Delica Expedition Vehicle

[Reinhold]

If you had to make the Delica the Ultimate Expedition Vehicle that could make it from Prudoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina (excluding the Darian Gap ) knowing that you would have stream crossings, mud roads and the heat of the Atacama Desert what modifications would you start off with? Keep in mind that you want to do a little bit of exploring so your not trying to stick to the tarmac. You're also going to be gone for a couple of years so you want the ultimate in reliabilty and functionality.
Ideas?
Opinions?

[Breadman]

buy a nissan safari.
i just did, they are the bees knees.
paul

[BCDelica]

Or get your Deli well maintained; add safety and recovery gear, ARB air lockers, set up comfortably and ideally blend in with the locals, just ship it around the Darian gap and (most importantly) can I go too?

Toyota Hiace's are common in central and (not sure how common, just see them in pictures) south america. More room inside but it's not a Delica.

Congrats on the Safari Paul, any pictures for us?

Cheers,
Kev

[electrik_jester]

I quite liked buddy's idea of mounting two safes in the vehicle, one up front and one hiddn in the back

http://www.xor.org.uk/silkroute/equipment/choosevan.htm

read alot of this guy's site and he has been around. Worth a look. check out his south american advernture

May you tires never flatten

[Breadman]

i was half joking about the safari, but for the same reasons as electricjester pointed out on that site. it seems to be about repairs. i have had a delica now for about three years and it is still a bit of a hassle to get a good and consistent repair done. i recently used radd cruisers in duncan and was really happy with them. i chose a nissan for various reasons, still have one delica for the delivery van. nissan corp. will order any part for me any where in the world and throw in shipping, nice piece of mind on a long trip. check out outbackimports.ca they seem to into that thing locally, well really far north locally. on an extended cycling trip through new zealand etc... my new, at the time bike with all the fancy new parts was a hassle as they didn't have any stock of the right parts. not really the same thing but on the same track. my wife's bike was a few years older and no problem at all.
hi kevin, long time no talk. have been baking in the oven for a couple of months now quite a buzz. next time you are going through nanaimo call and i will try and connect with a fresh loaf. as far as pics of the new rig, check out braveautointernational.jp go to canada stock, nissan, stock number C9, "sold". we really enjoy it.
paul

[BCDelica]

Hi Paul, nice rig (can't help myself, going to stick a pic up). In three weeks we get our house finished for the move and plan to send the majority of the time after that touring around BC - would love to stop by to sample something from the new oven. Thanks for the invite!

Now that's an expedition rig!!


Kevin

Edit - What's this? A small awning - if so that'll be awesome for summer ferry line waits.

[Reinhold]

That is a nice unit Paul but.... HELLO!!!! Lets get back on topic. Work with me guys! Delica...Expedition readiness??

[Breadman]

hi reinhold, sorry i thought i had answered your question. i know outback imports does specialize in expedition vehicles, delica included. that along with that other link from electrikjester should answer all your questions.
paul

[Reinhold]

Thanks Paul...Just kidding. Thanks for the link electrikjester. Ive looked at the link before but it does not really fit the profile of the Delica. I dont think I would camperize the interior of the Delica and I dont mind using compact backpacking gear for cooking. Constructing a platform in the back for sleeping and secure storage would be the only modifications I would do as far as camperization. Possibly an Engle fridge inside (dual Batteries?).
I guess what I'm looking for is modifications that would make the Delica as reliable as possible for an extended trip and have the necessary equipment for recovery (ie winch). Does the Delica need heavier suspension and maybe more ground clearance? Should I remove the spare and mount it on roof rack so I can install an extra tank? Just looking for ideas or suggestions that you guys have that have owned the van longer than I have and have had some offroad experience with it.
Lets do some mind mapping
Thanks

[BCDelica]

Good points, if your's doesn't have dual battery's, that's fine; put two in, add a battery isolator, maybe a solar panel too. Bolt up a tank underneath if you like, if I can do it any body can, and put the spare(s) on the roof safe from sticky fingers.

Get some nice skid plating for underneath - also can double as a great place to store spare parts with the right modifications. Going over the suspension top to bottom, as you know is a must; but Delica's like weight and ride better with it. Carried 26 jugs, 16L each, of WVO recently and the ride was great. Was even considering a Pontiac Feiro tank as a heated hot water underneath, where the muffler currently resides (mine is currently going to metal scrap as no one wanted a freebie).

A pyrometer would be a nice addition for those southern temperatures.

Have you browsed http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/index.php?

[The Pinkfingers]

hi reinhold, sorry i thought i had answered your question. i know outback imports does specialize in expedition vehicles, delica included. that along with that other link from electrikjester should answer all your questions.
paul

Outback imports - the one based in Yukon - outbackimports.ca - does not at this time import delicas. They do lots of other 4x4 JDMs though. We wanted to get a vehicle through them because they are amazing, but the closest they came to delicas were toyota hiace. They would not import delica because they weren't impressed with their reliability compared to the the other vehicles they import. In fact, one mechanic there told me, "Buy a hiace somewhere else if you want, but don't get a delica."

They may start importing delicas soon because of their huge popularity, which would be awesome because of their amazing work they do with every import they get, but they aren't as wild about them as they are the hiace.

But if you're looking for an expedition vehicle, they would be the first I'd talk to. They'll also do the work on your delica for you, if you want.

[Green1]

they're worried about the Delica, yet they import the hi-ace which has what is quite possibly the least reliable diesel engine ever manufactured... (it's not a matter of IF your head will crack, it's a matter of WHEN!)

I looked at the hi-ace, and appart from the fact that the Delica was much nicer looking, the Delica also has a MUCH better reliability track record.

Doesn't it say something to realize that the L300 has been in continuous production for over 20 years and they're STILL making them!

[Reinhold]

Good points, if your's doesn't have dual battery's, that's fine; put two in, add a battery isolator, maybe a solar panel too. Bolt up a tank underneath if you like, if I can do it any body can, and put the spare(s) on the roof safe from sticky fingers.

Get some nice skid plating for underneath - also can double as a great place to store spare parts with the right modifications. Going over the suspension top to bottom, as you know is a must; but Delica's like weight and ride better with it. Carried 26 jugs, 16L each, of WVO recently and the ride was great. Was even considering a Pontiac Feiro tank as a heated hot water underneath, where the muffler currently resides (mine is currently going to metal scrap as no one wanted a freebie).

A pyrometer would be a nice addition for those southern temperatures.

Have you browsed http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/index.php?

Thats an outstanding website!
Do you have a subscription to Overland Journal...Great publication.
Did you post your installation of your extra fuel tank? I'd like to see some pictures and how to.
A couple of years back I bought a Landcruiser from Outback Imports. Their prep was fantastic. Top notch components and fluids throughout. They claim their vehicles are expedition ready and it shows

[loki]

I called and talked to outback imports before I got my deli as I too love the service they do to the stuff they bring in, the guy told me they didn't import them because their mechanics didn't think Mitsubishi diesels where reliable and over heated lots but admitted that they didn't know much about Delica specifically or how they do in the Canadian climate.

They should be looking at the vast collection we have here now and check the reliability and then they would probably change their position.

[BCDelica]

Thats an outstanding website!
Do you have a subscription to Overland Journal...Great publication.
Did you post your installation of your extra fuel tank? I'd like to see some pictures and how to.
A couple of years back I bought a Landcruiser from Outback Imports. Their prep was fantastic. Top notch components and fluids throughout. They claim their vehicles are expedition ready and it shows

Having seen just one cruiser up close from Outbackimports, would say that Luxury Imports and them are the guys for cruiser. Like how CCauto and Mardy are the guys for Delica's.

My jeep tank is shown in my veggie post - http://www.delica.ca/forum/my-2-year-up ... t-412.html.
And holy snikie, I just noticed the views on the last picture I added to that post, for one person. Blew me out of the water really, serious interest in things WVO and Delica this year.

Kev

Edit - I've found some back issues of the overland journal via PDF, but thats' just not the PC way.

And Green1 most (our age) Hiace's have the 3L diesel, 2.8L, which is quite the different animal then the 2.4l in the Liteace. From South Asia and Sentral America the Hiace is thee most common van that I've seen on the road, and that means something. My 1984 Toyota van had a major failure leaving Nochixtlcan (sp); was fixed cheap and quick as the part was on hand! My 20 year life went from crashed to feeling like the luckiest dude ever in 2 hours, all cause it was a common vehicle in south mexico. Saw many in central america, just like it too.