Hi great community,
I have a dream to buy a van (nissan hyace or something similar), and convert it myself to a camper van.
That means taking off all the seats other than the front ones and build a living+sleeping area in the back, including kitchen facilities, electricity supply, etc.
The thing is, I can’t find any useful info about the implications of that. Is it legal? What are the limitations? Would I need to get a renewed licence for it and go through loads of bureaucracy in Japanese?
Any resources or knowledge from experience will be greatly appreciated!
P.s. I know there’s the easy option of getting a ready RV, but the DIY part is part of my desire.
Thanks.
7 comments
The only thing I know is engine and transmission swaps need paperwork. If you just want to remove the back seat and put a bed there there’s no laws against it, you’ll have to put the seats bad in for shaken. Paperwork needs to match. If you want to get “cheaper” shaken for it being an RV there’s probably paperwork for that but that’s outside of my knowledge.
https://www.japanbyvan.com/
Was looking to do something similar once and came across this website.
I do *not* recommend the Nissan HiAce. they’re practically impossible to find.
but plenty of people use vans as mini-RVs. even kei-sized ones. google 車中泊 and you’ll find a lot of sites and videos and such, many w/vans
If you want fuel economy then a kei van is nice but the whole thing has to be lightweight. Also very cramped, but still nice.
Bongos are a nice choice for roominess.
If you can find an ex ambulance – those are nice too.
Putting/removing seats is a pita for shaken. I removed the middle captain chair on a D:5 to have roomier passager space in the back, these seats weight as much as a deadcow and I never know where to store them inbetween. Wish Mitsu had a VIP grade like on the Nissan Elgrand.
Not sure about van but I modified my kei car for car camping. For battery, only get LiFePo4 ones. If you build your own battery pack, then get quality BMS like JBD. LiFePo4 would also work in dead winter, car camped once in -12 Celsius, being able to reliably draw power without damaging the battery is great.
Get a pop-top camper that’s in poor condition or past ambulance through auctions here in Japan. Then strip the interior and build the rest. That way you will have the electrical system in place as well as an updated alternator and a sub battery. Then customize to your dreams.
You need a handful of check boxes to register as a camper but if you can, taxes bet stupid cheap. I think you need a sleeping platform, sink, cabinets, and stove to qualify.