*Sale Pending 6/15/2026*
This 2009 Isuzu NPR, affectionately known as The Vansion, is a cab-over truck with a custom-built live-in camper. The empty box on this truck was purchased new in 2019 for $20,000. It is powered by a 4HK1 turbocharged diesel inline-four cylinder mated to an automatic transmission. This is a rust free truck that has spent its life in southern California.
The build was completed in late 2024 by a professional builder from one of the most respected van conversion shops in the country, and the truck has been thoughtfully designed and meticulously executed throughout.
Recent maintenance includes new glow plugs, two new starter batteries (1 year remaining on their warranty), a transmission service, an oil change, and a fresh set of tires installed in May. A pre-sale inspection performed by Draaco Isuzu found no outstanding items.
The truck shows 149,000 miles and is offered at $79,900 with a clean title.
Exterior & Mechanical
The factory rear roll-up door has been replaced with a custom-built 60/40 split clamshell door — the upper 60% opens upward on gas struts to create a covered outdoor canopy, while the lower portion folds down into a full-width exterior deck. It’s an elegant and highly functional detail that transforms the rear of the truck into a proper outdoor living space. An outdoor shower hookup is also plumbed on the exterior for rinsing off after a surf or a ride. There are two exterior aluminum tool boxes mounted for a huge amount of extra storage. The box on the rear is 36″ x 14″ x 16″ and the box mounted on the side is 36″ x 17″ x 18″. Backing up and parking this truck is easy with the back up camera that was installed, along with a touch screen display featuring Apple Play.
Box Construction & Insulation
The camper box is constructed with fiberglass reinforced plywood panels — a meaningfully better choice than the more common aluminum-sided alternatives, offering superior sound deadening and thermal performance. The entire box is fully insulated throughout, with 2.5″ of XPS foam board installed in the walls, floor, and ceiling, resulting in a structure that stays quiet, holds temperature well, and is built to perform in all seasons. Floor-to-ceiling height measures a generous 6’8″, making it comfortable for standing and moving around inside.
Power & Electrical
The electrical system was purpose-built for off-grid living, and also comes with a shore power hook-up. 900 watts of solar panels feed 412 amp-hours of SOK lithium batteries, providing robust power storage for extended independent use. A full power management system supports all onboard appliances and systems.
Climate & Heating
A 4kW HLN diesel heater provides primary cabin heat and features automatic air-to-fuel ratio adjustment based on altitude — a notable detail for anyone traveling through elevation changes. A propane on-demand hot water heater provides instant hot water throughout. A Maxxair fan with built in thermostat & remote is installed in the ceiling for ventilation and airflow control.
Kitchen & Appliances
The galley is anchored by a Furrion three-burner range and stove alongside a Furrion 8-cubic-foot refrigerator/freezer — both well-regarded choices in the professional build community. The layout is clean, functional, and built to be lived in. There is ample countertop space to prep & cook meals. The sink is a massive 21″ x 20″ stainless sink, with a separate faucet for filtered drinking water.
Sleeping
A full-size queen bed is mounted on a Happijac bed lift system, raising it flush to the ceiling when not in use and reclaiming the full floor plan during the day. It’s one of the most practical solutions available for truck and van builds of this size, and it’s executed cleanly here. There is a hypervent air flow matt under the mattress to ensure airflow and eliminate the chance of mold.
Storage & Interior Finish
A beautiful custom poplar wardrobe provides dedicated clothing storage and reflects the quality of craftsmanship carried throughout the build. As currently configured, the truck stores six surfboards up to 6’8″ in a standing rack, with an additional longboard mounted to the ceiling — and there is dedicated indoor mountain bike storage as well. Both the surf and bike storage systems can be reconfigured by the new owner to accommodate whatever gear their lifestyle calls for. The current owner is open to talking about customizations to be completed at an hourly rate.
Water Systems
Freshwater capacity is 50 gallons with a 30-gallon grey water holding tank, providing meaningful range between fills and dumps. The grey water tank can be emptied by pushing a button that is wired to a motorized ball valve – this is the easiest and cleanest way to handle grey water.
Sanitation
A Nature’s Head composting toilet is installed — the industry standard for full-time and long-term van and truck builds. The toilet is cleverly vented outside by a 2″ 12v computer fan, ensuring an odorless living situation. The shower can be used with the toilet installed, or the toilet can simply be moved for an even more spacious experience. The current owner may or may not have designed it this way so that the toilet can be moved outside to capitalize on a good view in nature when the situation presents itself.
Registration
The vehicle is currently registered in Arizona, and located in San Diego. The 2009 model year came with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) but not the Diesel Exhaust Fluid system (DEF). The upside to this is that the engine is more efficient and there is one less system to deal with. However, this also means the vehicle cannot be registered in California. I am happy to share the work-arounds that I have used to register it out of state (first in South Dakota, and now in Arizona) while being based in CA.
More photos soon to come, but I wanted to post this sooner rather than later – the video does a great job highlighting the build quality of this vehicle. Please reach out with any questions.
