Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club | Old member, tough decisions - comparion between L300 & L400

So, this posh L400, what about computer modules. I love my LACK of Computer Crap in L300. L400 stuff such as Shift on fly, temperature digital readers for heaters and ac; more power; etc -- sounds like computer modules. I like the basic fixability of the TardisDeli. Christine.

actually there are a few more modules but they are not integrated = easy to fix.

shift on the fly is mechanical, engine/ip, etc... all mechanical just like the L300.

only the temp controls are not.

Oh Jesse, its easy

Keep the 300, sell the 400's , and the wife.........then buy a dog.

Dilema averted

NEXT !

I've heard the L400s are still mainly mechanical (which is good) however I doubt the parts availability worldwide is anywhere near as good, keep in mind that the L300 was available everywhere on the planet (except for Antarctica and Canada it appears) and was produced for many decades.
I'm not sure which of the 2 I would choose for myself, but I do know that if I was planning on travelling much outside the country I would definitely want the L300 not the L400.

We plan on driving down past central america shipping container chile/brazile, back up.

I have contacts in all the countries we are visiting and I have confirmed parts availability is greater on our version of the L400 which has been rebranded in south america by mazda and hyundai of which there are tons of them. I was show online parts catalogue/friends went to local parts suppliers,etc...

With that said, eventhough the parts availability is by far better for the L400 in central/south America, I did not think for one second that I would be driving an L400 down.

I'm now back to driving turtle (l300 poptop) and I'm torn between both.

There are so many mechanical advantages the L400 has over the L300. One important thing for me is also the approach angle. It's literally 27 degrees more advantage on the L400 over the L300. That's huge when you approach a ditch/crossing, etc... which we will be doing lots of.

When it comes to asthetics, well, you guys know my opinion. I can't stand the L400. But there are two people in our family and the other would like to drive.

Spacewise inside, the LWB is nice.

Outside, underneath, the storage capacity is amazing.

In the one space where I can fit my 70L veg tank on the L300, on the L400 I can fit that tank, plus a 35L water tank, a 10L air tank and a 2 footx2 foot tool box. All tucked underneath and you would barely see the tips of them. That storage capacity underneath the L400 is a big big plus. That means less weight up top and more capacity inside.

Either way, it's all good. Both of them are unique and exceptional.

Nothing if not thorough.......

Right on!

Jesse,

All kidding aside, go with what you know.

Sure it would be great to have the space for extra cargo ( and peace of mind) but that being said , the advantage of the Turtle is the history and the knowledge you have that you have been all over it and the kinks worked out. Not to mention the safety aspect having Maryna with you.

I'd spend a little longer getting to know the L400 and address any unforseen hickups that may arise in the early stages ( if any)

It would be a good excuse to go back next year or on a second pilgrimage wit a fully gone over worked in L400 tailored mechanically to your usual high standard.

Lets face it, even if you did decide to roll the trip with one of those Steroid Godzilla's you'll always have that not quite relaxed butt cheek clench, kinda like the one I get heading up the Coq in my L300 every time.

Good luck

wow ... what a luxurious choice...
i loved quickly reading this thread and seeing the support you have....

i have only a couple points to add, however I have not seen a L400 yet, except for pictures on here

- finding parts for the 4D56 while traveling in the US and Mexico, even though there are some of those out there, was not favourable so having the research and the knowing of L400 parts does sound like a definite bonus, but you not going to have any mechanical problems anyway and if you do gratitude for the adventure it brings as it builds character. And there are people here to support you to getting you back, i know.

- after living in my deli for the last year now, the ability to just pop the top and sleep without having to clean up your clothes, move stuff into the front seat or sleep on it all is HUGE!!! Let me say that again HUGE!!! as I type this while sitting on some of my crap now as I am parked in a lot in south San Francisco.

- fuel mileage? i dont know your vehicles all that well and there was some mention of WVO. but it is a long way to SA and that is f tonne of fuel, so extra kudos to the one that is most efficient for sure.

- lastly ... i believe someone else said it .. I think the Turtle deserves this .

peace dude.

PS either way whatever choice you make it is still going to be super cool journey.

Really!

Would this be at stock height?
By looks I figured the L3 had better approach angles.
If so, that's another plus on my list.

-Isaac

Measured with an angle meter and alu straight edge.

Approach angle on Turtle is 35 degrees from bottom front tire edge to front/bottom edge of bullbar.

Approach angle on the LWB L400 I have is 56 degrees from bottom front tire edge to front/bottom edge of bullbar.

Turtle is lifted very high compared to a stock L300 so I would guess that both L300 and L400 in stock format/height, the approach angles will differ % greater than my readings.

Between the two I have, that's a 21 degree difference. May not seem like much on paper but in the real world-ditch crossing areas, it's a huge difference.

It's really a toss up. There are many things I prefer on Turtle that the L400 LWB doesn't have and vice versa.

We just took everything from each Delica, made a list based on our needs and functionality.

In the end the LWB L400 won out.

Now if I was single, Turtle would have won without question. But because we are travelling in a pair and both people need to be happy and comfortable, the L400 LWB suits the two of us together better for long-range travelling.

I really wish we could keep both. Believe me. I put a lot into Turtle. Actually, into every JDM I've owned. But realistically, we can't keep both. One would sit unless we go camping and insuring two vehicles to use one 90% of the year and the other 10% of the year doesn't make sense unless we are lottery winners.

So there y'all have it.

As far as being familiar with either.. I'm a car guy and always loved vehicles.

The whole drivetrain L400 I'm very familiar with because the whole package is a Montero underneath which is what I used to own.

The engine is no different than the 2.5 Higher output but same mechanical IP, lines, plugs, etc...
A few minor variances, but nothing to sneeze at.

I'm comfortable no matter what I own/drive. The L400 makes Maryna happy and she feels safer driving it than the 5spd L300. That alone makes my days more enjoyable. Small price to pay.

Haaaaaaaa, that approach angle isn't as bad as it seems, just check this out : (sorry, can't figure why it doesn't put the video directly?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrZp_7uJonI

The approach angle on Turtle is great. I've used the bottom of the bullbars as slippery sliding tools.

The L400 just has a better approach angle.




This is what I plan on doing ... bar along the same lines so it opens up the front wheels to any terrain.







who is that mystery man cloaked in white ?

I like that 2nd picture, not as fancy as the last one but just as good if not better.

I haven't had issue with my approach angle yet, scraped the bottom a few time but didn't get stopped. It doesn't take a genius to figure the 400 will have a better angle since the front wheels are more forward but as long as people get out to play that's what really matter isn't it?

great minds think alike

This seems like a good place to ask.

Going to buy a Delica this year. Just deciding which one. A L300 or L400. Checked out a couple L300's at Samurai Trucks and the wife just loved them. But after checking online and seeing the LWB 400 with the starlite roof. WOW that's cool. We both hate the looks of the L4 of course but for everyday soccer mom use (this would be it's primary purpose in life ) it looks like a winner. The more room for family holidays the better.

Most of my questions have been answered reading theis thread except mileage. How does the new one compare to the old??
Also engine mods on each. What are the common horsepower fixes on each unit that doesn't affect reliability?
What are the common mechanical failures to each also?
Is the fuel pump (high pressure) on the L400 mechanical?
Which one is easier to work on? From pictures it looks like the L4. Just remove the CAC to access the LHS of the engine. Am I wrong?


Waiting for answer's so I can put in my order. Really no bad choices as far as I can see.