Hi.
I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentine, I have a LiteAce, '81.
I made a lot of fishing trips.
This year I went twice to the patagonia.
I'm looking for to buy a newer one, but here in Argentinean very few vans entered in the '90s.
webmaster@pescayamigos.com.ar

Just bought this 88' 4x4, with 145k on it.
I t has minor camper mods to it, which is a cool thing. also has an electric hookup, kinda unique as well. no rust! interior has been redone, runs great, got 24 mpg combined mileage, and that was really movin too.
I love these vans. love your web site too.
Todd in Iowa - mr_maineman@yahoo.com

Hi Dan, Visited your site from link advertised on Toyota hiace site here in the UK So I thought you needed another Toyota Hiace as you only have 1 and that's from the UK it's a 1992 hiace supercustom 2.4 TD with twin air con and triple sun roofs. I have had the privalige to own this for 2 yrs with no problems except for a few teething problems but nothing major.
Trevor South Wales UK - TREVORANDREWS999@aol.com

1987 4WD Cargo
Great site! Happy to see it back "on-the-air".
cheers,
Peter Gron - RaincoastSoftware@shaw.ca
Gabriola Island, BC - CANADA

Hola comunidad Toyota.
Soy de El Salvador y tengo una Toyota Van LE 1986, en perfecta condiciones, y deseo compartir una fotografia de ella para su citio web.
Melvin Carrillo - melvinclau@yahoo.com

My 1987 2wd LE......what a cruiser!

Jerry SLIKER - gsliker@msn.com

Hi Dan, Someone just directed me to your web site and told me you are in Tucson. We just moved here from Bellingham. I actually met Roy once in Bellingham. He wanted to buy my van. It is good to know you are around locally. I am getting ready to make my van more heat ready for this summer. It allready has a very slight over heating problem at idle. I ordered a new radiator, and am considering going to electric fans also. I never needed my A/C in
Bellingham, but I do for sure this summer here, and it will definitely over heat the van with out some updates. We have a 88 4x4 LE with all the fixens, ice box, etc. We left the seats in WA in the rear, and have a bed in the back. We do a lot of camping and hiking and find the Van perfect for that. I also have a boat I carry on top. I have included a couple of pictures of our van with a 17 foot dory I built in Port Townsend and brought down to Tucson with me. The second picture is the actual trip down with it loaded to the hilt.
If you know anyone in the Tucson area who could use a custom roof rack I am changing mine. I built this one to stand on to do photography. It is also great for hauling wood, boats, etc. It has a ladder that stows away inside and allows you to climb up on it. (Don't email Galen, I already bought his roof rack. -Dan)
Galen Piehl - galenpiehl@mailhaven.com

Hey Dan, Yeah, my alternator went too... I guess it was the high pressure washer or something... let alone, it does have a bit of corrosion throughout theengine bay and well, I have to say, my dash is brighter, my lights are brighter but my bank account is dimmer... :( Yeah, I will post some pics on the site soon and the interior is all gone and built up for dogs with two levels, gates, lots of interior lights but too bad a hack carpenter put it all in... LOL Me!! Wll, it's very functional to the point that I can put 16 dogs in there and not one on my lap anymore... Yes 16... it pays to know dogs well. I've had 25 in a mini school bus.
Robert Kerr - udog@shaw.ca

I´m Jacco Woudenberg from the Netherlands, and we had a 1985 Liteace. We sold it a couple of years ago, but it is still running. When we bought it we asked for LPG and different headlights (see attachement). I think the car is looking better that way. It was my parents car, and since I am turning 18 soon, I´m looking for cars also. I like the 1991 Diesel Auto 4WD Royal Lounge Townace, but it is not available in Holland. Oh, and on the picture, the logo is missing because we had a small accident just before photo was taken.
Anyway Greetings from holland, and I hope to see more pictures.
jacco woudenberg - f_demon666@hotmail.com

Regards to all, impressed with site and Toyotas, attached is pic of my Townie (as we call them in UK) bought as neccessity as I have a spine problem and needed an automatic, but loved it on first site and enjoy the versatility of the vehicle.
Mine is 2-CT engine (1974cc Turbo diesel auto) and is on a G reg UK plate (1990). Had 100,000k on when bought now done 148,000k and still going strong.
John Nuttall - john@onail.fsnet.co.uk

Check out my van i bought for $200 and have since fallen in love with it. The graphics on the side are the pimpest shit ever, This is a shot of the good side the other side has damage from someone t-boning it. The interior was redone by a custom shop down in cali but has seen some better days because of sun damage. I only wish i had a 4WD, been thinking of trying to find one with a blown engine to swap but its a toyota so there just arent any its been so good to me although ive treated it like a dog, funny huh? ok gotta go its getting late. Love the site, I wish there were more like it. Seacrest Out!
Nick Miller - machonacho_69@hotmail.com

Hey Dan,
I am a recent owner of an '87 4x4 with a raised roof and 5spd... Kinda stoked everytime I drive it but it needed a lot of work to make it road worthy when I got it..
Shocks, brakes, exhaust, back door, side door, heater relays, has a bit of a rad leak rusted lines here and there... but still has hope.... In fact it's actually in pretty good shape with the original receipt in the glove box...
But being winter and all, I had my wipers frozen and hit the switch just prior to the visual in my memory about the tips I read on your site... Cool site btw!! Kudos. but it was too late. The motor still runs but not wiping... in fact the wipers seem to move pretty freely now... but only by hand... LOL What happened and how do I fix it??
If I have to pull the dash, it is a good thing since I have new speakers for it... but really out of my league and motivations I think... but non the less maybe you could coach me on this one. It's not in your print of the manual nor can I find one in B.C. Canada (Vancouver Island to be exact).
I will send some pics soon. It is a getaway package sold by Downtown Toyota in Vancouver. Burgundy with grey trim and a lot of quilted interior that has to go... I am basically ripping everything out so as to use better space of the headroom and make a decent bed and internal rack for overhead. Oh, yeah... can I cut out above the frond seats so that if I installed a sunroof in the raised area, there would still be some structural stability or do I at least leave the beam that I am assuming may still be bolted there under all that Getaway crap?? If that beam needs to stay or is still there, no biggy, I would more than likely keep it there for the rack system... Can stack a lot of surfboards inside this thing with that raised area and keep it fairly aerodynamic on the highway... Blah blah... I am sure I could ask tons of questions...
Oh yeah... What is the best way to keep this thing theft proof?? It really is a rare one.
Thanks for any directions Dan,
Robert Kerr - Nanaimo, B.C. - udogguy@hotmail.com

Hello Fellow Toyota Van Enthusiasts!
I `am quite happy to see that somone has put up a site for Toyota van people/addicts like myself where we can share our problems and advice.
I have about seven vans at present in different stages of repair ...an 86 LE 2wd w/550,000 km (342,000 miles ) (ex taxi - stll runs ), 2 X 83 window utilitys 2 wd (one still running - one for parts ), one 85 2wd utility (parts) one 87 2wd panel (future runner-possibly converting to a Toyo 2L diesel -looking for transmission bellhousing ), one 87 4wd panel ( present driver ), one 86 LE 2wd in boxes...most are for fix up or for parts.
I started out geting an old '83 2wd utility with windows that had a lot of rust just to hold me till I could find another Volkswagen van as I was into those things at the time . Well ,after driving the Toyota there was no going back to a Volkswagen .....
.....driving a unheated Volks in the winter up here was a case study in stupidity..not only were you on the constant verge of almost freezing to death but you had to learn to exhale sideways or you would frost up the inside of the windshield...of course you kept an ice scrapper on the dash just in case . Hopefully your destination was`nt too far away or there was a few coffee shops along the way to warm up at . A long trip would be just that .... a very long trip - cruising along at 55-60 mph while everybody else was passing you at what seemed like light speed...even loaded transport trucks would pass you on the long uphill grades. Of course there was the constant maintanence to be performed ...like rebuilding everything every six months or so.
Well I am fully converted to Toyota Vans now!
The 83 2wd I still own and use as a backup once in a while ...I fixed up the body shortly after I got it with sheet metal and fibreglass ..five years later and and with 450,000 km (280,000 mi ) showing on the odometer I could still drive it down to Florida tomorrow without a worry ...I made 3 trips down to California and Mexico with it and even drove it from San Diego ,California to New Orleans , Louisiana and back again .I travelled all over the New Mexico , Arizona , and California deserts with it camping out wherever I went . I could travel all day in comfort (and heat ) at 70+ mph and 30+ miles per gallon , pull into a rest stop and crawl into the back and go to sleep .I would still be driving it today but the body is getting pretty rough and I wanted a panel and 4wd.
I presently am driving an 87 4wd panel utility with 217,000 kilometers (135,000 miles) and aside from the stiffer suspension and higher gearing am quite happy with it . I have changed the tire size from 205/70 X14 to 225/70 X 14 and found I can cruise at a decent speed (70 mph ) without the motor screaming ...I rebuilt the engine 1500 kilometers (931 miles) ago when a cracked cyl. head had scored some cylinder bores. The van still needs a bit of minor bodywork, some rear suspension repair,and a bunch of other bugs weeded out to be perfect... I work as a mechanic on a small island in the gulf islands inside of Vancouver Island , we have 5 Toyota vans here aside from the other residents vehicles and I also have a number of off Island clients with Toyota vans and it seems that I hardly ever get a chance to work on my own but we`re getting there!
Thanks , Bob Williams - Hornby Island B.C. Canada - robertwilliams@uniserve.com

Just a quick note to let you know how great I think your site is. I am searching for a 4X4 now, and after I locate and buy one, no doubt I'll be making much more use of your site. Thanks for all your hard work. Once I have my rig, I'll make a donation to keep the site going. Happy Holidays, Terry Bass - hornito@earthlink.net

Hello Dan,
Or should I address you as Van Man Dan?
My name is dave Bright and I live in Bournemouth UK. I have been perusing your site for a while now, and I think its very good, so well done.
On the 1st of November I organized an Ace Jam in the new forest. This meant that I had an opportunity, at last, to take a few good snaps of my Toyota van, and have attached one for your web site, if you'd like to use it.
Its a Royal Lounge, 4x4, automatic, 2 litre, Turbo Diesel. I have owned it now for just over a year, and unfortunately succumbed to the cracked head syndrome earlier this year. But its fixed and running quite well now thankfully.
Regards
dave Bright - dave@automatic-windings.co.uk

Thank you for your site! I am really enjoying it. I am looking for a Toyota van and your site has really helped narrow down what I want. I have test driven two in town already. I love the way they drive. I am really looking forward to finding the perfect one for me. My wife has liked them so much she is talking about getting one for herself. Thank you again for your site as an amazing resource! - usil201@hotmail.com

hello dan,
hella stoked to find yr site. i'm a long-time fc van fan-- since 1980 i've had a 71 vw, a very primitive 65 chevy, and now an 87 toyota. i saw somewhere on the site that you are into filmmaking and live in tucson. i've done a few film shows in tucson over the years. i live in portland, but tour pretty often. last year my girlfriend and i did a show or our work at club congress, have also showed at the screening room. my work is in the "experimental-documentary" category. it seems like there's a cool film scene going there. what kind of work do you do?
well i'm glad to find your site. i'm looking for advice on my 87 5-speed. it's developed a death-rattle at 290,000 mi, piston slop, i think. a credible local shop wants 5 grand to rebuild the motor ("the right way"). that's a lot, but it might be a long time till i find another good 5 speed non-le. i'm not into electric windows and a/c. got any advice for me? good used engine source? a van mechanic in the northwest?
i really dig the performance discussions, like the stiff sidewall tires idea and the airbox mods. i am surprised no one's come up with a good exhaust trick.
keep up the good work!
bill daniel - portland oregon - billdaniel@hotmail.com

Needed a van while I renovated my kitchen. I drove by this 89 Toyota Cargo van for sale. They were asking $2500. I thought that was too steep so I passed. After 3 months of it still sitting there, I left a note.... "Will pay $1500" cash. The owner called in just a few hours and I showed up that day with cash. I have been driving it since. Crazy that I let my sweet 1994 BMW 325is sit and I drive "Blue" everyday and LOVE it!!!! I am searching for options on wheels and tires.
-Ron E. Marks
http://www.gigaslam.com/

Nice site. I'm afraid i don't own a Toyota van at this time. thanks to Roy Myers, however, i got to drive a Toyota van. a nice 1988 Toyota 4wd van. it was fun to drive. i might buy one eventually if Roy can show me another 4wd Toyota van. anyway, i love the site and will continue to look over your site for new and exciting photos of vans from around the world and some here in the U.S. keep it up.
-Jason Carpp

i just made my new favorite shirt. my friends love it and want me to make more of em. anyway, just thought you'd get a kick out if it. just imagine if everyone made one of these for their own vans. you could have a whole section of your site just for hand-made van apparel.
-Johnny Five

Hello!!
My friend sent me the URL for this site as a joke, along with the comment that "it's kind of creepy". I disagree heartily. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada and I've lived a life of Toyota mini-vans. I've browsed your web page and I haven’t noticed many comments from girls, let alone teenagers. As a 17-year old girl I’d like to add my voice to this page that is dedicated to such wonderful vehicles.
My father has a bit of an affixation for 80’s Toyotas, and they are the only vehicles he has owned within my living memory. First was yellow (’84), then white(’86 I think), then blue/white (white body with blue doors ’86), then brown (’87), grey(’88), back to white (’88) and onto blue (’87 I think). Yup, that’s 7 within the last 17 years. Right now we have 2 on the road, 2 behind the Fence of Shame (to hide them from the neighbors) and one totally dismantled in our basement. My father has picked up a bit of a reputation and every few months he gets a call from someone in the province who wants to sell their Toyota. The last one we got, the blue one just a few months ago and he was reluctant to buy. It was in bad shape, only good for the parts. However, the owner was so desperate to be rid of it he made an offer we couldn't’t refuse: 200 bucks and he delivered it right to our driveway.
I am lucky enough to drive one every day, not technically my own, but close enough. We switch back and forth but mostly I use the grey (AKA Gandalf the Grey or The African Queen.) and my father uses the white, who has many a nickname, from the Trash Can, to Persephone, to Saruman and, my personal favorite, The Millennium Falcon. My vans entertain my friends to no end, they all adore them. I even drove the Queen to my senior prom, the only decoration being a canoe attached to the top.
I love my vans to death and the only thing I would change is I’d like a seatbelt where the engine hump is, between the front 2 seats. It is a favorite spot for friends to sit, but it needs a belt. One of my favorite lines for first-time riders is “guess where the engine is”, it really is a great conversation starter!
Cathren - riddle@ns.sympatico.ca

Hi Dan, I'm Eric from Manila, Philippines. My baby is a 1991 LiteAce GXL powered by a 5K 1586cc gasoline engine. Kind a slow but it sure gives me comfort and it is durable. It's a very nice site and I'm telling all about this to my friends here who owns toyota vans. Come on here and its a cool site and thanks for letting me and my baby become part of it! Hey Boon from Singapore! Sure I like to see the picture of your van! Thanks for this site Dan, now everybody can see our vans! Regards! Oh, attached are the pictures of my baby.
Thanks Man! - manarsky@yahoo.com

I'm amused to find my van on your site (US Vans Page)
I've just lined the interior with purple fur and built in a tri-fold bed, gear lofts, little folding bunk style suspension shelves on both sides, curtains. It may be butt ugly on the outside, but it's stylee camp-o-rama comfort on the inside. This'll be the 4th years I've taken it to Burning Man. It gets more comfy every year.
I've been surfing around looking to see if other people have moded their toyotas. I'm building a clamp on awning pavilion, stylized as a Moroccan oval pavilion (will definitely send pix), just wanted to see if anybody has solved problems, and how.
Qathi - qathi@qathi.com

I have been driving Toyota Vans since August 1995. I needed a large enough vehicle for delivering 600 newspapers a day, and being a Toyota man, the van was the perfect answer. I bought my first van (LE, 2WD Auto) for $500. It had 179,000 at the time, and I drove it until March 1998, when it had 256,000. It still ran, but it was getting smoky and besides, the steering shaft had finally let go. Bought an '86 in April 1998, and drove that one until February of this year. It (2WD-Auto) had 166,000 when I bought it, and drove it to 295,000. It still ran good, but was also getting a bit smoky, and the exhaust (still the original, mind you) broke off at the manifold. Too expensive to fix. I then bought my current '85 (2WD-5-speed) on ebay for $600. Picked it up in Cleveland (I live in mid-Michigan), having 133,000 actual miles. Seems it sat for about 7 years in need of a clutch, hence the low miles, but hence a decent amount of rust as well. But she runs great, and should give me MANY miles of use. I pulled many parts from my '86 for this van, should I need them, as I did on the previous van. I have already replaced both brake calipers with the one's I saved from the first van. Always thought that someday, I might just need them!
Phil Parmelee - PParm16424@aol.com
Haslett, Mi.
Lover of Toyota Vans

Hi Folks
This is the "real" Tarago 1986 2ltr 4 speed auto , dual aircon (Note the "Off -Road" equipment on the post) "Grin"
regards
John Fisher Melbourne Australia
E-mail clotho@optusnet.com.au
ICQ 45499079 AOL , MSN & Yahoo Username atroposinoz

Hi there! Nice site!
This is my recently-acquired 1989 Townace Super Extra 4WD 2-litre diesel, a cheerful little MPV with all the handling and performance of a rather-too-high small-engined diesel van...still finding out how it likes to behave and what problems it might turn out to have.
Arthur Toms
Papakura,
New Zealand
arthur@clear.net.nz

I have a 1989 Toyota Van.
I bought it 8 months ago. It is in very good condition. It has 120,000 miles. I bought it because I read on the internet that they are very good vehicles, even with the high mileage. Since I had it I have only had to replace the battery, give it a tuneup, and replace a powersteering belt as well as a new set of brakes all the way around.
Recently I have noticed that when it rains or is very moist out side she starts a little rough. I plan to keep her for a very long time.
I am a very happy van owner.
As you can see in the picture she is dark red with the running boards. Everyone says she is very nice. She is fully customized front and rear Air and Heat. She has Power windows and doors, the only thing that she doesn't have that I have seen on other vans is the Sunroof. How ever she does have a white antenna on the top for the Television. I will probably take it off and add a dvd player. Too many people mistake it for a taxi.
Check out my van.
Ilayaway@aol.com

Hey! So nice to see that I'm not the only vanatic.
I live in Victoria BC (lots of vans out here) and I drive an 86 cargo that we bought new. Not having much support, most of my mods are self-taught with meager resources. I am in the process of converting the cargo to 4wd...a simpler vehicle to lift because of the leafs in the back. I have identified a possible conversion using Tacoma/Tundra limited diffs. Another possible is using a 90-94 Pathfinder rear axle, which has a ring kit that matches the front ratios for the toy front axle. My conversion is going to be waaay simpler and gruntier than the old push button to go style. Just gotta solve the front suspension problems, and find a manual transmission/transfer case unit (not up to replacing the propeller shaft on my beast)
Also, have done an airbox modification that granted me an extra 11hp on the dyno.
Look forward to mashing it out with you chaps!!
DanF - nekton@shaw.ca

I'll get some "action" shots from the beach. I use the van as windsurfing vehicle, in younger days it was the mountain bike race vehicle, and can carry all my gear inside. The parts place I have been using is Nissan/Toyota Salvage in Phoenix...any other suggestions would be helpful. I have used T.A.P. out of California but have had mixed results and they are EXPENSIVE. I didn't realize the 1989 LE 4x4 was rare, but it did take me two years to find a good 4x4 van of any year(just like you I really wanted a five speed panel 4x4). In the mean time I was driving a white 1984 LE with factory alloy wheels and a five speed, blew a head gasket at 99,000 miles, had the engine rebuilt and drove it another 123,000 miles. thanks - Peter Bragaw
peter.bragaw.charterone@attglobal.net

finally...all the value I have seen in these vans is recognized. People laugh and stare at my van, but if you go to third world countries like Dominican Republic these vans are all over, used and aftermarket parts plentiful including a nice brush guard which was on many of them. Mine has been called the "toaster" (it is silver) and mystery machine(Scooby Doo).I live in a snooty neighborhood and they don't know what to think of it. When I drove it most of this winter due to the snow, a neighbor came over one day and asked my wife if my business was doing O.K.!!!! ha.....eat Sh** and get back in your 4x4 BMW which has never been off pavement. This is currently the third one I have owned since 1987. Friends have said I am the only one in the country who has owned more than one of them...your web site finally proves them wrong! Currently have 1989 4x4 LE which I have owned for nine years and 130,000 miles.Warn manual hubs,Auto, rebuilt engine and tranny some rust which is currently being repaired with rust free parts from Arizona. Keep up the great site..thanks - Peter Bragaw
peter.bragaw.charterone@attglobal.net

You don't have to tell anyone who owns one of these vans about the
general usefulness of these vehicles but I bet no one else has pictures of a pony being transported.
This van usually carried 2 or 3 motorcycles but livestock was ok too.
This 1986 van was retired after 11 years at about 216000 miles, the motor went to a '87 4WD which was retired after another 60,000 miles of use. - Gerald
gerald@hwd.ca

dan, i love your website. it's rulin. my boyfriend and i are drooling over toyota vans. i wrestled with and researched what kind of car to get for a long time. the toyota van is the only contender left in the ring. we are going to test drive a 1989 2wd Toyota Van Deluxe w/ a 2.2 L 1-4 EFI SOHC VTEC engine. i don't know much about engines...
i just wondered if you had any tips on what to look for to know if this guy has been treated right. i know to check airconditing and rust from your manual. any other tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.
thanks for your help and your dope website, courtney
courtneyshanks@hotmail.com

Hi Dan,
Your site looks good and I hope you can devote the time to keep it going! I post questions or answers to the UK "Club" Ace Answers(Board of Knowledge) site as they too have a lot of these "Townies".As with the UK we here in New Zealand get these as Japanese Imports(all 2nd hand or used. Attached pic is of a 1988 Masterace,2.0 Litre Turbo Diesel,5 Speed Manual.
Cheers,
Trevor S
tasutton@xtra.co.nz

Good morning.
My name is Kerry and I live in Fort Wayne Indiana. Thank you for your web site! It has been very informative and helpful.
I have come across a 1984 Toyota LE van for sale. It has 130,500 miles on it and has been in a decent garage for the last 12 years and has not been driven once. I have inspected it and it is not to bad.
* The interior is dusty but very nice. Nice seats...like new.
* The exterior has a few rusty areas along the bottom of the sliding door and on the corners of the wheel well.
* The engine and exhaust look fine with only small amounts of rust.
* It has some rusty steel rims and although all of the tires are completely flat, they have good tread.
* The battery is completely dead also.
* The lady told me that right before she "mothballed" it that it was running just fine and that she had the tranny rebuilt.
I cannot start it due the the dead battery and not wanting to circulate 12 year old fluids thru the engine. I will have to tow it home.
The folks are wanting to get $200.00 out of it.
If you were in my shoes... what would you do? What are some items I need to be aware of on this van?
Thank you for your reply.
Kerry
kerrygg@comcast.net

Hi Roy
I've been thinking about buying a toyota 4x4 le van since they first came out. Of course something else always came up and I never got around to finding one. Surfing a few weeks ago I came across your website and spent way to much time there. I was hooked I needed one really badly. Today I drove it home. Blue 1986 4x4 with 5spd and automatic hubs. My kids thought it looks ugly but after letting them in it and giving them a ride they think the van is great. Its a little rough.... Ok a lot rough. And I paid too much for it. But its mine and I'm going to put the time into it to make it a nice driver.
Anyway I just wanted to say thanks and hopefully I'll be hanging around more often.
Steve Boser - Portland Or
mrstechnodude@attbi.com

Oooooooo!!!!! Can I send pictures? I have an '86 2wd from Maine that was garage kept.... however the rust is still bad. 146k and it has been the most reliable vehicle I have EVER owned (out of 16). I have actually kept it for over a year (3 yrs. this month.). I take it all over the east coast and am now in Texas with no a/c. Damn. At least it's easy to mantain. I mostly prefer motorcycles but you can't beat the room, the gas milage and cruising at 85 mph comfortably in the cold.
msullivan.lipbros@earthlink.net

Hi Dan;
Cool site.
Just picked up an '89 LE (auto) to haul the family and motorcycles. I'm hoping that replacing the broken motor mount will stop the vibration while sitting at stop lights while in gear.
Have you ever seen one of these vans w/ a pop-top? A friend and I were talking and we both vaguely remember seeing them w/ Riviera style pop-ups.
I'd love to get one or convert mine.
Thanks for the informative web page,
-Tyler Sandell
tyler@robbinsusa.com

Hey there from New Zealand. Having a look at your site. Great work. I would like to contribute a couple of pics of my van which i have just purchased. I am really proud of it and have been finding some great sites about these vans. Its a 1992 Townace royal lounge 2.0l petrol auto, a import from Japan. I absolutely love the wagon and purchased it after having acquired another 2 great kids that arent mine but treat them as my own. So now i have four boys and one heck of a great lady, so had to get a people mover. I like this model better than the newer shape. The cost was NZ $12000 which i think is about UK 4200 pounds. Hope you can get them up for people to see. Thanks for your time and i will be keeping a close eye on your site
Bruce from down under :)
huggy1@xtra.co.nz
(Click here to see Bruce's Van)

HI
My name is Shigenori Tanaka. I am from Japan and now I live in seattle.
I own 87 Van 4WD, and this is my second Van. I just love Toyota Van.
I have been looking for people that love Toyota Van and like to talk about it.
I have notice that you live in Bellingham WA right? Do you guys members meeting or something?.
I love to join you guys! Let me know !
well, I am so happy to see and know that there is a site for toyota van.
tana@seattlepcrescue.com

I like the web site - include me as a member.
We have 4 Toyota vans in the family. 85 (bought new) with 315,000 miles & counting. Original engine, tranny and clutch.
91 with 216,000, a 95 with 160,000 and a 95 with 99,000.
Change the oil, be kind, and they last forever.
Jim Freim
jfreim@aaahawk.com

We have an antique shop in Rockford, IL and own TWO 1987 Toyota Vans, affectionately titled "Queermobiles," :-)
I started with a 1986, traded it in in 1990 for a Previa, and was always sorry. I missed the short zippy wheel base. This is my FOURTH Van/Wagon, over all.
I sold off a 1986 that needed too much body work. One true fact is that you either LOVE them or HATE them.. and the Van/Wagons were ALL made in Japan and came over on a boat. They were NOT designed for Sumo wrestler size people, (OK so I SLIGHTLY exaggerate)so my husband and son HATE them.That doesn't stop me much :-)
****** RC Holmberg ***
flamingo-kid1@worldnet.att.net

budman here with our little wiggle wagon (`88), had a couple of `62 ford econoline vans in the late sixties and still have an `83 econoline, riding around in this "space case" really takes me back, but i don`t have to put cardboard in front of the radiator to get the heater to work in my jap rat, i love it!
budman1404@yahoo.com

Yo Dan,
Attached is a picture of my Jap import 2.0 liter Diesel Turbo. 13 years old now I've had it a year and no problem. It's 2 wheel drive with front and rear AC, a hot and cold box and can be converted into a camper van with the seats and Toyota installed curtains.
I had a UK spacecruiser 2.o liter carb for 200,000 miles before this one.
Best of luck with your site.
Clive
clive@mucklow.freeserve.co.uk

I'm writing you from Calgary Ab. Canada. I own an 86 toyota van 2wd that I've had for almost 5 years now. Despite the recent problems I've encountered I can still say that it has been the greatest vehicle I have ever owned. As well as being a sweet camping highway machine this van (named Judy by my wife) has hauled many 4x8 sheets of plywood in it's day.
Unfortunately this past fall while driving across the prairies my fuel pump packed it in. In a pinch I had it replaced at canadian tire (never get your car repaired at canadian tire). It has been totally fucked ever since. I'm somewhat knowledgeable with repairs but just looking at all the hoses and wires under the hood I feel an anxiety attack coming on. A friend of mine who's a master at repairing vw's tells me I should tear off the fuel inj. system and replace it with a webber carb setup. If anyone has some advice on
this please contact me. If not I have a Van for sale cheap.
Ross
mattross@telus.net

Nice ! site !
I have 3 toyota vans that i use in my wallcovering installation & sales business.
have owned /& been involved with these vans for the last 10 -- 13 yrs they are practically bullet proof!!!!
i have 1 85 cargo 2x ,& 2 idenical; 4x le 87s love um!!!
thanx for including me on your e list
Bill Baker/C/o/ Beach wallpaper service
beach haven nj 08008
habarba@aol.com

G'Day from Western Australia.
This is a very nice looking site.
I noticed on your 4X4 tips that you said you didn't think the Auto was dual range.
I have a 1990 Toyota MasterAce Surf 4X4 turbo Diesel. It has power steer, power windows, Auto 'box and it does have dual range. It also has six sunroofs, cool/hot box, dual Aircon.
It seems to pretty good off-road (in a limited van type way), mostly sand work over here, but I wouldn't mind finding out more about the 15"wheels.
Is there a Toyota part number or some way of Identifying the exact specs?
You also mention different diff ratios - any info on that would be greatly appreciated.
I would love to get larger wheels, a small suspension lift, and keep the gearing the same.
Very happy with the van so far.
Great site, I have it in my favourites already.
Dave.
D.Winter@aamsurveys.com.au

Dan,
Still haven't borrowed a digital camera yet, so no pictures.
However, I just bought a 1987 4X4 Toy van with a five speed and a decent body. I am more interested in the 4X4 than the camper, so the GETAWAY raised roof camper van will be put up for sale next week to pay for the new 4X4 Toy van.
If anybody on the list wants more info on the camper van get back to me ASAP before I put the add in.
I'd like to keep both the toy vans, or maybe even meld the two into one 4X4 camper van, but realistically I am moving next month with no place to work on them or even to park them all. I also have a Ford camper van and a Ford 4X4 van as well.
I've got the "Too many vans, and not enough money bluesssss".
Larry Z
lazerus2000@shaw.ca

Hey, I am very happy to know that there is now a web site dedicated to the old Toyota Vans. My uncle gave me a 1984 Toyota Van a couple years ago and we had the engine rebuilt after the water pump blew. The engine was basically shot. But, they fixed it. Bigger pistons, new crankshaft, new camshaft, and what-have-ya. Later, I plan on doing some restoring and some other modifications. I've read on your website of people putting on bigger tires to help reduce the "wind wander" these things have. Right now, I have those skinny P185/75 R 14 tires. I'm hoping I can get a new set of wheels that look better and can upgrade me to like 195, or even 202s. I've talked to a couple of shops about new wheels for these things and then they confuse me with something about a medium offset and that these kind of wheels are hard to find, or something. My van has the kind of wheels with only 4 bolts. As for the wind wander again, I find it handles better in the wind when you're going at higher speeds. But, if I go around 55 or below, I get blown all over the place. Higher speed helps. Don't ask me why. It just does, for me. I also have a rust problem that needs to be taken care of, and I need a dent pulled out that my brother put in behind the right rear tire when he slid on some ice and ended up in a ditch. I want to make this thing look beautiful again. I don't intend using it for off-road. Just basically for the street. I find this thing performs beautifully on the freeway. I can hold it at 70 MPH with no problem. Sometimes, I'll go 75. And I've had it up to 80 and I still had more throttle to go. As long as I'm going 70 MPH on the freeway, hills are no problem. Before the engine was rebuilt, it would bog down on a hill and downshift outta overdrive. But the rebuild did a lot of good. There's definitely more torque in the engine. I hear some stories about these things not doing good at 70 MPH. But, all ya just need is a rebuild and these vans scoot right along. I will keep checking this website for updates. I'm really glad that there's such a thing dedicated to these wonderful vehicles.
KC
kcg@tdn.com

Toy Van Guys & Gals,
This last weekend I picked up a 1986 Toyota GETAWAY raised roof camper van conversion, with stove, fridge, furnace and sink. These are REALLY hard to find, and this one has only 158,000 Km on it. Literally, "owned by a Little Old Lady" who bought it from a Toyota dealer in 1991, and had it sitting in her driveway for most of the last decade, till she got too old to drive or go camping [ 83 ]. I got all the documentation with it, original bill of sale, her bill of sale/warrenty book, etc. showing that I am only the third owner. On the way home I ran into a blizzard, and I was anticipating the rear end slipping around all over the place. But with all that extra weight, the camper van actually handled pretty well in the snow.
I just took the van into my local Toyota dealer for an inspection, and aside from being close to needing front brakes, the van is in EXCELLENT mechanical condition. Compression is 180 psi on all cylinders. Apparently it was very well maintained. Apart from the dog hairs all over the interior, and a few "dog eaten" cushions, the camper part is in fantastic shape.
The only bad news is a bit of rust on the outside [ not as bad as most ] and a dent/crease on the right rear, just above the tail light. Plus it seems a bit underpowered - top speed is only 70 MPH [ but I'm hoping this will improve once I blow the carbon out - as you can imagine, LOL didn't push it too hard ]. Next stop is the tire shop, where I am putting some EIGHT PLY Woo Song 195/75/R14" A/S radials on the mags. I've used these tires before, and the STIFF sidewalls help minimize wind wander. With the extra height and leverage my raised roof van has, it will really benefit from these tires.
I'll see if I can borrow a digital camera to post some pics.
At this time, this is my only Toy van, as I sold both my 4X4s [ 5spd CarGO van with 27/850/R14" Mud Terrains and also the Auto LE ] last December to finance my trip to Baja for a month on a KLR 650 motorcycle. Much as I enjoyed touring Baja on the bike, every night, when I had to pay $20 - $100 US for a hotel, I wished I had brought a van.
Preferably a 4X4 Toy van, with BIG tires, 5 spd, 2 spd Transfer case, and fitted out as a camper. Toy vans like these were available in Australia, usually with a pop top, and sometimes with the diesel. And wouldn't that be nice.
My Toy mechanic is trying to shoe horn a diesel into one of his spare vans [ I'm not sure exactly how many he has lying around his yard, but usually about a dozen ].
Now if only I can find another 4X4 5 spde with a decent body, I could throw all the camper gear into it, and have the one perfect little rig.
Larry Z
PS: a couple of the wreckers here on Vancouver island have some pretty clean toy vans for parts. Good interiors and rust free sliding doors and rear doors are available if anyone wants them.
lazerus2000@shaw.ca

I've owned FIVE 4X4 Toy vans, plus half a dozen or more 2WD Toy vans.
My favorite all around vehicle has to be the 86 - 89 Toyota 4X4 Van, preferably with the 5 spd, and the two speed transfer, with Mud Terrain 27/8.50R14 tires. These are designed as TRUCK tires, with much heavier sidewalls [ true 6 ply]. Aside from the extra traction, the larger tires/stiffer side walls really improve the handling on the hi way, removing most of the wind wander you usually get when passing a semi at speed. After loosing a couple of brand new 14" A/S CAR tires to sharp slate, I'll never go back to anything lighter.
I am currently looking for another 4X4 Toy Van, but this time I want one with a totally rust free body. Then I'll start building it into the LAST vehicle I'll ever need.
I got my start in off roading back in the Sixties building VW dune buggies, and bought my first van [ a VW ] as spare parts for my duners. The first time I idled that VW van up the killer hill that ate clutches out of my duners, [ with a pretty girl., a case of beer, and a sleeping bag ] I was hooked on vans, and have rarely been without one ever since.
I currently own a BIG Ford 4X4 van, a 1982 Ford E250 with a 460, automatic, IFS under coil springs, on BFG 285/75 R16 Mud Terrains. I've owned this one for about 5 years, but it is parked in my driveawy, awaiting a BODY TRANSPLANT, as the original body has all but disappeared from rust.
Previously, I spent 5 years with a raised roof / camperized 1974 Dodge 4X4 Maxi Van, 360, auto, solid Dana 44 under coils, with a posi. After I put in the posi, I almost never actually NEEDED to lock in the front hubs, except in deep snow.
Both the big Ford and the Dodge drove great on the highway, at any speed I cared to push them, and both were great for rough logging roads and snow. However, at over 7000 lbs, nearly 7 ft wide, and almost 20' long, neither one of them was much good in REAL off roading, at least not in the rough, mountainous, terrain, where I spend most of my time.
Which is why I like very small, ultra light rigs, like the 4X4 Toyata Van. I've owned other 4X4 vehicles before this, including a 1984 Diesel Suburban [ almost a van? ], a full race Chevy Blazer [ 300 HP 350 ], a 1980 Diesel Toy Landcrusher, [ 5 ] International Scouts, plus a couple of 4X4 Toy pickups, a few Datsun 4X4 KingCab pickups, and a couple of ex-CP Rail Dodge 1 Ton Crew Cabs with the extended 8 ' box.
PS: I know from personal experience that dune buggies, VW Vans, and Toyota Vans will float - for a while anyhow!
Larry - aka Lazerus2000 [;{)
lazerus2000@shaw.ca

Good to find your site.
I've been a Toyvan addict for about a decade.i've had 5 of them, the last two 4wd standards. The world just doesn't realize that a 87-90 4WD Toyota van is the perfect vehicle. Mine carries motorcycles, construction supplies, and the family.
Love the agility, fuel economy and all-round functionality. Hate the rustprone body, bad alternators and bad rear wipermotors.
I maintain my own vehicle and find this van easy and logical to work on- removing the passenger seat to do certain jobs notwithstanding.
I'm interested in mods and tricks for these extremely versatile
vehicles. There is little that interchanges with other Toyotas. As my Toyota parts guy said- a van is a van is a van. They are not a truck or a car.
I'd like to someday install a V-6 maybe from a Camry. There is more
room in the engine bay than first appears but the bellhousing / transmisson conversion will be the trick.
Also apparently a company named Van-amera did conversions on toyota vans. I've included a (rather poor) jpeg of such a van, maybe someone knows more about this conversion. - Gerald
gerald@hwd.ca

Hey Dan!
Well, I am glad to see you have started a dedicated web site to Toyota vans. I have been a fan for about 5 years now. I would be very happy to contribute to your website and to help in any other way I can to promote it. I have wanted to do something like this for a while but thought I was the only person who liked these things so its great to see that I am not alone.
I would like you to let me know what things to contribute to start with and in what way would be easiest to get the info on your website. thanks, Josh
Toyotavanman87@aol.com

Hi Dan -- Thanks for letting me know about this. I'll make use of it as I find the time. I do all my own engineering and fabrication work. Degrees in this sort of thing from long ago. The skid plates are a huge improvement over the stock ones. I enlarged the tiny plate covering the low point of the transfer case, going to a thicker steel plate with more attachment to the aluminum. I wish there were more to attach to. One option would be to bolt to the body of the car, and keep the skid pan from touching the transfer case at all. This would have to be pretty heavy, which is not really necessary, so I stayed away from it. The engine oil pan is protected by a heavier steel pan than stock. The air conditioning condenser will be protected by a new push bar. An aluminum plate is bolted to that like the prerunner style of pickup. The plate is drilled with 1 inch holes for air flow. If I had enough orders for them, I might consider making up several. They would go for about $400 each, and include mounts for driving lights. If you look under the front of the van, there is already a light duty bar under there, easily damaged, and often TAKES OUT the AC parts it ought to protect. The van is light enough it needs no further protection. I've dragged the rear axle over rocks at very low speed with no problems. -- Roy roysail@glacierview.net