“Wabi Sabi acts as my reminder that the things (...) truly vital to the adventure don't come with a price tag, they come from the spirit of the adventurer.”
At Passenger, we’ve got a soft spot for vintage rigs. They’ve got soul, real road experience with the marks and miles to prove it. Call us sentimental, but we believe in buying things we love and using them until they can’t be used any more; repairing, reworking and passing things on. Little Spruce is no different. Our spirited little roamer, reclaimed and converted for the road out west.
A 1996 Toyota HiAce, kitted out by the folks at Wabi Works, Washington State USA. We talk shop with Grayson Neal, a fixer and tinkerer by trade, thoughtful, principled designer and builder of custom cargo solutions. Wabi Sabi? We’re into it.
Calling All Stateside Roamers…
You may have seen that we’re giving away our plucky four-wheeled explorer Little Spruce, plus an epic Escapism Bundle. Here for a good time, not a long time… kitted out by the good folks at Wabi Works, as you know.
Hit the link below to enter by sharing a snap from a past adventure and some words on what made it meaningful to you.
This competition is open to US residents only.
Closes midnight 27.10.24
What inspired your transition from contracting and woodworking into vehicle build-outs? How did Wabi Works come around?
“I've always found a lot of joy in building, crafting and tinkering with things that have a tangible functional aspect to them. This led me into working for an old-timey master carpenter for the first year and a half I lived in Bellingham, Washington State. That mentorship gave me a lot of time on the tools, and was invaluable in developing my sense and understanding for fitment and precision. With that came my growing interest in modifying my personal vehicle for my own adventures.
“So naturally, I tried my hand at building my first drawer system. The first one was fairly simple, but I was very intrigued by the way it changed how I interacted with my car, whether it was loading up for a trip or just daily driving. I found a lot of excitement in the process of building, using, and refining the drawer system. So after that year of building my own stuff in my garage I thought it was time I try to expand my skill set in the direction of working on vehicles. So I went for it and got hired to work for a van conversion company doing high-end Sprinter vans and such.
“That was cool for a while, and was another experience I found valuable to my journey but ultimately I decided to prioritize my creative freedom over the steady paycheck. I left that company in September 2020, and stepped out into the vast, messy realm of "freelance" work. I hopped right into a huge restoration project on a camper and the rest is history for another chapter. The seed of what Wabi Works could be, came to me on one particularly hot summer day in 2020, while I was deep in the zone, sanding a cabinet I was building. While dreaming of working on something other than another Sprinter van....”
Can you tell us the meaning behind Wabi Works? Where does the name come from, your ethos and principles when you're approaching a new build?
“I enjoy studying and reading philosophy around creativity, life, and art. It helps me pass the time on those long shop days, and come back to center when I get out of balance. The more I learned, the more I began to resonate with the ancient Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi. I began to make connections to my own process of building. Wabi Works became my mantra that I use to break out of the clutches of a perfectionist mindset.
“I love (...) building with wood, it’s not afraid to tell its story with its scuffs and scratches.”
“The philosophy of Wabi Sabi carries many meanings and like anything philosophical, is open to one's interpretation. To me it means; Finding beauty in the imperfections of life, and honoring the life cycle of "things". It might also be conveyed as that feeling one gets when a pair of shoes is perfectly worn in. Perfectly imperfect. In this fast-paced world where everything is curated to the highest level, and fancy new products get advertised every day. Wabi Sabi acts as my reminder that the things that are truly vital to the adventure don't come with a price tag, they come from the spirit of the adventurer.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm into new gadgets and cool gear too. That being said I don't subscribe to the theory that newer is always better, and despite what the algorithm wants you to think, anything that gets used as it should will naturally show its signs of wear, accumulate nicks and scratches, dings and maybe dents too. It's the cycle of life, and Wabi Sabi is the art of embracing that. That is what I love about building with wood, it's not afraid to tell its story with its scuffs and scratches.
“It's up to me to find that happy medium between maximizing the space and the functionality and expressing myself creatively in the details of the build.”
“When I’m approaching a new custom build I like to take it slow and observe and interact with the rig in its natural state. Each custom project is unique in its variables but all follow a similar path from start to finish. I start by envisioning the end goal, what do I want the rig to feel like when it's done? What will it be like when it's in the wild? Then I have to hold that vision loosely as I design backwards to bring it into reality, because as the work goes, there are always ideas and plans that have to bend and flex because the process teaches me so much as I go along. It's up to me to find that happy medium between maximizing the space and the functionality and expressing myself creatively in the details of the build.”
Favorite build-out / vehicle you've had the chance to work on?
“That's a tough one! Each custom project has been so much fun and so different than the last. This HiAce project is at the top of the list right now. As I am a big Toyota enthusiast, the JDM spec low mileage HiAce was a dream to see roll into my shop. There are so many things I love about that van, from the turbo diesel engine with 4wd, the multiple sunroofs, and notes of late 90s luxury wrapped in a package so clean it's like stepping into a time machine. The dynamics of the project were different with this one as well. Working with an international brand to build something that would be given away to a lucky random person was another new one for me...”
Tell us about your process with the HiAce? We’re all ears, from concept to first cuts.
“The design process began simply. There were no 3D scans taken or CAD files created. I just drove the van around town for a few days and spent time getting familiar with it. I had never been inside a HiAce before so getting used to a layout where 80% of the entire thing was buildable space was exciting. After I knew the rig in its stock form, I had a better understanding of what I wanted the end result to be. So I pulled it into the shop and began with removing the rear seats, seat brackets, carpet and floor liner. That's the part where I was discovering clues on how and where I would anchor the main floor plate to the van. I find this can be a tricky element to the start of any rig build - how to safely and effectively transition from metal to wood. The foundation needs to be anchored to the body of the van in order to have a solid starting point, and this is where factors like vibration, serviceability, and protection from moisture come into play.”
“I find the best way to do so is by using the factory mounting holes for the seats. With the floor of the van stripped down to sheet metal, I pulled my measurements and cut a template out of a full sheet of 1/4" plywood. Starting with the cutouts for wheel wells and side door I then measured and drilled for the bolt holes. A few test fits and adjustments later and the template was transferred onto a sheet of 1/2" marine grade plywood that was further protected with a coat of natural based floor wax and separated from the carpet with a sheet of 1/2" rigid foam board insulation. These two layers were secured over the top of the factory carpet using high strength bolts with big washers and a few drops of thread locker to keep from coming loose with the rattling of the diesel engine. From here I had a nice flat surface I knew that I could build off of.
“With the functionality dialed in, from there it was a lot of trim work, adding details and hardwood accents to tie it all together.”
“Next began the construction of the big main box. What would be the fixed part of the bed, would also house the three big drawers, act as a bench seat, and an anchor for the side cabinet and swivel table. Next was onto making the bed extension, and finding the ideal way to make the bed deploy quickly and strong enough to sleep on. This puzzled me a bit until I came to the realization that the swivel table mount was exactly the right height to support the bed. With that problem solved it was onto designing the rear drawers. With knowing what accessories were going in the drawers from the start I was able to size everything specifically to that gear which was fun from a design standpoint. With the functionality dialed in, from there it was a lot of trim work, adding details and hardwood accents to tie it all together. It is vital to me that things work with a high degree of useability, and although it may look like there is a lot going on, I wanted it to remain intuitive and simple to use for anyone who will get to enjoy the van in the future.”
Your favorite feature about the HiAce build?
“My favorite feature in the HiAce is the way that the center is still spacious enough to seat 4 people, with two on the bench and two sitting behind the front seats when they're slid forward. Having the side door open, the table swung to the center, and the sunroof open for sky gazing, the chill factor remains high, and for a compact low top van, that is pretty impressive to me. Another note that was a pleasant and unexpected product of the design, is how the trim around the rear drawers came out to resemble that of a Japanese Zen temple. It wasn't until the last few hours of the build that I noticed it like that, but I find it very fitting for such a van.”
“I find it takes a constant sifting of ideas throughout the process to figure out what will work and what needs to evolve into something else.”
How is working with a smaller footprint vs a larger van, like a Sprinter or cargo van?
“Working in any rig comes with similar challenges, the smaller the rig is the more you might have to compromise on what makes the cut and what doesn't. Bigger rigs have more real estate and can carry more weight, which means more things tend to get added to the list. In simple terms this can make things more complicated and harder to find the right balance. As with any build there will always be compromises and changes to the plan as you go. The important thing I try to remember is not to get too attached to the initial ideas and visions of the project. I find it takes a constant sifting of ideas throughout the process to figure out what will work and what needs to evolve into something else. I find the things I learn and discover throughout the build are far more exciting than any of the plans I initially thought of.
“It's great to see a vision come to life, and to get to interact and experience it as a tool for adventure, and with that comes the necessary understanding that the rig is dynamic and ever changing as long as it rolls down the road. This about sums up the Wabi Works ethos in whole. This was truly an exciting project to be a part of and I am beyond stoked to send another creation out into the world.”
