1997 Toyota Hiace Van Was Transformed Into a Super Functional, Off-Grid Tiny Home

Philly and Keely have been living in vans for the past four years. However, they recently set quite a challenge for themselves: fly to Australia, buy a bone-stock van, and convert it from scratch in just 30 days. Their base vehicle of choice was a 1997 Toyota Hiace, which they named "Dingo." Depending on the vehicle's equipment, you can find 1997 Hiaces priced between $7,000 and $16,000 (€6,386 and €14,597) in the United States.

This unit is dual fuel, mainly running on LPG. Moreover, it boasts a backup petrol tank, but to be extra prepared, the couple carries two 20-liter (5-gallon) gas canisters on the roof, attached to a roof rack alongside a spare tire and solar panels. Another notable element is an awning.

Dingo rides on all-terrain tires, which helps it go off the beaten path even though it's not a 4x4. Given that the van will be a full-time home and office for the couple, everything inside is designed to be comfortable and accessible. Philly and Keely kept the interior as natural, open, and flowy as possible while also prioritizing functionality and storage spaces. Of course, the rig is built to withstand the rough Australian environment.

Another key design feature was to not have a significant difference between inside and outside. Basically, they wanted the interior to flow outside and vice-versa. One of the things they did in this regard was to use a natural earth color scheme with a wood ceiling, a solid wood countertop, linen curtains, and more.

One of the most distinctive parts of the Dingo's interior is the bed setup: there are three ways you can arrange the bed. The most comfortable setup consists of a full-length double bed, providing plenty of space for both to sleep. Then, there's the ¾ bed mode, which they mostly use. It's a tighter fit for both to sleep, but it leaves some room between the bed and the counter for the couple to walk. And lastly, during the day, the L-shaped sofa mode leaves plenty of maneuvering room around the bed.

Underneath one of the bed's sections, you'll find a space where the duo stores the bed linen and all the tools they used to build the interior. One thing the couple had to consider was that the vehicle's engine wasn't at the front like in most vans. It's actually housed underneath the driver's seat, so they devised the bed frame in such a way that it can be removed in case they need to work on the engine.

Underneath another bed section, you'll discover an enormous Bushman 35-liter (9-gallon) fridge/freezer box. Right next to it, Philly and Keely added a Bluetti power station, which powers everything in the van.

For cooling, which is especially important when traveling in the Australian outback, the couple uses a portable 12 V A/C and the vehicle's A/C. Moreover, extra ventilation is provided via a tiny ceiling vent.

The Bluetti power station is charged solely by solar. It came with a 350 W portable solar panel, but the couple also installed two 110 W solar panels on the roof, ensuring they do not run out of power.

So, how do you cook in a van this small? Well, Philly and Keely devised two counters toward the rear. The driver's side integrated a sink, which was actually made from a $5 salad bowl. By the way, the sink is operated through a foot pedal. Moreover, water is supplied by a 15-liter (4-gallon) water container in a cabinet underneath, and it's then drained underneath the vehicle.

On the opposite side, the other counter holds a portable Dometic stove with a grill powered by a propane tank. Other notable elements in the kitchen are a rack that holds dried goods, a towel holder, a mirror, cabinets, and ceramic tile splashbacks behind both countertops. Furthermore, there's an additional storage spot underneath the countertop, hidden behind a curtain.

One must when traveling through Australia is to have a bug net or else your van will quickly get filled with insects. Philly and Keely have a large one covering the entire main entrance.

Regarding lighting, the duo installed magnet-mounted LED ceiling lights. They can be recharged via USB-C, and because they use magnets, they can be attached in many places inside and outside the van.

There was no space left inside the van to fit a conventional bathroom with a toilet and shower. So, the couple uses public restrooms or simply do their needs in the wild when possible. Even though they don't mention a shower, it's safe to assume the duo showers at campsites or gyms.

All in all, Philly and Keely have done an outstanding job with this conversion. It's simple yet practical and seems to be the perfect fit for them.