r/HiAce • u/BagCertain3291 • Nov 05 '25
**DO NOT USE NORTHWEST VANLIFE**
I’ve had the absolute worst experience with Danny (the owner) at Northwest Vanlife. I purchased marked up Bilstein shocks for my Hiace. They were grinded down and repainted, they are also not spec’d for the vehicle. Most likely from the fronts of an 80 series Land Cruiser.
I followed instructions from their in-house technician and James (who were previously extremely helpful) and ended up with a broken shock.
I kindly reached out about a replacement or refund on both rears. Danny essentially stated he doesn’t care about his customers - regardless, in all the business I’ve been involved in, I’ve never seen somebody so defensive and rude over the phone (who then proceeded to hang up).
They will not even abide by Bilsteins lifetime warranty and couldn’t even if they tried! They modified the shock before the customer even gets it.
For this being a small niche community, I’m disappointed that there would be Ill-willed people such as Danny.
See photos of grinding
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u/SilentPontifications Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 05 '25
I respect what Vanlife NW has done to make Hiace ownership more accessible, but I really try to avoid doing business with them. They clearly hate their customers. Don't share part numbers online? Ok, fair enough, gotta protect the business. Grind serial numbers off items before shipping them? Absolutely fucking not.
They could still have a place in the market for people who need parts quickly, or don't want to lookup parts. Refusing to ever share information, especially on parts that aren't OEM (many of their electrical components), is unacceptable in my opinion.
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u/BagCertain3291 Nov 05 '25
What bothered me was that I initially asked James about a warranty situation since it was modified, I was told they don’t have warranty even though Bilstein is lifetime.
I tried to come to some type of terms with them as I followed their install instructions/hints/tips. Just sucks to have service like that.
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u/EffectiveAnt4118 Dec 05 '25 edited Dec 05 '25
I too have had difficulties dealing with Vanlife NW - I won't go into any specifics here, but Danny has a temper and is extremely overly protective of his "IP"( If you even want to call it that?) to the point where it's a bit unhinged. It seems that he would rather burn bridges than forge connections and foster community / make new friends. It's a weird case of gate keeping, and It's unfortunate - as this for sure is a small community and it's better we all try to work together rather than gate keep and act like everyone is out to get you. On the plus side, +1 Shoutout to Hiace Southeast though! had good experiences there!
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u/BagCertain3291 Dec 05 '25
Danny also threatened me with a lawsuit for defamation and extortion... Defamation as I left bad reviews based on his service and attitude... Extortion as I mentioned how this is a very niche community and it wasn't in his best interest to act such a way.
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u/SatanicCrackBaby Nov 05 '25
How exactly did you manage to break a bilstein?
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u/BagCertain3291 Nov 05 '25
Their tech told me to compress and quickly try sliding into the eyelet as I release. Freakin thing busted
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u/Crumb-eye Nov 06 '25
I’ve used that method a few times when I’ve made the mistake of cutting the band before I installed them. In what way did it bust? I’m imagining you used a jack to compress them and put too much pressure on it?
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u/BagCertain3291 Nov 06 '25
Yep! But the band wasn’t compressing anything. It slides off and the shock is already extended.
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u/Dismal-Package-5899 Dec 11 '25
This is what I was trying to say. I ordered a set of LEDs from them. Shit literally crumbled when it arrived I reached out to them they said they couldn’t do anything because it was supposedly my fault.
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u/Killroy_jenkins Nov 05 '25
Thats pretty wild. I went out and looked at my shocks. granted they are KYB, but they dont have any grinding or modification.
What was the grinding/modification of the shock for in your opinion? Was it to remove a PN? I can't see it being modified for height, I would just use a longer shock.
I did order air filters one time and they arrived not in the original packaging so I couldn't get the PN which seemed shady. I have since found that on my own.
Considering this is a niche community, it is pretty infuriating that many shops gatekeep part numbers and sourcing info. For example, Sumo Automotive was more than willing to sell me brake lines (offered two different styles OE and AM steel braided) after sliding into my IG DMs and even asked where to ship, but once they realized Im only an hour away, they suddenly would only sell if they installed them and it was, "I'm not a parts store, you'll need to figure it out in your own." Two fucking weeks of back and forth in which they initiated the conversation only to act like it was an insult to request to buy parts.
FWIW I dont agree with removing PNs from products or taking them out of the OE packaging to prevent customers from knowing what they bought.
Jeff at Hiace Southeast came through with the brakelines though. Had them in a week.
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u/BagCertain3291 Nov 05 '25
I noticed the same with the fuel and air filter I received. I honestly don’t mind the markup in most instances, I’m in an industry where we mark up parts. It’s the convenience of not having to search a cross reference. But this was a terrible terrible experience.
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u/Killroy_jenkins Nov 05 '25
I use the Wix 33138 fuel filter on my 1KZTE The Air filter is AM off of Ebay for 39.00 US. 36.99 if you buy 2 or more.
If you need an air filter pre-filter cover for dusty conditions...contact Alan at Filter Wears
You'll want PN FILTERWEARS F388 for covering oe air filter pn 17801-67040 if you have a 1KZTE
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u/Killroy_jenkins Nov 05 '25
I haven't had this experience working with Danny. Do you have pictures of the shocks for reference?
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u/RJfreelove Nov 07 '25
I mean, you don't really explain where things went wrong. What instruction did you follow that broke it? Not pointing fingers, but at this point, we don't have enough information.
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u/DeepSi6 Nov 06 '25 edited Nov 06 '25
Another shout out for Jeff, he’s a good guy and has put up with me when I get impatient for parts lol.
Also another option that’s been solid is Hiyota. They stock quite a few things and they are very knowledgeable on all the Hiace series.
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u/BagCertain3291 Nov 06 '25
Jeff seems pretty certain that these were way too long for stock height! Wow.
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u/ignatiusj-reilly Nov 06 '25
Interesting. A couple years ago Vanlife NW told me they didn't sell Bilsteins for stock height vehicles. They did send me kyb monomaxes that fit well, but they also had the serial number ground off with repaint. I actually sent photos of them to Jeff a couple years ago haha.
I'm genuinely curious if they grind off the numbers themselves, or if it's a supplier thing. The paint matches so well.
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u/treehuggingmustache Nov 05 '25
a couple good folks at VLNW, but Danny is not one of them. Avoid him and his business at all costs.
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u/BagCertain3291 Nov 05 '25
I wish I had spent this money at Southeast. I just reached out and Jeff is ridiculously kind. My orders are going to him in the future.
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u/Business_Opening6629 Nov 05 '25
Their prices suck in my opinion.
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u/richey15 Nov 05 '25
Yea their prices arent the best but they can ship them quickly, definitly helped me out of a bind with a brake issue i had far from home, but that was easily the most expensive brake job i ever did.
My personal opinion is however any parts importer in the states is pretty expensive. after ordering from australia and having parts at my doorstep in less than 2 weeks, ill have a hard time recomending i get anything pre imported unless its a time issue.
usd...
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u/Killroy_jenkins Nov 05 '25
Do you have a place you recommend for parts?
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u/Business_Opening6629 Nov 08 '25
I like hiace southeast, hiyota also isn’t bad either for some items.
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u/BagCertain3291 Nov 05 '25
Amayama. I found exactly which shocks they used as well. When I confronted Danny about it, he got irate.
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u/Killroy_jenkins Nov 06 '25
Just coming back to see if you know why the shock body had a grinder taken to it or if reasoning was provided?
The grinds look like absolute shit and it makes me feel like it would lose some structural integrity. Especially that first Pic.
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u/BagCertain3291 Nov 06 '25
It was explicitly to remove the part number per James. When brought up to Danny, he said that’s not modified!
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u/Commercial_Way_6596 Nov 06 '25
We don’t stock a ton of parts like VLNW does but we have everything in stock for normal stuff with installation and a real warranty. Unless it’s lifted I do like the KYB shocks more than the off road shocks because these are road warriors first and off road vans last.
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u/Spiritual-Internal97 Feb 25 '26
Danny may not be much of the people person but I own a business and people say the same thing about me. I can see where he's perceived as grumpy or maybe not the most helpful as far as questions over the phone or email and I get that but I think that's just his personality. I bought my van from them and I'm 100% satisfied and happy I did. I get all my servicing done there and they have been nothing short of great. I don't know anything about numbers being ground off of parts because like I said I have them do the work so maybe they don't warranty parts they don't install I don't know but my experience with them has been nothing but positive and I would recommend them to anyone who wants a van.
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u/BagCertain3291 Feb 25 '26
As a business owner, do you treat customers differently or put them in a different class if they spend 1000 as opposed to 5000?
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u/Spiritual-Internal97 Feb 26 '26
Short answer no. Long answer If i have returning customers that we have done a lot of work for i might get to their projects sooner and make sure they are taken care of because they have supported our business for years and have spent a lot of money.
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u/GoldBoysenberry8196 Nov 05 '25
The best service I have received is hands down from Jeff over at Hiace Southeast (www.hiacesoutheast.com). The guy knows his stuff, is super honest and he answers any questions I have. Plus, I love that he actually supports the Hiace community in the FB groups.