Vanlife Northwest

I recently had the pleasure of entrusting my beloved Hiace to the incredible team at Vanlife Northwest, and I cannot express enough how impressed I am with their superior service, expertise, and genuine care for my vehicle. From start to finish, they treated my Hiace as if it were their own, ensuring it was mechanically ready to continue my full-time travels across the United States.

First and foremost, the knowledge base of the Vanlife Northwest team when it comes to working on Hiace vans is unparalleled. Their expertise in these vehicles is truly remarkable, and it was evident from the moment I stepped foot into their workshop. They possess an in-depth understanding of every nook and cranny of a Hiace, and their attention to detail is second to none.

What truly sets Vanlife Northwest apart is their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service. They went above and beyond to ensure that my Hiace was in the best possible condition for my continued journey. From routine maintenance to addressing any potential issues, they meticulously inspected and repaired every aspect of my van. Their dedication to perfection is truly commendable.

Moreover, the team at Vanlife Northwest treated my Hiace with the utmost care and respect. They understood the significance of my van in my daily life and travels, and it was evident in the way they handled it. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship gave me complete peace of mind, knowing that my Hiace was in the best hands possible.

Not only did Vanlife Northwest provide exceptional mechanical service, but they also offered invaluable advice and guidance for my ongoing travels. Their extensive knowledge of van life and the unique challenges that come with it was evident in every conversation we had. They shared tips, tricks, and recommendations that have proven to be invaluable during my journey across the United States.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend Vanlife Northwest enough. Their superior service, expertise, and genuine care for my Hiace were truly outstanding. If you own a Hiace or any other van and are in need of top-notch mechanical service, look no further. Vanlife Northwest is the epitome of excellence in the industry, and I am grateful to have found them. Thank you, Vanlife Northwest, for ensuring my Hiace is ready to take on the open road with confidence and reliability!

I can’t say enough great things about the crew at Vanlife NW. They have done some awesome upgrades and maintenance on my Hiace and I honestly trust them more than anyone else. They have even taken the time to answer any questions I have had when I’ve called while trying to do maintenance on my own. No one is doing what they are when it comes to HiAces, and I would honestly feel a bit lost without having them as a resource. I feel super grateful for all they do. If you are in the market for a Hiace, you should definitely consider buying from them. The guarantee that your van will be in tip-top shape along with joining a great, resourceful community, is priceless.

For myself, working with Danny and the rest of the Vanlife Northwest crew was a lot of firsts. First time buying sight unseen, first time buying an import, first time waiting for a vehicle to be shipped from anywhere let alone the other side of the Pacific!

Each and every step of the way, Danny and his team were there to make the experience as simple and straightforward as possible. The most difficult aspect of this entire purchase was the waiting (Well, that, and explaining to my insurance company why my 1995 van doesn't have a 17 digit VIN. But that worked out with a couple phone calls!). If you're interested in something as special as an imported Japanese van, patience will be one of the first things you become comfortable with!

In my particular case, I ended up selecting a beautiful 1995 Toyota Hiace Super Custom Limited. Everything presented to me was how it came. From the initial photos, to picking it up, I don't feel like anything was hidden or altered. Of course with any 25 year old vehicle, there will be compromises but I am more than happy with my purchase and waited several months to post this review just to make sure!

Immediately after picking up our Hiace from Vanlife, it made an 11 hour, 700 mile trip with a cumulative elevation gain of just over 4600 feet without a single issue. All the installed extras worked, all the mechanical components worked, everything was 'road trip ready'! Now, I'm just over 2 months daily driving a 25 year old, right hand drive, Hiace and I am simply loving each and every moment.

If you're considering a Hiace, Danny and his crew will take care of you! Major kudos to Vanlife Northwest and if I can ever convince the significant other that we need another, we'd be back in a heartbeat!

Thanks again!

Danny and his team delivered an exceptional product. My expectations were surpassed by their level of attention and knowledge. I'm now the proud owner of a 1992 Hiace Super Custom and I love it! I just completed a 1,700 mile road trip from Oregon to Yellowstone and back with ease. What a great rig to have fun in! Thanks to Danny and his team for getting the job done right. Pictures of some smaller adventures below.

I purchased a beautiful 1993 Hiace Super Custom Limited in June 2018. The process was very straightforward and easy. Danny is easy to work with and very accommodating. He went above and beyond getting the van into top shape for my drive back to LA and we spent 30-40 minutes going over the details of the van such as how to check all the fluid levels, things to watch out for, maintenance intervals, etc. The trip went off without a hitch and it was very easy to get used to the right hand drive.

Over the past year, I have had a few incidents with the van (some my fault, some due to the age of the vehicle, some due to other mechanics) and Danny has always been not only extremely responsive, but also helpful in figuring out the fix, and was able to diagnose a few tricky issues from 1000 miles away! (bad fuel injector, idle surging, black smoke). At this point, I don't trust anyone else to work on this van and plan on making the 18 hour drive next time I need any serious work done because it's worth it!

If you get one of these vans, you owe it to yourself to have one of the most knowledgable experts at your fingertips when you or another mechanic have questions about how to work on them. Oh yeah, when you buy from Vanlife Northwest, you have support for the life of the van. I'm not aware of any other dealers that offer that kind of customer service.

For all of the naysayers, yes, he does charge more than others. Yes, you might have bad luck with things breaking/going wrong (it's still a 30 year old vehicle...) and I have had my share of problems. Do not buy one of these expecting zero issues, and take time to understand its quirks (like 45mph top speed on hills and watch the temperature gauge), and you'll be happy.

If you have been thinking about taking the leap on an imported van, this is the person and the place. I spent a couple years looking around, but once I was referred to Danny and Vanlife Northwest, I found the confidence to jump in with both feet. Danny's experience with Toyota RHD vans and Mitsubishi Delicas is extensive, perhaps the best on the West coast if not across the country. Clients come to him from the other side of the US to purchase and drive home these rigs, and it's not just because of his inventory. Danny makes the experience of buying one of these vans personable, reassuring, and lifelong--that is, you don't just come out of it with a van, you also have his expertise and concern to call upon if an unexpected problem or an expected age-related issue arises. I'm fortunate to live in Portland, so that I can take my van to him for regular maintenance and upgrades, but both I and others have benefited greatly from Danny's willingness to teach his customers how to be more self-sufficient and understand the needs of their vehicles.
You'll likely note that the price point is higher than many other dealers offering these vans, yet those tend to be "as-is" and without the meticulous inspection, upgrades, and road-readiness that the Vanlife Northwest crew ensures before any of their fleet goes into a new customers' hands. You get what you pay for, and with a 25+ year old vehicle, well.. it's nice to have those issues fixed before you head out for a 3,000 mile Sunday drive.
I'm so grateful to Danny and his team for making the addition of this van to my life a decision I'll never regret.

Had my ecu recapped from these guys recently. Fixed my problems and my Hiace is back to running smooth! Great customer service and very impressed with their shop. Will be back to get the Pluto crash bar and hitch installed asap.

Support this shop and long live the HIACE!

Danny is a true professional. When it comes to Japanese imports, he is the most knowledgeable and able individual I have come across. He has more experience with these vehicles than anyone I have spoken to. He is a top-notch mechanic who takes great pride in his work and it truly shows. I purchased a 1991 Toyota Liteace in the Bay Area, and although I didn't purchase it directly from Danny, he has been an invaluable resource for me from day 1. Even before I brought it to him for service, he has made himself available to answer my questions and give me advice. I have the utmost confidence in him and his recommendations. Ever since I got my van back from him, it has been running like a top. I have had several questions about other issues since the work was completed, and he continues to be very responsive. At this point, I don't trust any other mechanics when it comes to maintenance on my van. I will be a lifetime Vanlife Northwest customer, and if you're interested in this type of vehicle, I recommend you do the same.

I echo the positive sentiments of other reviewers, Danny is by far the authority on JDM vans in the PNW and perhaps the country. His services and knowledge are worth the time, effort, and investment, leaving you with peace of mind when out in the bush with one of these vehicles.

Danny at Vanlife Northwest has been awesome to deal with. I bought a 1992 Super Custom Limited Toyota Hiace from them last year and they kept my up to speed on how the importing process was going with lots of communication each step of the way. Once the van was state side, they would call me frequently to let me know how the progress of servicing was going and when they expected me to be able to pick it up. If you haven’t imported a car before, you need to understand that it can sometimes take time, as unforeseen issues can arise. Vanlife Northwest had set this expectation with me up front so it was not a surprise when delays occurred. Since getting my van in 2017, I have been having so much fun on weekends traveling all over the Northwest, making constant improvements to my camping setup and enjoying the outdoor adventures the west coast has to offer. I recently took my Hiace back to Vanlife Northwest for annual maintenance which was a seamless experience. If you’re looking for the world’s most reliable engine at an affordable price, then the vans Vanlife Northwest are importing from Japan are just what you are looking. I get asked about my Hiace everywhere I go and have never had an issue. I recently met a guy who own one when leaving in NZ and he mentioned he had never had a problem with his Hiace for the 5 years he had it. Unfortunately, his Westfalia wouldn’t start that morning and had to call AAA. These Toyota’s are capable and reliable rigs—worth every penny.

After searching for our perfect van for a long time, the final decision was easy when we found ours through Vanlife Northwest. Danny’s massive portfolio of incredible vans imported over the years speaks for itself. His honest, straight forward communication and integrity in his work sealed the deal. Even though he is extremely busy, he has been gracious enough to offer mechanical support and walkthroughs when necessary. We’re very happy to be a part of the community created by stoked van owners. We love our 92 Hiace Super Custom Limited.

After doing a lot of research, we ended up purchasing a ‘92 Toyota HiAce from Danny and I couldn’t be more happy with our decision. Danny is not only an excellant mechanic, but he’s an expert the vans he imports. He was very detailed in his inspection of our van and completed any repairs needed while also doing preventive work. Throughout the process Danny answered all of our questions, communicated in a timely manner and most importantly was extremely direct and honest. This was a big purchase for us and throughout the entire experience I trusted that we were in good hands.

Danny has continued to be a resource for us while owning our new van and has always been willing to share his knowledge. It’s obvious that Danny is extremely passionate about the work he does and about building a community around Japanese vans.

If you’re looking for both a cool and reliable van, I highly recommend Vanlife Northwest. You won’t find a company that cares more about their customers.

Danny is a great guy who does great work. Although I haven't purchased a van through Danny I have leaned on him countless times to help me troubleshoot and fix mechanical issues in the past. I even shadowed him doing work on a customers van for a day and was blown away at how thorough his inspection/rework process is. I definitely wish my import came from someone as thorough.

I love my Toyota Van! Danny at Vanlife Northwest knew my rig inside and out & made sure it was absolutely ready to rock before my purchase. He is a true professional and a living encyclopedia of each of his vans. It is so refreshing to purchase a vehicle from someone who fully understands and loves their work. By far my favorite van purchase. Thanks Danny!

Great buying experience. I had tons of questions about these vans and Danny was patient and responsive. The 1992 TownAce I purchased had low mileage and was in great condition. When the belts began squealing a few months in, Danny tightened them for me - no charge! The true test was a 3,000 mile road trip through Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho and back. The van performed top notch. Post-purchase support has been excellent. Danny really loves these vans; his knowledge and help is a huge reason to buy a JDM vehicle through Vanlife Northwest.

I have watched Vanlife Northwest being built from the ground up over the past 3 years. Danny has truly created a niche for these vehicles in America, and as such is the foremost expert on the acquisition, maintenance and improvement of these vintage vans. This is a true example of turning a passion into a career. In addition, his work ethic is second to none, as I learned firsthand when purchasing a van from him 3 years ago. Through my connection with Danny I also joined a community of like-minded van adventurers, and you can't place a value on that!

I bought a 1994 Toyota Town Ace with 60k miles on it. I immediately drove it from Portland to Austin to New York. I had zero issues putting in almost 4,000 highway miles right off the bat. Registering the van in New York was a breeze. I've never spent less time at the DMV. The vans a real head turner and I feel comfortable driving it anywhere.

Danny and his guys did a great job of setting everything up. Super happy with the van. Such a clean van. Highly recommend doing business with Vanlife Northwest.

I am the owner of a 91 TownAce. I was in need of rotors and pads. I asked Danny if he had parts(not a parts dealer or repair shop) and he went out of the way to take my wheel off(no charge), confirm the correct parts, and sell them for reasonable, no up-charge price. He even sourced bearings for me within a day. I was in a pickle, and Vanlife went out of the way to help. Danny even offered advise for the repair. All they were interested in is that my brakes were safe. Good people.

It was quite by accident that I found Danny and Vanlife NW. My husband and I have been Previa owners for years but needed a larger van for my dog competitions. We were extremely impressed with Danny, his knowledge, vehicle choices and willingness to let us ease into the idea of a right-handed steering van--he even let us practice before purchasing! I love our HiAce van--it is immaculate for a 91 but the 3 sun roofs make it perfect for dogs! Danny personally performed the required maintenance, lifted the carriage, new tires etc. but he compulsively oversaw the repair of a dent in the roof that occurred during a careless moment when the van was on a car lift at another shop for detailing. He made sure that the body work was acceptable and cost not passed on to us. He made available to me a complete comparable part list for the van for my local mechanic to have on hand for common maintenance items. Danny has also been my guardian angel for emergency road calls while driving across county from Portland, Oregon to Springfield, MA. I encountered some fuse and air conditioning issues that Danny was able to talk me through over the phone. His calm, easy-going manner got me through a very stressful situation while on the road! Owning one of Vanlife NW vans is really a life changing thing! One cannot drive into a parking lot, garage, business, store, park, gas station or some times, stop light without someone stopping me to ask about the van. I have met some really wonderful people who want to know all about the van and where I bought it. Hopefully, Danny and Vanlife Northwest are getting my referrals! Danny is a wonderful mechanic, business man and the vans are delightful. I am so proud to drive one of these unusual vans!
Martha Schostal

I purchased a van from Danny at the end of 2016. I still have it now and adore it every day. I bought it with 30k miles in pristine condition thanks to Danny's careful curation. I've traveled the west in it and it is my daily driver. It's dependable and a joy to own. When buying a van from Vanlife northwest you not only get a conversation starting vehicle, but also get Danny as a resource and reference for maintainance and questions. I'm sure I'll buy another van from him when I upgrade.