1994 Toyota Previa Converted to true 4x4 high low, Lifted, Many upgrades, mini camper van

Firm Price $5500
If you want to bargain,negotiating starts at $8000


1708xx miles

Please ask questions and for more specific pics.

I bought this ‘94 AWD Automatic Previa in cherry condition with 140K miles for $4500 in 2013. I then bought a 1992 with 180K miles still running like a top for $1300 to get its manual transmission, clutch, driveshafts etc for the conversion (and backup motor) and found an 80’s Toyota van 4WD high low transfer case with shifter and linkage to convert this into a true 4WD vehicle. In all I have around $8000 into this van plus my labor.

If you are curious or serious enough, please create an account and login to see some of my conversion work documented here (This link only works if you are registered and logged in: toyotavantech.com/forum/sea…

Features:
- 4WD with high/low range

- 5 speed manual transmission

-Tachometer

-2” lift:
-Rear lift accomplished with taller coil springs, and brake proportioning valve re-adjusted, new shocks with lift upgrade.
-New front struts modified as coilovers with much better springs, and old standard spring perch removed to accommodate taller tires. Front differential shimmed to accommodate the driveshaft angle due to the lift.

-Close to new 215 75R 16 general grabber AT tires which are 1" taller than stock. This size still fits in the spare tire carrier. With the front coil overs, it will handle even larger tires with a bit of steering rub on the tightest turns.

-Torsen limited slip rear differential

-New rear driveshaft with serviceable/replaceable U joints

-Recent brake upgrade, pads and front rotors

-Power windows/door locks

-Second AGM battery runs interior lights, stereo, and 12V outlets throughout, so you can camp and play without draining main battery. Isolator enables charging from alternator as long as starting battery is charged.

-Extra interior LED lights, and switching from rear/bed area

-Extra 12v outlets for charging phones, running a laptop etc

-Kenwood stereo and 8” powered subwoofer

-All electrical additions properly fused and wire gauges sized correctly.

-Set up with rear seats that fold up. In cargo mode this will accommodate 4x8’ sheets of plywood and up to 12’ long framing materials.

-One mid row seat included. Modded base so it swivels with back towards the wall. However with this seat in place the camper setup is compromised.

-Comes with factory service manual and all notes from my conversions

- Camper setup incudes:

• Bed mattresses with custom Mexican blanket fabric covers
• One mattress is 6 ft long and the other is 5’8”
• Plywood support for mattresses 
• One plywood support doubles as a table, One part of sleeping pad doubles as cushion for seat at table
• Built-in kitchen under tailgate, includes pull-out trays for stove and fridge/cooler.
• 7 window covers made from reflectix, provide insulation and privacy

Known Issues/compromises:

-Emissions failed for two hundredths of a point on carbon monoxide. NOX and CO2 are just fine. It could need as little as a tune/timing adjustment, fresh tank of fuel or a different driver on the dynamometer. I do not currently have the circumstances to take care of this. Selling van AS IS.

-Exterior sliding door handle broken. You have to crack open the front door and reach inside to open the slider.

-slight valve cover gasket oil leak. These are notorious for this, I replace the gasket every 1-2years

-The gearing and tire size are a compromise in terms of power and top cruising speed. This van likes to go about 65 MPH at the top end. With the manual tranny, you can always downshift pulling hills, and in 4WD Low range you can crawl, but lacks top end power and speed.

-Better off road performance in exchange for snow performance; The original AWD Previas are some of the best snow cars ever. However the 4WD transfer case lacks the viscous coupling that made their AWD traction so amazing. As such I added the Torsen limited slip rear diff, and it is good but it is still not as awesome as the AWD in snow. It is comparable to other 4WD (not AWD) vehicles in terms of snow traction.

This is pretty slick!

Why ya sellin?
What kinda mpg you getting?

Lee Harris wrote: This is pretty slick!

Why ya sellin?
What kinda mpg you getting?

Spending more time on the road, van camping with wife and 2 dogs i.e. more space.

Around 20mpg highway

PM sent to schedule checking it out.

Andy W wrote: PM sent to schedule checking it out.

Responded, thanks Andy

No one's made it to see it yet, Still available.

  Have you posted in for sale on the Toyota or off roading forums?  probably a better avenue than here with it being such a niche vehicle.  what all with the emissions problem, the valve cover gasket is work on these center mounted motors (i've had a Previa)

  SAD shaft been done?

Thanks for the tip, I really don't know those forums except TVT in the first post.

Valve cover gasket: I have time now, I might just replace it myself. Takes 1 hour.

Emissions .02 on CO... two hundredths off. That just isn't going to be massive work to pass... fresh tank of gas, new air filter and the right driver on the dynamometer should do it. The readout from last test indicates he shifted into high gear prematurely going to max acceleration. You might know what putting full load on low RPMs does to emissions.

SAD shaft bushings, no. No vibrations, still doing fine.

$5500 is a pretty fair price I believe especially with the manual conversion and the low range. Heck I'd be interested in it myself if I weren't already building a Subaru into an Overlanding rig, and converting a school bus for Veterans Adaptive trips, converting another school bus into a Woodshop, and building an Earth bag House. So many fun projects

ShireSmitty wrote: $5500 is a pretty fair price I believe especially with the manual conversion and the low range. Heck I'd be interested in it myself if I weren't already building a Subaru into an Overlanding rig, and converting a school bus for Veterans Adaptive trips, converting another school bus into a Woodshop, and building an Earth bag House. So many fun projects

Thanks... kindred spirits. I too am always engaged in massive projects.