American in Vancouver on Temp Assignment - Dig the Delica

[ChrisH]

Hello all,

My name is Chris and am from Delaware, USA. I live near Philadelphia PA, but am a temporary resident living in North Vancouver (here on work permit for a consulting contract I have in place). I was commuting between Philly and Vancouver every week, but that was just too much to manage. So temporarily located here with my wife and daughter for the nest year. I am a 4x4 fan. I have a heavily modified '92 Bronco that I use for Rock Crawling and other activities. I also have two early Broncos (73 and 74). My daily dirvers are a '04 F150 Lariat 4x4 and a '00 Excursion 7.3td. I have the Excursion here in BC (we used it to drive across the country this summer).

The below link is to a site with some pics of my trucks.
http://www.supermotors.net/users/Hinckley

I watched some UTube video of offroading (as well have seen a few running about town), and gotta I dig the Delica. I do have a few questions though. I will be making a stop to Customs but thought I would see what if any experience there is out there regarding the importing into CA (or buying in CA) and Exporting into the US? I would love to take a Delica back home with me.

What is a good source for technical information on the Delica (axle sizes, rear diff specs, locking hubs info, etc..)? Information of availability and sources of parts both oe for repairs and aftermarket for lifts / suspension, lockers, axles, etc.?.?
What to look for and lookout for when looking for a Delica?.?.

Thanks in advance for any input or information and best regards,
Chris H

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hi Chris,

There are a few places you could look:

• http://wikrad.com/delica/index.cgi This will give you a general view on technical information.
  "Japanoid"; is a dealership in New Westminster (with a garage). They can give you information on importing, &c.
  "CVI"; is a garage in Richmond, who are quite knowledgeable on how the Delica ticks.
  "Coombs Country Autos"; if you are ever on Vancouver Island are also very knowledgeable. They are located in a colourful village called Coombs, a pretty place that you might want to take the family for a visit, anyway.

In Canada the Vehicle has to be 15 years old in order to import it. From what I have heard in the States it has to be 25 years old (a question you may wish to ask more knowledgeable people ~ it is not an issue I've had to deal with).
As I'm sure you know, off-roading is a state of mind. There will be people that will tell you that the Delica is not a true "off-road" vehicle ~ and yet I seem to find myself answering questions from quad drivers wondering how I got this van into where they are at that moment. I think if you consider the Delica coming from Japan as a "stock" vehicle with off road capabilities might be a good way to look at it. They have a short wheel base and a low centre of gravity. Although I have only had mine at a 25 degree lateral angle I have seen pictures taken of the inclinometer registering a 45 degree angle, which in my opinion is impressive.
There are Delica clubs all over the world and in Russia they seem to think that the Delica is an off-road vehicle, albeit with mods, as is demonstrated in the video clip on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eprmfvQfEDs
Although the vehicle does not come with a snorkel, they are very adept at fording deeper streams, as demonstrated in the previous link and also in this one: http://www.delica.ca/forum/mystery-mach ... tml#p12086
The Delica has an air intake system that involves two flanges with a three or four inch gap between them. Not really sure how it works but it appears to keep the water out of the engine. You can see this from an hatch located under the carpet, in the bulkhead, just behind the driver's seat (you have to slide the seat all the way forward to get to it). It is, by the way, also where you will find the power steering reservoir and the turbo.
The Delica, (being built by Mitsubishi, the makers of aeroplanes and who brought us the "A-6 Zero, amongst others) typically has five radiators (engine; cabin A/C; cockpit A/C; oil; tranny). The manual version of the Delica is missing the tranny rad.
I think that the designers & engineers at Mitsubishi had a field day when coming up with the L-300 series Delica. They are simple; they have personalities; designed like an aircraft; very clever features; and every so often I get stopped in a car park by a little kid who thinks my van is a hero out of a japanimation cartoon! I ought to get a cape for the "Miss Lil' Bitchi" (my van).

I hope this answers some of your questions ~ if you wish to get together sometime for coffee and look at the van you're welcome to PM me with you number, although I would recommend following the "Event" threads on this site and turn up at a meet. Then you'll get many opinions on the matter... smiles.

Cheers! Falco.

[Schwa]

The '93 and older Delica shares a lot of it's underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Montero (pre 1989/90) so you'll be able to get aftermarket toys if you manage to get one in the country... It is also very similar to the Mitsubishi Vanwagon that was sold in the US for a couple years, although it was never a 4x4, so no aftermarket parts, but some replacement parts are available because of that.

[ChrisH]

Thanks much for the all the info, and the invite is appreciated. I will check out the event forum and see when and where I can show up. I agree that would be the best way to get engaged with the Delica. I think I may have issues with getting one into the states, but I will see. It will make a great vehicle to use for going to Enduro & MX races. I have about a year to work it out. Again thanks to you all for the replys and maybe I can introduce myself at an event.

Best regards,
Chris

[jessef]

If you're living in Canada for longer than 12 consecutive months and have a permanent resident card, then you may be able to use one of the loopholes.

As long as you've owned the vehicle for longer than one year (12 consecutive months) within Canada and you are a permanent resident, you should be able to source a registered importer in the US to help you get one back home.

Because of the harmonized bumper regulations now, you may not have to alter the front bumper (like the ole Mitsu Vanwagon's in the US)

Good luck

[deLOOKA]

In Canada the Vehicle has to be 15 years old in order to import it. From what I have heard in the States it has to be 25 years old

Just wondering. Would this rule apply if Chris was to use it strictly for Off Roading?
Do vehicles even need to be insured for Off Roading?

Welcome Chris.

Isaac

[loki]

In Canada the Vehicle has to be 15 years old in order to import it. From what I have heard in the States it has to be 25 years old

Just wondering. Would this rule apply if Chris was to use it strictly for Off Roading?
Do vehicles even need to be insured for Off Roading?

Welcome Chris.

Isaac

I don't think they care, pretty sure it is a blanket rule whether it gets across the border or not, just my take on it. logic says that you should be able to use it strictly off-road but logic and government are rarely seen together.

[docsavage]

In the States if the vehicle is not licensed for road use you seem to be able to bring in almost any age and type of vehicle. On the Japanese Mini Truck forum at least 70% of the members are American and have mini trucks up 2001 or 2002. Also, it seems a few states allow them to be road licensed as some of the guys drive them on the highways ( I'm thinking of one guy in AZ in particular)

James

[jessef]

In the States if the vehicle is not licensed for road use you seem to be able to bring in almost any age and type of vehicle. On the Japanese Mini Truck forum at least 70% of the members are American and have mini trucks up 2001 or 2002. Also, it seems a few states allow them to be road licensed as some of the guys drive them on the highways ( I'm thinking of one guy in AZ in particular)

James

Yep. Met a fellow in Oregon a few months ago while down there. He imported two of the mini 4x4's. Not sure if he did it titled as a salvage or farm vehicle. One of the two.

[Green1]

technically Canada is the same, according to the rules here if a vehicle is being brought in strictly for off-road or track use it does not need to be 15 years old... HOWEVER, there are 2 very important things to note on this, first, it is almost impossible to convince customs to let you bring a vehicle in under those provisions (they assume you plan to cheat, so you need all sorts of documentation ahead of time to prove that you have a "legitimate" off-road use for it) and second, the vehicle will be marked so that it can NEVER legally be road registered in Canada, even once it IS over 15 years old.

As for the US... nobody here is an expert on US law, your best bet is to contact a registered importer in the US who can give you the details on the legalities behind it.

Many Americans come here and ask this very question, none have ever come back with an official answer, or any indication they have imported a Delica...

PLEASE, if you talk to an American Registered Importer, let us know what they say! it may save your fellow country men a lot of work!

[alpinecowboy]

I've spoken to a few registered importers in the US on this topic. Here is the skinny:
-Vehicles under 25 years old that are not on the DOT/NHTSA exempted vehicle list cannot be imported. The Delica is not on this list. The Pajero is, however, so Pajero's can be imported.
-If you wanted to try and get the Delica added to the list, the process is as follows - pay the $800 application fee plus any fees charged by the Registered Importer to have an application for approval sent in. If the application is accepted, get ready to spend some money - you need to have the vehicle tested for emissions at a lab and then have it subjected to at least 3, possibly 4 crash tests (that's right, they wreck 3-4 vehicles to import your one). Keep your fingers crossed that it passes crash testing, especially on a Delica as they don't seen to score well on front-end collisions. Australia gives them 1 star (out of 5) for front end crash test ratings. The NHTSA will be holding up to modern car standards so the testing is pretty tough.
-Vehicles can be imported for strictly off-highway use, but only a very small percentage are actually approved. The vehicles that get approved for this type of import are generally not 4x4's but are more often rare collectors vehicles (i.e. ones that will not generally be driven on the highway so as to keep the mileage down).
-There is another option that is totally grey market, but possible - albeit not advisable: Have a Canadian drive the vehicle into the US, well past customs control points. Then buy it from them, take it back to your home state and try your luck at registering it. Most states don't pay attention to or care about DOT/NHTSA regulations on imports. So, you may have luck getting tags for it and driving it no questions asked. That said, if you ever are caught, US Customs will seize your vehicle and have it crushed as contraband. Ouch. There are quite a few Puegot's near me with local tags/registrations that came into the US via this route. It is risky however.
-The final importation option is to get an older (much older) Delica. JDM vehicles that are 25 years old or older can be brought into the US without any issues at all. That means that one could bring a 1982 or 1983 Delica no problem. They did make 4x4's in these years, but they aren't the same as the 1986 and newer Deli's in terms of performance, features or aesthetic. Also, they seem to be very hard to find as I've looked for one for a while now with no luck.

This is what I have learned as far as importing a true JDM Delica into the US goes. I'm in the midst of a "third-rail" option but I won't know if it is possible until later in the fall. If it pans out, I will post the details.

Hope this helps.
Koby

[Green1]

the one option you missed in that list is to build one...

start with a mitsubishi van-wagon that was originally available in the US, then import as parts basically an entire delica and "convert" it (which basically involves keeping the frame and vin plate from the van-wagon and replacing every other part, (or at least as much of it as you want of a delica...)

[ChrisH]

I certainly appreciate all input. I will be checking with Customs. I have a couple of other options that while not optimum may have merit.

I have freind with a shop in Delaware. I could buy as noted south of the border in the US. Take to Delaware. Have a mechanics lien placed on it though the shop, after the probation period he can have a new title issued (mechanic lien title) through Delaware. With this in hand we can sell / transfer title to me. I can run through state inspections (basic sniff and safety). He had to do the mechanics lien and title process for cars left for non payment or otherwise not reclaimed.

As with my the other list's i'm associated with I will post any factual findings or experience.

Again thanks for the information and input.

Chris H

[jessef]

If I was to do it, it would be like this.

-Buy a 88/89 Vanwagon in the US for 1,000-3,000 (average prices).

-Buy a wrecked Delica from a Canadian and bring it in as a salvage vehicle.

-Throw it on a trailer and take it to your shop.

Do the drivetrain/engine swap.

Have it re-registered as a diesel.

At the very most you would be out the following :

2,000 Vanwagon
6,000 Delica
6,000 Transport & conversion

15,000 max for a LEGAL 4x4/diesel US Vanwagon.

That's it.

Messing around with a mechanic lien title on an non-RIV listed vehicle (newer than 25yr) is asking for trouble down the road. Shoot me a PM if you want to whole story (WA).

There was a thread on this topic a while back.

[ChrisH]

Thanks Jfarsang. As I noted the lien is not an optimal option. I have PM'd you. I would be very interested in a conversion. I have the facilities at home to do (I have most of Bronco and other builds in my home shop). I just have no knowledge with regard to the underpinnings of the Delica or it's relatives. I have been into Broncos for a number of years now. About the only 4x4 vans I have looked at are the Quigley conversions for the Ford E150 / E250s. Again I appreciate all the input.