Soon to be on the North Coast.

New to Delica Canada? Please introduce yourself and your van!
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Blacksheeep
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Oct 21, 2017 1:08 pm
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: 1994 L400 2.8
Location: Okanagan Valley, BC

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by Blacksheeep »

Hello Everybody!

I'm Dave.

What a great website.

I'm totally new to everything Delica - so please bear with me if the location of this post, or intellect of the questions seem misguided. This looks like a great community and I'm definitely looking forward to becoming a part of it!

I live on the North Coast of BC, where we sometimes get big dumps of snow - and my trusty Prius just has a hard time plowing through 50 cm of pow, so getting to work (never-mind the ski hill) can be a challenge.

So, Delica it is. I have a few things I'd like to run past you experts.

1) What's the difference between a 1996 Space Gear vs a 1998, other than age? I've heard, "get a 1996 or newer".

2) Is there are reason there are not a lot of Delica's with Manual Transmissions? Are they just rare, or do they have issues?

3) How important is it to look for one with dual batteries for cold weather/winter ops?
*I'd really like to find one with a Crystal Lite Roof (since Vans are so dark inside), but if it's worth it to forego that option
and instead look for dual batteries, that'd be good to know.

4) Older (say '94) L400 vs newer ('97) Starwagon. Thoughts?

Other than that, any other advice (if you could do it over again, for example) is appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Dave
204explorer
Posts: 167
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:19 am
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: l400
Location: CA

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by 204explorer »

Blacksheeep wrote:Hello Everybody!

I'm Dave.

What a great website.

I'm totally new to everything Delica - so please bear with me if the location of this post, or intellect of the questions seem misguided. This looks like a great community and I'm definitely looking forward to becoming a part of it!

I live on the North Coast of BC, where we sometimes get big dumps of snow - and my trusty Prius just has a hard time plowing through 50 cm of pow, so getting to work (never-mind the ski hill) can be a challenge.

So, Delica it is. I have a few things I'd like to run past you experts.

1) What's the difference between a 1996 Space Gear vs a 1998, other than age? I've heard, "get a 1996 or newer".

2) Is there are reason there are not a lot of Delica's with Manual Transmissions? Are they just rare, or do they have issues?

3) How important is it to look for one with dual batteries for cold weather/winter ops?
*I'd really like to find one with a Crystal Lite Roof (since Vans are so dark inside), but if it's worth it to forego that option
and instead look for dual batteries, that'd be good to know.

4) Older (say '94) L400 vs newer ('97) Starwagon. Thoughts?

Other than that, any other advice (if you could do it over again, for example) is appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Dave
Hi Dave. I am a pretty new Delica owner myself. I picked mine up a year ago. 95 L400 Royal Exceed, diesel, long wheel base, Crystal light roof, dual batteries. Pretty owesome machine.
94 and 95 are generation 1, the diesel engine is fully mechanical. 96 and newer are generation 2 and the engine uses a electronic governor. Along with that came a increase in hp. I think from 125 to 140.
I think either one is fine. Some issues with Gen2 vans are tricky to diagnose because the north american OBD diagnostic tools dont work on these vans.
You have to remember that these are all old vehicles. The bells and whistles of a fully loaded van sound fun but chances are they wont all work when you get it.
One big decision for me was thw seating layout. I wanted captain chairs in the second row. The eight seater just did not appeal to me.
The chamonix trim (has two batteries) also uses some plastic leather seating material .
Remember. I am no expert by any means. Just my oppinion.
I think with a bit of tinkering any van can be set up with dual batteries.
Just ask if you have any more questions.

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archieim
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:08 pm
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: 1994 Delica exceed
Location: Calgary

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by archieim »

Boy!!! This will be a big change from the Prius.
Don’t buy the first one you see unless it’s perfect!
Look for rust on the frame near shock towers. Front and rear!




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Big-Bird
Posts: 1218
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:57 pm
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/index.php?cat=20974
Vehicle: 96 PE8W Spacegear
Location: Calgary

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by Big-Bird »

The gen-1 Spacegear were built through 1996 and have larger headlights and larger front signal lights compared to the gen-2 which were built in 1997 - mid 2000's. The Gen 2 has a completely different front sheet metal design which does have a really nice bumper and lower valence design if you get an Exceed or Chamonix version (which usually has dual batteries too).

The rest of the post above is correct about the diesel engine. Gen-1 had a mechanical fuel pump system. The Gen-2 is electronic and there are not many techs who know how to work on the electronic system outside of Vancouver/Richmond or Van-Island.

I have had my Gen-1 for over 5 years and its been a great vehicle for everything I have ever needed including offroad, long trips (over 7000kms) and getting to the ski hills around BC and Alberta.
Yeah I joined the Dark Side because the medical plan is top shelf!

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204explorer
Posts: 167
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:19 am
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: l400
Location: CA

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by 204explorer »

Big-Bird wrote:The gen-1 Spacegear were built through 1996 and have larger headlights and larger front signal lights compared to the gen-2 which were built in 1997 - mid 2000's. The Gen 2 has a completely different front sheet metal design which does have a really nice bumper and lower valence design if you get an Exceed or Chamonix version (which usually has dual batteries too).

The rest of the post above is correct about the diesel engine. Gen-1 had a mechanical fuel pump system. The Gen-2 is electronic and there are not many techs who know how to work on the electronic system outside of Vancouver/Richmond or Van-Island.

I have had my Gen-1 for over 5 years and its been a great vehicle for everything I have ever needed including offroad, long trips (over 7000kms) and getting to the ski hills around BC and Alberta.
Sorry BigBird, i got my time line mixed up.

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Blacksheeep
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Oct 21, 2017 1:08 pm
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: 1994 L400 2.8
Location: Okanagan Valley, BC

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by Blacksheeep »

Hello,

I find it amazing that there is customized access to information like this, and that people take time out of their day to answer questions for someone they don't know.

I really appreciate it, it is indeed a privileged position to be in.

As far as the extra bells whistles, if I had a choice I'd get one with roll up windows and nothing extra. Originally I was in the market for something just like that; a little Toyota T100 or 90's era pick-up or Tacoma. But even those (in good condition) are expensive...and then you can only really take 1 other person with you.
And, after evaluating my current lifestyle (living in the mountains, 1 day away from the Yukon, 3 days from Red Rocks etc) I just kept coming back to the Delica.

It's great to know that the dual batteries exist in combination with the fancy roof though. I guess at the end of the day I'll take one that is mechanically sound with lower km over creature comforts like the roof. Although, the captains chairs almost sound like a must.

I'm considering importing one from Japan. I realize there some risk there and it's time consuming, but there does seem to be a bit of difference in price (initially). I know I would have to spend a few grand on this end to get it drive-able. Might not be 'perfect', but I can just keep adding to it over time?

Perhaps I'm dreaming. Then again, I came across this, right here in BC:

http://www.lucky8autosales.com/used/Mit ... 1264e6.htm

Thanks for all your input so far, it's been a big help!

Have a great day,

Dave
Blacksheeep
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Oct 21, 2017 1:08 pm
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: 1994 L400 2.8
Location: Okanagan Valley, BC

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by Blacksheeep »

Perhaps I'm dreaming. Then again, I came across this, right here in BC:

http://www.lucky8autosales.com/used/Mit ... 1264e6.htm
I was informed (quite swiftly) by yet another good samaritan on this space that he above is in fact a 2WD with a different 2500cc engine.
204explorer
Posts: 167
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:19 am
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: l400
Location: CA

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by 204explorer »

Have you made up your mind if you want a gas or a diesel. How handy are you? A lot of the issues discussed here are in regards of the Diesel engine. I think the gas engine is a very good alternative. I am a heavy duty diesel mechanic and once in my life i wanted to own a diesel vehicle. Otherwise i would have opted for the gas. The winters are very cold in Manitoba and the diesel can be a bit of a problem.

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Blacksheeep
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Oct 21, 2017 1:08 pm
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: 1994 L400 2.8
Location: Okanagan Valley, BC

Soon to be on the North Coast.

Post by Blacksheeep »

Thanks for your input!

I've got a lead on a Diesel, so I'll likely go with that and just see. I realize they're a bit more work, but it also seems like a pretty reliable engine.

I'll keep you posted, as I'll likely have a lot more questions once I have the thing.

Thanks so much!

Dave
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