The Begining
On September 24/09 I became a member of Delica.ca on the basis that I loved these vans after seeing a few on my travels around BC, mainly the Island, and I really wanted to know more about them. Plus I was tired of creeping as a guest and drooling over all the neat stuff people were doing to them and with them.
Finally after MUCH persuading of the better half I put my first inquiries in to Mardy at Amazing Autos on January 26/11 . The list I gave him of what I was looking for was long and somewhat unrealistic now looking back, but he listed the pros and cons of owning both an L300 and an L400. After the discussion it was decided that an L400 was the one for me and my newly expanding family. Well as most of you know I am not the most patient person in the world (which is funny as I am an Elementary teacher) and after browsing all the incoming vehicles from all the vendors I found the perfect one. It just appeared one day and seemed to tick almost all of the boxes on the unrealistic checklist I made and it was Mardy that was importing it. Here it is:
http://www.delica.ca/forum/94-delica-l4 ... 10212.html
Here are the only photos I had to go on until it arrived:
- Our new baby 2.jpg (55.03 KiB) Viewed 7479 times
- Our new baby.jpg (53.51 KiB) Viewed 7479 times
Since the down payment had gone through without a hitch now began the waiting game. Now just in case you forgot, there was a giant tsunami that destroyed Japan that as luck would have it was right around the time my dream van was in transit. I was worried to say the least. Luckily my van had already been on the ocean when the wave hit so nothing to worry about. Seemed to take forever though. After pestering Mardy weekly for updates on the arrival I finally received a date to fly out and pick it up. April 1/11. Yes April fools day.
So I flew out and Mardy picked me up at the airport for my first ever ride in a Delica- not mine but another just the same. So wierd to be a passenger on the other side of the vehicle. After signing my life away I was finally able to begin the trek home. It was surprisingly easy driving on the other side, and I became quite good at it by about the 1000 km mark. A little sketchy driving through a snowstorm on the Coquihala but I made it! The vehicle was now home to it's new adopted family.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/mardy-allen- ... 10563.html
Well, now that you all know the backstory I can get to the many small and big mods and issues I had. Here is a copy of my maintenance log that I created for this vehicle. I got the idea from my wifes grandfather who kept meticulous records for his truck before he passed away. I have also included a blank for anyone who wants to start their own:
As you can tell from it I have been very busy, and spent alot of money getting it to where it is today. I have learnt several lessons, some hard and others like the willingness of other members and vendors to help get things right. Without some of the members on this forum and some of the vendors here I would have lit it on fire and drove it off the nearest bridge, probably with myself still inside. But it did work out, and for that I thank you all, you know who you are
. Here are some links to some of my upgrades, fixes, and other bits and bobs:http://www.delica.ca/forum/abs-brake-li ... 10581.html
Light still on - screw it. If you need ABS you are not driving properly anyways.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/first-bonehe ... 10871.html
Never fixed it- Keep it as a battle scar and a reminder to shoulder check and not be an idiot!
http://www.delica.ca/forum/piaa-super-4 ... 11251.html
Fixed it myself. Needed a new bulb as a wire was burned through. Then had a shop run it into the side of a lift. Crazy glue still holding!
http://www.delica.ca/forum/i-need-help- ... 11696.html
Spent many an hour fiddling with this little POS. Kind of got it licked now thanks to help from a few friends on here.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/sprucing-up- ... 11539.html
Loved this one. Took lots of time but it sure turned out pretty.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/advice-neede ... 12024.html
This one was major heart ache thanks to a miss diagnosis (was told it was the PS pump, actually IP pump was leaking diesel) but Mardy helped me out HUGE! Thanks again.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/exhaust-leak-help-12570.html
Still got it, not as bad as winter though. Not dead yet so it must be OK.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/how-to-repla ... 12816.html
How to. Thanks to the UK site for walking me through it and I just provide the Canadian translation
http://www.delica.ca/forum/polishing-an ... 12849.html
Started and then said screw it! Decided to powder coat instead and I think I like it better.
Anyways, there is lots more but these were the highlights. Now to the pictures of my Inglorious Bastard now!
. Will post pics from the trip when I get home.
Have seen about 10 including one stuck in the middle of a pack of Porches this morning on my way to the ferry, but no waves. Is the Deli-wave dead or what? Revive it because I feel like a twat when I wave and just get a weird look!