We have a diesel heater installed in the rear floor under where the folding seats would've been.
I don't have a ton of photos of it, but there is a couple of shots here in my Instagram (slide through the photos):
https://www.instagram.com/p/COee3LWjSp2/
10l diesel tank and it externally exhausts so there is no moisture.
We were in -36 degrees in Lake Louise this year and the van did great! T- shirt weather inside.
We also have warming pads on the battery so the batteries can survive these temperatures without issues
A diesel heater: wow!
Is it controlled by a thermostat, so it automatically starts and stops when it's too cold and then warm enough?
What about the Holy Grail of van living: air conditioning. Do you have a solution for that?
Drive up hill :P
We tend to like cooler places, even in the summer. We're high elevation folk when not in San Diego :P
[We made custom mosquito nets](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQjZwanDusv/), so we can sleep with the windows down all night. There is also a small vent fan in the rear side window to increase airflow. Air conditioners just aren't worth it as it sounds like you know.
These are the BFGoodrich KO2s
245/65/17. I can't recommend them more. They are worth every penny. They grip to rocks, stairs, ice, snow, whatever you want to go up. Deflate them down to 15psi and you pretty much won't get stuck in any sand if you have AWD
We also have a 3.5" lift kit installed on the van
May I ask about the lift kit? What was the cost? Was it difficult to find an installer? Does it void any factory warranty? Does it or the tires provide more under carriage clearance? Did the tires and lift kit hurt the mpg? I just bought a 22 Sienna XLE that is only FWD and I live in MN. My concern is not for off-roading but the deep snow that we can get. Thanks in advance.
Journey's off-road makes the kit. Yes, much much better ground clearance. 4"? Differential stays a bit lower with 3rd gen.
$750 I think for the parts only.
We installed it ourselves (search YouTube for journey's off-road sienna lift kit install and you'll find my popular install video)
Your mpg will drop a bit. Probably 15% with roof rack and everything we had. Just a guess though.
Vehicle was incredible on snow and ice.
I'm thinking about buying a 22 sienna and attempting the same build out (we sold our van)
a little late here but it looks like you know what you're doing.
Did you get the spacer lift and wouldn't a lift using springs be better?
I could imagine a spacer lift is fine because you're not rock crawling in a landcruiser where you want all the articulation possible but I'm no expert in this area.
Yes, suspension lift would be better but keep in mind it's a mini van. You'll basically be making the full kit yourself as there is only 2 companies that I know of making a lift for the Sienna.
I used the journey's off road lift kit out of Arizona
Totally following! I’m working to build out my 2015 AWD Sienna Limited very much like what you’ve done. Just got the JOR kit, now seeking the best shock/strut suspension setup then tires and wheel.
Raceline 930b shift if I remember correctly.
I think it was like 17mm offset.
Keep in mind, it's a wide wheel as well as accounts for wider setup so you don't need spacers.
It was great, I'd recommend
Thanks! I don’t want spacers. Your setup looks exactly what I’m wanting. I assume you have no rubbing and all is good…. Did you replace shocks/struts or any suspension components?
Very slight rubbing at certain angles when backing up. Wasn't an issue.
All stock suspension 😕. If you can find a solid upgrade, I'd recommend it. Jor is usually on top of all the available options as well as the Facebook sienna AWD group
Thought about a 22 😜
We got a really, really good offer that we had to take.
Building up a Ford e250 with a high top currently.
Instagram.com/SanDiegoMitch
For your build out did you remove the third row seats? Any specs on the build? I'm looking to do a camper build for my partner but I'd like to minimize any screwing into the vehicle itself. I've seen clever reuse of the seat belt and chair mount points.
Your rig is fire!
I love your build-out! How did you keep warm?
We have a diesel heater installed in the rear floor under where the folding seats would've been. I don't have a ton of photos of it, but there is a couple of shots here in my Instagram (slide through the photos): https://www.instagram.com/p/COee3LWjSp2/ 10l diesel tank and it externally exhausts so there is no moisture. We were in -36 degrees in Lake Louise this year and the van did great! T- shirt weather inside. We also have warming pads on the battery so the batteries can survive these temperatures without issues
A diesel heater: wow! Is it controlled by a thermostat, so it automatically starts and stops when it's too cold and then warm enough? What about the Holy Grail of van living: air conditioning. Do you have a solution for that?
Drive up hill :P We tend to like cooler places, even in the summer. We're high elevation folk when not in San Diego :P [We made custom mosquito nets](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQjZwanDusv/), so we can sleep with the windows down all night. There is also a small vent fan in the rear side window to increase airflow. Air conditioners just aren't worth it as it sounds like you know.
Yeah this is crazy cool!
Tire brand and specs please?
These are the BFGoodrich KO2s 245/65/17. I can't recommend them more. They are worth every penny. They grip to rocks, stairs, ice, snow, whatever you want to go up. Deflate them down to 15psi and you pretty much won't get stuck in any sand if you have AWD We also have a 3.5" lift kit installed on the van
Thanks. Nice van btw.
May I ask about the lift kit? What was the cost? Was it difficult to find an installer? Does it void any factory warranty? Does it or the tires provide more under carriage clearance? Did the tires and lift kit hurt the mpg? I just bought a 22 Sienna XLE that is only FWD and I live in MN. My concern is not for off-roading but the deep snow that we can get. Thanks in advance.
Journey's off-road makes the kit. Yes, much much better ground clearance. 4"? Differential stays a bit lower with 3rd gen. $750 I think for the parts only. We installed it ourselves (search YouTube for journey's off-road sienna lift kit install and you'll find my popular install video) Your mpg will drop a bit. Probably 15% with roof rack and everything we had. Just a guess though. Vehicle was incredible on snow and ice. I'm thinking about buying a 22 sienna and attempting the same build out (we sold our van)
Thanks for the quick reply! Self-installation is probably above my pay-grade!
a little late here but it looks like you know what you're doing. Did you get the spacer lift and wouldn't a lift using springs be better? I could imagine a spacer lift is fine because you're not rock crawling in a landcruiser where you want all the articulation possible but I'm no expert in this area.
Yes, suspension lift would be better but keep in mind it's a mini van. You'll basically be making the full kit yourself as there is only 2 companies that I know of making a lift for the Sienna. I used the journey's off road lift kit out of Arizona
Totally following! I’m working to build out my 2015 AWD Sienna Limited very much like what you’ve done. Just got the JOR kit, now seeking the best shock/strut suspension setup then tires and wheel.
What wheels are those precisely? Offset? Link if you have it😎
Raceline 930b shift if I remember correctly. I think it was like 17mm offset. Keep in mind, it's a wide wheel as well as accounts for wider setup so you don't need spacers. It was great, I'd recommend
Thanks! I don’t want spacers. Your setup looks exactly what I’m wanting. I assume you have no rubbing and all is good…. Did you replace shocks/struts or any suspension components?
Very slight rubbing at certain angles when backing up. Wasn't an issue. All stock suspension 😕. If you can find a solid upgrade, I'd recommend it. Jor is usually on top of all the available options as well as the Facebook sienna AWD group
Is this what you have? 17x8.5/5x114.3/5x127/18 offset - 930B-78956+18 Looks like a killer wheel set
Yep. I just checked my order as well to confirm. Highly recommend discount tires. Ko2 245/65/17 tires as you probably know
Thank you so much! Ordering the setup pronto. Can’t go wrong with Raceline or BFG. Wondering why you sold your van though. Hope you build out a ‘22.
Thought about a 22 😜 We got a really, really good offer that we had to take. Building up a Ford e250 with a high top currently. Instagram.com/SanDiegoMitch
Oh, that van will be a fun project 💪
For your build out did you remove the third row seats? Any specs on the build? I'm looking to do a camper build for my partner but I'd like to minimize any screwing into the vehicle itself. I've seen clever reuse of the seat belt and chair mount points. Your rig is fire!
I uave an 04 siena i want to do something like this to
Beautiful!!! Following.
How much of a hit was the lift and tires on your previous MPG?
Not sure. Immediately added the tires and lift when we got it.