Modification for our trip to Canada

[yojimbo]

To be fair, you only need a different inverter if you buy kit in NA that doesnt have a new PSU that tend to work on a broad range of 110-240, like kettles and such. Everything you currently have will work.

[kamil]

To be fair, you only need a different inverter if you buy kit in NA that doesnt have a new PSU that tend to work on a broad range of 110-240, like kettles and such. Everything you currently have will work.

I am not sure what do you mean? Why I need different inverter? Our works well with electric stuff which we have/battery chargers, laptop, .../.

[yojimbo]

Inverter and Microwave lovely, no cooking dinner in the rain and mosquitos. But you need a 220 inverter for Australia, but a 110 volt output in North America, so maybe wait till you get here and have Jay install one.

Since you've been travelling you probably already have an inverter that runs all your kit, no need for a new one.

[FalcoColumbarius]

We had problems with deep ruts in Russia. Sometimes we had to give up to drive somewhere just because some parts of track were muddy and ruts were to deep.

Kamil, you mentioned your concern with deep wheel ruts and high centring. One thing to remember, one of those simple points that is very easy to overlook (I know from personal experience) ~ it does not matter how high a lift you get, your axles will still be in the same place. If you put bigger tyres on then you might buy yourself an inch or so but that is all. So if you are getting high centred because of deep wheel ruts with your two inch lift kit and you decide to put a six inch lift on.... when you go through the same patch you're still going to high centre because the axles are still going to be in the same place between the wheels.

Falco.

[yojimbo]

True fact! Lifts are only good for ramp over.

[kamil]

I was thinking to put bigger tires with lift/33-35/, which will give us more clearance, but as you say, that logging roads are OK, we will not lift Delica more.
I have seen photos from one member of forum and roads are very nice, scenery even better..like a paradise. You are lucky people.

[del400]

Don't worry, we'll take you around. Lots to see.

[Manitoba deli]

We'd be more than happy to meet up with you as you pass through Manitoba. We have some nice lakes in the Riding Mountain National Park, and the Duck Mountain Provincial Park. There is also Lake Dauphin which is only minutes from our home, and usually has good pickerel (walleye) fishing. (we have a private area of beach that is accessible with a stock l400 most of the time.

Jason

[thedjjack]

I have put 100,000s of KM on BC logging roads for work (active and deactivated) mostly in 3/4 ton pickups with no lift but good tires...

A stock L400 with good tires will take you anywhere you want to go and few roads will take you from sea level to alpine. (my L300 is lifted only to put bigger tires due to 5 speed gearing)

It is nice to have a VHF radio to communicate with industrial traffic (however most areas if you drive slow and stay to your side you will be respected). Coast areas use OFF-HIGHWAY trucks (16 feet wide).

Having a handsaw to clear trees that blow down is very useful (chainsaw to big for Delica). Wind can come up and blow trees across behind you.

Backroads Map Books (digital or paper) showing roads and camping, fishing, hot-springs, boating, hiking areas are MUST HAVES

Two tires are nice or a really good patch kit plus spare (In work trucks I carry two)

Jackall only useful if you have bumpers can take it and being taken out of work trucks due to injuries (but useful jack if used right)

You can also stop in at the "woodlands office" of forestry companies and get information about industrial traffic in area, roads, camping, areas of interest, things to see in an area...

Tow strap is handy to get pulled out or pull someone else out...

Window screen, bug spray, and be Bear Aware

Drive slow, headlights on, watch for approaching dust clouds, follow industrial traffic up busy roads, leave cattle gates in position found, and enjoy...

[kamil]

It looks like we have everything what we will need in Canada. We just have to buy window screens and I will fit new set of tires before we go. I think BFG AT will be a good choice.

Can you just advice what type of block heater we should instal?

[thedjjack]

bug screen you can just buy a roll and duct tape it to van or use magnets to hold it...

I have slider windows so I have string hold it in the gap around the window (I do not think the L400 ever had the sliders?)

[Manitoba deli]

You will only need a block heater if you are going to be in Canada during the winter. If this is the case, you will want an element type that fits in a 40mm frost plug. If you are putting one in, it might be beneficial to have one mailed out to you from Canada, so that it is the right voltage (110Volt) and plug for when in Canada. They are around $35 cdn. If you need, I'd be happy to send one out to you, but keep in mind you'll only need it if you are here when the temperatures are colder than -15 or-20 degrees Celsius, and you have to be somewhere there is electricity to plug it in. For camping or being in remote areas, you would be far better off with a webasto coolant heater, or espar coolant heater, they are costly here in Canada, but more reasonably priced on your side of the ocean.

Jason

[kamil]

You will only need a block heater if you are going to be in Canada during the winter. If this is the case, you will want an element type that fits in a 40mm frost plug. If you are putting one in, it might be beneficial to have one mailed out to you from Canada, so that it is the right voltage (110Volt) and plug for when in Canada. They are around $35 cdn. If you need, I'd be happy to send one out to you, but keep in mind you'll only need it if you are here when the temperatures are colder than -15 or-20 degrees Celsius, and you have to be somewhere there is electricity to plug it in. For camping or being in remote areas, you would be far better off with a webasto coolant heater, or espar coolant heater, they are costly here in Canada, but more reasonably priced on your side of the ocean.

Jason

I am not sure about our time schedule yet, but I think winter is not the best time to camp in Canada. Do I understand correctly, that block heater is the same as Webasto/Eberspacher/ water heater? We are planning to have Eberspacher water heater fitted for our trip to winter Russia. We already have air heater and we love it.

[Manitoba deli]

If you are having the eberspacher heater installed to heat the engine coolant, then yes this is all you need. A block heater is an electric element installed in the engine block and warms the engine by heating the coolant. The webasto and espar heaters available here do a much better job because they circulate the coolant as they heat it. They run on 12Volt battery power and diesel fuel from the vehicle. They are very efficient. Hopefully this clears up your questions.

Jason

[kamil]

If you are having the eberspacher heater installed to heat the engine coolant, then yes this is all you need. A block heater is an electric element installed in the engine block and warms the engine by heating the coolant. The webasto and espar heaters available here do a much better job because they circulate the coolant as they heat it. They run on 12Volt battery power and diesel fuel from the vehicle. They are very efficient. Hopefully this clears up your questions.

Jason

Thank you.
Webasto heaters are common here. I just did not know, how exactly block heater works. Everything is clear to me, now.