Preparing to import. Colors/options I don't know I want yet?

[DR1665]

Hey, everybody. Appreciate the insights in advance.

This fall, I'll be putting cash on the table at RightDrive to start the import process on my US-bound, 1990 Delica. I've got a pretty good idea what I want, but I'm hoping you - likely far more familiar with the world of Delicas - can point me to some colors and options I might not know about (but really want).

Here's what I've got so far:
- (very early) 1990 SuperExceed
- Crystal Roof
- captain's chairs?

I'd think the hot/cold box is neat, but not really important, and I'm still on the fence between the automatic and manual gearbox. (My wife can't drive stick, but the manual is mechanically simpler and might yield slightly better fuel economy?) Beyond that, I know I really like the white color, but I've also seen a couple in a beautiful dark grey.

Considering I'm going to have a team of people looking for exactly the Delica I want, I figure now is the time to finalize my designs. This truck is going to be my daily driver, which sees a few family camping and road trips every year. What do really want in my Delica that I don't even know I want yet?

Thanks in advance.

[patriceboivin]

I don't own an L300, just an L400 PF8W, but on the 'net I found a copy of the original options catalogue for the L300:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0r7PF ... sp=sharing

Though I doubt you'll be able to find most of these now, even in auctions. I don't know enough about how to buy things that may be available in Japan -- wreckers' sites must be full of parts etc. they want to get rid of instead of recycle but in Japan there probably are not many buyers of parts for the L300 and L400 anymore. I haven't found many online, I think they tend to be smaller, community-based places (??? )

But at least it will give you some ideas.

Here is a catalogue list of the types of L300 "StarWagons"
http://autos.goo.ne.jp/catalog/10402009/grade.html

If you use Google Chrome as your browser it will attempt to translate the pages for you automatically.
If you don't have it you can download it here for PC or Mac: https://www.google.com/intl/en-CA/chrome/browser/

Also, if you have the time, you can check what's posted on the Japanese auction sites now, to give you an idea of what the exporters might be able to find for you. They probably know just where to look, all I could do was poke around randomly on the 'net. But here is one link you can try to play with; currently it lists fifty L300s for sale on this network:
http://kakaku.com/kuruma/used/maker/%8E ... 83S%83%93/

Sometimes you'll see weird / interesting ones... I noticed this burgundy/brown one, which looks like it might have been convered into a canteen?
http://kakaku.com/kuruma/used/item/3712671/

Good luck and Happy hunting

[josh]

The L300 automatics seem to yield better fuel mileage if you drive a lot of hwy miles. Also, the automatic transmissions are much more readily available than the manuals.
As for the hot/cold box - i would skip it, it is just a novelty and takes up space. (But that is a matter of preference)

josh.

[Erich]

Options such as the crystallite roof are nice. But beware. As these are older cars, parts are getting scarce. Gaskets and any other rubber and plastic parts are disappearing. It is important to know how Mitsubishi works, as opposed to American car manufacturers. Mitsubishi doesn't trash old NOS parts, which is good for us. What isn't good, is that all of the vehicles that are US legal(25 years old) are pretty long in the tooth by now. Even if they have not been driven a lot, everything gets old. The double stick tape that holds the rubber side belts on is old, the Delica badges on the prefacelift cars is old, and the window gaskets are no doubt gone. The windshield gaskets are rope in. As they shrink with age, they can leak. My leak problem in the driver's footwell was not the quarter panel issue, but the windshield gasket. Suspension bushings and engine and transmission mounts also go.

For you, I would care less about color or options, but about rust and overall condition. Most of the Japanese cars have been smoked in and it discolors the interior plastic. Some of that is available NOS, but many pieces are obsolete.

The bodies are quite light and they are spot welded at the seams. So, much like the Vanagons, they tend to rust at the spot welds. If you know welding, you know why. They also have some box sections that are a problem. Notable among those are the sections under the front door steps, and the sections forward of the rear wheels.

I have had my '87 for about eight months and am very happy with it. I doubt whether any have spent as much time(and money) on their vans as I have. Although I have had it a short time, I have restored numerous cars in the past so know my way around problem areas.

Most that I have seen are automatics. I have a manual. Some have said that the 5 speed is weak. I have not driven any other 5 speeds so I can't compare. I will say that you have to shift delicately on mine. If mine is working well, my guess would be that the synchros are a bit weak, which means that you have to be careful matching speeds and not shift too fast. You aren't going to win any drag races anyway. I think the 5 speed is equally capable of getting as good mileage as the auto. However, since most people tend to shift a little too late or early, you find mileage less than autos.

One thing that I have not seen discussed here much, are the final drive ratios. There is a range of about three or four as I recall. A serial number of a particular vehicle will tell you what your's is.

Pm me with any questions about importing to US or otherwise.

Best,

Erich

[MardyDelica]

well its hard to find a 1990 delica L300 with crystallite roof.
finally I did get one and just waiting for few more month to export to USA
cheers: