The Toyota Hiace is the default trade van in Australia for good reason: it runs forever, parts are everywhere, and it holds its value. That last point is exactly why it is worth fitting out properly. A Hiace that has spent 5 years carrying tools on a bare steel floor sells for noticeably less than one that was protected from day 1.
This guide covers a complete Hiace fit-out, in the order we would do it: protect the inside, then get the long gear outside, then finish the details.
Step 1: the van floor
Start with the floor, because it takes the most punishment. A fitted floor sits over the factory ribbed steel and gives you a flat, sweepable surface that stops tools collecting in the channels and stops the steel getting gouged.
For the current shape, the Toyota Hiace MY19+ van floor is cut to the model’s cargo area. For earlier Hiace models we make the equivalent, so check the range or ask us which suits your build year. Add the universal van floor anchor kit if you want proper tie-down points for heavier loads.
Step 2: interior lining panels
With the floor down, the walls are next. Lining panels protect the wall skins, wheel arches and doors from the daily knocks of ladders, conduit and tool cases going in and out. On a Hiace they also tidy the cargo bay considerably, which matters if customers ever see inside the van.
Use the Hiace MY19+ interior lining panels for the current model, or the earlier Hiace lining panels for previous shapes. There is more detail on how flooring and lining work together in our van flooring and lining guide.
Step 3: get the long gear on the roof
The single biggest gain in usable space is moving ladders, conduit and lengths of timber out of the cargo bay and onto the roof. That frees the whole floor for tools and stock, and it stops long items sliding into the walls you just lined.
Our Toyota Hiace roof racks are made in Adelaide to suit the Hiace roof specifically, with streamlined bars that keep wind noise down. On a van that lives on the highway between jobs, that quietness is something you notice every day.
Step 4: ladders and conduit
Once the rack is on, add the carriers for what you actually haul:
- Ladders: ladder rails and load assist gear turn loading into a 1-person job. See the ladder storage range.
- Conduit and pipe: a lockable Bazooka conduit carrier keeps conduit dry, secure and impossible to slide out, and locks it away overnight.
- Everything else: lashing straps and rack locks to keep the load where you put it.
Step 5: the finishing details
Small items, disproportionate difference. Grab handles make getting in and out of a high cargo bay safer, particularly in the wet. Rear steps do the same at the back doors. These are the parts people add 6 months late after the first slip, and wish they had fitted at the start.
Fitting out for your trade
- Electricians: floor, lining, roof racks and a conduit carrier. The conduit lives up top, the cargo bay stays clear for the fit-off gear.
- Plumbers: the same base, with pipe carrying up top and a well-anchored floor for heavier fittings and stock.
- Carpenters and builders: prioritise the roof setup for timber and sheets, and lining panels, because framing gear is the hardest on the walls.
- Service and telco fleets: the full internal protection package, which is where our racks started before the trade range grew.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I fit a Hiace out in?
Floor first, then lining panels, then the roof rack and carriers, then the access details like grab handles. Doing the interior first means you are not working around a rack, and the floor is easier to fit before the van fills up with gear.
Do the fit-out parts suit older Hiace models?
We make floors, lining panels and racks across Hiace generations, not just the current one. Check the product listing for your build year, or contact us with your model and we will confirm.
Will a roof rack make the Hiace noisy?
Our bars are streamlined specifically to keep wind noise to a minimum, which matters on a van that spends its life on the highway.
Does fitting out a Hiace help resale?
Yes. Buyers and fleet assessors look at the condition of the cargo area. A van whose floor and walls were protected from the start presents far better than one where the steel took 5 years of tools directly.
Setting up a new Hiace, or rescuing one that has been worked hard? Browse van internal protection and the roof rack range, or get in touch and we will map out the right setup for your trade.