Full-Time VANLIFE in an Imported Nissan 4x4 Campervan Equipped for WINTER 

I like that you always let the owner share all the details without interrupting. I have a front receiver for my bikes while I pull the airstream. Took a while to get used to not thinking I was about to run over a bicyclist 😱. Great video again, Patrick! Great build also!

Nice job on the rebuild! We LOVE these Japanese imports in our shop. We've been dying to get a Delica and make it into a micro overland camper. One of these days we'll get a round to it. Thank for sharing!

What attention to detail Cole! You've done a really good job you should be very proud. Was importing it expensive? Do the emissions meet U.S.A. requirements? Thank you Patrick for another one of your great vids.

He has reason to be proud! I have seen one of these before and love them. He is very (very) detail oriented. Thank you for showing us this RV, Patrick

I've found my new favorite channel! This is such a cool build! Any other old Dead Heads also thinking this woulda been the perfect vehicle to follow in the 80's and 90's? Thanks for the channel and thanks for showing us around your world! so cool!

Great video - enjoyed this very much! Cole seems like a totally cool guy - love the mug in the cabinet LOL. Best wishes to Cole for many snowboarding journeys!!

What a cool looking camper. Glad to see folks preserving and using these rigs from an by gone era. Great job

Nice guy! Wishing him much success and happiness. And lots of fun with snowboarding!

Great information! Love your honesty about setting things up, issues (both building, installing, on the road, and transitioning).

What of turbo kit did you used for td27 diesel ??

Nice that was great! I've been in touch with Cole over the past 6 months or so while I've been undertaking the same project with my Isuzu Elf camper, he is definitely down to help. I really enjoyed the in depth tour and discussion.

Well well well.... What a fantastic van tour. One of the best ive seen. Also that van is just fabulous. Lives in it full time, has all his belongings in it, hobbies, works full time in it and yet it has such a spaciois airy feel to it. Absolutely top build. 😁👍😊

I'm in Japan and I just bought a similar unit, an ISUZU Elf 4.8 liter diesel 4WD with dualies. I have not received it yet but it appears to be in like new condition so likely I will not have to make many changes to it. I can't wait to get it and take some trips.

We have these here. Love the videos but the way you guys pronounce things is a highlight for me. Neesarn for Nissan and Marsda for Mazda always makes us Aussies laugh. The Asian campers are popular here for their reliability. Just about every small van is a Toyota or Mitsubishi.

Get a sense that this young man is a straightforward, no b.s., did a great build, keeping this thing running not for the average vanlifer

very nice.It's very well designed and has a nice bathroom.It has everything a person really needs.

This gentleman gave such a thorough tour and make it quite interesting! Also, the interview at the end was quite engaging.

As someone with a DIY camper van build, I related to having to re-fab cabinets multiple times. So frustrating with the cost of ply. The build suits his needs but some of the execution in constructing his design is a bit janky. No way I would shimmy into that “bed”😂 …kids…

Buying parts in the breakdown is going to be very very hard to get cuz now you have to go to Amazon or go overseas to get those parts.. if this vehicle should break down and it will break down at some point.. just saying🤔🤔

I’ve always wondered how difficult it is to learn to shift left handed. I drive a manual and it’s so ingrained shifting on the right I think I’d have a really hard time!

This guy is so right when he made a point about other vandwellers and other RU-vid videos because a lot of them do exaggerate and say everything is great everything's great when it's not so I for one don't take that would like a grain of salt.. because DIY channels do get carried away and they poked a lot of crap. Which is why I questioned them.. I like question this channel sometimes..

Excellent....! That "saying goodbye" conversation, yeah, I understand that all too well - I visited friends everywhere on my last trip where they really didn't want me to leave at all, pretty crazy, and now I'm just alone in my apartment in LA :D Glad we met up Patrick.... See you next time

Polyethylene it. Or shalack it.

No mention of price? What's the difference in price between this 28 yr old rv and a 28 yr old large American van?

Wow! Amazing interview! I think a friend of mine might want to do this, he already imported a Japanese van by getting his license. Loved the video, the follow up questions were needed:))

Great video! Its surreal, you lived my exact experience ie looking at sprinters, prices too high, imported an atlas from japan, wanted something i can work in and also converted my inside. Love the roof basket and the fitting you did for the solar panels. Its a tough roof to fit solar to. Where do you get parts? I need to replace my rear leaf springs and shocks.

Bambi basher hahahahahahaha. In Australia we call them bull bars…. for good reason.

Very interesting build , quite articulate with the description ; good walk thru content Patrick !

Always try & pray can be real RU-vidr with benefits AdSense💲to buy/build motorhome and than making life journey with RU-vid

This camper van is one of the most coolest and certainly most unique ones. I really hope that someday we will see more of them on the U.S, highways. I watched a Japanese You Tuber in a Hiace simple but beautiful camper van. I owned a cool Suzuki Samurai in Maui and I loved that machine and thought it was a perfect and capable 4X4 for the island. The economy of these small Japanese vehicles would be welcomed during these high price gas rip offs we are experiencing.

It looks like diesel heater tank can be used as auxiliary fuel if you were to run out of engine fuel.

Smart guy getting parts before he travels 👍👍👍👍👍👍

Patrick!! He looking gorgeous! 😜 x

i got a buddy of mine who always sends me the "weird cars".....it kills me...i'm always worried if im out in BLM and it busts, nobody can fix it.

A couple of safety questions…how safe are the propane tanks should there be a rear end collision? How safe is the second fuel tank - both its construction material and proximity to batteries? I just worry if some DIY aspects would be considered street legal…I hope so as I love creativity and originality.

You could coved the bikes so they wont get chips 😂

Guy is living my dream I wanna travel around to snowboard

Hey Patrick Enjoyed The Van Build Video Thanks

Dude...got same slippers...yeah LLBean! 58 mins. on one van was a bit much, but really appreciate the details, especially the electrical system! But how can you drive on the wrong side, would drive me insane! Nice ink too!

In the uk we have lot of grey imports from Japan because they are right hand drive,a lot of small MPV normally low mileage because Japan is a small country

Protip: Play at 1.5 speed - this guy can talk! I appreciate the in depth tours but an hour to watch one is a little too much so playing them at a faster speed is sooooooo helpful to me at least : )

If you don't put a "Stunt Person" doubled over a mock steeringwheel on the left side... you are not only passing up a good thing... you are putting a finger in the eye of ALL jokesters around the world...WE will all Get the joke and understand and support the joke...please record it...if not...just enjoy the art of humor, my friend

The tour is too long at one hour. It should have been edited shorter. No such thing as a 'deep cell'. Either you have Lithium or a Deep Cycle Lead Acid battery. Both cannot be on the same system, that is a golden rule. So you have two separate systems. Why not add an alternator, isolator, and recharge off the RV engine? Or a generator? Makes sense if you have snow covering your solar panels. How do the Lead Acid batteries charge up? That was not explained. Assuming if they are factory originals, they charge off the engine alternator. You could add a second alternator for the Lithium bank or get rid of that Lead Acid and go all Lithium with the existing generator + solar. He is 6 ft and he buys a Japanese RV meant for short people. Yikes. That sleeping loft looks like a claustrophobic capsule. He cannot turn sideways without shoulders scraping the roof. His head scrapes the roof from the floor. This was not the best choice for this tall man. Try a Euro RV - they have the steering on the right side as well, not wrong side and taller. What I liked about this van Sirocco Cafama Wall Mount fan. Pricey but so very functional. Curtain tracks and curtains - I am not the only one with curtain tracks, hurrah! This is a very smart way to hang curtains. Easy to pull, easy to wash curtains, low profile, no fiddling around with window coverings daily, and provides double insulation when used in addition to window pads. Very nice. Tell us the supplier please? Love the bench slat bed. That is the right way to make a bed, very nice. 40:51 - Vent. Wasps build nests there from outside. Seal off the outside vent with fine aluminum mesh. Prior to that, clean out the vent. You might find bugs in there. That vent should not have any dirt falling through. No diesel soot (??!!), nothing. Sell the Nature's Head toilet. Buy a Trelino toilet for much less. Its low profile, choose the height you want or build a platform for it. Saves space and money. I don't understand why you chose a Japanese van. If you imported, after paying the profit overhead to NW Auto Imports, the transport fees, the import taxes, you are left with a vehicle that may be harder to insure and register, right hand steering wheel, odd build that is hard to retrofit, and no amenities like a generator or stove or decent power system that all US RVs have. You could have bought a used Class C or shorty Class A, or an ambulance, much more easily, with decent mpg, more power, and fully equipped with a generator, good size tanks, etc. You may get 4 wheel drive and better mpg but the shell is very fragile in this build. This van looks cool, but made like a doll house inside. None of the Japanese vans come with generator or stove, that is illegal out there. They are built very tiny due to space restrictions in towns and their people are shorties too, so they fit ok. Americans are very tall. When I visited Japan, the showers in hotels were the height of children! I am very average height. Either they sit down for showers, or they are not tall. I would always buy a Japanese car as they are very well made. But RVs are not as robust there and not spacious.

Should put a lift kit on it and get some ground clearance.

I enjoyed watching your beautiful truck 🛻 , God’s bless your traveling and cheers from Morocco 🇲🇦

The DIY bed and the way you do the DIY is awesome this is why I always preach to people DIY is the key it's the way to go.. I know because I preach it everyday..

Aside from the bag up on the rack, what stopped you from using a roof top bike rack instead? I'm sure you can find a way to fit the dry bag somewhere, but then you can't park underground.

The propane tanks and insulation tucked away are nice, but I would be so nervous about a rear end collision..... I don't want to be barbecued like a marshmallow!

SAWEET

The engine compartment inside the cab is not working well for me. 😶 Definitely creates a much nicer appearance though!! 👌

That is so cool! Perfect for a single person.

I would bet a rwd sprinter can go places this cannot. this thing has its charm though. love it except the engine location is ridiculous. that would probably steer me from one of these.

This guy has to be a car guy! It had to be manual, Nardi shift knob and steering wheel! Import from Japan, turbo, all wheel drive! This is my kind of camper conversation

Killer look my man. Good on you.

Wondering if you could put a lift kit on that kind of vehicle

YOU CAN USE THE MOTORCYCLE COVER , TO SHIELD YOUR BICYCLES FROM ROAD DEBRI

Well I know you made some modifications but this camper was way ahead of its time

Skyline gtr Supra civic type r Silvia s14 Mazda rx7 honda nsx

I have seen a couple of videos on K compers based on a bedford rascal (suzuki carry) ute they were done in Britain in Australia we got a lot of K cars in Australia from Daihatsu and Suzuki we got larger engines in the cars and vans

I didn't think any of these Japanese diesels came with turbos

Interesting (long!).

Very cool rig. I see he has some knauf insulation. There is a knauf plant in my hometown. 👍👍

lol....so dude refurbished a Japanese campervan for his snowboards. Impressive and he obviously has alot of very good and very smart group of family and friends. ;)

Nice build, great job just detailed and personable guy, am Also from southie! Grew up there, also nice to hear, don't think I have heard anyone from there before, definitely" full blown blue collar family" Thanks for sharing your build, be safe out there!! 😎

Fantastic! And great video, as always, Patrick.

I watch and get ideas .. I think you did an nice job. I am a one man band shop (decades) and a couple of weeks ago someone brought in an import toyota camper van .. right and drive (trippy to drive) ... and sure enough, problem with getting an oil filter... anyway, I would like to know more about how well (data) you are able to replenish the batteries.. how long from how much used etc.

most motorhomes dont even put 10,000 miles on it. 100,000 is alot for a motorhome.

WOW!! Yay Nissan!! Yay Cole! Yay Dad! Yay Patrick! Marvelous tour.

Nice build....just get those foam tubes with the center cutout and the slit down the length of it and slide them on the rails of the bikes to protect against rock chips..

I guess it's sort of cool looking but not practical at all and just seems you have had to probably spend a gazzion dollars just to get it semi practical. The bike rack on the front is just ridiculous.

I THINK IT'S MORE OF A CAVE ON WHEELS. I DIDN'T LIKE THE END RESULT! IT LOOKS ROUGHED, MESSY, CHEAP AND UNPLEASANT. TO EACH IT'S OWN...I JUST WANT TO RUN AWAY "FROM THIS HOME"!

dude seems really nice camper ,mtb and nice fixed gear, cool style , fixed blade, snowboards in arms reach , would fit my friendgroup perfectly🤔

Cool man 🤘🤘🤘🤘

How to work with tariffs and border patrol? Is it expensive? Is your van hybrid? Thank you

@22:31 ROLL BAR-did you consider placing the roll bar UNDER the pine tongue 'n' groove?

I really like the outside looks of this RV. Just the lines of it the color the size it's just really super super nice. I think you did a great job and I think holding out for it was a super good idea. Well done all the way around. Happy travels, merry christmas, stay safe.

Thats not a van, its a full sized RV, but Japanese.

Wish we got more JDM here this thing is awesome

You did nice work customizing it for your full time needs. It is beautiful inside. Very cozy. Thank you for sharing your home.

Do you guys know of Nate of Element Van Life? He's from Massachusetts and recently bought a van from the same importers. Maybe you could do a video on his van next time he's passing through.

"Ideal"

Hey hey.. right hand drive.. I can drive this... 🥰🥰

It's a water heater,not a hot water heater. One doesn't heat hot water.not ocd,but language, is a pet peeve 😤

Awesome. 👍bike rack 👍roof rack,solar panels 👍got spaces

sweet brah

Great video, wasn't short that's for sure,but I did enjoyed,love the camper, good to see something different ✌️👍☮️🌲

Love the fan that came with the van from Japan.

This is the best most ergonomic van built I’ve seen

I absolutely love this meticulous build! Nice job on that🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

Great build for a young professional...to work, play, enjoy life. Good planning...without being overdone.

I love his camper Patrick..It feels youre inside in a cabin..

This is cool. Haven't seen one of these before. Thanks Patrick

The van is very nice 👌 👍. Have another RU-vidr @element van life who imported a Japanese van. Sounds like 👍 they are very reliable 🤔.

COLE HI, MANY YEARS AGOI bought a RHD 5 SPEED MANUAL BMW, IN SCOTLAND, shipped it back, drove it for years, my biggest problem was TOLLS, I used a mop handle& put a little COOFEE BAG FILTER ON ,

Hey im looking into buying on what os the mpg thanks

This thing is freaking cool!!!! Thanks for the tour!

I was amazed to hear that big ol thing runs off a turbo 4 banger , imagined my shock when I found out it was originally N/A

I hope he got a really good deal on that thing!!! What a piece of junk!!!

How I can bring one to Washington

Why on earth did you import this thing. You could have bought a sprinter and you could have customized it for your needs for cheaper even???! Please tell me why you did This? TGC Blessings:)