Toyota Hiace is a common name to hear. Even those who are not up with the latest in the automotive industry have an idea of what the Hiace is. Well, the reason for the matter is that the transport section in the Philippines widely uses the van in its operations, whether for public or private commercial use.
Toyota Hiace
Due to its popularity, even those who drive this Toyota car for personal use get to be regarded as a public transport vehicle. Plus, it is not the most aesthetically-looking vehicle to drive especially if you are out with your friends on a road trip. Although, the cabin space would definitely make up for that.
To avoid such situations, you can have your Toyota Hiace modified. Yes, sedans or coupes aren’t the only types of vehicles to receive love from the world of car customization. In fact, it is exciting to customize the van as the large interior can host various amounts of added accessories or tech features.
With that being said, we have listed down three customized Toyota Hiace on this list. You can use the following as references for your next visit to your preferred auto shop. We have chosen three distinctive types of Hiace modification that should suit different lifestyles.
Toyota Hiace: Take it off-road
Since the Toyota Hiace comes with somewhat off-road-capable features such as a rear-wheel-drive system and a large diesel engine, light off-roading adventures shouldn’t be an issue. Moreover, the van comes with a leaf spring suspension setup at the rear which can help you carry more loads without having the vehicle struggle.
As such, a customized Toyota Hiace for off-roading is one of your many options. You can start with choosing an off-road or all-terrain tire to replace the vehicle’s standard 15-inch steel wheels. This can also create a more rugged appeal to the finish especially if you pair it with a blacked-out wheel design.
Off-roading Hiace [Photo: EnduroCo]
A massive bull bar is another great way to enhance the off-road capability of the van or it can simply add to its overall presence while being driven on the road. This will help protect your vehicle from rough roads or rocks that might hit the front end. We recommend getting a blacked-out bull bar instead of chrome for that genuine off-road appearance. It will also go well with the black wheels, if you chose to install one.
Lastly, a snorkel would be a good addition to this type of customization. For the uninitiated, a snorkel lets vehicles run underwater with ease as the air intake now gets air from the tip of the accessory. Considering storms can be violent in the Philippines, a snorkel can help you drive through flooded areas.
As for the interior, it’s pretty much up to you what you want to carry on your off-road adventures. But if you are not going to use all seats, then we recommend that you remove some. Instead, replace the seats with storage for your camping equipment such as a gas tank, cargo, and even a bed so you won’t have to deal with mosquitoes.
Toyota Hiace: City van
We are moving to a completely different type of Toyota Hiace modification. In fact, it is quite the opposite. You can make your van stand out against public transportation units with sporty accessories. In case you’re wondering, this type of customization is not new as many Hiace clubs in the Philippines do so.
You don’t necessarily need to add aero custom kits such as canards because, let’s face it, the Toyota Hiace’s body is not the most aerodynamic out there. It is designed to haul people and cargo, and not for the fast lane. Keep the body as it is, and simply change what is already included.
Hiace and style can go together [Photo: S.A.D Custom Japan]
The first modification you might want to consider is changing the bumper. In the photo of the modified Toyota Hiace made by S.A.D Custom Japan, the bumper gets sharp character lines. It goes well with the smoked headlights that give a picture of a mad-looking face.
Moving to the sides, a new set of blacked-out wheels have been installed, which is seamlessly linked by a ‘Stinger’ sticker in between. The large windows have been tinted heavily as well to go along with the black theme of the customization. Lastly, the ride height has been lowered, completing the modified look.
For obvious reasons, this type of customization is not for everyone, especially for those who use the van for business or hauling plenty of people. The lowered ride height alone will be an issue if you will max out the seating capacity. Also, we doubt that shuttle companies will accept this Toyota Hiace look to their fleet.
Toyota Hiace: Move like a VIP
This time, we will talk about a modified interior of the Toyota Hiace which can exude a luxurious appeal. You can turn your workhorse-looking vehicle into a VIP-like van with few modifications, especially in the cabin. That said, you don’t have to worry much about the exterior if you plan to choose this package.
Step inside into luxury [Photo: Ann Corporation]
You can start by replacing all the seats with leather ones. For the middle row seats, you can opt for captain chairs so passengers can find their most desired seating position conveniently. The sheet metal part inside the van can also be padded with leather so passengers can only feel soft-touch materials.
To create an even more modified Toyota Hiace luxury interior finish, you can add lighting, a sunroof, and television. Some celebrities even choose to install a bed so they have a place to sleep in sets. Just keep in mind that these modified interior upgrades can be costly. That said, you should have a plan that goes well within the amount you are willing to spend on your van.
Feel like a VIP [Photo: Ann Corporation]
Furthermore, if you still want to make changes on the exterior, we suggest that you pick chrome body kits instead of blacked-out ones. This will help make your van look premium instead of sporty. Once passengers slide the door of your vehicle open, they will be welcomed with an even more luxurious-looking modified interior of your Hiace.
Visit Philkotse.com for more car mod tips