A True Dajiban Build in California. Dodge Van Build Influenced by Japanese Car Culture

[@LarryChenPhoto]

If you want that Larry Chen peeker sticker head over to the Etsy store. Each print comes with peeker stickers! www.etsy.com/shop/larrychenphoto

[@MrRebustr]

I need the mechanic who works on his van...i have a 2000 and i want it keep maintenance and healthy...im in los Angeles...

[@marconieto8552]

Mechanic info ? I need his magic . What backup camera is it that you have

[@RoadVirus9999]

We need a Noriyaro and Hoonigan collab.

[@WhuDhat]

Man that would be swret

[@DashnCars]

I was thinking the same thing when I saw Alexi. 👍👍

[@_MacGuffin_]

@@DashnCars yeah, next level clickbait....

[@reifortes_86]

They actually did a Hoonigan Live episode where Alexi went on to talk about car culture in Japan. This was back when everyone was doing a live how during lockdown.

[@enriquepastor3626]

Absolutely

[@jamesgeorge6551]

Mopar Vans are sick. They stayed close to their roots the longest. The dash didn't really change, glove box, fuse box, all the same places etc. I remember doing donuts in an '93 with the 318, it had the A518 / 46RH and 3.91 gears, with a heavy duty cooling system, it had been special ordered, black cargo, tan interior. That thing ripped, for a van. Way more dope than a promaster.

[@aarongingerich1478]

I built this Van from 93 until they shut it down. The longest one was the 127X (one extra row then this one - 15 passenger - needed a bus license to operate it) and I had the privilege of putting on the large razor blade roof! Plus other jobs I bid on during the course of it's production. Great team, great atmosphere, great family, and one of the best parts of my life! I am amazed and love that it has this niche following. I hope the love for this van to mod and have interest in, has many years to come. Was a great product for it's time, was very sad to see it go, because it still had a market for it.

[@ShamelessTR]

I love seeing the Dajibans getting love. I thought about building my own but had an 87 Toyota Van fall into my lap... So the Yotaban was born. My American, Japanese tribute to the love of an American Van by the Japanese. Ha.

[@christianobrien4465]

I love that spirit the owner has... "we couldn't buy the wheels if the van wasn't in Japan so he uses Japanese inspiration but implements it the American way"!!!! So good to watch young American men doing things their own way! So great!!! DAAAAJIBAN!!!!

[@atragerlspezi9500]

Larrys endless positivity really cheers me up these times

[@ZEPRATGERNODT]

Amen

[@dougtond1380]

Although, it is really annoying how he tries so hard to sound knowledgeable about shit he has no knowledge about lol positivity is cool, but so is truth/correct information. He should definitely let the owner do way more of the talking.

[@christianobrien4465]

100% right... there are those vehicles that make you feel very special when you drive them and MOPAR specifically has had several vehicles over the years that fit this category including the B series RAM Vans and most all generations of the Dodge Caravan Plymouth Voyager Chrysler Town and Country Vans. The RAM Van particularly gives you this feeling

[@Shawnerr]

I am a proud owner of a 1987 Dodge Ram Van B250 LE, V8 5.9L mated with an A727 Torqueflite transmission built in my home city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I even had family that worked in that factory (Pielette Road Truck Assembly Plant 6) for many years before its closure and demolition in 2003.

[@EchoSigma6]

I agree, this van just works. The stance and cosmetic add ons enhances the body lines. And yes this was the same effect on my 1971 Datsun 510. I would have never thought of these work vans as cool.

[@doorguy7744]

Drove a 98 3500 for work as a delivery man for 5 yrs in sf, won a lot of street races in that van. Love this build!

[@Luwin1026]

Thank you! They're fun to drive, aren't they?

[@blaisebaileyfinnegan]

Hey that's the Volvo Amazon taking rolling shots!

[@rlscustoms]

Blew my mind when I first saw that video in Japan years ago about these and surprised people in America never did this in America. I was a Dodge tech for about 10 years back when they were new and always wanted to build one. It has the exact same drivetrain as a Dodge pickup so anything from that truck would make this van haul ass I love it.

[@kmena05]

some guy on the freeway: "why did this guy mod his dodge van" the Japanese can make anything cool.

[@lb9gta307]

But 40 years after this was a trend in North America

[@jeremyb4493]

It wasn't a dodge, but the A Team Chevy van was really cool, perhaps a result of the vannin culture being so huge in recent years back then. I've worked out of partially gutted passenger minivans over the last 20 years and have always added firmer suspensions/bushings, better exhaust and in the case of my current van, an engine and transmission tune. Still a van but more tolerable lol

[@ryanmalin]

@@jeremyb4493 that chevy van from the 80s actually shared body panels with the dodge van FYI. I think the fenders, doors and whole body were actually the exact same van.

[@ryanmalin]

@@jeremyb4493 Man if its not a 2500 or better I hate having it as a work truck. Once you start hauling anything you need a better truck/van. Its just not safe to overload a minivan or drive around all day at max load IMO. Not hating on your setup just my opinion.

[@X5XST4RK1L3R]

@@ryanmalin there are lots of 2500 vans

[@reifortes_86]

This is an example to why I appreciate car culture, especially Japanese car culture, in how they blend their own twist on a western vehicle to make a culture of their own. Creativity and cultural gaps being brought together.

[@nitefawl]

I think the car racism in the states is really strong. Weebz won't notice unless the Japanese do it first. How arrogant to think that the Japanese started this trend. People been doing this in states and Mexico since the 70s

[@LOUCABRASI]

@nitefall agree, I had a chevy ASTRO van rolling around the bx NY back in the late 90s lowered, 20in wheels, loud ass music and more.....nothing new here. Bad ass van tho

[@youngculturephotography]

I never knew the van that took me to Bible School could be so special

[@jonathanrafallo2177]

Just bought a '99 Ram Van 1500 for hardware store and dump runs. So delighted to find out this van is part of the Japanese auto scene. Glad to have another resource for mods and improvements, especially from a culture that seeks perfection. Thanks!!

[@seanbarney8934]

I really don't understand why everyone is acting like this is such an exotic jdm phenomena. Guys have been modding vans as long as vans have been around, and of course road racing style was always a big part of that. I have 1970's issues of Car Craft and Hot Rod that seriously document performance, handling and braking mods for the vans of that era, which of course, have hardly changed mechanically and structurally from about 1970 well into the late 1990's.

[@lb9gta307]

Came here for this comment. Good to see someone who knows rather than blindly assuming it's some Japanese creation. They just appied their style to something that was already a thing for decades.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

1970s vanning is not the same as dajiban.

[@jeremyb4493]

I still remember growing up in the 80s in a college town in Texas and working with my dad in the summers. He had a 70s lwb dodge sportsman with a 360. He would manually shift it and quite a few stop lights became the starting line when an aggressive college driver pulled up beside us😁

[@sir.funking]

Noriyaro x Hoonigan at Ebisu needs to happen. I'd like to see Hert wall-tapping on Minami, Danger Dan going beast mode on the touge and Suppy pounding out dents in the pits with a sledge hammer and a packet of wasabi beef chips 🤙

[@enriquepastor3626]

And a beer can comeback!!

[@M1R00TJ3]

yess such a good idea

[@tylerandrews55]

I wanted to build on of these years ago when I first heard of Dajiban's.

[@jbleach23]

Man the first time I saw that video I fell in love

[@dimiter.petrov]

I’ve always wanted to build one

[@dancearoundtheworld5360]

I wanted a dodge van cuz i used one at work and its practical ours was sooo long( church van in faded blue), i love the dodge ram 3500, if i find one at i good price ill grab it fast

[@skylinecow5135]

JUST DO IT

[@davidhollenshead4892]

I already have a Ford Econoline with a Windsor V8, Four Speed Stick & 411 9inch with Pozi, so I don't need a Dajiban...

[@JohanGavieres]

Nice to finally see someone in the states that gets it.

[@dreamshooter90]

Love that Blue Amazon in the background @3:25.

[@bearrett50kal17]

I wanna see Matt Farah's do a One Take with this car, I feel like he'd enjoy it.

[@dmitribohanon3106]

The owner looks like an asian matt farah

[@RS-of1om]

His ass dyno will tell you the toque values of it

[@tinystar3010]

For anyone who plays Grand Theft Auto V, there's been a dajiban reference since its launch in September of 2013. The Bravado Youga van in the game has all the upgrade parts to make it into a dajiban. Also Carx Drift Racing has a Dodge Van you can race and drift as well. Dajiban isn't new to car enthusiasts within the gaming culture also.

[@dancearoundtheworld5360]

I remember whe car x drift racing was simple now its something

[@C-M-E]

This came at the perfect time. I came upon my first in-person Dajiban just yesterday from a vintage GMC dripping with patina, fat wheels, lowered, and instantly recognized what the guy was going for. Sounded great too, like maybe he'd shoehorned a Hemi in there. Gave him the thumbs up as I went by in the Hulked out Tundra. We shared a moment. =)

[@TheSlickster0]

Larry's passion for even the most obscure corners of automotive culture are what I love most about these videos. He's as stoked about an '80s Dodge Ram Van as he is a 240Z!

[@djconeyjoe]

Somewhere Scotto is breathing heavily lol

[@foamdataservices]

Church van is going to be Dajiban XL!

[@Titogoas]

CARCAINE is real bruh. lol

[@peterl6095]

True..

[@Hangoversteer]

Oh cmon man he’s not that fat

[@djconeyjoe]

@@Hangoversteer who said he was? lol he has carcaine and a dodge van lol 2+2

[@tylertravels5021]

I tried watching this last week!

[@takuacheperformance4740]

This van is so incredible and dude got the deal of a lifetime!!!

[@hotwheels11711]

Destroyer Grey would have looked badass on this beast 🤙

[@inesschulz9326]

A real nice Dodge van. Greetings from a german Dodge Ram van owner. Have lots of fun with your Dotsch Wenn ; ) DAAAJIS FOR EVER:

[@brianjoyce9040]

‘VANTASTIC’ build and production Larry. You and the focus Dajiban and owner make this a great car person view. Thx man

[@ricusserfontein1086]

Since i was a kid i had a thing for the American van and that never goes away, I still love them today. They just have character other vans dont have. Glad 70s vannin is still alive in the US and now this in Japan. Wish we had them here in South. Africa.

[@ryanmalin]

That Noriyaro video is legendary! I remember one part of the video where he was commenting about how this one turn of the race track smelled like hot brakes! lol love that guy he is a OG! Cool truck dude! I have a nissan van with the 3.5L VQ engine and it rips. Those wheels are so sick. When I had my old MN12 thunderbird I had some Cobra R wheels custom drilled to fit my car. The mustang has 5 on 4.5 and I had 5 on 4.25". Custom wheels really make the car. Being able to specify the offset really makes the fitment easy. And wow those Ferrari brake calipers are nuts! Damn man love this build!

[@duder280z]

Imagine having to import parts from Japan for your domestic Dodge van build. I freakin love it! This is so cool!

[@dougtond1380]

I almost did 🤣 shit ain't cheap! Those wheels and the lightweight hood 🤤

[@anewdimnsion]

"Sounds like an American V8" Ummm.. well.

[@marcociptla5246]

R3qui3m lmao was thinking the same thing..

[@thunderheads4103]

Dodge's 318 and 360 are badass and great engines. Very reliable, durable and the best thing about the LA Small Block is the oil galleys and path. You can take any 318 or 360, do a head swap for 1000 bucks, a cam job, intake and headers and make 400hp + and also 400 ft lb of torque. They're almost reliable as the Slant 6. The greatest and most durable inline 6 ever

[@domforte2966]

@@thunderheads4103 i had my 318 5 quarts low on oil and its still going after that

[@thunderheads4103]

@@domforte2966 lol residual sludge was heated up to behave like oil lol. What did you do, have a 7 quart pan?

[@domforte2966]

@@thunderheads4103 it takes exactly 6 quarts and when i would make a turn the oil pressure dropped to 0, and that’s when I had to stop at autozone. It leaks a lot out of the rear main. It’s annoying cuase 2 weeks later it was quart low again

[@seanmiranda3072]

I’ve never seen such a clean Amazon in my life that blue hit ur eyes

[@joekingracing]

I dropped my 94 for awhile, best looking dropped van ever! Much Dajiban love! Mine is a daily driver and the bump steer was scary at best so I unfortunately had to send her back up. Still sad that Its not lowered anymore but safety first.

[@caldera878]

Me: "Mom can we have a JDM van?" Mom: "No, we already have a JDM van at home." Van at home:

[@73dustpan]

But it’s an American Van

[@mattwa33186]

SWB Dodge vans were extremely popular in Japan, for all kinds of contractors. They have cavernous interior space, V8 power (important in a hilly country), plentiful parts availability, and are only 3 inches longer than a Volkswagen Jetta from the time (!!!). Fords were too long, Astro vans didn't have the V8. That popularity made for a large used market, and motorcycle racers took advantage.

[@mchristr]

Okay Larry, you've got me on Craigslist looking for a van. C'mon man, I've already got a project car.

[@ThePandasian34]

It hurts because you know there is a big chance of you ending up buying one 😂

[@boosted_spirit]

Use the van as a parts hauler/project

[@Teitus]

Knowing I have a 99 Dodge Van junked at our backyard this gives me inspiration to restore it

[@dan.r9220]

I used to daily a mid 90's dodge 15 passenger and I loved it. I'm always on the lookout for another one. I loved that thing.

[@dan.r9220]

My van was the same color and the same body/interior.

[@dpALC8414]

I've been waiting to see this more!! I so hope this takes over the streets here because the culture here needs more cool vans again!

[@michaelbetancourt6210]

I never thought a church van could be so cool

[@NR-gp2il]

Mine was used for a school in Nor Cal lol

[@briandonovan5434]

I drove one of those as a delivery van for an office supply company. These dodge vans are a good time!

[@Big_Shanto]

So sick! Have to see this van in person to fully appreciate it.

[@uscarspotting]

This channel is by farrrrrr the best content that hoonigan puts out

[@yaksauce]

Awesome! Finally getting the love and attention these B-vans deserve.

[@Luwin1026]

Thank you!! =)

[@JoseRivera-ym3wj]

I was reminded about dajibans when I saw them mentioned on Donut Media. I would like to get one of these vans to eventually make it a proper dajiban, but first get to use it to transport drivetain components and other parts from junkyard to customer, either another junkyard or a car shop. Dream powertrain combo would be a Hemi/manual swap.

[@juppzmuda9725]

Awesome! Greetings from a Dodge Van owner in Germany!

[@jdm603jake]

Dajiban is literally a Japanese man saying dodge van lol 🤣 I love Japanese language

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

filipinos say dodge ban to love this vans

[@majoraswrath9590]

Wow bro u very smart man

[@jdm603jake]

@@majoraswrath9590 don't make me put on my fierce deity mask Majora...

[@bizb8742]

Been hauling my motorcycle on a 2000 Ram 2500 hitch mount for years. Great camper van...DAJIBAN!

[@chrispenuliar2893]

I watched that same Noriyaro videos years ago and thought about it. Now i need a moto hauler. And this would be the perfect build for that.

[@mike-n-jello]

I just picked a couple of hot wheels of this style drift van. So clean!

[@raymondsoutherland86]

Love it. I remember seeing it in the background of another recent video. Thanks for all the hard work and free content.

[@GregFredrickson]

My kids say that creeper van description. This is cool and love the glass!

[@smitty_schmitz]

God bless you Larry... been so long since I’ve seen a DajiVan build!!! Probably since the old tuner videos in the late 90s early 2000s. Thank you ❤️

[@randolfo1265]

I agree, window vans are better. 30:03 - Another good reason to have a window van. This is a really nice vehicle! The cool details are everywhere!

[@captainnapalm8207]

I saw the same Dajiban article in a magazine in my school library, and as a Mopar guy, I was immediately hooked.

[@Norderino]

I love that the Volvo Amazon from 2 weeks ago is used to shoot all the outside shots

[@deangelos1980]

Bro I’m so glad he knows about the tag I was in japan 2 years it’s just like guys run the shoshinsha mark and don’t it means your a new driver lol loves his knowledge on what he loves. Appreciate

[@VONVELLImusic]

I love the look of an american vehicle with a Japanese touch. I just got one of these van. I never thought I'd love it this much

[@sadaaromin13]

I remember being a kid in 2004 and my friends grandma had a van just like this because she had a lot of kids. For some reason in my young mind I thought, man, that van would look so different slammed.

[@evangelist669]

Haha that's crazy. I used to look at everything that way, Vans, school buses, tow trucks, and anything else that no one would naturally look at say "We should slam this!" Lol. Gotta love that creative young mind that we all once had and some of us (me, you and others) do

[@arphmd]

When it comes to automotive culture between USA and Japan, they are friends.

[@robertocarlofalconcamacho5112]

Yasssssssss i was scoping this thang in the Volvo Amazon back ground and i love it...

[@daszieher]

That Volvo is its own separate story. Intensive build to shoehorn the V8 into its engine bay, from what i saw in the other video.

[@muskaos]

These sorts of full size vans are used by the Navy for all sorts of logistic support. Every ship home ported there probably has at least one assigned to it. Pick up mail, run out in town to make government purchase card purchases, transport security sailors to the gun range for firearms qualification, all the little odd jobs that ships have to do. On a personal note, we've had our own version of this for a while. A-Team van, anyone? Paint this van black with red stripes, and most people of a certain age would pick up on it _instantly._

[@dantheman9395]

As someone that grew up in the original van life era (mid 70s early 80s) this is freakin awesome! Way better than what is called van life now

[@XBullitt16X]

Really is a an intresting and cool cross plolination, honestly never thought I would see Alexi on this channel ahaha.

[@snowleopardgarage]

Ngl i wanna build one of these fr. Maybe some Dekotora vibes when it comes to the aesthetics.

[@daszieher]

Dodge vans are IT. Always wanted to have one, because it was a readily available American V8 (surplus military) in Germany. I guess they're more expensive now 🧐

[@TheShift1313]

I first saw these on Noriyaro just consuming ae86 videos. When I saw them with supermotos it made perfect sense! Very cool build

[@CaliforniaRussianRiverBees]

Hi Dodge Ram Van Cargo 2000 Fixing it up same engine size. nice show🚙

[@josevillasenor12]

Van is sick. Cali swag all the way. Much appreciated content.

[@tank_nine_eleven]

... Another reason why the Dodge Van ended up in this predicament is because it was a favorite for track day warriors because they have a very low floorboard (lower than most other brands) so it made it even easier to load a bike into. The riders eventually ended up tuning the vans too. As one does I guess. I know I want one now.

[@kevinruger8819]

I’ve never clicked on a Hoonigan video so fast! Thank you Larry!

[@Inokea]

Per an article on Road & Track. "Live-axle, V-8 Dodges found favor because the shortest versions were relatively wieldy-at 187.2 inches long, the 1994 van is just two inches longer than a 2019 Jetta." "Ford Econolines and some other U.S. vans have a V-8, but the body and wheelbase are too big for Japan-the short Dodge is just small enough.”

[@polivo0111]

Larry, PLEASE.. what chin spoiler is that. ihave a 99 1500, would like that spoiler!

[@jamerarubiano]

This is a great topic...moreover can you imagine how cool other vans might be when configured in the same way? I’ve got a ‘70 ChevyVan that will look sick, lowered with racing wheels like this.

[@vonmarko1363]

Dude, this is a van movement that I can get behind. I know that there has recently been an attempt to revive the 70s hippy/custom van fad, but I just can’t into that. This is a definitely a unique movement. I’d like to see someone swap a Hemi into one of these. What funny is that Dodge has built this body style since the early 70s with occasional redesigns over the years.

[@zeitgeist57]

Love this. Also turned on to Dajiban through Noriyaro...love to see this content!

[@howardhudson7214]

I'm a trucker and saw one of these driving through Dallas/ Ft Worth on Friday 1/29/21. Looked just like this one.

[@sczuylevch13]

I do heating and A/C, and when I started my first van was a 2003 dodge B2500 with the 360! In winter time we would drift around the under construction neighborhoods in the snow. Just streets no houses yet, the perfect drift track, OMG so much fun! I love dodge vans and I wish I never would have been "upgraded". I have to build a van now, that's all there is to it!

[@ozahmed4523]

Larry your insights and interviews are as interesting as the cars! Keep it up dude!

[@Fotosynthesis858]

I always wish they sold Toyota Hiace’s in America. Those vans are fricken AWESOME

[@MickeyD100]

I love this thing SO much. 😎

[@rwo4746]

Also can get heat from engine if heater goes out. They get hot a.f. under that engine cover between front seats. This is a bad ass build though. I like it a lot.

[@szymonszewczyk8225]

Van's are awesome,and great car review video,2 thumbs up👍👍💯

[@akuma_mx5]

Just recently followed this guy's instagram haha sick build and love how Japan has a huge following for Dodge vans

[@randonsnw6088]

the rear doors open like that for unloading cargo, not because of traffic. just a heads up, this is a cool video i just came across and never knew about this culture, it kinda cool, ive been wanting to build a square body chevy van with a LS swap, lowered a bit for a daily driver, and this gave me a few ideas thanks man

[@bwest6275]

It’s still backwards for Japan which was the point.

[@RoughIronRehab]

What a cool build. these vans stock in the US are a dime a dozen it seems like. It could be such a cool dirt bike hauler! this video has me thinking i need to build one now.... 😜

[@tt-rs1457]

I really apprechiate, how respectful lary drove those cars ! When I was at San-Diego Base, I was getting driven in the long Version.....it was 1997. Greating from germany

[@samhianblackmoon]

wait a minute! Did Larry just hop that curb making a right turn through that intersection??👀

[@blaisebaileyfinnegan]

I too, learned of the Dajiban from @noriyaro. Watching these on the track, I can't help but think of all the youth pastors who hooned these long before it was cool in Japan. I may have been in the passenger seat of a 77 Dodge B van many a year ago, going 100+ mph down winding country roads, with a van full of kids and towing a trailer. Terrifying AF.

[@blaisebaileyfinnegan]

Missing headliner, loosely attached seats, holes in the floor. Steering that was more a suggestion than command. But it had (pretty sure) a 440 and could h a u l. Spent so much of my childhood in that green beast.

[@ronniec8038]

Nice video. Love me some Dajiban. I have one, the big one with 360. It's not as cool as the on featured - yet.

[@jeffreyfowler5352]

Dajiban new van culture I just learned about very cool love it that’s what I like the most about any car culture any automobile can be made cool your van is cool love the racing seats great touch can’t wait to anymore upgrades you do great job 👍🏾

[@MikeOrkid]

Whomever was shooting the B-roll of Larry around the 10 minute mark gets all the bonus points.

[@adamteeter8115]

So early. Very cool van and video explaining the history of the culture around it.

[@alschneider6364]

I'm more of a Chebbiban kinda guy myself....

[@invictusbp1prop143]

I think that’s more of a Mexican influenced van rather than Japanese. And a Chevy, of course. ...with fuzzy dice. Los dices de fuz.

[@LynxStarAuto]

@@invictusbp1prop143dados