Introducing the Bling Bus

[nishby]

I've been a member for a few months now but haven't formally introduced myself. I thought I'd wait until I had a Deli and some decent pics (sans snow) before making introduction.

So here's the "Bling Bus" with my family: my wife Dianne, daughters Jesse, Cayla, and Heather, and our trusty k-nine, Winston. I'm Shane Jolley (in the next pic).

We chose to call the Deli the "Bling Bus" because we were actually trying to get a Deli without all the extras (kind of like konadog's) but this one just turned out to be the right van at the right price. It's loaded with every option that I'm aware of on a Deli except the ladder and wheel flares (to be added soon). We had to give the van a name that demonstrates an appreciation of the irony.

Our plan is to run the van on homemade biodiesel from waste oil as soon as we can get set up. It's an everyday people mover, weekend tripper, and work vehicle. I own a bicycle shop, so I'm rigging it to move as many as 40 bikes at a time. So far I can haul a dozen inside the van without removing the seats. I'll post pics of my "insertable crate" next time I have it in the van. Another dozen will be going on the roof as soon as I get the rack rigged up, another dozen in my 5x8 trailer, and 4 more on the hitch rack.

So far we've done some great day trips plus my BC to Ontario trip (see http://www.delica.ca/forum/vancouver-to ... -4881.html).

I've done a few basic mods. fishslapper's skidplate, a couple of Mitsumaples, mounted a solar panel to the back of the dash pod for cell phone and laptop charging, and loaded up all the necessary gear from tow straps and power pack, to a good jack and various storage gizmos. As soon as the weather is a little warmer the real mods begin!

Thanks to everyone in this awesome community who answered our stupid questions while shopping and who helped get us set up. Thanks Christine (the Deli goddess) for an immense amount of information on every topic imaginable. I do hope you have a life outside of your van (but if not I'm sure you're having fun). Thanks to Mardy for some excellent tips. Thanks to fishslapper for a sweet looking skidplate (if you move back to Ontario we might hit 10 Delis). Thanks to mararmeisto for the catchy mitsumaples and the inspiration from the pics of his super-sweet van. Thanks to Lindsay for working through the out-of-province sale hassles. And thanks to everyone else who chipped in tidbits of advice along the way. I'll go now since this is starting to sound like the Grammy's.

[konadog]

I'm rigging it to move as many as 40 bikes at a time. So far I can haul a dozen inside the van without removing the seats. I'll post pics of my "insertable crate" next time I have it in the van. Another dozen will be going on the roof as soon as I get the rack rigged up, another dozen in my 5x8 trailer, and 4 more on the hitch rack.

Looking forward to pictures of that! Looks like you got a really nice, clean bus there - well done! Awesome you are enjoying the delica and the club so much - Great to have another enthusiastic member aboard! Happy motoring

[nishby]

Thanks konadog. On the subject of dogs, the Bling Bus is the first vehicle that Winston will ride in uncrated. He's still a little nervous but I think he likes the social aspect of riding in the back with the kids. Feels more like being in a room than in a car. We've already planned two camping adventures for the summer to take Winston on. Can't wait for the warm weather!

[jessef]

Nice Delica & family. Welcome.

[jrman]

X2 on the photos of the bikes!
Bikes & delis just go together like Tequila & Lime.
Welcome!

[MardyDelica]

hi, nice looking Delica.
its a pleasure to help you, anytime need help your welcome to call me.
enjoy your new ride.
Cheers;
Mardy

[FalcoColumbarius]

Nice ship, Nishby ~ and an handsome crew, at that. I too, look forward to seeing your proposed mods.

[nishby]

Thanks Mardy, thanks Falco.

By the way, what's the Falco flop? Did you roll your Deli over at some point? I'm down with an injury so I was watching some youtube vids of you and a few other Canadian drivers including a white one with pretty bad roll-over damage on one side. Wasn't the Chamonix in your signature though.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I saw that vid. I am not completely sure but I think Golf Cart was referring to a two wheel balance I did on the Chilliwack weekend (when the picture was taken I was on three wheels) up on Vedder Mountain.


Falco.

[nishby]

Nice! Having only owned crap cars previous to the Deli, I'm amazed at what the sway bar and leaf springs will withstand.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I put an extra leaf in the rear (she has a big.... end and needs the extra fig leaves... smiles), without them I suspect the axle would have gone farther.

I just got a communique from Golf Cart and he was talking about how I get the Miss Lil' Bitchi to dance when rockin' out to favourite tunes &c.. I get a lot of reaction from school buses ~ although I'm not sure I would use the term "flop".

Falco.