$27K Toyota HiAce Camper Conversion Offers Smart Design and Practical Features

There are a handful of tried-and-true vehicles people rely on for camper builds, and the Toyota HiAce has been one of them for decades. While digging into HiAce conversions, I came across a custom kit that takes this Japanese workhorse to a whole new level.

Vanlife Northwest, based in Portland, Oregon, focuses specifically on camper vans. One of its standout builds is called the Space Cabin (SC). It’s a conversion designed for the HiAce that turns a dependable van into a clean, minimalist home on wheels—one that looks sharp and feels surprisingly open insde.

To kick things off, the company offers this conversion starting at about $27,000, which is a solid deal by today’s standards. You do need to bring your own van, but used HiAce models are easy enough to find. If you’re unsure whether your specific generation will work, it’s smart to check with the builder first. The team has been refining the SC for over five years, making steady tweaks along the way.

The concept is simple: drop off your van, pay the fee, and wait for the call. Once it’s ready, you pick it up, fill the water tank, charge the batteries, and hit the road.

According to the specs, the layout is built for two travelers, though it can carry more passengers while driving. In the rear, two opposing sofas convert into a bed that stretches across nearly the full width of the van—simple and effective.

One clever touch is the rear kitchen setup. While there’s a main galley inside, the builders added pull-out drawers beneath the sofa that hold a cooktop. There’s also hidden storage under butcher-block covers for cooking gear and utensils, giving the back end a bit of a teardrop trailer vibe. While one person cooks, the other can relax on the sofa above—nice and practical.

Inside the van, there’s a second kitchenette setup. It includes a fridge, sink with running water, drawers, overhead storage, and a fold-down table. That table works great for meals or even a quick board game session. It tucks away neatly near the foot of the bed when not in use.

Storage is another strong point. Along the right wall, you’ll find upper cabinets and lower shelving hidden behind sliding doors. There’s no shortage of space here, making longer trips much more manageable.

As for the finishing touches, the roof features integrated skylights and ventilation panels, bringing in natural light and fresh air. At night, warm LED lighting gives the interior a cozy feel.

Some of the less obvious features include commercial-grade vinyl flooring, a 10-gallon water tank, a 200 Ah battery system, USB ports, and a fuse panel. There’s also a Bluetooth-enabled battery monitor to keep track of power usage.

Optional upgrades are limited, but you can likely work with the builder to add extras—solar panels would be a smart add-on.

Finally, it’s not just the interior that gets attention. The rear suspension—springs and shocks—are upgraded to handle the added weight and maintain proper ride height.

From where I’m sitting, life on the road looks pretty good in a Space Cabin HiAce. With a used van costing as little as $5,000, you could realistically build a full camper for around $35,000. Drop a few options, and that number dips closer to $33K. Sure, you’ll want a solid base vehicle, but even at $50K all-in, it’s still a strng value in today’s camper van market.