Camper Inspiration: 1989 Mitsubishi Van
By the time you read this, we’ll be past the Christmas holiday. And while I doubt I’m going to find a converted Toyota HiAce under my tree, this cool 1989 Mitsubishi Van serves as the inspiration I need to get some sleeping quarters installed in my van project in 2018. Find this converted Mitsu here on craigslist in (surprise) northern California. Should this excellent camper van get snatched up, go here if the ad disappears.
Known as the Delica overseas, the Japanese-market version of this van is frequently imported now that 25-year old vehicles can enter the U.S. with relative ease. Most of the ones you see listed by importers are the fully-optioned four-wheel drive versions with luxurious appointments ranging from window curtains to pop-top campers. The Delica was known simply as the Van in the U.S., and frankly, the version sold stateside is harder to find than all the JDM examples. Check out this awesome (and simple!) interior conversion with a sleeping bench.
That’s what I’m going for with my 1981 Toyota HiAce (I know, we’re long overdue for an update on that). I hope to get some sort of a folding bed installed in the rear, and eventually buy one of the roof-mount tents from the likes of Roofnest. For now, given the HiAce has significant body and rust issues to address, we’ll try and get the interior sorted and deal with the luxurious roof-top appointments at a later date. Rust isn’t an issue for this Mitsubishi, which appears to be quite solid with only a few dents to mar the outside appearance.
The seller notes that the Van has served him well but it does have some issues for the next owner to sort: the radiator needs a recore or to be replaced; the brake master cylinder is leaking; and the starter will need replacing soon. I’d guess parts availability for this Mitsubishi is just as challenging as it is for my Toyota, but you may get lucky. Take the starter, for example – believe it or not, the one on my HiAce crossed over to the same one used on a Toyota forklift! If this were closer, I’d seriously consider adding a second van to my fleet.
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Comments
Be great for doin’ “stoppies”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VdbO-hqbEM
Outstanding Rube! LOL. Its 7 below today, you tube fun to keep me in the house.
Hey Mike, just so you know, I used to live in Phillips, Wis. but moved to Colorado. Would love to keep in touch. 50 and sunny today,,,sorry.
I had this exact model and everyone called it the “moon buggy”. We had a great time in it. Unfortunately it was so under powered that u couldn’t go up an incline on the interstate without it downshifting. Nonetheless more great memories from that car than any other car i owned. I guess because it was always full of friends.
Hi Rube, congratulations on your move! You have chosen wisely. Always liked your Phillips comments. And I hope you keep the Simpsons ones coming. Take care, Mike.
I had a 1988 like this. Very plush and had every option you could think of. It was also comfortable. The problem was the trans starting slipping at 65,000 miles among other problems. It wasn’t until years later that I realized what a death trap this was ( after watching old crash tests for this van). It was fun to own while I had it and was great for hauling around my 2 small children and all their stuff. They don’t make them like they used to. Thank God they don’t.
Friend had one he called the toaster. Looked puny when I parked my Vanagon next to it. After it blew a head gasket a second time, he junked it.
I drove one these back in the early eighties when I worked for the Government owned telecommunications company Telecom they bought thousands of them to replace the English Ford Escort vans they had the 1.6 l engine and 4spds on the column shift went really well and far more reliable and more load area they were called an L300
Can’t recall these as BT vans from when I was in the UK. That would have been the yellow era before they went grey I guess? Remember as far back as the yellow Minors (grandad had an ex service one) and then the Marinas, Escorts, Sherpas, Transits etc that all went over to grey before they finally gave in and left them white.
I had a 1989 LWB panel van version back in the UK – called L300 there. I think it was about 10 years old when I had it. Just needed a new coat of paint and it was a good, cheap reliable van for me. Could haul a lot and threw a mattress in to use as an impromptu camper a few times. Finally got rid of it when the head gasket went – lots of cheap vans around so sold it on as a project for someone else rather than fix it. This one is a floor mount auto, which would be fine. Usually I prefer a standard but mine was a five speed column shift and it was the only thing I didn’t like about it. The shifter (for my average size and build) was too far forward to change gears comfortably, I always found I had to lean forwards slightly which gave my already sensitive back an ache by the end of a city driving day.