Turnkey buildsHiAceBrooklyn, VIC
More room to live.
The space of a van with a complete touring fitout: cabinetry, electrical, water, a pop-top roof if your van suits one, and everything you need to live comfortably on the road.
Every build is designed and quoted around your vehicle.
The roof
Stand up inside. Drive with it down.
The pop-top is what turns a HiAce into a camper you can live in. Not every HiAce suits a pop-top, and roof conversions are specialist work, so we'll walk you through the engineering and certification your van needs.
View 1 of 2
Roof down
Kitchen out and ready for a quick stop.
View 2 of 2
Roof up
Pop it when you stop and you've got standing room.
Our first HiAce build
The Headspace HiAce
This HiAce was built hand in hand with Headspace Campers for one of our customers, and it was the first vehicle to run our production 48V electrical system, developed with EGON. It's where our HiAce builds started.
This van at a glance
- Vehicle
- Toyota HiAce
- Built with
- Headspace Campers
- Power
- 48V EGON, ~5kW charge on the move
- Switching
- Digital, whole van
- Kitchen
- Slide-out
What's in it
Production 48V electrical
Developed with EGON, this van is where our production 48V system went in first. The headline number: close to 5,000W of charge while you drive. Higher voltage also means thinner cable, less loss and a tidier install, which is what you need when one van runs a shower, air con, hot water and a fridge.
Digital switching
Every circuit is switched and monitored from one screen. You can see what's drawing power and what's left in the batteries without guessing or crawling under a seat.
Slide-out kitchen
The galley pulls out the side of the van, so you cook facing the view instead of hunched over inside. Everything stays where it was packed when it slides back in.
Internal shower
A proper shower inside the van. No awning to rig, no wind, no waiting until the next caravan park.
The build, in photos
“Trouble is he did such a good job, as did Headspace. I had my rooftop up & kitchen out in the Anaconda car park today & a restaurant car park the night before last. The number of people who come up and ask about the conversion & fit out is unbelievable.”Mitch (@mitchelhillj)Instagram, on the Headspace HiAce post
Want us to build the next one?
That van was built around one customer's trips. Yours is designed and quoted around your van.
Where are you starting?
Five ways into a HiAce build
Pick the one that sounds like you. It sets up your build brief below.
I already have a HiAce
Bring it in. We'll plan the cabinetry, power and water around your van, and talk through whether a pop-top suits it.
Start with my HiAceI want a new HiAce
We'll organise the order through our partner Toyota dealer, or use yours. You sign the papers, and once it's registered in your name it comes straight to Brooklyn.
New HiAces are 2.8L diesel and rear-wheel drive. The dealer confirms what's available.
Plan a new HiAce buildI'm after a used HiAce
Tell us the van you want. If we come across one that fits your brief, we'll pass it on.
We can't promise one will come up. You buy it directly from the seller.
Create my HiAce briefI want a HiAce with a 4x4 conversion
Toyota doesn't sell a 4x4 HiAce in Australia. They're converted by specialist aftermarket companies, and we don't do 4x4 conversions ourselves. Tell us what you're thinking.
Tell us about itNot sure yet
Tell us how you want to travel and your budget, and we'll help you work out the right van.
Help me chooseHow it works
From the van to the keys.
One team plans the lot and brings the build together, so you're not chasing five different suppliers.
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No vehicle yet? We'll help you find it and organise the purchase through our partner Toyota dealer. You just sign the papers.
Vehicle
Bring your van, or tell us the one you want, new or used.
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Design
Layout, weight and systems planned around how you travel.
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Roof
Pop-top conversions, fitted in-house in partnership with Headspace Campers.
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Cabinetry
Designed and CNC cut at our Brooklyn workshop.
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Power and water
12V or 48V systems, as on our workshop builds, plus tanks, pumps and hot water.
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Finished vehicle
Fridge, kitchen and the gear you want, fitted. Then a walkthrough of every system, and the keys.
Good to know
You pay the dealer or seller directly for the vehicle, and it's yours from day one. Every build is quoted on its own vehicle and spec, and we'll tell you early if any of it needs engineering, certification or a specialist.
Build levels
How far do you want to take it?
Three starting points to help us understand the build you're picturing. They aren't fixed packages, and every turnkey build is quoted on its own spec.
Touring
An essential, comfortable camper. Might include Unwind cabinetry, a bed, a kitchen, a fridge, water and lighting.
Premium
A comprehensive touring setup. Might include a pop-top roof, a bigger electrical system, solar, hot water and more storage.
Ultimate or bespoke
A high-spec off-grid camper like the Headspace HiAce. Might include a pop-top, 48V electrical with solar, air con, hot water, an internal shower and premium finishes.
Not sure? Pick “Not sure, help me design it” in your brief and we'll work it out together.
Questions
HiAce builds, straight answers
Can you build a van like the Headspace HiAce?
That's the idea. It was built for a customer, so yours will be designed around your van and how you travel rather than copied line for line. Tell us what you liked about it in your brief.
How much does a complete build cost?
It depends on the vehicle, the roof, the cabinetry, the electrical, water, appliances and accessories you choose. Tell us your budget in the brief and we'll talk through what it can realistically cover. When our own GXL build is finished, we plan to share what it cost.
How long does a turnkey build take?
It depends on the spec, when the vehicle is ready and our workshop schedule. We'll give you an estimated timeline with your quote.
Do I need engineering or certification?
It depends on the build. Roof conversions, GVM changes, gas and 240V work can each need certification, and in Victoria some builds need a VASS certificate before they're registered in their new form. Other states have their own rules. We'll tell you what yours needs.
What about weight and payload?
Weight matters on every build. We'll talk through your vehicle's payload early, and whether you'd need a GVM upgrade, which is specialist work.
Will a build affect my Toyota warranty?
Modifications can affect your manufacturer's warranty, so check with your Toyota dealer before you commit. Our own warranty is 12 months on everything we make, on top of your Australian Consumer Law rights. Read our warranty.
Which HiAce should I start with?
Toyota sells the current HiAce van as an LWB with a lower roof or an SLWB with a high roof, both with a 2.8L diesel and rear-wheel drive. Not every HiAce suits a pop-top, so tell us how you'll live in it.
Is there a 4x4 HiAce?
Not from Toyota in Australia: new HiAces are rear-wheel drive. 4x4 HiAces are converted by specialist aftermarket companies, and we don't do 4x4 conversions ourselves. Tell us what you're after.
Can you help me find a used HiAce?
Yes. Tell us the van you want in your brief. If we come across one that fits, including through our partner Toyota dealer, we'll pass it on and you buy it directly from the seller. We can't promise one will come up, or when.
Can I order a new HiAce and have Unwind build it?
Yes. We can organise the order through our partner Toyota dealer, or you can use your own dealer. You sign the dealer's papers and pay the dealer directly, and once it's registered in your name it comes straight to our Brooklyn workshop. The dealer confirms the vehicle, the colour and the delivery date.
Do you sell new Toyotas?
No. Unwind isn't a Toyota dealer and isn't affiliated with Toyota. New vehicles are sold by a Toyota dealer, our partner dealer or one you choose, and we build them.
Do you sell new or used HiAces?
No. We don't hold vehicle stock. If we come across a vehicle that fits your brief, we'll pass it on and you buy it directly from the seller. We don't inspect vehicles we pass on, so always get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a PPSR check before you buy.
Do you handle the money for the vehicle?
No. You pay the dealer or seller directly for the vehicle. Any build deposit is separate, and it's paid to Unwind only once you've accepted a quote.
Can I finance the vehicle and the build?
We don't arrange finance.
I'm interstate. Can you still build it?
The build happens at our workshop in Brooklyn, VIC. Interstate? Get in touch and we'll talk logistics. Engineering and registration rules differ from state to state.
Still got a question? Ring us and we'll talk it through. 0417 362 209
Start your build
Start your HiAce build.
We've already built the concept. Now let's build yours.
What happens next
- We read your brief and get back to you to talk it through.
- If it's a fit, we plan the build against your vehicle and budget.
- You get an itemised quote before you commit.
- Your van comes to our Brooklyn workshop, we build it, and you get the keys.