Ben's Toyota Hiace does it all. During the week it's a work van running around Sydney. Come Friday arvo, it's a fully kitted camper ready to head bush. This is one of our favourite van conversion builds to date — practical, clean, and seriously capable.
Materials
Every material in this build was chosen with purpose. We used LETO bamboo board throughout the interior — a lightweight, sustainable alternative to traditional ply that brings real warmth to the space. It's tough enough for daily use, easy to work with, and looks far better than anything you'd find in a standard van fit-out. For a commuter van conversion in Australia, keeping weight down without sacrificing quality is everything, and LETO delivers on both fronts.
Outdoor Seating System
One of the standout features of Ben's build is the slide-out outdoor seating system, mounted on heavy-duty steel runners rated to 180kg. It deploys in seconds — no fussing around, no setup drama. Pull it out, set up your chair, and enjoy your morning coffee wherever you woke up. Whether it's a beach car park in Jervis Bay or a campsite in the Blue Mountains, this thing makes every stop feel like home.
Electrical Setup
Power is handled by a Victron electrical system installed by Safiery — one of Australia's most trusted names in van and off-grid electrical setups. It's clean, reliable, and built to handle everything running simultaneously: the fridge, the induction cooktop, the lights, and the laptop. Paired with rooftop solar panels, Ben's system keeps him fully charged and off-grid for days at a time. No generator, no campsite hookup required.
Lighting
Good lighting makes a huge difference in a small space. Ben's Hiace has both mood lighting and ceiling lights throughout the interior — dimmable and warm, so the van feels like a proper living space rather than a cargo hold. Whether he's cooking dinner, winding down after a big day on the trails, or working late on the laptop, the lighting always sets the right tone.
Slide-Out Kitchen
The slide-out kitchen is where this van conversion really earns its stripes. It features an induction cooktop for proper cooking at camp, and 240V power so Ben can run his laptop, charge gear, and work remotely from anywhere in the country. It's the kind of setup that makes a week-long remote work trip just as comfortable as sitting in a Sydney café — with considerably better views.
Rooftop Solar
Solar panels fitted to the roof keep the whole system running without any fuss. It's a clean install that doesn't compromise the van's profile, and it means Ben never has to think about power — it just works. For anyone doing a van conversion in Australia, solar is a no-brainer given the amount of sunshine we get year-round.
Ben's Hiace is a great example of what a thoughtful van conversion can look like — built in Sydney, designed for Australian conditions, and ready for whatever the week throws at it. A work van that earns its keep Monday to Friday and rewards you every weekend.
Interested in Your Own Build?
Whether you've got a Hiace, a Multivan, or something else entirely — we'd love to hear about it. Get in touch with the Vanted team for a chat about what's possible for your van.
