>ITS THE BEST VAN EVER DESIGNED.....EVER

No way. Not looked at objectively. The body is great, the suspension
is great (and therefore the handling). But it is seriously let down
by unreliable mechanicals, poor electrics and crap-quality plastics
and switchgear; unergonomic controls. The cargo bay is compromised by
the engine hump; this could probably have been deleted by having no
ancillaries atop the engine and a slightly higher floor.

The best... has to be the cabover current-model (1989-present) Toyota
Hiace. Solid, safe, reliable, big, ergonomic everything, decent
handling, available with a huge variety of engines, body types, 3
different van wheelbases and levels of trim from bare bones to
ultraluxurious. And a flat cargo bay floor. All it lacks is an IRS
option, though upmarket versions get torsionbar rear, and
walkthrough. 4WD optional, including full-time and part-time
versions. And with good looks to top it off, and Toyota's top-quality
ergonomics, plastics, switchgear,  fit and finish. Available with
full camper conversions, including poptops.

Toyota Hiace
Engines
2.0 gas
2.4 gas
2.0 diesel
2.4 diesel (turbo oprtion)
2.8 diesel
3.0 EFI turbodiesel
Auto or 5-speed manual; floorshift or column
cartspring or torsionbar rear
SWB, MWB (=VW length) or LWB
RWD, part-time 4WD, full-time 4WD
normal or high roof
top-hinged normal tailgate or (rare) dual vertical-hinged doors
single or dual sliders
optional  small rear wheels with no wheelarches intruding into floor
electric locking, windows, morrors, dual aircon etc

--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut