Life on wheels, a father-son van renovation
Plus 12 more
When I bought this 2004 Toyota Hiace Commuter, it had spent years as a childcare vehicle - tired, rusty, and full of mystery rattles. My Dad and I spent 18 months restoring it, repairing every inch ourselves. The gearbox was stubborn, the sliding doors screamed, and every bolt seemed fused in place. WD-40 became a daily go-to: loosening corroded parts, quieting door tracks, freeing the gearbox linkage, and protecting hinges and locks as we rebuilt the van piece by piece.
We rebuilt everything - tiling, electrical, cabinetry -transforming it into a compact, off-grid home. Every surface now works like new (and sounds like it too). Every corner has purpose and a memory. It’s beautifully styled, practical, and uniquely mine—a mobile base that gives me freedom, resilience, and time with my Dad I’ll never forget.