I still remember my mum’s 98 delica when I was a kid. I always thought it was the coolest car to be dropped off to school in because how high we were off the ground and the captain chairs. I still have memories of sitting in the back looking through the moonroof at night then looking back towards my mother in the drivers seat. I’m going to buy one, someday. even if it’s a shitbox..
I got an l300 4wd 1987.. model .. the 3rd owner since 1999.. it's still awesome. . Takes me almost anywhere .. economical & plenty a 2nd hand parts . It's a 5 speed manual . The 5th gear is kinda like a turbo. Even though it's the 4d56 cyclone diesel engine....
I used to have a Delica many years ago. It was funny driving them and looking at Range Rover drivers reactions as they craned their necks to look UP at you. But for my needs then, it was a delight. I used to do a lot of fishing so getting my complete carp gear and two other friends complete carp gears into it was no problem. The 4wd system was superb. Ground clearance stunning. It turned on a sixpence and because it wasn't wide, getting into and out of parking spots was a doddle. And it was so comfortable to drive too. As for top speed, I had mine up to 95 mph on the motorway (Allegedly!). Had the 7 seat configuration. Middle row had pilot seats that turned and you could ly the middle and back seats flat to make a full side double bed :-))... And when ALL the seats were raised, you have a massive load space. Also had roof windows for the 2nd and 2rd row of seats. Had curtains too, so with the "bed" in situ, no one could see what you might, or might not be, up too. If you get my drift!! :-))...
I bought a 94 delica starwagon with 50 k on it a few months ago. Make sure you check all the rubber parts in it, such as hoses, timing belts, brake master etc. If you haven't already. I had to replace a few things due to it being a low mileage older vehicle. The timing belts are most detrimental. Enjoy, I'm enjoying mine. And I enjoy your videos.
It's not just the mileage, ALL the japanese vehicles from the mid 90's are requiring rubber parts. It's the hidden costs of owning this era vehicle. Rad hoses, AC hoses, vacuum hoses, suspension joints, o-rings in every part in the engine and ancillaries. Especially the o-rings. Oh yeah, also ECU capacitors and diodes. Fun, fun, fun!
i used to own a delica just like yours , had it painted military green with some black touches and everybody loves it, the car stayed with our family for 13years never stopped the engine from working efficiently i really really love that car, your video made me miss my old friend
That bullbar is so beautiful. Where i can buy one? 5 speed manual is definately better. It is also faster. The torque converter makes the car pretty slow. My Mitsubishi L300 turbo diesel manual pulls pretty hard with 4th gear compared to the automatic version which i drove once. Also i don't think its making 84 horsepower. The naturally aspirated Diesel version makes 82. The turbodiesel makes ~100hp. Don't take my words though i am not very sure. Also stick shift is WAY more reliable and cheaper to maintain. Thats the main reason that i prefer stick. Also stick is a lot more fun and really connects you with that car.
My dad bought the earlier Mitsubishi L300 brand new in 1983, we drove half way around Australia going on holidays growing up. 4 children growing up, never missed a beat. They are incredibly popular with back packers who want to drive around Australia on a budget. Bullet proof
Imported a Delica about a month ago. What was supposed to be a quick flip has turned into a bit of a love affair. I drive it more than the Cappuccino, Evo II, S4 avant or 996 turbo!
We had a TV show here in New Zealand, presented by motoring enthusiast Bill Hohepa. He'd take his Delica on proper 4x4 trails. It was such good fun to watch, especially when they decided one day to wrap pies in tinfoil and cook them in the engine bay!
I drove one of these around North America in 2009. Vancouver, New York, Key West, San Diego, Vancouver. It broke down in LA (fuel pump) and we were stuck there for 3 weeks while it was fixed using parts from Vancouver. Now back home in Australia and I own a D5 Delica. Had it 8 years now and still love driving it!
try checking out the Delica's from Taiwan, the one's facelifted and are LHD, they are called Mitsubishi Space Gear though. It is fitted with a 4g64, a 2.4 liter inline 4 cylinder engine (the same engine series as the Evo's). The Delica's from Taiwan are only 2WD AFAIK (please correct me if im wrong if anybody knows), and I think you wont be needing 4WD if youre only going to use it for airport taxi's and besides, it has more power. And having to own and drive a Delica from Taiwan, they are great, comfy, powerful, and cold. And a plus is that is has two sliding doors, both left and right side.
Delica is short for delicate carrier. The super exceed trim came with a refrigerator and power shades in the high room windows. The US spec versions were sold a wagon or a van. The van was a panel with crank windows. The wagon came in RS and LS trim. The LS is similar trim to what you have, but only RWD and a 2.4 4g63 8v and 4 speed auto. I have an 89 with 290,000 miles on it.
I have had a few monteros and man do i love that generation of mitsubishi. Back when they build properly stout and luxurious cars and suv's. I love the look of the delica! And the sweet sunroofs that some of them had.
I had an 87 Cargo Van and it was by far the most fun driving vehicle I’ve ever owned. It will power brake for days and the previous owner used it in a couple burnout competitions at racetracks taking 1st, lol!
No mention that the L300 could also come with a factory rear LSD. That you can flip the captains chairs around and sit in any direction ( almost). That the rear " DELICA" lights up on the tail gate with fiber optics. That almost always there is hidden gem's behind the glove box that fall through from its Japan days.The Chamonix is the trim to get, the seat and carpet designs alone are so EPIC. Starlight has problems with electronics. Best to get a high roof no starlight with sliding side windows. Get a mitsumaple sticker on that thing Matt, make us BC boys proud!
as dope as the delica is, and make no mistake i think it's dope as hell, i have kind of a hard time imagining VIPs getting into LAX after a long-ass flight and being super psyched about a cloth-seat mitsubishi van. I know it's used for exactly that all over the world, but as Matt said, those are 3rd world countries, and this is L.A.... maybe i'm wrong, but you gotta really hope clients are as into 80s off-beat radness as Matt is for this to work out
Matteo Todisco so far everyone gets it and thinks it’s super cool. I’m offering *free* pickup at LAX for car enthusiasts. No one expects a phantom; something quirky and offbeat but still comfortable, charming and with enthusiast credibility is perfect.
@@TheSmokingTire fair enough matt, and good on ya! i really hope this works out excellently, and if i ever graduate to baller status and move to LA I know where i'm parking my cars. been a subscriber since i was in high school 10 years ago. this channel has literally gotten me through my entire education through my masters! thanks for years of good content man.
Yep - Had a L049 Pajaro for 15 yrs - Will go anywhere, pass nothing - Use Rotella Synthetic and make sure you supplement your diesel every few tanks to keep the saals in the diesel pump fresh and you will be good for years..... The ULS Diesel does dry out the rubber seals and I think all of the 4D56 pumps had rubber seals..
3th gen Delica was used at my school as a kids' carrier to the swimming pool or PE at the local stadium. In a small town in the eastern part of Poland in the 90s it was REALLY something else. It had a gear lever under the steering wheel, unlike any other car I knew and it never ceased to amaze me :D
I have one of the US spec RWD Mitsubishi Van/Wagons. They came with a SOHC 8V 4G64, which has a little more power than the TD, but even I struggle with hills on the freeway and heavy wind. I drove it from Ohio to California, and as long as you're patient, it does fine. It's just a really enjoyable vehicle to drive, and I get a lot of the same reactions you mentioned, which I honestly didn't expect. And like you mentioned, it is actually really comfortable to drive and the driving position feels better to me than most of the other cars I've owned. One thing you didn't mention, and I'm not sure how different it would be on the 4WD versions, but the turning radius is also phenomenal. I had someone at a gas station tell me that in the early 90s they were on the freeway in Colorado during a pretty bad snow storm, and he saw the back end of one of the US spec Vans slowly start to get sideways and gradually it got worse until the two cars beside it got over more towards the berms and the back of the van spun around to the point where it did a complete 360 in the middle of the freeway and afterward the driver just kept driving like nothing had happened.
I think the Delicas are cool too, but I bought a Vanagon because of the better space in it and because it’s a weekender pop too so I (6’3”) can stand up inside. I stayed away from the synchros though because everything for them costs 50-100% more than the 2WD version which is just because they weren’t as common I guess.
I have 6 L300s 3 of them being 2.5 turbo diesels (4d56t) (1 of them has a Hyundai d4bf1) I love the visibility, reliability, fuel economy, and turning circle
I'm on my second Delica, I first got my L400 Super Exceed, in 2010 and I then in 2019 I bought a D5 G Premium, I'm in the UK so our import laws don't restrict us to vehicles over 25 year's old. Love Delica's
As a owner of a Delica, so cool to see one TST. Mine might be a rust bucket but we love it.
5 місяців тому
As an owner of the T3 Syncro I have to agree, they're way too expensive even here in Europe. Even though I really like Delica (the pre-facelift model a bit more), I'd also rate them slightly higher off-road but not comfort-wise, the drivetrain design is just a regular truck. Because of that I'd rate the Syncro higher for an airport shutlle - better suspension, more room for passengers, way more baggage space. But I have to admit.... in terms of value for money, Delica is a clear winner, unless you're a rear-engine freak (as me). Great video!
We actually didn’t get the delica here in Oz they are all imported. We got the 2wd versions. I used to drive a petrol auto v6 L400 delica spacewagon with a lift kit made it as high as a truck. They are really cool. Those clusters leak from the sun. They are pretty quick for their size and weight. I’ve been told you can fit a small v8 so an ls swap would probably be the way to go. There’s no way the kms are that low. The one I had came with low really low kms as well and yet it was used as tourist transport .2000 model. I’m pretty sure they change out the cluster or just wind them back. It also came with a sticker on the windscreen it passed its radioactive inspection. Imported after Fukushima happened
Most enjoyable vehicle .. traveling with it likely a dream , you don't get tired of it . Handling small turns like a champ.. Seats can be turned into a bed .. 12 screws removed and you have a huge space similar to a commercial van . Its a blast to have .. mine is so rusty , hope I could be able to find a great shop to fix it .
I love 4wd Mitsu vans, some of the coolest off road rigs I've ever seen, with two spares on the back and fully set up for off-roading in Australia. The best thing (apart from making tea befre5 having a nice comfy lie down) is you can see where you're going instead of looking at the sky when you're cresting a hill!
Sweet ! Never knew about this model.I sold Mitsubishi's in 1995-97 and learned a lot about the company history and vehicles.They are Japan's oldest auto maker.You stated it is based on the Pajero.Not only did you pass The Jeep but you could probably crush it off road.The Pajero won The Dakar rally many times.Though you slowed down on the big hill in it,if it has The Pajero underneath you can probably climb anything.Very cool ride :) ! If the wife takes it away could always go for a Summit,Montero,or Diamante wagon :) !
I remeber these JDM vans being relativiely popular and common sight in the Philippines, even my dad used to have one of those, we were so excited when this van was used for going to the mall every Sunday.
Is this car use 4d56 engine? and want some more power? Tune the ve pump.. Add some timing and adjust governor/fuel screw... In my country this car pretty much undestructable (we got 4d56 non turbo engine) Anddd thic car is profen to haul almost 2ton (~4000lbs)
Im from NZ and have owned 3 L300's and due to our weather conditions for half a year (coastal and rainy) they rust out like no ones business. very rare to find one this tidy.
Saw this car in the parking lot at my office in Culver City! Had no idea it was Matt's, it was the exact spec and license, wish i would have saw him. Took a picture of it there soo badasss
We had the same engine on our old L200 and it was VEERRRYYY slow. But it wouldn't overheat or break down, ever. Although now that I think about it, it had a tiny intercooler under the hood scoop.
I was on a trip to the west coast of canada and saw these everywhere for the first time in my life. They were all kitted up for different levels of camping and i wanted all of them.
this is correct! When i was in my homeland of Vietnam, i was picked up by this vehicle! Then as the years went on, those big mercedes shuttle vans took over
syncros have pop tops and a kitchen + living amenities installed thats why they cost 2-3x what a delica costs. to outfit the delica or to buy one outfitted like a syncro would cost a lot more
Ah I love these old Mitsubishis. Have had a bunch of L200, L300, and Pajeros with the 4d5x engines - and even some Hyundais with the "copycat engine" d4bh. They're so simple to work on, I could probably rebuild a head and replace the timing and balance belts blindfolded. Pretty much indestructible as long as you maintain them and don't rev them to hell.
Yep, I so agree! I love my 93. I owned 2 90's Vanagons in my life-time and these little Japanese vans are so much more reliable than the VWs. I put the Bilsteins on mine too, quite an improvement! Nice video and continue enjoying your Delica!
Cap the pressure release valve on the intake plenum, get a cheap boost tap wind it to the max, straight pipe the exhaust, you will see a massive performance boost haha. Then when you get board with that power, find a nice small inter cooler i mounted mine in the factory air filter compartment with a fan for better air flow, get a exaust temp sensor and gauge, then you can fiddle around with the injector pump for even more fun. ps get a bigger turbo for even more lols
Awesome! Have exactly the same Delica here in NZ. Do take it off road regularly, it's tougher then you think. Mine has over 220.000 km's on it, no major issues in 10 years of ownership. Second car is a 987 Porsche Cayman S, does everything the Delica doesn't, and vice versa...
I put on almost 45,000klm touring Canada in the first year I owned my Delica. I got it with 75,000klm on the od and sold it at 160,000klm for what I bought it for. Fully loaded, it would do 100km/h on flat roads.
Matt, If you want a second slice of the JDM 4WD van goodness, check out the Toyota Hiace Super Custom 4WD. If you can find a 3.0 litre turbo-diesel from '95 onwards they are the ones to get. You'll be able to tow a trailer up a hill at 100kph. I know what you mean about the second row seating - that is truly VIP lounging space.
Grew up with one of these in NZ. We had the Safari kit with a microphone jack in the center console, in gold with brown interior. Handled dirt roads good too.
I either missed Matt mentioning the mpg or the mpg isnt good enough to make it worth mentioning. Quick google search lists only 20 mpg which is surprisingly low for a 4 cyl diesel. Not terrible but not great
I had a 1995 base spec L300 delivery van and I hated the damn thing. It had a 5 speed column shifter and the 2.5 litre normally aspirated diesel engine. It was gutless, a heavy (black)smoker and rattled like it was going to fall apart. The van only had 90,000km on it. I traded the van in for a 1998 Hyundai H100 which was based on the L300 but with a far more modern dash and though the engine was also based on the same 2.5 litre lump, it was way more willing to rev and the power was more usable. That said, if I had the opportunity to have had the higher spec Delica like Matt's, I'd probably sing a much different tune.
Those big wheels are slowing you down some I reckon. My buddy's parents had one of these in the 90's. We took it on many rock climbing trips from San Diego to Joshua Tree. His was a 5 speed however and it had normal car size tires. It didn't like hills (had to drop to fourth) but we did better than 80kph over the San Diego freeway hills, and it seemed to accelerate a bit better too.
They have all kinds of Delicas in Taiwan, even pick-up truck varieties which I've never seen before back in Aus. In Taiwan they were made by local Mitsubishi manufacturer China motor company or CMC so some are badged with this without Mitsubishi badges. They're are also quite popular in Australia but as the commercial box van which is called that Mitsubishi Express that comes with a 2.4l petrol engine and was made sold new pretty much unchanged until 2013. It was popular because it was cheapest van on the market. In one of my jobs back in 2011 I had to drive a brand new one and it was surprisingly fun to drive in the twisty roads with a gearbox that would take flat shifting and light weight for a van that is.
It's about time a review for these things. I've always loved Delicas. Especially the rounded body style just after this one here. Funny thing is Mitsubishi still makes these things. Try researching a modern Delica. They are like frigging space ships. !
Yes big shoutout to Coombs Country Auto. Been there a few times for stuff for my JDM Legacy B4, some parts and a ECU re-map. They've always been super good for parts, including just a wall of Delicas along the fence line of the grounds in case Matt and others need something. (not a ad, gotta give credit where credit is due)
A customer at my store comes through the drivethrough in an 88 Delica "Space Gear" with the intercooled 2.5 turbo-diesel. SUPER cool car and turns all the heads. Watch him switch chairs to get his order is a coold touch too
@Steve Sherman well, after doing some google searches, dont know why i thought it was an 88, it was definitely 94-96 anyways, i distinctively remember seeing it say "Space Gear" and "intercooled" om the side. So i guess it must be a 2.8L. Owner's a cool guy, said it wss actually his wife that convinced him to get it, and it was $10,500 CAD for the car, but insurance was $7k+ for the first year. Doesnt sound that worth it to me, then again could just be Ontario insurance (pretty sure we have the worst rates Canada)
@@TheSmokingTire what about modding the diesel, like what they do with Mercedes om606 diesels over in Europe, essentially turning it into what they call a "superturbodiesel?" Not sure if anyone has played with a mitsu diesel for more power, although i think they've modded pajero diesels in Australia. Not sure though. Since it's fine the way it is for most situations, just slightly mod it for say an extra 70 hp just so it could get out of its own way when you have passengers. Then again, since you're modding it, nothing wrong with a 300 hp turbodiesel Delica to go offroad in ;).
I know you're over it but, I miss your One Takes.... Still, I hope you're successful in everything you do, Matt. Party On! Oh, yeah... Love the Delica. I'm currently looking for a late 60s Ford/Chevy/Dodge van to put on my C4 Corvette chassis. (That'll be fun.)
This is better then an VW T3 Synchro: It has: - solid rear axle - low range - some models have a LSD Diff on the rear axle - Hub Locks This is a proper Offroad Vehicle
I'm holding out for another year or 2 till the power steering and fuel injected mitsu bravos are eligible for import. Basically the mini/kei and gas powered versions of these. Same as you say this is based off pajero architecture, the bravo shares the much smaller turbo inline 4 of the pajero mini. Has the majority of the same trim options as well; 4wd (but no hi/lo sadly), glass 'super aero roof' that I believe has fiber optic backlit text same as some trims of l300s have in the tailgate light where it says delica, 'super arrange seating' (swiveling chairs), the works. Down to 63hp per kei regulations, but that might be plenty considering they're barely over a ton..
i wonder if you'll ever go with a Cummins Repower. probably not, but doubling your horsepower and tripling your torque is tempting, especially since that engine would have cleaner emissions and probably be more fuel efficient too.
I literally laughed out loud so many times during this video. It is *so* true that everyone wants to get pictures and talk about these things! I have an automatic diesel Crystal-lite Super Exceed. It's excellent - I use it for rural mail delivery lol
Omg that thing is the coolest looking vehicle I've seen in years! I'm dead set on getting a Aztek but this is an easy second place. I would engine swap it but I Love it!
Don't come to Cali if that bothers you. He is one of the good drivers. Turn signals are for letting the other car next you know to speed up. No one lets you in in LA or any big city. Try a signal in NYC, good way to spend 20 minutes on the curb.
@@gmurf5599 dude come to midwest blinkers do not exist. My state is in top 10 worst states for drivers in the country and we dont have NYC or LAs excuse of being overpopulated
No mention of the mirrors? The convex mirrors make it super easy to drive/park in tight spots. I had one down in Chile for a few years, except for highway driving, that thing was AWESOME. Love it, nice work Matt!
I still remember my mum’s 98 delica when I was a kid. I always thought it was the coolest car to be dropped off to school in because how high we were off the ground and the captain chairs. I still have memories of sitting in the back looking through the moonroof at night then looking back towards my mother in the drivers seat.
I’m going to buy one, someday. even if it’s a shitbox..
Matt gave his wife the Turbo-D
Happy wife, happy life!
Ba dum tss
@@the-boring-car-guy I enjoy the occasional rim shot, butt YMMV 8-D
She did say it was quick.😂
@@jnljnl8485 And only the tip... ;)
Back when Mitsubishi was one of the coolest car manufacturers
totally agree with you, the pajero, the EVO, this van were all legends
hahahahah good one back when never lololool
@@MrWells-km5cp to me they were
Yep, smallest production v6, first production gasoline direct injection engine.
That was Mitsu!
@@carholic-sz3qv and galant vr4, which is the "EVO 0"
Should totally lend this to Doug for a day
I got an l300 4wd 1987.. model .. the 3rd owner since 1999.. it's still awesome. . Takes me almost anywhere .. economical & plenty a 2nd hand parts . It's a 5 speed manual . The 5th gear is kinda like a turbo. Even though it's the 4d56 cyclone diesel engine....
Please, Doug should review it 🙌🏽
Too many quirks and features...
“And that, is the biggest quirk, of the Mitsubeeeeshi deliKUH STARwagon turbo D”
Yessssss
We had a 1996 Mitsubishi delica jasper with the 2.8td for 13 years in New Zealand. Then we sold it. Miss it to this day.
When you're a millionaire flying into LA to drive your exotic car and get picked up in this.
😑🤐
Oh! My...
www.vwsyncro.eu/p/vs.html
The Syncro Heresy
I'd rather get picked up by the mitsubishi than some borin first class new bus
😁
@@drewcyprus3714 vw syncro is not "borin first class new bus".
The Syncro Heresy
One of the best things about moving to NZ is the abundance of JDM imports. Enjoy your Delica, they are beasts!
I used to have a Delica many years ago. It was funny driving them and looking at Range Rover drivers reactions as they craned their necks to look UP at you.
But for my needs then, it was a delight. I used to do a lot of fishing so getting my complete carp gear and two other friends complete carp gears into it was no problem.
The 4wd system was superb. Ground clearance stunning. It turned on a sixpence and because it wasn't wide, getting into and out of parking spots was a doddle. And it was so comfortable to drive too.
As for top speed, I had mine up to 95 mph on the motorway (Allegedly!).
Had the 7 seat configuration. Middle row had pilot seats that turned and you could ly the middle and back seats flat to make a full side double bed :-))...
And when ALL the seats were raised, you have a massive load space. Also had roof windows for the 2nd and 2rd row of seats. Had curtains too, so with the "bed" in situ, no one could see what you might, or might not be, up too. If you get my drift!! :-))...
I bought a 94 delica starwagon with 50 k on it a few months ago. Make sure you check all the rubber parts in it, such as hoses, timing belts, brake master etc. If you haven't already. I had to replace a few things due to it being a low mileage older vehicle. The timing belts are most detrimental. Enjoy, I'm enjoying mine. And I enjoy your videos.
It's not just the mileage, ALL the japanese vehicles from the mid 90's are requiring rubber parts. It's the hidden costs of owning this era vehicle. Rad hoses, AC hoses, vacuum hoses, suspension joints, o-rings in every part in the engine and ancillaries. Especially the o-rings. Oh yeah, also ECU capacitors and diodes. Fun, fun, fun!
i used to own a delica just like yours , had it painted military green with some black touches and everybody loves it, the car stayed with our family for 13years never stopped the engine from working efficiently i really really love that car, your video made me miss my old friend
That bullbar is so beautiful. Where i can buy one?
5 speed manual is definately better. It is also faster. The torque converter makes the car pretty slow. My Mitsubishi L300 turbo diesel manual pulls pretty hard with 4th gear compared to the automatic version which i drove once. Also i don't think its making 84 horsepower. The naturally aspirated Diesel version makes 82. The turbodiesel makes ~100hp. Don't take my words though i am not very sure. Also stick shift is WAY more reliable and cheaper to maintain. Thats the main reason that i prefer stick. Also stick is a lot more fun and really connects you with that car.
My dad bought the earlier Mitsubishi L300 brand new in 1983, we drove half way around Australia going on holidays growing up. 4 children growing up, never missed a beat. They are incredibly popular with back packers who want to drive around Australia on a budget. Bullet proof
Imported a Delica about a month ago. What was supposed to be a quick flip has turned into a bit of a love affair. I drive it more than the Cappuccino, Evo II, S4 avant or 996 turbo!
Morning dump squad 🤘
You're a God damn wizard
We had a TV show here in New Zealand, presented by motoring enthusiast Bill Hohepa. He'd take his Delica on proper 4x4 trails. It was such good fun to watch, especially when they decided one day to wrap pies in tinfoil and cook them in the engine bay!
Imagine being picked up in this as an Uber ride. I'd never stop smiling.
I drove one of these around North America in 2009. Vancouver, New York, Key West, San Diego, Vancouver. It broke down in LA (fuel pump) and we were stuck there for 3 weeks while it was fixed using parts from Vancouver.
Now back home in Australia and I own a D5 Delica. Had it 8 years now and still love driving it!
Had an L300 for 10 years. It's actually very capable off road. I have a D5 now - better on the open road, but doesn't have the character of the L300.
Oh! My...
www.vwsyncro.eu/p/vs.html
The Syncro Heresy
try checking out the Delica's from Taiwan, the one's facelifted and are LHD, they are called Mitsubishi Space Gear though. It is fitted with a 4g64, a 2.4 liter inline 4 cylinder engine (the same engine series as the Evo's). The Delica's from Taiwan are only 2WD AFAIK (please correct me if im wrong if anybody knows), and I think you wont be needing 4WD if youre only going to use it for airport taxi's and besides, it has more power. And having to own and drive a Delica from Taiwan, they are great, comfy, powerful, and cold. And a plus is that is has two sliding doors, both left and right side.
Delica is short for delicate carrier. The super exceed trim came with a refrigerator and power shades in the high room windows. The US spec versions were sold a wagon or a van. The van was a panel with crank windows. The wagon came in RS and LS trim. The LS is similar trim to what you have, but only RWD and a 2.4 4g63 8v and 4 speed auto. I have an 89 with 290,000 miles on it.
Heard about this so much on the podcast. Glad to finally see a video of it.
We had 2 of these L300’s growing up. An 88 then a 95 both non-4wd non turbo. They are bulletproof except for rust. This is so cool to see one again.
I have had a few monteros and man do i love that generation of mitsubishi. Back when they build properly stout and luxurious cars and suv's. I love the look of the delica! And the sweet sunroofs that some of them had.
Daily drove a delica for a year and a half. I miss that van so damn much.
You can intercool, up the boost, and put a bigger rad in these to deal with hills and highways.
Such great vans!
I had an 87 Cargo Van and it was by far the most fun driving vehicle I’ve ever owned.
It will power brake for days and the previous owner used it in a couple burnout competitions at racetracks taking 1st, lol!
No mention that the L300 could also come with a factory rear LSD. That you can flip the captains chairs around and sit in any direction ( almost). That the rear " DELICA" lights up on the tail gate with fiber optics. That almost always there is hidden gem's behind the glove box that fall through from its Japan days.The Chamonix is the trim to get, the seat and carpet designs alone are so EPIC. Starlight has problems with electronics. Best to get a high roof no starlight with sliding side windows.
Get a mitsumaple sticker on that thing Matt, make us BC boys proud!
One potential issue with using it as a shuttle is the rear doors, they're on the left side. Curbside pickup will be a bit inconvenient
as dope as the delica is, and make no mistake i think it's dope as hell, i have kind of a hard time imagining VIPs getting into LAX after a long-ass flight and being super psyched about a cloth-seat mitsubishi van. I know it's used for exactly that all over the world, but as Matt said, those are 3rd world countries, and this is L.A.... maybe i'm wrong, but you gotta really hope clients are as into 80s off-beat radness as Matt is for this to work out
Matteo Todisco so far everyone gets it and thinks it’s super cool. I’m offering *free* pickup at LAX for car enthusiasts. No one expects a phantom; something quirky and offbeat but still comfortable, charming and with enthusiast credibility is perfect.
@@TheSmokingTire fair enough matt, and good on ya! i really hope this works out excellently, and if i ever graduate to baller status and move to LA I know where i'm parking my cars. been a subscriber since i was in high school 10 years ago. this channel has literally gotten me through my entire education through my masters! thanks for years of good content man.
Yep - Had a L049 Pajaro for 15 yrs - Will go anywhere, pass nothing - Use Rotella Synthetic and make sure you supplement your diesel every few tanks to keep the saals in the diesel pump fresh and you will be good for years..... The ULS Diesel does dry out the rubber seals and I think all of the 4D56 pumps had rubber seals..
3th gen Delica was used at my school as a kids' carrier to the swimming pool or PE at the local stadium. In a small town in the eastern part of Poland in the 90s it was REALLY something else. It had a gear lever under the steering wheel, unlike any other car I knew and it never ceased to amaze me :D
4th gen (H100) Toyota HiAce Super GL with the 3L turbo diesel (1KZ-TE) > Mitsubishi Delica > Volkswagen Syncro
You got that hierarchy correct! Then comes... (H106) Hiace Super Custom 4WD > Super GL > Delica > Syncro
I have one of the US spec RWD Mitsubishi Van/Wagons. They came with a SOHC 8V 4G64, which has a little more power than the TD, but even I struggle with hills on the freeway and heavy wind. I drove it from Ohio to California, and as long as you're patient, it does fine. It's just a really enjoyable vehicle to drive, and I get a lot of the same reactions you mentioned, which I honestly didn't expect. And like you mentioned, it is actually really comfortable to drive and the driving position feels better to me than most of the other cars I've owned. One thing you didn't mention, and I'm not sure how different it would be on the 4WD versions, but the turning radius is also phenomenal. I had someone at a gas station tell me that in the early 90s they were on the freeway in Colorado during a pretty bad snow storm, and he saw the back end of one of the US spec Vans slowly start to get sideways and gradually it got worse until the two cars beside it got over more towards the berms and the back of the van spun around to the point where it did a complete 360 in the middle of the freeway and afterward the driver just kept driving like nothing had happened.
is a little strange, here in Spain, every Delica has a double side door.
Left hand drive. Also in Taiwan and China.
It’s worth noting it can tow 8000lbs and surprisingly does it REALLY well
I think the Delicas are cool too, but I bought a Vanagon because of the better space in it and because it’s a weekender pop too so I (6’3”) can stand up inside. I stayed away from the synchros though because everything for them costs 50-100% more than the 2WD version which is just because they weren’t as common I guess.
I'm a big fan of the new Delica D:5s I think their just the coolest things.
I love Delica
I finally bought a Delica D:5 2021
It's gorgeous, fuel efficient and it can go off road with 8 passenger snug sleeping
Cheers mate
The headlights look so cute! Wish Mitsubishi had continue it
I have 6 L300s
3 of them being 2.5 turbo diesels (4d56t) (1 of them has a Hyundai d4bf1)
I love the visibility, reliability, fuel economy, and turning circle
so uh... trying to sell one?
Albert Ferreira I’m in UK, sorry
I love these things. If I had one I'd park it at some remote beach somewhere and just chill in that second row while watching the waves crash in.
I bought a JoyPop kei van this fall. Everything you said about loving your Delica is what I feel about my van.
I'm on my second Delica, I first got my L400 Super Exceed, in 2010 and I then in 2019 I bought a D5 G Premium, I'm in the UK so our import laws don't restrict us to vehicles over 25 year's old. Love Delica's
As a owner of a Delica, so cool to see one TST. Mine might be a rust bucket but we love it.
As an owner of the T3 Syncro I have to agree, they're way too expensive even here in Europe. Even though I really like Delica (the pre-facelift model a bit more), I'd also rate them slightly higher off-road but not comfort-wise, the drivetrain design is just a regular truck. Because of that I'd rate the Syncro higher for an airport shutlle - better suspension, more room for passengers, way more baggage space. But I have to admit.... in terms of value for money, Delica is a clear winner, unless you're a rear-engine freak (as me). Great video!
@6:40
“Temp gauge works”
*Shows -27 C as inside temp”
Ssssh he doesnt know what that means
PointlessDrummer the only one I know is that -40 is the same for both C and F
We actually didn’t get the delica here in Oz they are all imported. We got the 2wd versions. I used to drive a petrol auto v6 L400 delica spacewagon with a lift kit made it as high as a truck. They are really cool. Those clusters leak from the sun. They are pretty quick for their size and weight. I’ve been told you can fit a small v8 so an ls swap would probably be the way to go. There’s no way the kms are that low. The one I had came with low really low kms as well and yet it was used as tourist transport .2000 model. I’m pretty sure they change out the cluster or just wind them back. It also came with a sticker on the windscreen it passed its radioactive inspection. Imported after Fukushima happened
Most enjoyable vehicle .. traveling with it likely a dream , you don't get tired of it .
Handling small turns like a champ..
Seats can be turned into a bed ..
12 screws removed and you have a huge space similar to a commercial van .
Its a blast to have .. mine is so rusty , hope I could be able to find a great shop to fix it .
I love 4wd Mitsu vans, some of the coolest off road rigs I've ever seen, with two spares on the back and fully set up for off-roading in Australia.
The best thing (apart from making tea befre5 having a nice comfy lie down) is you can see where you're going instead of looking at the sky when you're cresting a hill!
Sweet ! Never knew about this model.I sold Mitsubishi's in 1995-97 and learned a lot about the company history and vehicles.They are Japan's oldest auto maker.You stated it is based on the Pajero.Not only did you pass The Jeep but you could probably crush it off road.The Pajero won The Dakar rally many times.Though you slowed down on the big hill in it,if it has The Pajero underneath you can probably climb anything.Very cool ride :) ! If the wife takes it away could always go for a Summit,Montero,or Diamante wagon :) !
I remeber these JDM vans being relativiely popular and common sight in the Philippines, even my dad used to have one of those, we were so excited when this van was used for going to the mall every Sunday.
Left hand drive conversion. Same thing in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
It's one of a kind , a 4wd, a van, a People mover. These are very rare model nowadays.
Is this car use 4d56 engine?
and want some more power?
Tune the ve pump..
Add some timing and adjust governor/fuel screw...
In my country this car pretty much undestructable (we got 4d56 non turbo engine)
Anddd thic car is profen to haul almost 2ton (~4000lbs)
We've had an L400 in the family for 13 years or so. Bought it when it had 140000 km and sold it on 600000+ mark. Super reliable thing.
My l300 rwd has 450k miles on it and tows 5000kgs every day, very strong
You are absolutely right about it charm. I’m in Toronto, I saw the Delica on road 2 days ago.... hence why I’m here.
Great Review
Im from NZ and have owned 3 L300's and due to our weather conditions for half a year (coastal and rainy) they rust out like no ones business. very rare to find one this tidy.
Saw this car in the parking lot at my office in Culver City! Had no idea
it was Matt's, it was the exact spec and license, wish i would have saw him. Took a picture of it there soo
badasss
We had the same engine on our old L200 and it was VEERRRYYY slow. But it wouldn't overheat or break down, ever. Although now that I think about it, it had a tiny intercooler under the hood scoop.
I was on a trip to the west coast of canada and saw these everywhere for the first time in my life. They were all kitted up for different levels of camping and i wanted all of them.
this is correct! When i was in my homeland of Vietnam, i was picked up by this vehicle! Then as the years went on, those big mercedes shuttle vans took over
syncros have pop tops and a kitchen + living amenities installed thats why they cost 2-3x what a delica costs. to outfit the delica or to buy one outfitted like a syncro would cost a lot more
Oh! My...
www.vwsyncro.eu/p/vs.html
The Syncro Heresy
@@HellenicVanagonTheSyncroHeresy you should have just linked the video lol ua-cam.com/video/cItneeXwFGM/v-deo.html
Ah I love these old Mitsubishis. Have had a bunch of L200, L300, and Pajeros with the 4d5x engines - and even some Hyundais with the "copycat engine" d4bh. They're so simple to work on, I could probably rebuild a head and replace the timing and balance belts blindfolded. Pretty much indestructible as long as you maintain them and don't rev them to hell.
Yep, I so agree! I love my 93. I owned 2 90's Vanagons in my life-time and these little Japanese vans are so much more reliable than the VWs. I put the Bilsteins on mine too, quite an improvement! Nice video and continue enjoying your Delica!
The Delica was never sold new in Australia by Dealers. It was a (Grey Import) here. We had the L300 Van and the 2WD Starwagon people mover.
Cap the pressure release valve on the intake plenum, get a cheap boost tap wind it to the max, straight pipe the exhaust, you will see a massive performance boost haha. Then when you get board with that power, find a nice small inter cooler i mounted mine in the factory air filter compartment with a fan for better air flow, get a exaust temp sensor and gauge, then you can fiddle around with the injector pump for even more fun. ps get a bigger turbo for even more lols
Great video! Have an '86 L300 Manual exceed in Australia and I love it. get a lot of people that come and ask about it
Awesome! Have exactly the same Delica here in NZ. Do take it off road regularly, it's tougher then you think. Mine has over 220.000 km's on it, no major issues in 10 years of ownership. Second car is a 987 Porsche Cayman S, does everything the Delica doesn't, and vice versa...
I put on almost 45,000klm touring Canada in the first year I owned my Delica. I got it with 75,000klm on the od and sold it at 160,000klm for what I bought it for. Fully loaded, it would do 100km/h on flat roads.
Favourite car of Russian hunters and fishermens back in the 90s. It had great offroad performance and you can put a lot of friends and stuff in it.
Matt, If you want a second slice of the JDM 4WD van goodness, check out the Toyota Hiace Super Custom 4WD. If you can find a 3.0 litre turbo-diesel from '95 onwards they are the ones to get. You'll be able to tow a trailer up a hill at 100kph. I know what you mean about the second row seating - that is truly VIP lounging space.
In my country is known as L300 and is available with manual transmission only. Yes, is a good family hauler. Great video
Grew up with one of these in NZ. We had the Safari kit with a microphone jack in the center console, in gold with brown interior. Handled dirt roads good too.
I either missed Matt mentioning the mpg or the mpg isnt good enough to make it worth mentioning. Quick google search lists only 20 mpg which is surprisingly low for a 4 cyl diesel. Not terrible but not great
My brother got a Delica a few months ago, his is just like that one, except his has the panoramic moon roof...
Such a cool feature
I had a 1995 base spec L300 delivery van and I hated the damn thing. It had a 5 speed column shifter and the 2.5 litre normally aspirated diesel engine. It was gutless, a heavy (black)smoker and rattled like it was going to fall apart. The van only had 90,000km on it. I traded the van in for a 1998 Hyundai H100 which was based on the L300 but with a far more modern dash and though the engine was also based on the same 2.5 litre lump, it was way more willing to rev and the power was more usable.
That said, if I had the opportunity to have had the higher spec Delica like Matt's, I'd probably sing a much different tune.
Those big wheels are slowing you down some I reckon. My buddy's parents had one of these in the 90's. We took it on many rock climbing trips from San Diego to Joshua Tree. His was a 5 speed however and it had normal car size tires. It didn't like hills (had to drop to fourth) but we did better than 80kph over the San Diego freeway hills, and it seemed to accelerate a bit better too.
They have all kinds of Delicas in Taiwan, even pick-up truck varieties which I've never seen before back in Aus. In Taiwan they were made by local Mitsubishi manufacturer China motor company or CMC so some are badged with this without Mitsubishi badges. They're are also quite popular in Australia but as the commercial box van which is called that Mitsubishi Express that comes with a 2.4l petrol engine and was made sold new pretty much unchanged until 2013. It was popular because it was cheapest van on the market. In one of my jobs back in 2011 I had to drive a brand new one and it was surprisingly fun to drive in the twisty roads with a gearbox that would take flat shifting and light weight for a van that is.
Oh! My...
www.vwsyncro.eu/p/vs.html
The Syncro Heresy
It's about time a review for these things. I've always loved Delicas. Especially the rounded body style just after this one here. Funny thing is Mitsubishi still makes these things. Try researching a modern Delica. They are like frigging space ships. !
Yes big shoutout to Coombs Country Auto. Been there a few times for stuff for my JDM Legacy B4, some parts and a ECU re-map. They've always been super good for parts, including just a wall of Delicas along the fence line of the grounds in case Matt and others need something. (not a ad, gotta give credit where credit is due)
Bro get the glass roof and do the electric darkening mod. If it really becomes a problem with the power just up the boost. It’s a shop car, love it
Love them old school JDM vans
A customer at my store comes through the drivethrough in an 88 Delica "Space Gear" with the intercooled 2.5 turbo-diesel.
SUPER cool car and turns all the heads. Watch him switch chairs to get his order is a coold touch too
@Steve Sherman well, after doing some google searches, dont know why i thought it was an 88, it was definitely 94-96 anyways, i distinctively remember seeing it say "Space Gear" and "intercooled" om the side. So i guess it must be a 2.8L. Owner's a cool guy, said it wss actually his wife that convinced him to get it, and it was $10,500 CAD for the car, but insurance was $7k+ for the first year. Doesnt sound that worth it to me, then again could just be Ontario insurance (pretty sure we have the worst rates Canada)
Oh! My...
www.vwsyncro.eu/p/vs.html
The Syncro Heresy
That’s a cool JDM. vintage time 🧢 capsule. Happy wife van life 👍
Matt: “Oh look a cop. Fortunately I’m in a small vehicle.”
Jared Richardson “slow vehicle”
lol, I thought I heard small too. I was like???? Slow makes more sense.
@@TheSmokingTire
what about modding the diesel, like what they do with Mercedes om606 diesels over in Europe, essentially turning it into what they call a "superturbodiesel?" Not sure if anyone has played with a mitsu diesel for more power, although i think they've modded pajero diesels in Australia. Not sure though. Since it's fine the way it is for most situations, just slightly mod it for say an extra 70 hp just so it could get out of its own way when you have passengers. Then again, since you're modding it, nothing wrong with a 300 hp turbodiesel Delica to go offroad in ;).
9:36 "small vehicle"
@@DiscoFang Yep. He said small alright. Good work
What a cool van. I’ve always loved these. Thanks for the great video Matt.
I know you're over it but, I miss your One Takes....
Still, I hope you're successful in everything you do, Matt.
Party On!
Oh, yeah... Love the Delica.
I'm currently looking for a late 60s Ford/Chevy/Dodge van to put on my C4 Corvette chassis. (That'll be fun.)
This is better then an VW T3 Synchro:
It has:
- solid rear axle
- low range
- some models have a LSD Diff on the rear axle
- Hub Locks
This is a proper Offroad Vehicle
Beautiful Delica my man! Best van of all time ❤️
I'm holding out for another year or 2 till the power steering and fuel injected mitsu bravos are eligible for import. Basically the mini/kei and gas powered versions of these. Same as you say this is based off pajero architecture, the bravo shares the much smaller turbo inline 4 of the pajero mini. Has the majority of the same trim options as well; 4wd (but no hi/lo sadly), glass 'super aero roof' that I believe has fiber optic backlit text same as some trims of l300s have in the tailgate light where it says delica, 'super arrange seating' (swiveling chairs), the works. Down to 63hp per kei regulations, but that might be plenty considering they're barely over a ton..
I really want a Delica D:5, even in the UK where we can import what we want, you rarely see them on the road.
There's one in my area in the UK, and my area is really hilly.
@@codevoid4238 Is it one like the L300 in video?
The new D:5 is based on the previous generation Outlander.
i wonder if you'll ever go with a Cummins Repower. probably not, but doubling your horsepower and tripling your torque is tempting, especially since that engine would have cleaner emissions and probably be more fuel efficient too.
Best video yet..wanted one of these forever!!
I literally laughed out loud so many times during this video. It is *so* true that everyone wants to get pictures and talk about these things!
I have an automatic diesel Crystal-lite Super Exceed. It's excellent - I use it for rural mail delivery lol
Omg that thing is the coolest looking vehicle I've seen in years! I'm dead set on getting a Aztek but this is an easy second place. I would engine swap it but I Love it!
I love those things. I don't know why but I always have.
We have put a few miles on Delicas. They are a fun van. From the beach to Death Valley.
5:40 That red AUDI A4 driver though... no turn signals, no clear decision in which lane he wants to go... TRIGGERED
Welcome to shit drivers
Don't come to Cali if that bothers you. He is one of the good drivers. Turn signals are for letting the other car next you know to speed up. No one lets you in in LA or any big city. Try a signal in NYC, good way to spend 20 minutes on the curb.
@@gmurf5599 dude come to midwest blinkers do not exist. My state is in top 10 worst states for drivers in the country and we dont have NYC or LAs excuse of being overpopulated
Great to see the Delica after hearing so much about it on the podcast.
No mention of the mirrors? The convex mirrors make it super easy to drive/park in tight spots. I had one down in Chile for a few years, except for highway driving, that thing was AWESOME. Love it, nice work Matt!