I agree jetj. If I had the money now, that's what I'd be getting. Of course you'd have to pay to have the roof raised or a poptop put in, but I think it'd be a good choice. I know people who use them as work vehicles and they say they love them. And in fact, suggested it for me, not knowing that I'd already spent all my dosh!
This well respected company in Brookvale do conversions, I am a bit surprised they haven't got any Iloads listed though, the VW Transporter might be another option, I think they have walk through to the cab too.
See these in stock, not cheap though, scroll down past the new stock for the used ones;
I have spoken to the manager there in the past, he is a very nice bloke and maybe he could tell you whether the Iload is suitable for conversion and why they don't do them?
This mob that do the Iload conversion are in Arncliffe, Sydney, see this link, I hope their price includes the van, it does appear so, see;
I steer clear of the VWs because of servicing costs and experiences of friends with them. I know they have some good points too, I have taken a 4 motion down some very hairy tracks with the Rural Fire Service. It was set up for communications with a Trakka conversion.
Keep us posted jetj on your findings, yes the VW's do seem to be very expensive like Milo has said, the Iloads and Imax seem very popular on the road now and are giving the Hi Ace a run for their money, mainly for their long warranty, cheaper parts and servicing costs.
I have hired a camper van from the company shown in the second link that Vic posted. Over the past 3 years I have covered over 50,000kms in one of their vans. They appear to be very well made as they do all their own conversions on their rental vans. I have had vans ranging in age fron 6 months to 18 months old and they have all been very well maintianed and look as if they are still new.
-- Edited by Clare46 on Wednesday 24th of October 2012 03:49:41 PM
The Iloads started in 2008 in Oz. The police in NSW are driving them as well. There are no second hand campervans around that I know of. Certainly some 2nd vehicles though.
-- Edited by jetj on Wednesday 24th of October 2012 08:11:45 PM
Been looking at specs, seem to be slightly longer and wider than the current model hiace LWB. The cargo area is shorter by about a half a metre. About the same height inside the cargo area. Goes like the "stink" I saw somewhere. Diesel and Petrol but petrol doesn't seem to be as good from googling opinions.
It is appealing even with less usable space in the cargo area to me.
-- Edited by jetj on Thursday 25th of October 2012 05:32:46 PM