Working out the kinks in my 96 l400 chamonix

Krazyistkarl · Post by **Krazyistkarl** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:53 pm

Hey I'm making this thread to compile some information on a few kinks I'd like to work out, I searched around google and here already.

First one, dimmer switch, all I could find was it was an option on some vans, I'd like to add it if possible, I'm sick of having to turn my head or fog lights off (can't remember which one(s)) to brighten the dash lights. Are they controlled by a photo eye somewhere?

Second one, turn ALL the done lights on which a switch, not sure if this was an option, but I am used to it on all my other vehicles. Should be as easy as leaving the domes in the centre position for "door" and adding in a switch to fool the circuit into thinking a door opened. Any ideas how I can do this?

Arm rests? I really miss having arm rests on the front seats. Feeling around the seat frame it feels like there could possibly be a nut behind the fabric, could anyone confirm this? I would imagine if arm rests were an option, rather then making two different seats, the frames would be the same, hence having a nut to bolt on arm rests)

Lights in the front doors. There is a little ressed rectangle the size of the rear sliding door light, I assume that lights in the doors was an option. I don't recall when I had the door panel off to fix my window that fell if the track if there was a harness there or not. I will look again when I upgrade my speakers.

Other kinks include block heater, but I've asked that in another thread, maybe I'll compile it all into one for personal reference, and other new owners.

Roof rack feet, I've found a lot of info on different feet various people make, I have an aluminum roof basket from a horse trailer (holds square bales, very sturdy) I'm planning on cutting it down to size, but I'd like some close up photos of feet so it can hopefully make my own. I'll post pictures of the type of feet I'm interested in when I'm back home on a computer

Thats it for now, thanks!

Post by **thelazygreenfox** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:46 am

"Sounds like a wish list for Christmas."

Santa says "Well little Krazy, have you been a good boy this year? Ho Ho Ho. Lets see what Santa has in his bag of toys for all the good little children this year..."

Does Santa make Delica parts at the north pole?

Merry Christmas
Wayne
TLGF

macro · Post by **macro** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:12 pm

Krazyistkarl wrote:Hey I'm making this thread to compile some information on a few kinks I'd like to work out, I searched around google and here already.

First one, dimmer switch, all I could find was it was an option on some vans, I'd like to add it if possible, I'm sick of having to turn my head or fog lights off (can't remember which one(s)) to brighten the dash lights. Are they controlled by a photo eye somewhere? If you figure this out let me know!

Second one, turn ALL the done lights on which a switch, not sure if this was an option, but I am used to it on all my other vehicles. Should be as easy as leaving the domes in the centre position for "door" and adding in a switch to fool the circuit into thinking a door opened. Any ideas how I can do this?

Arm rests? I really miss having arm rests on the front seats. Feeling around the seat frame it feels like there could possibly be a nut behind the fabric, could anyone confirm this? I would imagine if arm rests were an option, rather then making two different seats, the frames would be the same, hence having a nut to bolt on arm rests) Mine have arm rests, totally weird that yours don't. Maybe see if CCA or Rising Sun has a parts van?

Lights in the front doors. There is a little ressed rectangle the size of the rear sliding door light, I assume that lights in the doors was an option. I don't recall when I had the door panel off to fix my window that fell if the track if there was a harness there or not. I will look again when I upgrade my speakers. Again, odd that yours don't have lights there as mine does and mine is a '96 base Exceed

Other kinks include block heater, but I've asked that in another thread, maybe I'll compile it all into one for personal reference, and other new owners. I've been using a oil pan heater for the last three ontario winters. I have a block heater waiting to be installed but the oil pan one has done great. I got the strongest one I could find and slapped it on the side of the oil pan

Roof rack feet, I've found a lot of info on different feet various people make, I have an aluminum roof basket from a horse trailer (holds square bales, very sturdy) I'm planning on cutting it down to size, but I'd like some close up photos of feet so it can hopefully make my own. I'll post pictures of the type of feet I'm interested in when I'm back home on a computer I'lll try and get some pics of mine up here

Thats it for now, thanks!

Krazyistkarl · Post by **Krazyistkarl** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 6:53 pm

Well I popped my door panel off to change speakers, and while I was in there I checked a loose unused plug in the door for voltage, and I don't think it's for a door light unless the harness connects somewhere else.

I tried a 200 Watt magnetic block heater last night in minus 34 weather, and it was stone cold this morning, had to get a tow truck to back it up into the garage. Returned that to Canadian tire cause my dad happened to see 300 Watt Kats brand magnetic heaters at peavy mart, bought the last two, stuck them on, plugged them in, one blew up. Yes it blew up, had a short inside. So I left just the one on, added my battery maintainer and I'll see how it goes tonight.

Also cold related, does anyone else blow white smoke when it's really cold? I haven't noticed anything until this cold snap, hopefully it's cold related and noting else

macro · Post by **macro** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 6:57 pm

Mine blows white on cold start ups too, I believe it's normal for a cold diesel.

Krazyistkarl · Post by **Krazyistkarl** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:24 am

This isn't just on start up anymore, it's while driving now as well

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:57 pm

Sounds like your injectors. When I was messing with mine and put the wrong injectors in that happened. I think it's releasing fuel into the motor at the wrong time. Gets blown out the back unburnt. Similar to when starting cold with bad glow plugs.

mrdueck · Post by **mrdueck** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:24 pm

I wouldn't waste time with the magnetic heaters. I picked on up at a garage sale and I'm glad I only lost $5 on the deal. Block heater is the way to go, pan heater is the next option. I have started mine at -35C unplugged with good glow plugs, fresh batteries and synthetic oil. Not recommended to do this all the time but the old system does work in extreme conditions if everything is working properly. I start plugging in after -5C and my motor smiles back at me.
Rudy in Winterpeg.

Krazyistkarl · Post by **Krazyistkarl** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 5:15 pm

I believe mine had fresh glow plugs when rising sun sold it to the original Canadian owner. I'm going to take measurements and use copper wire and crimp connections and modify my glow plug bussbar, as well as test them while I have the bussbar out of the way. I've also installed new batteries and it struggles to start in minus 20 Celsius.
I've installed a 300watt magnetic heater (I picked two up on sale at peavy mart, and one was faulty) and it's definitely helped, I've started it close to minus thirty plugged in and cycling the glow plugs a few times but it was still hesitant.
I'm thinking about wrapping the oil pan in foil back bubble insulation for winter time, will this have an adverse affect on oil cooling, I don't think the oil pan plays a major role in cooling, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, could someone take measurements for how much clearance I need for the roof rack feet on a high roof? A guy will sell me 8 of these for $100, he measure them and they seem to have 8 inches of clearance.

I work a 2 week on 2 week off shift, so two weeks I'm in camp away from my van, and the other two weeks I'm on the road in my van with no time to work it!

Krazyistkarl · Post by **Krazyistkarl** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 5:21 pm

http://www.nrs.com/product/3200/quick-n ... -racks-set

8 of these for 100 bucks

I'm just not sure if they'll clear the roof at the very back of the van

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:33 pm

The adhesive heat pads work very well. I have a block heater but my friend running a toy surf had one on his oil pan, and one on his batteries. Worked nice.

Krazyistkarl · Post by **Krazyistkarl** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:36 am

Our oil pans are ribbed and I couldn't get an adhesive one to fit. I never actually peeled off the sticky back, but I just couldn't see any way to get it to stick completely.

I forgot to mention I also put a battery maintainer on, no blanket on yet, that will be next

macro · Post by **macro** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:04 pm

Hey sorry I haven't had a chance to measure those yet. I'm sure 8" will be more than enough though. I put my oil pan heater on the side of the pan. There was just enough room for it to fit.

Krazyistkarl · Post by **Krazyistkarl** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 6:18 pm

How many watts is the heater you put on? I had a 500 and it was too large, and the next size down was 250, so the 300watt magnetic seemed like a better option

macro · Post by **macro** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 6:44 pm

Ummmm.... I don't recall. It was the largest one I could get at Canadian Tire at the time. About, maybe, 7"x5"? The Poler something brand. Nothing fancy.

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