5spd or Auto for off-road group trips?

[BANgLE]

Hello there!

I am new here but have been lurking through all the posts to try and learn about these vehicles. I am in the market pretty soon for a Delica L300 and am trying to decide on which transmission to go with. The primary use for the vehicle will be for taking groups of people, at times a full vans worth, on trips around parts of Vancouver Island. Parts of the journey will be on logging roads and was wondering if one or the other might be more suited for driving on that terrain. Under load, does auto have the same pull up gravelly hills etc? Not sure what other circumstances would make the decision, but maybe someone on here has driven both and can point out if there are differences worth factoring in.

Thanks!!

`TJ.

[EnviroImports.com]

Hello,
If you want more Very low end power, low speed, go with the 5 speed, if you want to be able to do highway speeds, an Auto is your only choice with the idea of people in your van. a few upgrades to the motor will give you some great increase in power, but with either trans, the L300 is not a powerfull people mover, the 5speed is designed for Japans Max speed of 90/km and really does not like to go over that unless you are reving MUCH higher than a diesel should....Great time to be shopping for an L300 as the price has Really come down with the demand for the L400s.
Happy shopping
Noel

[jessef]

Like Noel said, if you're hauling weight and going up/down hill often offroad, then get the 5-spd.

A lot of power gets lost through the torque converter on the auto transmission.

If tuned right, the 5-spd's are peppy for a brick shaped van.

[BANgLE]

Yea. I was kind of thinking the 5spd would be the best. I am used to having that in those situations. Is there really that much of a noticable difference on highways between the two? I am thinking if I have the van fully weighed down I probably wont even be able to reach the critical top speed at times anyways.

[BANgLE]

I've been hearing a bit more about the 5spd's being geared quite a bit lower for comfortable highways driving. What is the comparable difference? And also, will a full van, would it be hard to go much faster with either anyways?

[delicat]

These numbers may vary with tire size but a 5spd at 100km/h will be just above 3200rpm while the auto will be around 2700rpm... I've taken my auto filled with 7 people without problem for hwy speed. You'll slow down going up hill but even empty you'd be slowing down!

Cheers
D.

[rdub]

I can do 110 on the highway at just over 3000 rpm and at 120 im doing about 3200 to 3300 rpm but these vans can take alot more than what i think they have been given credit for,they are very strong and ive put on almost 90,000k on it since i bought it 3 years ,but its the matianance that is key to the longgivity of the vans, oil changes,never over heat,and a tap on the dash saying good job never hurt . I drive a 5 speed and i love it tonnes,it dose everything i ask of it and it out 4 wheels just as well. The Valley Forge is the name and it kicking ass is his game.
5 speed is my choice as long as you take good care of it.

Rich Merry Christmas to all.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Rdub sums it up quite succinctly. The Miss Lil' Bitchi is an automatic transmission, tyre size: 235/75R15.

My experiences have ranged from:

• highway;
• city;
• forest service road;
• deactivated forest service road;
• off road.

Highway: Depending on the highway: TC1 between Vancouver & Hope the ideal cruising speed is 100 to 110, RPMs running at 2,600 to 2,750, respectively (KPL = 11.4); Number 4 Tofino Highway requires more gearing down so there is no constant mean on the tachometer (KPL= 9.5 to 10).

City: Depending on traffic, of course, I find it very convenient not having to shift gears all the time (although I usually do anyway) (KPL=8.5).

FSRs: I take the O/D off and do a lot of gearing. I usually am in 4H on any loose surface terrain. On long stretches of forest main I will have the O/D on, cruising between 80 to 100 KPH, RPM between 2,000 & 2,600 (KPL=9 to 10).

Deactivated FSRs: Often in 4L, as well as 4H. Gearing is strong and supportive in cases like dilapidated steep hills in 4L, as well as wash-outs, &c. (KPL= irrelevant).

Off Road: Pretty much the same as Deactivated FSRs (KPL= irrelevant).

I originally wanted a manual transmission until I met the Miss Lil' Bitchi. Since then I am glad I have an A/T as my mileage is better (because of the gearing in the tranny) and the only real difference that I have noticed is I don't have to clutch, which can be very convenient at extreme attitudes.

Falco.

[jessef]

If you're doing full load trips, I would suggest an L400 Spacegear.

Comfortable, lots of power/torque, great on the highway and offroad.

With the L300, 5spd has more torque, accelerates faster and of course it's a manual.

The only advantage I enjoyed on the automatic was the lack of clutch/shifting during traffic in the city. Driving an auto is more mellow as well.

I got better fuel economy on my 5spd's than my auto's

[BANgLE]

Thanks for all the tips! Good too see your experiences on various road types etc. Half the total driving I will be doing is on forest service road. I'm starting to think Auto might be better for the simplicity factor (my girlfriend could drive it...oh god) and the more comfortable highway cruising speed travelling up island. I guess the one thing I would like to consider is how the auto climbs rough hills under load compared to 5spd. Nothing insane, just some of the steeper rocky roads you incounter in the logging areas.

I had also thought about the L400 Spacegear. Sounds silly, but I actually much prefer the styling of the L300. The L400 is technically probably better suited for my intended use though. ah well..

Definately looking to find the crystal light roof, WVO ready if lucky, and preferably green/something in color Keepin' my eyes open!

[FalcoColumbarius]

What can an L-300 do?


Here are some other links:

• http://www.delica.ca/forum/another-story-3857.html
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eprmfvQfEDs (From our Russian brothers, this one is impressive.)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JtKUv65 ... re=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8NsNYIv ... xt_from=PL
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQBpyPMz ... re=related

There's more if you look for it... smiles ~ knock yourself out.

Falco.