Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Hey gang, been a L300 owner for a couple years now. Had a '88 SWB Montero/Pajero 4wd, loved it but it was too small inside, it didn't have enough cargo space. I don't like big cars so the LWB was out. One of my friends stumbled across a picture of a Super Exceed and shared it with me. Since then I've wanted a 4wd L300 in the worst way. At that point in time I didn't have one, took a bit of time to find one. Got a "deal" on it only to find out the 2.4 gas engine was on its way out. Was building a hot motor for my Starion at the time and it happens to bolt up. The 2.6 turbo was awesome, but not quite enough for my needs. Stole a page from the Australians' book and am in the middle of stuffing a GM 4.8 V8 in that cozy little engine bay.

As to why I'm here, I still don't have 4wd. I've been hunting around the web trying to find detailed pictures of the L300 4wd sub-frame and have been failing for the most part. I'm going to poke around your Technical section a bit more before I start asking you folk for pictures of your front sub-frames

Forget the independent and go to Solid Axle Swap (SAS) up front...

If you do want the 4x4 stuff Super Exceeded on here (6X6) is about to do a SAS and will be pulling all that stuff (he is hoping to get a 350 in his)..

Looks great and welcome..

Welcome!!!!

Looks like we should have a chat... My engine arrives next month some time. Chevy 305.
Where abouts are you located?
Arnold
604 501 248eight

Thanks guys! Yeah, spent some time reading the Super Exceeded thread. Pretty slick piece of work =)

I thought I had a complete IFS front end from my Montero, but last trip to storage I found I was missing one lower control arm... trip to the junkyard would fix that.

Arnold, might not be a bad idea. I'm around the San Francisco area. 831 two one two 5743

I will have a couple lower control arms when I pull out my front end to do the SAS.

Montero is different as the Torsion bars go to the bottom control arm and on the delica the upper control arms get the torsion bars (tried to fit Montero bushings into mine (nope).

thedjjack wrote:Montero is different as the Torsion bars go to the bottom control arm and on the delica the upper control arms get the torsion bars (tried to fit Montero bushings into mine (nope).

So much fopr that idea.!!!

thedjjack wrote:Montero is different as the Torsion bars go to the bottom control arm and on the delica the upper control arms get the torsion bars (tried to fit Montero bushings into mine (nope).

You are correct! But it doesn't matter much as I plan on keeping the upper control arms. Poking around I've noticed the frames are different. The bottom of the 2wd frame is the top of the 4wd frame where the upper control arm and torsion bars mount up. I'll have to put a lift block on the upper ball joint perch to correct arm geometry.

Got your message Arnold. What time zone are you in? You might be interested in this thread.

I think cc-autos built turned a US 2wd into a 4wd diesel for a us customer....might contact them.

I think SAS would be easier and given the power might hold up better....

that engine was close.....at least you do not have to mod the floor.

Not dead. Still poking away at this. Hasn't fired yet, but a hell of a lot closer to. First motor I've swapped that I didn't have spare bits sitting on a shelf for. Lots more ordering, spending and waiting than anticipated.


Last weekend.


Still need a couple more idlers and a P/S bracket to replace the bailing wire.


Still need to finish the exhaust.


Went in this evening.


I want to keep the factory gauges, had to find places to mount the Mitsu senders.




Wired up.




Had to futz with the auto shifter detents to match the GM trans. Cut the new low points, welded material for the new high points and ground it all to shape.






Would like to have it at least running by the end of the month. We'll see.

Dang, can't wait to see this finished, cool project.

Definitely talk to Glen at CC Auto; not only has he attempted a 4x4 conversion, he has a warehouse of Delica parts that would set your van off right!

Cool build pics too, that 8 just fit!!!

Wicked - that thing is going to practically FLY! How did you cram that V8 in there? Was there much modification to the sub-frame/structure?

Glen at CCAutos had a American-registered Van Wagon unstitched around the engine bay and then stitched back together in order to put in the 4x4 gear and the diesel engine. It was very well done but he's still out all that money and time and the van is still sitting on his lot (unfortunately the customer backed out of the deal).