Hello from Langley.... with a few questions

[kman]

Hello!

First I'd like to say that I am very impressed by your site. It's great to have the resources and support of sites like these (and the people behind them). I'm not a Delica owner yet but I've made my decision to get one in the next few weeks/months and have a few questions.

The main differences between models I can figure out on my own but I was wondering if there were any specific years or models to avoid? If some are prone to certain problems or particularly expensive to fix. I've had a few Landrovers in the past and there are a few years and models to avoid for sure.

I live in Langley and have read about a few places to go for repairs and such in Richmond and North Vancouver but if there was someone a bit closer that would be great. I have no problem going out of my way to get good service (North Van is not a big deal at all) and a recommendation from someone always helps.

I'd say I'm leaning towards a slightly older L300 model as they are probably more forgiving to the hands on approach to repairs and maintenance. But I still have a lot of reading to do on the subject. I do a lot of road trips with the family and this would be a bit more spacious than out car. We plan to get real dirty.

Thanks in advance for the help.

-Karl

[Mr. Flibble]

When you look around here you will find that there are really only 2 models, the L300 and the L400.

There is a great thread here on the forum:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/old-member-t ... -5846.html

Unfortunately, the flicker images don't work anymore.

Long story short, L300, Mid-Engine under the seats. Shorter than L400, smaller engine, goes slower but slightly better on fuel.

L300 while being shorter has more room for its length than the L400.

L400, comes in short (SWB) and Long (LWB). Bigger engine, goes faster, uses a bit more fuel. Has a totally different look. If you are into engine power then this is the one to get, if not, then consider the L300 or whatever suits your fancy.

Another good thread to be found here:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/l300-vs-l400-7672.html

I personally wanted the L400 for the engine power and I prefer the look of the L400 myself. But both are great vehicles.

Finally, trim levels. There are *LOTS* of trim levels. No two Delica's are the same. Unlike North American Cars, nearly every Delica was customized at the factory and additionally by their Japanese owners.

[nxski]

Welcome to the club!

I believe any of the L300's will be easy to work on, not much has changed from year to year. You should be safe with any of the Delica's actually, there are known problems for sure but differences in problems between different years are very minimal. I like the L300 for it's simplicity, looks, driving position, length of the vehicle compared to interior space (It's shorter than my civic was so very easy to park). The downside in my opinion is the power, the approach angle and the hump between the front and rear of the vehicle.

Good luck with your search...

[Profister]

There are so many similar threads on the forum that it is virtually impossible to find what you are looking for.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/what-is-the- ... 10187.html

[FalcoColumbarius]

Welcome to Delica Canada, Karl

I particularly like late '92s, which it so happens I possess. I like P25Ws with the winter package. I have a Chamonix, which was what I aimed to get in the first place. Good that you are asking questions and finding out for yourself ~ it took me a year of researching, drooling, hunting before the Miss Lil' Bitchi (my wagon) found me... smiles.

Falco.

[TardisDeli]

The only difference on the L300 years is that the 94 year model has water cooled turbo and the 89 and eariler has more conventional headlights.

[Tojo]

Hi Karl,

I just bought my 1993 L300 Super Exceed about a month ago and this is what helped me to purchase:

1. Advice from a Japanese mechanic: drive a whole bunch of them, the turbo should spool up smoothly, it should "click-click" then start immediately even when it's cold, no continuous black smoke (occasional puff is okay), drive them onto the highway and feel the acceleration, once you've got a benchmark, you'll eventually find the one that feels the best.

2. Crawl underneath and look for severe leaks. A bit of wetness around the turbo and injection pump are common, and not considered severe.

3. L300 is better off road (especially the short wheel base), less power but simpler mechanically and electrically VS. the L400 which has more power, air-bags and AWD and anti-lock brakes, they are apples and oranges so choose which is your most important criteria. I chose an L300 for it's off-road ability, the boxy utilitarian look, and because I became attached to them when I lived in Japan. Also, because the price of L300's have dropped since the L400's became available made it a little easier on the bank account with more to spare for mods. Search the forum and you'll see some L400 owners with electrical problems...luck of the draw I guess.

4. BUT, Butch at CVI told me that strictly speaking there are less known issues with the L400. Timing chain replacement happens at 200K kms. L300 timing belt needs replacement every 80K kms.

My two cents. Good luck with your search!

[jessef]

Just want to clarify a few things that may mislead your decision.

3. L300 is better off road (especially the short wheel base)

In stock form, I have seen no difference in offroad performance. In fact, I have had better luck in steep areas with the L400 because of the much better approach angle. The LWB L400 is night and day better offroad on loose surfaces such as logging roads when travelling at higher speeds than the L300. The only area where the L300 shines compared to the L400 offroad is it's turning radius. That's it.

less power but simpler mechanically and electrically VS. the L400 which has more power, air-bags and AWD and anti-lock brakes,

Both mechanically and electronically, the L400 has in general less problems than the L300 because it is better routed/combo switch for example. Airgbags and antilock brakes are only available on the high end L400 models. The lower/base model L400's are just like the L300's mechanically except more power, bigger axles/brakes/drivetrain.

Timing chain replacement happens at 200K kms.

There is no 'set' timing chain interval but 350-500k is the average if the vehicle makes it there.

[Tojo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG99YZaiq-0

[thedjjack]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG99YZaiq-0

Really bad idea...

I have to disagree that the 400L is better going fast...The L300 cannot go fast so how do you know?

L300 has a slightly simpler transfercase (part time). Slightly less electronics....way less power.

I love the cab forward design (unless you crash that is) but the L400 engine is something that the L300 cannot compete with.

[tonydca]

Two years into an L400 SWB I have no regrets whatsoever in my choice, especially the 4WD/AWD flexibility:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/new-delica-h ... tml#p73451

From what I have seen/heard/read, most things can be fixed on the L400 with a greater or lesser application of money (as is true with so much of life).

If you are looking at one, as long as the interior and overall vehicle is generally to your liking, there seems to be a Holy Trinity of Things Which Would Be *Very* Costly To Fix - with most other things being a lot more manageable:

1. Good compression. You'll likely never know for sure the history of the oil in the engine, but if the compression numbers are good, then regardless of how well or crappy it starts or runs, it can be Made Good (via new glow plugs, filters, clean injectors, IP seal, etc.)

2. Structural Corrosion. Avoid vehicles who spent their lives in Northern Japan. Think Quebec car vs. BC car. In L400s a major culprit area is the front sub-frame under the battery tray and comparable locations on the drivers side. Fixable, but a helluva job from what jfarsang has posted in the past.

3. Transmission. Knock-on-wood, the auto trannys seem to be well-on indestructible. I have seen lots of postings about abusing them, and very few about them actually breaking down. Lord knows what it would take to actually wreck one. So same unknown history as the engine oil, but I would suggest that as long as the fluid has even the slightest shade of pink left in it, and it actually shifts, then it is probably OK.

The biggest plus beyond that would be if it starts reasonably well when cold. That means you have a fighting chance that your IP front seal/glowplugs/glowplugrelay/busbar/battery/injectors are in reasonable shape.

The rest is gravy. Clunks, scrapes, drips, etc. are part and parcel of the 15 year old package IMHO, and there are more than a couple of shops in town that are great places to track down other issues, and there are a bunch of threads about what to swap out/change out as part of a PM schedule.

Happy hunting!

[jessef]

Tony nailed it.

The L300 and L400 are really different machines. Apples to oranges. Both have their issues and both are very unique.

Read through the forum, test drive as many as you can and if so inclined, grab one that suits you.

You can't go wrong with either. Just don't get a lemon !

[FalcoColumbarius]

Tuning.

The Miss Lil' Bitchi cruises forest mains easily at 90 or 100KPH, has to ~ to keep up with the ore trucks. On the open highway she is most comfortable at 110 (8.5L/100K). She will cruise easily at 120 but goes through more fuel.

As far as electrical switches... a lot of that is about preventative maintenance, for L300 or L400.

Off road? Stock L300 over stock L400. The weight displacement is way better on your average mid engine L300, which has a wheel base of 88.5". The L400 weight displacement is like a pick-up and the short wheel base model is 109+". I'd like to point out that there's more to SWB than turning radius ~ clearance is enhanced with SWB, too.

It's all about balance for me. I have a one and a half inch lift ~ just right for me.

Power? Get something with a Cummins in it, then you can tow your fifth wheel, take a long an ATV, tow your own helipad.
Speed? Let's get real ~ buy a Ferrari.

As far as the tug of war? The driver in the L300 guns it in 2H on grass. I can't see what the L400 is doing but I got the feeling that it was in 4WD and do you think that the tyres may have made a difference? I'm not really sure one could make an educated evaluation on either of the two from that video, as fun as it may have been.

The wagon will find you Karl, when you see it, you will know ~ follow your heart. Ultimately it doesn't matter whether you pick an L300 or L400. What matters is you make an educated decision that you know to be the right thing to do... smiles.

Falco.

[nxski]

There are many differences between models of each vehicle as well. Mine has a limited slip differential which makes a big difference offroading. I also have a 2" lift on 31" tires and it is far better offroad than stock. I know that I was the only Delica that did not require a winch while doing the Whipsaw trail (there were no other L300's to compare to and there were 2 stock L400's) Definitely not comparing apples to apples here. The differences between cost for servicing one over the other will be very minimal if you don't get a lemon so decide which vehicle suits your needs and which you like the look of more (test driving both will give you a good idea) and then go out and find the one for you.

[kman]

Thanks for all the replies!

After doing some looking online there's more Delicas out there than I expected. That's good. I was thinking I'd rather do a private sale but when reading about the positive experiences people had with some of the smaller dealers I guess won't rule them out. I've had some less than satisfying experiences with used car dealerships.

It's time to take a few out for a test drive I think. I probably won't be able to purchase one until after the holidays but until then I have time to figure out what model prefer. I'm sure I'll just know when I see it. Always been that way with me and vehicles. Thanks again for all the great advice; I'm glad I joined the forum and look forward to more reading (a lot of great info here). The hunt is on....

Karl