A 1989 Vanwagon for your amusement

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 8:49 pm

teamtestbot wrote:My understanding is that many things from the engine compartment forward, including the engine mounts, bumper assembly, and suspension crossmembers, were modified specifically for the US market Van & Wagon and are not interchangeable.

As far as I can tell the van/wagon wasn't specially modified for the US market, it's just based on the 2WD L300 chassis which is different to the 4WD chassis in those areas. Which means if you buy 2WD Delica parts from overseas (or find an imported 2WD Delica) those parts should fit just fine.

ELPATO · Post by **ELPATO** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 11:08 am

So technically these Vanwagon's are simply 2wd L300's? After some online searching...I'm pretty sure this is the part that my van is missing...makes for some warm driving conditions...I found this pictured part on UK Ebay...however I may be running into the LHDrive...RHDrive issue...anyone have a line on a LHD one of these?

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 1:04 pm

Fair point, the LHD/RHD difference complicates things in some areas. Still, European/LHD Asian market L300s should have parts that fit too.

originalkwyjibo · Post by **originalkwyjibo** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 2:12 pm

Growlerbearnz wrote:As far as I can tell the van/wagon wasn't specially modified for the US market,

US spec mods were concerning installation of our big ugly bumpers. There is an additional extension/reinforcement welded to the end of the frame rails extending into the plastic bumper covers.

ELPATO wrote:Spotted this van the other day...I assume another Starwagon...couldn't figure out the LS..

If you have a US spec van it is not a Starwagon and the LS on the other van pictured is a trim level usually indicating something along the lines of"Luxury Sport".

ELPATO wrote: I was curious if anyone has swapped our gas engines for a diesel engine that they run in Delica's?

I spoke with Combs County(sp?) regarding the diesel swap a few years ago and it is no easy task involving floor and firewall panel retrofitting unfortunately.

ELPATO wrote: It appears my van is missing the cover sheet metal for the battery area...would be great to get a picture of what the stock setup was like...

[/quote]
That would definately make for a toasty ride. I currently have the engine covers off of one of my vans. I'll try to take a couple pics tonight.

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 3:06 pm

originalkwyjibo wrote: US spec mods were concerning installation of our big ugly bumpers. There is an additional extension/reinforcement welded to the end of the frame rails extending into the plastic bumper covers.

Ah, that bit. We got that in 1999 when they put similar ugly bumpers on our 2WD vans. Something about not amputating your legs in a head-on crash.

ELPATO · Post by **ELPATO** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:41 pm

Thanks for the input @ orinalkwyjibo
I see you are in the WA area...any secret part spots up that way? I've found my missing body part on the UK Ebay however I think its all turned around because of LHD/RHD...Yes..not having the part is making for some rather warm driving conditions :) Thats too bad a diesel conversion is out of the question on these van wagons...my petrol seems to be doing alright but still working out the kinks with my new ride. New shocks and a New Timing Belt are next on the list of To do's...

teamtestbot · Post by **teamtestbot** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 8:09 pm

That battery cover looks exactly like mine, which is a USDM model. It's bilaterally symmetric so should work fine.

I have indeed been haunting eBay for 2WD international L300 parts. Incidentally, I just got this JDM cupholder center console today! Drop-in fit, was in and out in 5 minutes.

ELPATO · Post by **ELPATO** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 9:40 pm

Thanks for the info and the pic....I like the comfy cover on that console...mine does not have that feature. Trying to find the battery cover part in the States...the one in the UK is expensive with shipping.

originalkwyjibo · Post by **originalkwyjibo** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 11:54 pm

Been busy getting a camping trailer roadworthy for an upcoming trip and completely forgot about this. These vans pop up for sale up here on occasion but I haven't seen one in a wrecking yard in a long time.

ELPATO · Post by **ELPATO** » Mon Jan 23, 2017 8:44 pm

Thats the part...Thanks for the pics! I've been looking at Pick n Pulls locally...but no part vans to be found. A camping trailer that will be pulled behind the Van? I know of guy in the Seattle area thats making hightop conversions for old VW Vanagons....Anyone know of an outfit making hightops for our rigs? El Pato has been getting insulated lately and will laying down a new floor soon...will post some pics once were all back together!

originalkwyjibo · Post by **originalkwyjibo** » Tue Jan 24, 2017 12:18 am

ELPATO wrote:A camping trailer that will be pulled behind the Van?

What with the wife and four kids, the 26 ft trailer will be pulled with the F-350 crewcab. There was a guy on the forum that modified a full-size hightop to fit his Delica. Maybe try searching "hightop" and see what comes up.

teamtestbot · Post by **teamtestbot** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 7:59 pm

Alright, now that I have my ＪＤＭ　ＣＵＰＨＯＬＤＥＲ I am selling the old center console.

Here's the link! http://www.ebay.com/itm/172501104822?it ... m=&vxp=mtr

ELPATO · Post by **ELPATO** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 6:57 pm

Hi All..
What would be wearing in my fuel tank system to allow for a slight fume smell in the cabin. Its a pretty subtle gas fume smell...I changed the fuel filter recently but there is no visual signs of a fuel leak...Any thoughts?

Thanks!

teamtestbot · Post by **teamtestbot** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 12:15 pm

Check your fuel vapor trap (charcoal canister) and the fuel injector O-rings. The last time I had a fuel smell, it was a dead obvious O-ring failure once unearthed. It began as a faint smell at stoplights and progressed to open-windows only before I found it. Because the injectors are inside the intake manifold valley, they are hard to observe unless the driver's seat underbracing is removed.

If it is the injectors, I have a cheat code to remove them quickly without unbolting the intake.

ELPATO · Post by **ELPATO** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:13 pm

Thanks for the input...this may in fact be the issue...will check it out tomorrow...I was looking over my fuel tank diagram in the manual but can't locate the "vapor trap" you are talking about...I see the vapor hose #8 connected to a two way valve #11...Are you talking about the valve? You description of the failed O ring sounds spot on with what I'm experiencing. On my drive home this evening...I've also noticed a slight rough idle once up to temperature...especially in stop/Go traffic...it almost has a retarded timing feel or an exhaust leak. But no loss of power and even under highway load up an incline...the bus just goes...Does this rough idle once warmed up sound familiar at all? I used to run old VW's back in the day....only carb engines...so this is my first dealings with Fuel Injection...I've been reading up on the manual but any advice or tools for troubleshooting the FI system? Also curious how a cheat code works?