"> The best... has to be the cabover current-model
> (1989-present) Toyota
> Hiace."

Sounds like a great vehicle, But round here a
"cabover" is called a "Class C" and is not considered
a Van.
If we are going to compare apples and oranges Ill
take a 79' GMC 26' Motorcoach, front wheel drive
455cid Olds and a top speed of 80mph AND...great
handling.

check out the GMC history page:
http://www.gmcmotorhomes.com/catalog/page00.html

Most of these motorhomes are still on the road becouse
they were designed to be tough as nails by an air
craft engineer that worked for GMC.

Phil

--- Andrew Grebneff
<andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ> wrote:
> >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

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