Faults:

Timing chain went at 270,000 - replaced the engine with one from a Celica for next to nothing.

Had trouble with the carbie for a while - water pump in 2000 - fuel pump in 1997 - also the fan clutch in 1997 - starter motor's a bit tired now.

General Comments:

This van is amazing. It's been in my family since 1983 when it was driven around Australia over 3 months, and just keeps on going.

The body is now rusting away quite badly, (I live on the coast) but a coat of housepaint every 6 - 12 months keeps the coppers off my back. Wind screen wipers now don't work 'cause the mounts rusted out so it's fine weather only now...

The engine just keeps on going - very reliable - I've taken it across the nullabor myself twice, as well as to the north west of Western Australia several times, and countless times to the South West.

Last week she just purred all the way to Albany (500km one-way) and back. Stopped once to fill up with petrol, and once to fill up with oil!!!

Toyota engines, old and new, just keep on going!!!

Faults:

The radiator cracked two months ago.

Repaired rust along top of the rear door, This was at about 355000kms.

Drivers seat is badly warn. But still comfy.

General Comments:

This is the best van, I know the first owner and this van is coming up to 400000kms and the engine has never been lifted, It burns no oil, Putts along at 100kph fully loaded and even up to 160kph. Great for long drives, Very low maintenance.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong although the engine keeps running sometimes even after the key has been turned off. Probably had dirty fuel which has lodged in the fuel solenoid.

General Comments:

Very reliable. As with all diesels the servicing has to be kept up to date. Mine has been serviced every 5000km since new and uses no oil or water.

The van with all my gear on board weighs around 2700kg and I sometimes tow a tandem trailer that can weigh up to another 2200kg giving an all up weight of close to 5 tonnes. Not bad for a 2800cc diesel.

The van is no powerhouse and slows down on the hills, (even without the trailer) and overtaking is not a common occurrence.

I would like to have twin sliding doors and maybe a bit more width to the van. I was going to buy a Transit or Merc, but although they are wider, they are also a lot higher which means I could not reach the roof racks.

Faults:

Battery failed after 5 years (good run).

Headlights have poor light output (replaced with aftermarket H4 inserts).

General Comments:

Good vehicle on & off the road.

Original Dunlop SP-LT5 tyres are noisy at high speed on bitumen & have poor grip in the wet. Replaced with 205/75R15LT tyres on Ford Falcon AU1 15" rims. This also stepped up the gearing by 7% so at 100kph, the engine revs drop by 250-300 RPM approx which made a 1.5 mile per gallon fuel saving.

Seating is uncomfortable on long trips.

Cabin layout is good with all controls in easy reach.

Road noise is excessive, but was fixed by the addition of tar paint on the floor with underlay under the vinyl flooring.