Hi everyone... and some L400 questions.

[Drumster]

Greetings!
My first post! I'm a complete newbie here and do not yet own a JDM vehicle. I've read quite a bit here and have searched a fair bit. This site is a wealth of information almost to an overwhelming degree.

I'm on the verge of committing to an L400 and am going through a little "Should I? ... should I not?" sort of process. There's relatively little on the site about L400s, so far. Regardless of what may or may not be found in a search, I'm looking for comments & feedback in present time.

First I'd like to tell you what appeals to me about the L400 Spacegear:

-I love the look! I love that it's 4 wheel drive.

-I love that you sit way up high.

-I love that I'll be able to go camping again.

-I love that it's not only a diesel but a 2.8 diesel with no electronic fuel sensing/monitoring emissions module gooble-dee-goop... which should allow me to experiment unfettered with fuel saving and/or fuel pre-treatment gizmos and technologies (eg: water injection, vaporizers, GEET etc). Oh, and I can get involved with Biodiesel too.

-And I love that these things are DIFFERENT!

With that all said, there's also some concerns.

I realize there's very few of these "Spacegears" here in Canada just yet but am nonetheless hoping some of you reading this will have some experience either here or in Oz or wherever and will be able to comment.

For the record, I'm a middle aged male who's done a lot of driving all over BC & western US. I've driven commercially over the course of fifteen years and I currently drive a transit bus for a living. So although the idea is a bit spooky, I have no doubt that I can adapt to the RHD aspect of a JDM import. (Car Dealer/ICBC threats about RHD notwithstanding.) However, I do have concerns with visibility and general safety... particularly as there's no air bags and on the one I'm considering, no ABS. I have sat in but never driven an L400 and have since been thinking about a few things:

- Left side visibility; I REALLY want to know what's going on around me at all times. The L300's have a nice tall left side mirror but not so the Spacegear. Is this likely to be an issue and are larger or taller aftermarket mirrors available for left side, particularly ones with a convex split section?

- DTR compliance. I understand Grote kits can be had from Lordco but it's best to walk in with part number already known. I was unable to navigate the Grote site to find the part #. Can anyone provide or explain how to find the part number for L400 DTR kit?

- My last three vehicles have been bought brand new and reliability has been a total non-issue. I do look after my vehicles and don't abuse them. I'm a stickler about regular routine maintenance/oil changes etc. which is possibly why I've had no issues. The last thing I'd want is to be stranded out in the middle of nowhere with a broken down Spacegear due to some glitch I was oblivious to.

So, generally speaking, how reliable can I expect a properly maintained, pristine example '94 Deli Spacegear to be? No vehicle is infallible so the question actually would be, how would you rate them in the scale of reliability? ( Some folks crack jokes about Ford products but my two new Econoline vans were completely problem free. Although I don't really want to own and insure two vehicles at once, I'm considering keeping my '07 hatchback for back up... just in case. I'm undecided.)

- What happens if you catch a rock on the highway and need a new windshield? You might find glass for an L300 here but I imagine one would have to be brought over from Japan for an L400. Will ICBC cover this. Another question, although it's a little off the point, do the rear end spoilers found on some L400's actually DO anything in the way of reducing drag or wind noise or are they purely cosmetic?

- More than anything I'm curious to know if you have any regrets about having bought your Spacegear and if there's anything you'd do differently if you had the chance?

Thanks!

[jessef]

- Left side visibility; I REALLY want to know what's going on around me at all times. The L300's have a nice tall left side mirror but not so the Spacegear. Is this likely to be an issue and are larger or taller aftermarket mirrors available for left side, particularly ones with a convex split section?

The big truck style mirrors on the L400 are very practical and you get 'almost' zero blindspot like the L300's. For a long van, it's in a good place. I see no concern after having driven both.

- DTR compliance. I understand Grote kits can be had from Lordco but it's best to walk in with part number already known. I was unable to navigate the Grote site to find the part #. Can anyone provide or explain how to find the part number for L400 DTR kit?

You don't need a model-specific DRL kit. You can use almost anyone that splices into the existing headlight switch/module.

- My last three vehicles have been bought brand new and reliability has been a total non-issue. I do look after my vehicles and don't abuse them. I'm a stickler about regular routine maintenance/oil changes etc. which is possibly why I've had no issues. The last thing I'd want is to be stranded out in the middle of nowhere with a broken down Spacegear due to some glitch I was oblivious to.

The L400's are just as reliable as L300's. More so in a few ways and less in a few others. They are generally put a good, reliable vehicle mechanically by today's standards.

Just like with any vehicle, you can always get a lemon. Somethings are not predictable and a vehicle's running character is not one of them.

I would not hesitate to take one down to Mexico or on a long distance trip.

The one advantage over the belt driven 2.5 timing system is that you can feel and hear when it's on its way out on the L400's. A plus.

So, generally speaking, how reliable can I expect a properly maintained, pristine example '94 Deli Spacegear to be? No vehicle is infallible so the question actually would be, how would you rate them in the scale of reliability? ( Some folks crack jokes about Ford products but my two new Econoline vans were completely problem free. Although I don't really want to own and insure two vehicles at once, I'm considering keeping my '07 hatchback for back up... just in case. I'm undecided.)

I would rate them about a 7-8 on a reliability scale. Tercel being a 10 and a Rover being a 1-3.

Driveline wise, they are very stout and like the L300's they are based on the Montero/Pajero driveline which in North America translates as a poor man's Landcruiser. With that said, there is a reason why there are so many in the US. They are the underdog that competes with Cherokee's, 4runners and cruisers.

- What happens if you catch a rock on the highway and need a new windshield? You might find glass for an L300 here but I imagine one would have to be brought over from Japan for an L400. Will ICBC cover this. Another question, although it's a little off the point, do the rear end spoilers found on some L400's actually DO anything in the way of reducing drag or wind noise or are they purely cosmetic?

Yes. They will be brought over from Japan. And yes, ICBC will cover it. 100%.

More cosmetic than functional.

- More than anything I'm curious to know if you have any regrets about having bought your Spacegear and if there's anything you'd do differently if you had the chance?

None. I brought in a pair of them, will most likely keep one. Had we not found Turtle (pop top L300), we would be keeping both L400's in the family without question.

Thanks![/color][/quote]

[Drumster]

Wow! Thanks for such a detailed response jfar.
That's exactly what I'd hoped to hear.

[marsgal42]

I own an L300 and have driven an L400, and can confirm the spectacular panoramic visibility for both vehicles. You get used to it, you get spoiled by it, and it's frustrating when you drive anything else. Delicas just don't have blind spots.

...laura

[Drumster]

I own an L300 and have driven an L400, and can confirm the spectacular panoramic visibility for both vehicles. You get used to it, you get spoiled by it, and it's frustrating when you drive anything else. Delicas just don't have blind spots.

...laura

Excellent news! Thanks.

[Erebus]

Delicas just don't have blind spots.

I've got to disagree with Laura. Not a big deal, but one that annoys me slightly. The B pillar on the passenger side is quite wide. When I come to an intersection and am going to turn right after a stop, I find I have turned slightly, and that puts the left oncoming traffic in the B pillar. I have to crane to look. I think I've adapted by not turning as much, or more, not sure which.

BUT, compared to my previous Caprice, where the A pillar (windshield) created a huge blindspot in a equivalent left turn, I have nothing to complain about. The mirrors are great, although I added 3.5" convex on both sides.

As for the spoilers, I think they probably do more to help keep the rear windows clear than to improve downforce or aerodynamics.

[konadog]

It sure has blind spots for the passenger! I just hated sitting over there and not having a mirror to glance into to see what's going on back of the bus. I installed a little convex on the rear-view (Erebus did it first!) to alleviate the lack - no it's all good As for driving I find the sight-lines clear and big and feel very safe and comfortable with them - Never had to adjust the outside mirrors when switching drivers of different sizes either.