*My NEW Foton View Van - The Journey Continues!

Coming Soon! My new Foton View, 2.2 Petrol, 15 Passenger Van. Ready for pickup next week!

The old 85 Toyota has been great! All rebuilt and running well but it is still very old. Short trips are ok but I've decided to go for a new Van as I plan to do more long, round Malaysia trips very soon. Probably sell the Toyota, hard to drive 2 at the same time!
I Thought long and hard before purchasing this "China Made" Van. The "View" is new in the market of Malaysia. Here's what I understand:

1. Made in China by Foton, largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in China. Many assembly plants around the world making this van already.
2. Assembled in  Kulim Kedah by Inokom who also assembles BMW, Mini, Hyundai, Land Rover, Mazda and Jem Bie Vans. Some track record.
3. It's a Older Toyota Hiace Clone with a different nose. Say Parts are interchangeable
4. Brought in by Berjaya Group. Marketed and serviced by Mazda Dealerships around Malaysia.
24/7 break down service on call.
5. 3 year/100,00 KM warranty.
6. And of course......The Price was a big factor for me.

All I can do now is receive the Van and go from there, hope for the best I guess. I dont plan to do much modification to it right away, just remove the back 2 rows of seats for gear and do things like: 
1. CHANGE THE TIRES FIRST! Called "Good Ride" Made in China and some very bad reports on them.
2. Curtains & Tinting
3. Modest Stereo System with Speakers that can be brought outside.
4. Extra layer of Foam & Carpet throughout.

More to come after I receive the van.

My Foton View Van is now in Melaka!

After a nice drive from KL (There was Madness!) back to Melaka.

No issues other than very soft China made tires that will be changed shortly.

Aircon worked well but some Tinting and Curtains will help a lot for those very hot sunny days here. The Radio is a Joke. Tuner and MP3 USB input thru one Speaker though the set is stereo. Those old 2 channel Beatles songs are only half there! Change is soon!

First on the list! Baby gets new Shoes!

 Original China made "Good Ride" Tires (World wide lawsuits!) Changed to wider "Good Year" Fortera Tires. A sort of semi off road Tire as well. Tire-man didn't really want to take any trade in on them, but he did. 2 years old as well. Stereo/Alarm tomorrow

Chinese engineering? YIKES!

Might as well make it track straight as long as I'm here! Yes, I'm watchin you guys!

Stereo & Alarm is installed

Another nightmare! I was over them like a Hawk. In the end I think I got what I wanted.

Lord give me strength!

Simple Sony Media Player, no CD just AUX, USB & Radio.

Back 2 rows of Seats removed.

Rear Speakers & 200 Watt Sub Woofer are removable with extra long wires for Outdoor use. The Sub Woofer is sitting on top of 2 Banquet Tables I got at Tesco on sale for 36.00 RM each!

Found a tray that just fits for those "Go to the Market Trips".

Used existing in Dash speaker mount for a 4" Woofer the added the external tweeter on top of the Dash.

Almost 6' length of space in the back. Sleepable, may put a raised deck that converts to 2 Tables for outdoor use.

The Blessing - Stable & on the Road!

Trip Down To Minyak Beku, Johor State.

Had this Van a Couple weeks now and I have to say it's just fine. Aircon cools well with the big Sun load on the windows. Van rides much firmer now with the new quality Tires. The turning circle is fantastic. U - turns no problem, the power steering is very light also. I calculate the mileage is about 22 mpg. First 2 gears are quite low so you go through them very quickly. Almost can start in 2nd. 70 liter fuel tank. 2.2 Fuel Injected Engine. Took the back 2 rows of seats out and gives 6' space in the back. Sound proofing is good.

Rock & Roll Stickers & Tinting has been done

Much cooler now, I hope JPJ don't disturb me!

Trip to Pangkalan Balak Malacca

Up the Malacca Coast not far from Sungai Baru / Tanjong Bidara. There's a Turtle Sanctuary there and we normally setup just next to it. Nice beach, Clean good sandy drop off with lots of shade trees.

The van rides great! Quiet inside and very smooth on the back roads. Air-Con is much better now with the Tinting done. Even just ran the front A/C for a while as the rear made it too cold mid Morning.

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