If the price is right and it runs well it makes good sense. The sleeping area separate from the work/eat/live area solves 1of your "must haves" & a permanent bed is another.
Hi from Aussie Nomads here. We drive a Toyota Commutee and yes she is 25 years old. Parts are easy and easy to install and any rust issues are so easy to fix yourself. My hubby is a mechanic but there is just so many knowledgeable videos on how to do something on these older van. We love ours. Anyway good luck with what ever you both choose. Love and hugs
Re-do the layout in the sprinter , rear bed with a blackout curtain so she can sleep - a garage underneath the bed and use front swivel seat with a table for your late night video editing . You already have the van .
Element Van Life , I daily drive a 91 4x4 Toyota high ace camper van , when something breaks , and it will - the US Toyota dealership have very few parts for it , not uncommon to wait weeks for smallest oddball part out Japan or Malaysia or North West JDM van guys
right side drive is a real challenge driving in a left side world when trying to pass; have to pull all the way out into oncoming traffic to get a good view.
@@veganpotterthevegan Zero traffic? Are you drunk? Most of our population is in the city. We have vast nothingness out there. Not my problem if your roads are shit. It won’t be an issue in the US.
@@classicscustomsandhotrodso600 Most of your small population is near your coasts. It's still not bad. And yes, I've been to Australia and I've lived in the US and the Philippines.
Hi Nate and Shannon, I bought my Toyota Regius 1999 campervan as a Japanese import here in the UK back in 2011. It was fro a company who specialised in importing low mileage good quality Japanese vehicles and then converting them. Because they don't salt the roads in Japan you are not likely to have a problem with rust if it has come directly from Japan. I chose my vehicle a 4wd automatic petrol engine. I then chose my conversion i. e. layout , finish of cabinets, upholstery, pop top or high top, solar panels , webasco heater etc. I got something like a brand new van to my own specifications for about a third of the price. This is the third Japanese vehicle I have owned ( my everyday car is a 4wd Daihatsu) and I just find them very reliable and have not had any difficulty sourcing parts in the UK. My last Daihatsu had to be scrapped due to rust rather than due to mechanical problems. My Toyota campervan drives like a luxury vehicle, automatic with power steering and air conditioning throughout. Had a friend with a VW campervan and that was a much heavier more van like drive. Hope my comments help your decision, although I do appreciate the vans have to be a lot older for you to buy them in the USA.
I have a 1995 GMC Vandura Starcraft G2500 high roof Conversion van. I purchased it in Myrtle Beach, SC with 21,500 original miles on it; it has always been garaged and is in like new condition. The two second row passenger seats come out (puffy leather). It has an electric queen size bed and tv. When camping, I take along a porta potty and have a homemade sink and manual pump to a bottled water for water. Sponge baths work, along with a Planet Fitness membership. It is a very dependable vehicle with a V8. I purchased it at a premium at the time for $12,000-you can get conversion vans for less. My point is that you can get a conversion vans and EASILY convert it to a compact motorhome when you realize you can shower or get clean easily and regularly, along with bathroom necessities. Only thing you have to do is install plug ins for campground hookups and cooking facilities-a $70.00 Coleman Stove fits that bill. If you need roof air conditioning and/or Maxx Air Vent, then you are good to go. Heat solutions are easy too. Either that or go with a used more expensive class B Roadtrek or Pleasureway.
It is not weird laws, the RV corporations and auto industries have a big influence in making those laws to keep medium to small size RVs out of the market. You make more money selling large RVs or upgraded class c and b. Rode in those Toyotas down in Mexico and thought wow, these have great space to build out as a living Van.
Absolutely, not weird just a shady way to prevent REAL competition into the marketplace! Meanwhile in the U.S. we get oversized, overpriced, unreliable xxxx 😆
@@realcreature3D corporations are a government creation so that’s why it’s the government who is to blame for corporatehood and it’s, what you call, influence.
These jdm vehicles are people magnets. I should know, I live full time, out west, in a Mitsubishi fuso 4wd, 22ft, diesel bus. In its previous life it was a bookmobile, from the island of Hokido, mountain city of Asakahowa. I have had more fun with this bus than any vehicle I have ever driven. It is one of two that I know of in the western hemisphere. Right hand drive is easy too get used to. Left hand gear shift took a little while. Thanks for the video.
FIRST QUESTION, Nate...when the time comes (and it will), where will you find PARTS and SERVICE for an ‘oddball’ vehicle...especially if you are on the road??
I love those imported rigs also , as it's probable been mentioned check on repair parts and servicing, and It definitely won't be urban steathly. But very cool
What about the upcoming VW electric Buzz? I think it’s coming out in a 2022. It’s gonna have a 375 mile range & quick charge. And being electric, you’d have a climate controlled generator on wheels. Get a pop top installed and it’d be perfect. ⚡️ 🚌 ⚡️👍🏼
They used to build nice (micro) mini-motorhomes on the Toyota chasssis. I had one in '85. Four banger was bulletproof, but you crawled up hills. US companies, dozens back then, built them to the point they were breaking. Toy came through and upgraded all the axles, which was unbelievable, and then they said they wouldn't allow the designs. You take 20 feet, you put the bed over the cab and hood, use a tiny bath, basic dinette, fridge, stove, you've got it all for 5,000 pounds. Not great to drive, tall and clunky, but OK. Plenty still around.They are still in Australia, and there are nice designs for vans in Europe, maybe $55k. US guys like Winnie load a Promaster to the limits, Europeans do the basics. If you take a Promaster for $35k, add some basic but very useful stuff, how many $$ do you have to add. I bought some LFP Lith, Sony, from Jehu Garcia. Two kilowatt hours for $300. These days, my idea of survival is building a van that can take the heat, so big solar big lith. What the heck is going to happen this winter. They say millions of people are not paying rent. The moratorium on evictions is likely to end after the election, one way or another. So they all get in their cars and live in Quartzsite? A lot of people 'on the road' who really don't want to be there. Which might explain the trash everywhere, from Walmart to the forests. I saw three guys cleaning up at Walmart. Clearly not employees, and clearly trying to protect the right to stay there. Straaaange times. Great video but nothing I would want to deal with. Don't be afraid to build something. You know more than most.
I've got a 95 delica L400 gasoline motor long wheel base. I built it out with rock and roll bed (sofa bed), hot/cold running water, small sink, outdoor shower, big fridge/freezer, 12v air conditioner, diesel heater, 400ah lithium batteries, 2000watt inverter, water tanks, induction cooktop, porto-potty, well insulated. I love it.
I recommend Mitsubishi. the engine has very tight tolerances and uses 0-20w oil. hence, there are fewer emission controls to set off a check engine light. they are very dependable vehicles!
Wishing you guys a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and am trying my best to catch up with this and many more of your fantastic videos! Take care!!🎄🎄🤗🤗
There are a couple of those for sale on Santa Fe Taos Albuquerque Craigslist right now. 1991 4WD Toyota TownAce Camper, 1994 JDM Nissan Vanette 4WD Camper
@@classicscustomsandhotrodso600 Try pulling up to a USA Toyota dealer out on the road (reality) to get the parts.........the parts guy will laugh. Parts guy cant cross reference with provided info at dealership. Most OEM's can only order parts for vehicles sold in their country. I say this with job experience. You as the owner could look them up on the internet maybe and gamble getting it from another country.
@@hemisuperzee1287 Like I mentioned Elsewhere, pretty sure you have the Hilux in the US. Same running gear. Don’t you have aftermarket parts shops there? I can still get new parts for what was a 1971 model Dodge Colt in the US. Here they were a Chrysler Galant.
How much fun looking for the RIGHT van... you both are smart. You will find the best one for the two of you. I have the NV200. I know I couldn’t have someone with me on my adventures😉
Had a JDM sports car a couple years back. It is really not that hard to drive on the wrong side of the vehicle. Most common thing I got wrong was the turn signal and windshield wiper stocks are opposite. Every left turn I would turn on the wipers.
I've been driving around the last month wondering if I would see you guys, and here you were at A&E, which is a great coffee place. I was in a shop right behind it just last week on a rainy day. Then you're across the street from DQ, just a couple of miles from me! I'm so glad you guys are still here for the real fall color - it's been an amazing year with the red colors, even in a severe drought. By the way, the importer is in Hudson, not Nashua, and I don't see the link in your description. This was an interesting vid, thanks.
I’ve seen these types of rigs before and, while they are nice, my biggest concern is where to get it serviced and worked on when needed. Mechanics, dealerships, parts, etc could easily derail the unit. For occasional camping trips it’s fine but not, in my view, for full time living.
Nate The Bongo has a lot of issues with cooling. There’s a steel pipe that goes underneath the engine that rots and overheating is common. The Ford version has exactly the same problem. Good spec vans however a bad reputation for rust is always a problem.
. I have noticed in my travels that the JDM market dealerships are usually up near U.S and Canada border areas. Hope you find a cool one. Seinfeld season 2 and 3 have Art Vandelay mostly 3.
I can’t wait to enter Van life. My wife and I have a people mover in Australia however have 4 kids so waiting for them to all grow up and have their own vehicles
I just bought a 1992 Toyota dolphin with 56,000 miles on it it’s my dream my family calls it a money pit but I don’t spend anything but on important things I just started living full time in my dolphin it’s amazing it’s been 4 months I’m starting small renovations in the spring ... I forgot to mention it’s a Toyota rv that’s 20 feet long ... street legal in cali right?
Hi, I’m here in the U.K., the wheel is on the right side but you’re driving on the wrong side 🤪. I spent a year at university in Oregon and drove an automatic for the first time. The different side of the road wasn’t really an issue but the lack of clutch. The first time I got to a stop sign I pressed what I thought was the brake and clutch pedals but of course was just the double wide brake pedal. Chaos ensued as the hire car about did a front flip 😁😁.
Yep, Robin Hood Park in Keene, NH Where I'm from and still here. Too bad I didn't know you were here you could have driveway surfed here at my place. I should have reached out to you when you were in Brattleboro VT to see if you were coming this way. I was thinking you were headed into NY. Darn! Well maybe you'll be back around in time. I'll keep the light on. Take care! -Jon
I so want to buy a small used campervan in the UK and I made the mistake of getting just an automatic license (it's the sort of car I bought when I moved over) instead of getting a full license. I can drive a stick but can't upgrade my license because everything is closed due to Covid. Most of the older used camper vans are stick and in the UK country where I live getting an old automatic is near impossible unless it's a massive RV. All that to say, I'm so envious of being able to check out vans like this. If I was in the US, I'd have no restrictions because US licenses do not distinguish between stick and automatic. I know which campervan I want. I keep crossing my fingers that I get the chance to upgrade my license soon.
Oddly there is some logic to the side we drive on, most people's dominant hand eye and leg is the right, so you have slightly better reactions on that side. Also you use dominant hand on the steering wheel, and pedal at all times rather than messing with gears, I've heard it's why the UK has less trouble with manual gears
I like the ones where you can stand up. I'm converting a '98 Windstar Mini Van for myself. Mine is in mint condition and I'll have every thing but a bathroom. I go where camping/fishing is free, and they have a cluster of bathrooms and hot showers. Van cost $3500 fourteen years ago - I spent about $1000 on upgrades. What do they get for these right-handers?
In Japan, same as in Britain, they're driving on the left side of the road, so the steering wheel is on the right. The Brits argue, that this IS the correct side, since right side is 'starboard' - 'steering board'. ;)
I live near Nashua. I saw something similar a few weeks ago with a Vermont plate. Maybe they bought from the same guy. They looked like they were having fun!
We live in the country so our mail carrier has her wheel on the right side. All the mail boxes are on the right. I would love to convert a van or box truck. Just looking right now. Hopefully I can find something in the spring. I actually really like that class B. They are hard to find. My husband is very talented with wood working so I think it would be fun to do a small build out. How much are these running like the range. And is it possible to see one like this in our area. If you know. We are in Tennessee. Thanks! That one is cool! Leslye
I had one grilled cheese yesterday and two today! Too funny! Of course homemade bread, pepper jack, tomatoes and onion from my garden, and ham but still grilled cheese!
I love the design of European vans. They use the space better but it seems in America because the wheel is on the other side you would need 2 people so one person can look on your blind spot for you. But it is very nice.
Very cool. But what happens if you pull in to a Toyota service dept. somewhere with a 25 year old vehicle with a diesel engine ? Would they work on it ?
Parts could be a problem to..i mean your not gona find them everywhere like for a nv or sprinter..maybe you will have to wait couple of days or in worst case couples of weeks
@Lesley Hughes you're talking about a very old import that is not normally sold here in the US so I would be concerned about getting parts and repair work done I would recommend that you look into that before making a decision. Just a suggestion I may be way off but better safe than sorry.
Yep. Service, parts, repair, as well as insurance are significant concerns for twenty five year old, imported vehicles. Diesels might not be the easiest to find help for.
@Lesley Hughes - I am not saying there are zero places that could work on such vehicles, just there are very few. For a full time traveler in such a vehicle it needs to be serviced where it breaks down and not hundreds of miles away. Also, there are full timer TH-camrs I follow who have experienced issues with an RV built on an American chasis having difficulty just getting an oil change or diagnostic at shops who work on those brands because it was an RV. Imagine taking a class C built on a popular Chevrolet van body to a shop for an oil change and being told they won’t touch it because it’s an RV. What should be (mechanics working on anything because they are mechanics) and what is (not touching it because it isn’t in their wheelhouse) are not the same. Buying something risky for full timing is a problem in my view.
I worked as a mechanic for 20 years and I'd work on almost anything but parts can be a problem that's why most places won't take in vehicles they don't normally work on. Thanks Mark you put it very well, I to have seen lots of RVers having trouble getting their U.S. built RVs repaired.
Ah a Seinfeld reference. I thought it was a somewhat hashed reference to Important Exportin’ Man, by New Riders Of The Purple Sage. As for the vans, yes they're great. I wonder what could be done with a short wheelbase Promaster or Transit if the sleeping platform was above the front seats, so the whole cargo area was available for kitchen, dining/living, and a shower. Oh and those laws that require the imports to be 25 years old are what keeps our air clean, so we don't get a ton of dirty imports from countries with no air quality. I've been in cities where a lot of vehicles are older Japanese diesels and the air is awful. Every breath shortens your life.
Hey man. I owned a JDM van once and sold it because: 1. Parts are hard (or impossible) to find and very expensive and 2. It was not easy to find local mechanics that would even want to work on them. Many modern day mechanics don't even know how to work on carburetors (mine wasn't fuel injected). They're cool collectibles, but unreliable. You don't want to be dead in the water while you wait 2 weeks for parts from Japan - if you can even find them. Don't ask me how I know this... In short, these JDM Vans are super cool looking, but inconvenient money pits in my experience. Sorry to be a killjoy!
@@ElementLife Sure. It was a 1989 Mitsubishi Minicab 4x4 It more like a novelty/fun car to putter around locally. Not anything that you could take for a long trip. But it turned out not to work even for that. It was super cute and cool van but some parts I needed just didn't exist anymore... I bought a 2006 Ford F150 4x4 and you can almost find parts laying at the side of the road for that! 😜🤪 Here's the actual van: bringatrailer.com/2019/01/13/skylights-and-a-supercharger-1989-mitsubishi-minicab-4x4/
Those look so scary to drive. Very neat but if you get in a accident with the front end it looks like your going right through the windshield or if not lucky to fly through might just be squashed like a bug
My suggestion will be to get a TOYOTA HIACE Diesel. Best one will be the High Roof Long Version. Mitsubishi makes good vehicles and I have owned 6 of them. DELICA 4WD High Roof Long was my last one. I just do not think they are spacious enough. Finally the Toyota CAMROAD is already a motorhome built. Any questions I live in Japan
If the price is right and it runs well it makes good sense. The sleeping area separate from the work/eat/live area solves 1of your "must haves" & a permanent bed is another.
Totally Cool!
Very very good info
I started watching this channel for Nate and now find myself watching it more for Shannon. You guys are awesome!
You better check out how difficult it will be to get parts and repairs done. But they do look very cool!
Amazing looking van 😍
Hi from Aussie Nomads here. We drive a Toyota Commutee and yes she is 25 years old. Parts are easy and easy to install and any rust issues are so easy to fix yourself. My hubby is a mechanic but there is just so many knowledgeable videos on how to do something on these older van. We love ours. Anyway good luck with what ever you both choose. Love and hugs
Re-do the layout in the sprinter , rear bed with a blackout curtain so she can sleep - a garage underneath the bed and use front swivel seat with a table for your late night video editing . You already have the van .
typetwotim sprinters are costly to maintain, got to love mercedes
Shannon owes money on the Sprinter and wants to get out of debt. They are decent vans, but also quite costly to maintain and difficult to work on.
Element Van Life , debt free as 5 years ago , make it it happen , good luck
Hope the new van works out.....
Element Van Life , I daily drive a 91 4x4 Toyota high ace camper van , when something breaks , and it will - the US Toyota dealership have very few parts for it , not uncommon to wait weeks for smallest oddball part out Japan or Malaysia or North West JDM van guys
Say Vandalay.. say Vandalay!!! Great reference!!
right side drive is a real challenge driving in a left side world when trying to pass; have to pull all the way out into oncoming traffic to get a good view.
I've driven some small, right hand drive sports cars. And even they're terribly annoying to drive on the right side of the road.
I call bullshit on that. We have thousands of imported American classic cars and they are easy to drive.
@@classicscustomsandhotrodso600 Ok dude from a country with zero traffic and extremely low population density
@@veganpotterthevegan Zero traffic? Are you drunk? Most of our population is in the city. We have vast nothingness out there. Not my problem if your roads are shit. It won’t be an issue in the US.
@@classicscustomsandhotrodso600 Most of your small population is near your coasts. It's still not bad. And yes, I've been to Australia and I've lived in the US and the Philippines.
Love the Seinfeld reference. Everybody may not get it, but I did. Very funny! Good luck shopping for the perfect van for you guys.
Hi Nate and Shannon, I bought my Toyota Regius 1999 campervan as a Japanese import here in the UK back in 2011. It was fro a company who specialised in importing low mileage good quality Japanese vehicles and then converting them. Because they don't salt the roads in Japan you are not likely to have a problem with rust if it has come directly from Japan. I chose my vehicle a 4wd automatic petrol engine. I then chose my conversion i. e. layout , finish of cabinets, upholstery, pop top or high top, solar panels , webasco heater etc. I got something like a brand new van to my own specifications for about a third of the price. This is the third Japanese vehicle I have owned ( my everyday car is a 4wd Daihatsu) and I just find them very reliable and have not had any difficulty sourcing parts in the UK. My last Daihatsu had to be scrapped due to rust rather than due to mechanical problems. My Toyota campervan drives like a luxury vehicle, automatic with power steering and air conditioning throughout. Had a friend with a VW campervan and that was a much heavier more van like drive. Hope my comments help your decision, although I do appreciate the vans have to be a lot older for you to buy them in the USA.
I like that you guys are looking outside of the box. It'll be cool to see what you come up with.
I have a 1995 GMC Vandura Starcraft G2500 high roof Conversion van. I purchased it in Myrtle Beach, SC with 21,500 original miles on it; it has always been garaged and is in like new condition. The two second row passenger seats come out (puffy leather). It has an electric queen size bed and tv. When camping, I take along a porta potty and have a homemade sink and manual pump to a bottled water for water. Sponge baths work, along with a Planet Fitness membership. It is a very dependable vehicle with a V8. I purchased it at a premium at the time for $12,000-you can get conversion vans for less. My point is that you can get a conversion vans and EASILY convert it to a compact motorhome when you realize you can shower or get clean easily and regularly, along with bathroom necessities. Only thing you have to do is install plug ins for campground hookups and cooking facilities-a $70.00 Coleman Stove fits that bill. If you need roof air conditioning and/or Maxx Air Vent, then you are good to go. Heat solutions are easy too. Either that or go with a used more expensive class B Roadtrek or Pleasureway.
Man, I'm the most excited I've ever been after one of your posts. These were awesome and I think it would be too cool if you ended up in one
Love the Seinfeld reference ,enjoy your channel thanks for sharing .I've been getting great ideas and especially love the high top
It is not weird laws, the RV corporations and auto industries have a big influence in making those laws to keep medium to small size RVs out of the market. You make more money selling large RVs or upgraded class c and b. Rode in those Toyotas down in Mexico and thought wow, these have great space to build out as a living Van.
Does this law apply to personal imports or just to imports by a commercial business?
Absolutely, not weird just a shady way to prevent REAL competition into the marketplace! Meanwhile in the U.S. we get oversized, overpriced, unreliable xxxx 😆
@@realcreature3D just remember that it’s government that’s the problem, not corporations.
@@realcreature3D corporations are a government creation so that’s why it’s the government who is to blame for corporatehood and it’s, what you call, influence.
I love the JDM camper vans/small RV. Especially the ones that are 4wd. The only worry I would have is spare parts.
Get R Done Boyz YEE HAW!!
Shannon was great getting in there and driving the vehicle. Nice selection and well equipped for such a small rv. Loved it.
8:53 great layout, kitchen and stand up shower in back, permanent cab over bed above seated, low eatery.
These jdm vehicles are people magnets. I should know, I live full time, out west, in a Mitsubishi fuso 4wd, 22ft, diesel bus. In its previous life it was a bookmobile, from the island of Hokido, mountain city of Asakahowa. I have had more fun with this bus than any vehicle I have ever driven. It is one of two that I know of in the western hemisphere. Right hand drive is easy too get used to. Left hand gear shift took a little while. Thanks for the video.
FIRST QUESTION, Nate...when the time comes (and it will), where will you find PARTS and SERVICE for an ‘oddball’ vehicle...especially if you are on the road??
I love those imported rigs also , as it's probable been mentioned check on repair parts and servicing, and It definitely won't be urban steathly. But very cool
What about the upcoming VW electric Buzz? I think it’s coming out in a 2022. It’s gonna have a 375 mile range & quick charge. And being electric, you’d have a climate controlled generator on wheels. Get a pop top installed and it’d be perfect. ⚡️ 🚌 ⚡️👍🏼
You two are such a cute couple! Cant wait to see what you feel will work best for you both. Good luck!
Wow this was fun to watch and interesting at the same time. Loved it and stay safe.
Whatever you do, just make sure their is a available market for parts to get for any vehicle you decide if you do go with a vehicle that old.
Hiace is a great van - I wish they were made for the US market. There's also IVECO I think - European Van/truck that's great
They used to build nice (micro) mini-motorhomes on the Toyota chasssis. I had one in '85. Four banger was bulletproof, but you crawled up hills. US companies, dozens back then, built them to the point they were breaking. Toy came through and upgraded all the axles, which was unbelievable, and then they said they wouldn't allow the designs. You take 20 feet, you put the bed over the cab and hood, use a tiny bath, basic dinette, fridge, stove, you've got it all for 5,000 pounds. Not great to drive, tall and clunky, but OK. Plenty still around.They are still in Australia, and there are nice designs for vans in Europe, maybe $55k. US guys like Winnie load a Promaster to the limits, Europeans do the basics. If you take a Promaster for $35k, add some basic but very useful stuff, how many $$ do you have to add.
I bought some LFP Lith, Sony, from Jehu Garcia. Two kilowatt hours for $300. These days, my idea of survival is building a van that can take the heat, so big solar big lith. What the heck is going to happen this winter. They say millions of people are not paying rent. The moratorium on evictions is likely to end after the election, one way or another. So they all get in their cars and live in Quartzsite? A lot of people 'on the road' who really don't want to be there. Which might explain the trash everywhere, from Walmart to the forests. I saw three guys cleaning up at Walmart. Clearly not employees, and clearly trying to protect the right to stay there. Straaaange times.
Great video but nothing I would want to deal with. Don't be afraid to build something. You know more than most.
I've got a 95 delica L400 gasoline motor long wheel base. I built it out with rock and roll bed (sofa bed), hot/cold running water, small sink, outdoor shower, big fridge/freezer, 12v air conditioner, diesel heater, 400ah lithium batteries, 2000watt inverter, water tanks, induction cooktop, porto-potty, well insulated. I love it.
I recommend Mitsubishi. the engine has very tight tolerances and uses 0-20w oil. hence, there are fewer emission controls to set off a check engine light. they are very dependable vehicles!
The Japanese ambulance van passed me near my house in Litchfield! Way cool!
This was a very interesting video. Steering wheel on the opposite side but it sounds like neither of you had a problem with it.
One thing to consider with an imported van even if it is a brand name, make sure parts are available for your specific model in the US.
The JDM market is huge here in the UK and one of the things that attracts us to them is that they rarely suffer with rust
Just wanted to say hi I love your videos always fun to watch be safe and see you in the next one
タイマー means timer
Been watching since a little before you got the NV200
Excited to see what you guys choose for your next vehicle
Wishing you guys a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and am trying my best to catch up with this and many more of your fantastic videos! Take care!!🎄🎄🤗🤗
There are a couple of those for sale on Santa Fe Taos Albuquerque Craigslist right now. 1991 4WD Toyota TownAce Camper, 1994 JDM Nissan Vanette 4WD Camper
Ahh enjoying your van before the big sale. Happy trails and happy hunting for y’alls next van. Good news, is so many options now a days. 🍻
You Oughta check out availability of repairing a vehicle when it breaks down since it's from another country
Easier and cheaper to repair than the Euro Vans getting around. Hiace Vans are very reliable
You wouldn't be able to. Many of the parts would have to come from Japan. Cant be daily driven, for sure.
@@04dram04 the running gear were used in the Hilux and others. After market parts are available. Easier than driving a Euro van
@@classicscustomsandhotrodso600 Try pulling up to a USA Toyota dealer out on the road (reality) to get the parts.........the parts guy will laugh. Parts guy cant cross reference with provided info at dealership. Most OEM's can only order parts for vehicles sold in their country. I say this with job experience. You as the owner could look them up on the internet maybe and gamble getting it from another country.
@@hemisuperzee1287 Like I mentioned Elsewhere, pretty sure you have the Hilux in the US. Same running gear. Don’t you have aftermarket parts shops there? I can still get new parts for what was a 1971 model Dodge Colt in the US. Here they were a Chrysler Galant.
The mid engine is so sublime but it’s amazing....I miss my Previa
I’d be like a kid in a candy shop lol best of luck to you brother can’t wait to see what you end up with.
How much fun looking for the RIGHT van... you both are smart. You will find the best one for the two of you. I have the NV200. I know I couldn’t have someone with me on my adventures😉
Had a JDM sports car a couple years back. It is really not that hard to drive on the wrong side of the vehicle. Most common thing I got wrong was the turn signal and windshield wiper stocks are opposite. Every left turn I would turn on the wipers.
I definitely did that at least once on our short test drive
I've been driving around the last month wondering if I would see you guys, and here you were at A&E, which is a great coffee place. I was in a shop right behind it just last week on a rainy day. Then you're across the street from DQ, just a couple of miles from me! I'm so glad you guys are still here for the real fall color - it's been an amazing year with the red colors, even in a severe drought. By the way, the importer is in Hudson, not Nashua, and I don't see the link in your description. This was an interesting vid, thanks.
I’ve seen these types of rigs before and, while they are nice, my biggest concern is where to get it serviced and worked on when needed. Mechanics, dealerships, parts, etc could easily derail the unit. For occasional camping trips it’s fine but not, in my view, for full time living.
Yes exactly, these old vehicles are reliable, fun and all.. for weekend purposes. These would never hold up for their cross country and off road needs
Cute vans. Spare parts could be an issue. good luck.
I’ve been driving and loving my Delica L400 in the states for a little over a yr now. If you have any questions let me know.
Do you daily drive it? I'm curious about insurance options! Feel free to send me an email if you see this - nate@elementvanlife.com
Perfect Seinfeld reference. Personally, I would not chance that old of a vehicle. They look super cool though.
Nate
The Bongo has a lot of issues with cooling. There’s a steel pipe that goes underneath the engine that rots and overheating is common. The Ford version has exactly the same problem.
Good spec vans however a bad reputation for rust is always a problem.
. I have noticed in my travels that the JDM market dealerships are usually up near U.S and Canada border areas. Hope you find a cool one. Seinfeld season 2 and 3 have Art Vandelay mostly 3.
I can’t wait to enter Van life. My wife and I have a people mover in Australia however have 4 kids so waiting for them to all grow up and have their own vehicles
I just bought a 1992 Toyota dolphin with 56,000 miles on it it’s my dream my family calls it a money pit but I don’t spend anything but on important things I just started living full time in my dolphin it’s amazing it’s been 4 months I’m starting small renovations in the spring ... I forgot to mention it’s a Toyota rv that’s 20 feet long ... street legal in cali right?
I love the Dolphins and Sunraders! We're considering that route too.
That view makes it all worth while, even if you could not stay long. New Hampshire? You were just next door to my state Maine, it is getting cold!
Hi, I’m here in the U.K., the wheel is on the right side but you’re driving on the wrong side 🤪. I spent a year at university in Oregon and drove an automatic for the first time. The different side of the road wasn’t really an issue but the lack of clutch. The first time I got to a stop sign I pressed what I thought was the brake and clutch pedals but of course was just the double wide brake pedal. Chaos ensued as the hire car about did a front flip 😁😁.
Very nice couple. Glad you both have each other. Hope you both get married soon.
That view! Finding the dream camper - that would have been fast!
Yep, Robin Hood Park in Keene, NH Where I'm from and still here. Too bad I didn't know you were here you could have driveway surfed here at my place. I should have reached out to you when you were in Brattleboro VT to see if you were coming this way. I was thinking you were headed into NY. Darn! Well maybe you'll be back around in time. I'll keep the light on. Take care!
-Jon
I so want to buy a small used campervan in the UK and I made the mistake of getting just an automatic license (it's the sort of car I bought when I moved over) instead of getting a full license. I can drive a stick but can't upgrade my license because everything is closed due to Covid. Most of the older used camper vans are stick and in the UK country where I live getting an old automatic is near impossible unless it's a massive RV. All that to say, I'm so envious of being able to check out vans like this. If I was in the US, I'd have no restrictions because US licenses do not distinguish between stick and automatic. I know which campervan I want. I keep crossing my fingers that I get the chance to upgrade my license soon.
go toyota for reliability, you should see the toyota troop carriers we have over here in australia
I live my Hiace Van here in Japan! I did a video on it. It’s not the camping one. That one is amazing.
You have come a long way from your element days. I am remodeling my Toyota Sienna now and excited to get back on the road.
As someone who lives in the UK, welcome to driving a vehicle with the steering wheel on the correct side of the van =]
We would say different, it seems odd to us on this side of the pond.
Oddly there is some logic to the side we drive on, most people's dominant hand eye and leg is the right, so you have slightly better reactions on that side. Also you use dominant hand on the steering wheel, and pedal at all times rather than messing with gears, I've heard it's why the UK has less trouble with manual gears
We drive on the right side of the road. Naturally, this means y’all drive on the ______ side of the road.
I like the ones where you can stand up. I'm converting a '98 Windstar Mini Van for myself. Mine is in mint condition and I'll have every thing but a bathroom. I go where camping/fishing is free, and they have a cluster of bathrooms and hot showers. Van cost $3500 fourteen years ago - I spent about $1000 on upgrades. What do they get for these right-handers?
Hey it was fun to see you drive with the wheel on the other side. I'd have to practice being "super" alert for that!!!
In Japan, same as in Britain, they're driving on the left side of the road, so the steering wheel is on the right. The Brits argue, that this IS the correct side, since right side is 'starboard' - 'steering board'. ;)
Nice van and I still in searching a reference to built my camper/Pajero
I live near Nashua. I saw something similar a few weeks ago with a Vermont plate. Maybe they bought from the same guy. They looked like they were having fun!
We live in the country so our mail carrier has her wheel on the right side. All the mail boxes are on the right. I would love to convert a van or box truck. Just looking right now. Hopefully I can find something in the spring. I actually really like that class B. They are hard to find. My husband is very talented with wood working so I think it would be fun to do a small build out. How much are these running like the range. And is it possible to see one like this in our area. If you know. We are in Tennessee. Thanks! That one is cool! Leslye
Cute vehicles, especially the first one! Only if you’re set on a life-long (Of the vehicle) project though...
Hope u get one with a built-in bathroom.
Those gorgeous trees! I def. liked that 1st van. Would be hard to stelth camp though.
I had one grilled cheese yesterday and two today! Too funny! Of course homemade bread, pepper jack, tomatoes and onion from my garden, and ham but still grilled cheese!
So cool to just pull up !!!
I love the design of European vans. They use the space better but it seems in America because the wheel is on the other side you would need 2 people so one person can look on your blind spot for you. But it is very nice.
Just rebuild the sprinter to work for both of you.
Very cool. But what happens if you pull in to a Toyota service dept. somewhere with a 25 year old vehicle with a diesel engine ? Would they work on it ?
Parts could be a problem to..i mean your not gona find them everywhere like for a nv or sprinter..maybe you will have to wait couple of days or in worst case couples of weeks
and you could take a side job delivering rural mail
I would be concerned about getting repairs when needed.
@Lesley Hughes you're talking about a very old import that is not normally sold here in the US so I would be concerned about getting parts and repair work done I would recommend that you look into that before making a decision. Just a suggestion I may be way off but better safe than sorry.
Yep. Service, parts, repair, as well as insurance are significant concerns for twenty five year old, imported vehicles. Diesels might not be the easiest to find help for.
@Lesley Hughes - I am not saying there are zero places that could work on such vehicles, just there are very few. For a full time traveler in such a vehicle it needs to be serviced where it breaks down and not hundreds of miles away. Also, there are full timer TH-camrs I follow who have experienced issues with an RV built on an American chasis having difficulty just getting an oil change or diagnostic at shops who work on those brands because it was an RV. Imagine taking a class C built on a popular Chevrolet van body to a shop for an oil change and being told they won’t touch it because it’s an RV.
What should be (mechanics working on anything because they are mechanics) and what is (not touching it because it isn’t in their wheelhouse) are not the same. Buying something risky for full timing is a problem in my view.
I worked as a mechanic for 20 years and I'd work on almost anything but parts can be a problem that's why most places won't take in vehicles they don't normally work on. Thanks Mark you put it very well, I to have seen lots of RVers having trouble getting their U.S. built RVs repaired.
A lot of these Van life people seem to have older vans and I am concerned with having an unexpected engine or transmission drama
i love that you are into the JDM scene and I've always dreamed of one of those micro campers from japan! Great minds think alike!
I love that 1st one!
Will said he liked this battery ZOOM lifepo4 12v 100ah and it is cheap on Amazon $340
Ah a Seinfeld reference. I thought it was a somewhat hashed reference to Important Exportin’ Man, by New Riders Of The Purple Sage. As for the vans, yes they're great. I wonder what could be done with a short wheelbase Promaster or Transit if the sleeping platform was above the front seats, so the whole cargo area was available for kitchen, dining/living, and a shower. Oh and those laws that require the imports to be 25 years old are what keeps our air clean, so we don't get a ton of dirty imports from countries with no air quality. I've been in cities where a lot of vehicles are older Japanese diesels and the air is awful. Every breath shortens your life.
Funny I sold my sprinter and they ship it to Africa, I see these Imports all the time of the auction.
That is a great way to butter bread!
I have to ask again.
Why not keep the Sprinter and change it up a bit?
Hey man. I owned a JDM van once and sold it because: 1. Parts are hard (or impossible) to find and very expensive and 2. It was not easy to find local mechanics that would even want to work on them. Many modern day mechanics don't even know how to work on carburetors (mine wasn't fuel injected).
They're cool collectibles, but unreliable. You don't want to be dead in the water while you wait 2 weeks for parts from Japan - if you can even find them. Don't ask me how I know this...
In short, these JDM Vans are super cool looking, but inconvenient money pits in my experience. Sorry to be a killjoy!
Thank you for your input! I'm definitely worried about parts availability. May I ask what make/ model/ year van you had?
@@ElementLife Sure. It was a 1989 Mitsubishi Minicab 4x4
It more like a novelty/fun car to putter around locally. Not anything that you could take for a long trip. But it turned out not to work even for that.
It was super cute and cool van but some parts I needed just didn't exist anymore...
I bought a 2006 Ford F150 4x4 and you can almost find parts laying at the side of the road for that! 😜🤪
Here's the actual van:
bringatrailer.com/2019/01/13/skylights-and-a-supercharger-1989-mitsubishi-minicab-4x4/
Those look so scary to drive. Very neat but if you get in a accident with the front end it looks like your going right through the windshield or if not lucky to fly through might just be squashed like a bug
Grilled cheese with cranberry is also good 👍 yum.
Suggest a used toyota tundra and a 4 season lance camper in the bed of the truck.
My suggestion will be to get a TOYOTA HIACE Diesel. Best one will be the High Roof Long Version. Mitsubishi makes good vehicles and I have owned 6 of them. DELICA 4WD High Roof Long was my last one. I just do not think they are spacious enough. Finally the Toyota CAMROAD is already a motorhome built. Any questions I live in Japan
Would like to see a slower capture of the inside thanks for the info
What is the company that imports the vehicle I did not see the link in the drop down. Could you put it there please.
Okay got it he mentioned it on time mark 7:55 North east auto imports northeastautoimports.com
Keene NH one of my favorite places to visit.
What restaurant is closed on Saturday night?! That mini class C like van was sweet! Shannon is such a cool girl, you're a lucky guy Nate!
Covid?
@@kitefan1maybe, but listen to what Nate says at 0:54. Sounds like the restaurant is open for business but closed on Saturday night.
Would definitely add character to an already great channel!
Thank you for the videos!
Such a cool van!