Mitsubishi Delica

[jfarsang]

Hey VicHanson.

It sounds like you got a lemon.

I beat my Delica's to a pulp here in Canada and so far, they've been very durable.

The L400 chassis is the same as the Pajero (JDM) / Montero (NA).

The stock shocks are horrible. There are simple modifications to make the rear suspension and front handle rough logging/roads.

At high altitude, mine has worked great. You have to adjust the TPS (throttle position sensor) ontop of the injection pump, otherwise an L400 that works great at sea level will barely start and get horrible mpg up in the mountains.

The auto transmissions are bulletproof. If yours is causing some grief, a fluid and filter change would probably help, if not cure your shifting issues.

The superselect (2WD/AWD/4WD) selector is good but make sure the vacuum sensor (on the front axle) is connected properly and working. If not, it's a $10 part to fix.

Pajero/Montero's are know as the 'poor mans landcruiser'. They are the 4x4 underdog in the US, south pacific and russia.

With a few modifications, they are excellent overland vehicles.

The L400 may look top heavy, but the center of gravity is very low for such a high-looking vehicle.

Cheers
Jesse

 

[VicHanson]

Hi Jesse,

Thanks for your reply. Can you give me any more info about adjusting the TPS? Sounds like that could be related to my problem here.

The auto tranny shifts OK, it just over heats when I'm going up steep roads and almost all roads are steep here!). The fluid and filter were changed and it is much better but still smells a little hot when climbing, which it never used to do.

How do you check to see if the 4WD selector vacuum sensor is working properly?

Hopefully I can make some lemonade out of this thing!

Thanks,
Vic

Hey VicHanson.

It sounds like you got a lemon.

At high altitude, mine has worked great. You have to adjust the TPS (throttle position sensor) ontop of the injection pump, otherwise an L400 that works great at sea level will barely start and get horrible mpg up in the mountains.

The auto transmissions are bulletproof. If yours is causing some grief, a fluid and filter change would probably help, if not cure your shifting issues.

The superselect (2WD/AWD/4WD) selector is good but make sure the vacuum sensor (on the front axle) is connected properly and working. If not, it's a $10 part to fix.

Cheers
Jesse

 

[Adventurerider]

J,

I am totally blown away, were building a Ford E350 PS 4x4 with a raised roof basically converting it to a heavily modified Sportsmobile, but I've got to say, I've looked at trying to find other alternatives to the Ford but it has to be a diesel. Not because the Ford is bad but because sometimes it would be nice to have something the size of your L300. I had several Syncro's (6) over the years and without the Subaru engine swap, they far from dependable or truly useable for our needs, so it's got me looking a while ago about something like the Dub but with it being just a hair larger. Do they come in Left hand drive, what kind of dollars do they go for imported? I noticed you posted a few pic's of your event with other owners. Do you have anymore pic's of your ride or any of everyones else rides? Please more of info, pic's, info, etc., again I'm just blow away that I never knew about these. Jeez, some car guy I am
Please write more about them on the forum, I'm really enjoying it, are there any other cool website to check out with expo'ed out ones done?
We are also thinking about taking our kids this summer on the same your planning, so I will we watching with anticipation!!
Good luck, killer work and keep the info coming,
Jamie (Advrider)
Please forgive me for any grammar mistakes, it really late and I'm half asleep, but with kids, sometimes this is the only time we get to do our stuff!

 

[Sturmy]

Hi Jamie,

They are a great truck if you want something medium sized. Left hand drive L300 4x4 are quite common in the Netherlands, you can even get a long wheelbase there.
Here are some pics of mine on its travels.

http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/128632554

Just drying it out at the moment as I sank it in a :snorkel:flood.
Everything is working again now, the water was just under my armpits when I was stood outside ! But none got in the engine...phew

Cheers

James

 

[Adventurerider]

Thanks fro the pic's, where were they taken? Are you in Canada? Did you make your snorkel our is there aftermarket products out there for these?
Thanks for the info and if you were up to your arm pits with water:Wow1:, thats what I call using your van!!:victory:

 

[smiledon]

Hi Vic in Peru.
I have a lwb L400 down here in Sydney Australia. Cold starts were not a problem till I got a bad scare 1 frosty morn in some desolate NP out west. No start and the wirr wirr was getting much slower.Flat battery imminent! I went through 10 cycles...key off, ignition on wait: key off, key on... Then fired her up to my great relief.
When I got home, I learned ALL there was to know about glow-plugs.
1 GPs are consummable items.
2 Delicas plugs glow for 2 mins after start up...EVERY startup!
3 Only ceramic GPs can manage this...cheap replacements dont last unless you mod the circuit.

I pulled my plugs and wired them directly onto a 12v battery. 2 were dead, 1 got hot only, 1 glowed after 2-4 seconds. I bought 4 cheap ones here.
http://www.glowplugs.com.au/
They all glowed cherry red when tested.
I modded the circuit by making the relay [behind the coolant overflow bottle] switchable from the cab so they glow only for cold starts and I can controll the duration of glow up to the max 2 minutes. That is to ensure the cheapies will last.
http://www.delicaclub.com/viewtopic...torder=asc&highlight=glow+plugs+test&&start=0

The throttle postion controller is under the intercooler. Easy to access. It is like a volume control on a stereo. It tells the auto gear controller how heavy your right foot is on the gas. [It varies the voltage to the gearbox ECU depending on how far the throttle is depressed.] This in turn holds the gears longer, simple eh! You adjust by loosening 2 screws and turning it on its base. Factory setting has the torque converter lock-up coming in at about 70 kph.[feels like another gearchange] I have set my TPC so the computer thinks my foot is harder down than it is so the lock-up now happensabout 58kph. This improves the ecomomy. Some people set it using a volt meter. I use set and see. No harm possible. And now the power button is a bit more useful as it will put you back close to the old setting. I cant see how it will help at altitude however.

The australian Delica club is very good. http://www.delicaclub.com

An overheating transmission can burn the fluid and make things worse. Check your fluid for darkening.
Toodle pip
Phil

 

[VicHanson]

Thanks for the info, Phil.

It's been about 2 1/2 years since the glow plugs were changed, but they seem to be OK. Before they were changed, in 15-20 deg. C weather, it would start but run real rough until it got warmed up. I think they said two were bad. Now at 15 deg. it starts fine, but unless I let it warm up for 10 - 15 min. it will die after about 10 -15 seconds of driving. Either pumping the fuel filter or just cranking and pumping the throttle will get it going again, after a few seconds of cranking. Then it will run OK again for another 10 seconds or so of driving. Usually if I start it and let it idle for 10 - 15 minutes, it won't die. It almost seems like there is some kind of blockage in the fuel lines, if the fuel is cold it doesn't get enough of it. (they don't sell winter grade fuel here, I add kerosene when it is real cold)

Just waiting until the temp. gauge shows normal isn't enough, needs a longer warm up time. I was told that the fuel pump provides excess fuel and then this fuel is returned to the tank to warm that fuel up. Is this true? If it is, it seems to explain why it needs to warm up so long before it is drivable.

However if it is closer to freezing it usually won't start. I have to pump the fuel filter and it might try to start, but as soon as I quite cranking it stops. Once the sun warms up things enough (maybe above 10 deg.) then I can get it started, and with lots of pumping and warming up, it will keep going.

Thanks for any additional help,

Vic

 

[smiledon]

Hi Vic,
Sticking with glow plugs for the moment...
I would not assume they are still 100% after 2.5 years! It is easy to pull them out and whack across a 12v battery [use jumper leads] and look for a cherry red glow.

Unlike most makers, Mitsu runs its glowplugs for 2 minutes after startup. They sit in the injectors path stream, so good plugs help with early tick-over and warm up. The circuit has 2 relays. You can hear both click off.
1...passenger foot well [under seat???]. Try this. Switch on ready for start. The GPs are now on. Dash light comes and goes. Wait. 10 seconds or so later, this relay clicks. It has decided you are NOT going to start . The GPs are now off but should be cherry red. NOW is a good time to start! When a start is detected, the GPs will come on for 2 minutes.
2...Time relay behind the coolant bottle. After a start, go to the bonnet [open] and listen for the click [off] after 2 mins or so.
You can comfirm the correct working of the plugs easily with a multimeter. Lift the intercooler [4 bolts] and measure for 12 volts DC on the GPs busbar ,[a foot long metal bar connecting the GPs together] to earth. You will get 12 volts for 10 secs after ignition on, and for 2 mins after a start...if all is well.

Sadly, a worn fuel pump lets air in. The classic symptom is a stall after about 10 secs of driving. Get fuel pump info here...
http://www.delicaclub.com/downloads.php?cat=7

Toodle pip
Phil

 

[Sturmy]

Hi Jamie,
sorry for the late reply as I have not been on the internet for a while!
The Pics were taken mainly in Iceland, but also a few in Norway, Italian Alps and Scotland.
Its been great to have a truck thats been such excellent value for money.I only paid £2800 for mine 5 years ago when all the VW Synchro's I looked at were £6500. This has allowed more cash for travelling
Front brakes can be a bit weak on long alpine descents, but I changed to EBC greenstuff pads & they have been fine ever since. Jfarsang has an excellent mod however that swaps the discs & calipers off later Monteros, I have gathered the parts & just need to crack on & fit them. However we have had a massive dump of snow here in the UK, so the Delica is the only way of getting around where I live at the moment, so it won't be going in the workshop this week!

Cheers

James

 

[jfarsang]

Getting closer :smiley_drive:

 

[jfarsang]

Goes to show this minivan can hold it's own.

Good ground clearance - no driveline hangups
Great approach angle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hThrQLe0hc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psie6XccUQE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLzrZjkTaOU

A very good excursion into the extreme north of Russia :

link to the post : http://www.delicaclub.ru/forum/index.php?/topic/8863-neneckii-avtonomnii-okrug-barencevo-more-vara/

The destination place name is Varandey (Варанде&#1081 . Here is the track: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=pbjihtbsaqyexpgd

PDF file of their expedition from St. Petersburg up to the northern sea. http://dsmelov.ru/reports/varandei2010.pdf

Gives you a good idea of where these things can go.

 

[jfarsang]

So busy with work, I had no time to play with the van until recently.

Starting the build so we can head on long trips.

diesel/veg oil/svo/wvo heater filter/conversion
360* Swivel seat in the front
full length foldable bed in the rear with storage/diesel heater underneath
either poptop or hightop (large moonroof already for rooftop access)
dual batteries/solar
Edgestar fridge/propane-gas cooker

Two 90L veggie oil tanks
One 50L diesel tank

140L = 1,200 km's

or 37 gal = 750 miles


1st mod.

360 swivel captain's chairs in the front

Was nice that they bolted right in.

Will make a lot of room for the rear.

 

[gene]

A few pics from the Sahara

From a 6000 mile Sahara trip back a few years ago. I wish I had this L300 van here in the USA!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=843527&postcount=599

 

[dibsen]

What happened to this post? I'm in Japan looking for an L300 to use/build for the family camper vehicle. Trying to read up on the pros and cons; get ideas for mods ect.

 

[gene]

What happened to this post? I'm in Japan looking for an L300 to use/build for the family camper vehicle. Trying to read up on the pros and cons; get ideas for mods ect.

See my post above yours, click on the link and it takes you to a different thread with plenty of opinions on the Mitsubishi.

Note, the one I had was 25 years ago so things may have changed since then. I had the gasoline engine. It has a rubber timing belt so you need to change that belt, don't go over the miles on the belt as it is an "interference" engine meaning if the belt breaks, the valves and pistons will hit. Ground clearance is low. The transfer case ratio is not very deep. About the same as a Nissan Frontier. Something like 1.7:1 I did like that it has a lot of space inside and it is an infinitely stronger chassis than a Vanagon.

Sorry, I have a hard time being excited about any fossil fuel vehicles anymore. I'm a Tesla owner and a professional mechanic, ICE engines are looking absurd to me. With electric you have full torque from 1 RPM to 16,000 RPM. No need for transmission nor transfer case. Full size Tesla truck 4x4 is coming in 3 to 4 years, 500 miles of range. I am #1 in line!

Can you image, had electric cars taken hold at the time of the Model T, all cars would have been electric today. Fast forward to 2015, you are an engineer at say, GM. Your boss comes to you with this idea that gasoline vapor and a match makes an explosion, and he wants you tap that explosion to make a car go. But you'll have to deal with cancer causing poisonous exhaust, high heats, complicated transmission, exploding gas tanks, oil spills, foreign wars, etc, etc. The men in white suits would come and take this boss away in a straight jacket