van was <b>this</b> for the 200,000 miles we lived together:<div>

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</div><div><br></div><div>Until she became this:</div><div>

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[stude53]

Hey, Paddlingman<br><br>I can see why you loved your Previa. Sorry you lost her in the crash contest. You seem to be a lucky guy, though, with all youir experiences and an understanding wife. <br><br>I am similarly blessed. My gal is a wonderful and caring partner, but has no desire to live the roaming life. For now, I will roam on the Internet through the vandweller blogs and forums, learning all I can, and finding/building my own version of a bugout van.<br><br>Keep us up to date with pictures of your future adventures.<br><br>I enjoy your writing style, too.<br><br>Bob (aka stude53)<br>

 

[Stillwater]

Lucky is right, with a great wife and kids. They're the ones that didn't win the lottery. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> <br><br>&nbsp;I'm at a family cycle in my life right now that has the roaming at an all time low but as the kids grow up, that will change. <br><br>Thanks for the post!<br><br>

 

[wishingriver]

lol same here stude53 I love roaming other pples ideas so I can slowly build myn and my wife was raised the old fashioned make money and die lol but I been slowly let her come to the dark side by taking her and the kids camping and she loves camping but I don't think she understands that going full-time is that hard to live. I am in the process of saving for a large box truck that I will convert into a 4 bed and 1 bath camper. lol. throw some solars on top for energy and a 100 gal propane for the scenery that no one has seen in 100's of years lol. so I can travel long distances and only need gas and food and be done for months. my dream is parking on a beautiful beach&nbsp; maybe get a trailer to haul a utv or atv to save on gas for grocery runs. lol<br>