Hello from Nanaimo!

[Elbrad]

Good day folks!

I'm opening a pest control business here in Nanaimo, and I've been in touch with a few folks from here, Coombs Country Autos being the best experience so far.

I started out with the idea of picking up a Kei truck, as I'd noticed one in my neck of the woods, and thought it'd make the perfect work truck. After seeing the Delica pickup at CCAutos though, and realizing that I don't fit in a Kei all that well, I've started considering a Delica van.

If I remove the back seats and throw a bulkhead behind either the drivers seat or the 1st passenger row, I would have a self-contained area for pesticides.

Of course, I've been doing my research, due diligence and as a startup business I need to watch my expenses...to the point of being miserly. I hate that part.

What advice can you folks give? What should I look for in a van? Has anyone seen them turned into a cargo-style van?

Cheers!

Brad

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hi Elbrad, welcome to Delica Canada

The first place I might send you is to the To Do List, which can be found in Delica Wiki (which can be found in the board index). The idea of this list is to draw one's attention to things that might need to be serviced/replaced &c., but it also gives you a familiar idea of what to look for when you see the Delica you like. Speaking of which, have you decided on whether you want a Starwagon or a Space Gear?

Falco.

By the way, which part of Canada are you from?

[Elbrad]

Hey there Falco, I'm from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island.

I'm just trying to figure out which will be the best fit for me...I love the look of the Delica van, but I think I'll be going with the Delica pickup style.

[FalcoColumbarius]

The Delica pick-up style? Are you referring to the Strada?



Or this one:



There are two major categories of Delica currently available in Canada. There are variants but typically this is what you're going to see driving around:
The first one to arrive was the Starwagon (L300, as seen on the right).The second one to arrive is the Space Gear (L400, as seen on the left)





Falco.

[Elbrad]

Falco:

I meant the 2nd photo you posted...the Delica pickup style with the tri-fold box.

I've been in touch with Coombs Country Auto and now with Mardy from Amazing Auto Imports...both have a unit that would suit, but Mardy's is 4x4 and diesel, at the same price as CCAuto.

My dilemma is that I love the look of the starwagon, but I can't see paying for a beautiful van just to rip out the inside and build a separate storage area with a fume-proof bulkhead. On the other hand, the only price for a custom cap for the Delica was $1400 for an aluminum job, not including boxes/shelves for storage and side doors for easy access to my equipment.

I still think that going with a JDM is going to be better in the long run, for eye-appeal and for originality as well as potential resale value at a later date. I hate the idea of driving a cookie-cutter truck as well...but I need something economical that can pack about 500-750lbs in the back, and maintain highway speeds.

I know...it sounds like I'm being a picky little bitch, but I know what's going to work for this truck and I can't settle for less.

[FalcoColumbarius]

You know? The thought occurs to me that you should do both. Get the tri-fold pick-up to haul around the nasty chemicals for work then get the Delica Wagon later for camping. Your business is going to expand anyway so eventually you will need more vehicles. I see a tax incentive. Start with the business.

Both Marty or Glen at CC Autos are good people.

Falco.

[solanoid]

Brad,

Have you looked a cargo style deli, they have dual sliding doors, and may be more suitable for your needs.

Just a thought

[Elbrad]

I didn't know about the cargo Deli's...I'll look! thanks!