My quest for a proper Delica here in the USA!!

[DR1665]

Don't let him sway you on lights or crystal light roof :) I replaced my feeble projectors with a set of Hellas no problem, and I busted one of the roof windows on mine (stupid accident, don't ask) and had it replaced the same day. Rust is an issue though, so most likely will have to deal with it, or a previous owner will already have.

Having said that, we have a place down near Tucson and go back and forth (should be heading back next April) so if you are interested in having one delivered, let me know :)


Cheers
Nathaniel

No worries, Nathaniel. Much obliged.

First, I can't express enough how much I appreciate Jack's emphatic points. Considering the frontal-offset crash video I've seen of these things, forward lighting is pretty important. I fully expect the JDM projectors to be like other JDM units I've had in the past - powered with essentially fog light bulbs. It's just that, like you said, upgrading the headlights - something I have to do anyway to be legal in Arizona - isn't going to be an issue.

RightDrive is pretty confident rust won't be a problem. And the price I'll be paying will include delivery to Phoenix (though considering a cross-country road trip as part of the purchase). Things are good thus far. Unless I learn the square headlights are otherwise identical to the facelift models and decide I have to have DELICA NOW! It's gonna be a while.

Thanks, though. If you're passing through Phoenix in your Deli en route to Tucson, I'd love to see one in person!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Just a note from an owner of a '92 model: I have Depo E4 headlamps with H3 bulbs... Great lighting. I've been driving with these headlamps (with the same bulbs) for six years now ~ the love is still there... smiles. I've found them to be very dependable.

Falco.

[DR1665]

Just a note from an owner of a '92 model: I have Depo E4 headlamps with H3 bulbs... Great lighting. I've been driving with these headlamps (with the same bulbs) for six years now ~ the love is still there... smiles. I've found them to be very dependable.

Falco.

Good to know, mate!

Just did a quick Google for "Depo E4 headlamps with H3 bulbs Delica" and got an Ebay UK listing for a set of LHD German Ecodes. £120 for the set. I have it on pretty good account that Germany doesn't allow shitty headlights on their roads, so I bet these would be a bolt-in affair.

Of course, I find myself thinking more and more about the square headlight models now...

[FalcoColumbarius]

Just a note from an owner of a '92 model: I have Depo E4 headlamps with H3 bulbs... Great lighting. I've been driving with these headlamps (with the same bulbs) for six years now ~ the love is still there... smiles. I've found them to be very dependable.

Falco.

Good to know, mate!

Just did a quick Google for "Depo E4 headlamps with H3 bulbs Delica" and got an Ebay UK listing for a set of LHD German Ecodes. £120 for the set. I have it on pretty good account that Germany doesn't allow shitty headlights on their roads, so I bet these would be a bolt-in affair.

Of course, I find myself thinking more and more about the square headlight models now...

As far as the E codes go, E4 is the Netherlands, Germany would be E1. All those codes refer to is how the beam is pointed (i.e.; the lens). As far as the quality goes ~ I'm sure that there are poor quality lamps out there that have E1 on them. Strangely, Canada & the US don't have E codes but Canada recognises E codes and I suspect that the US does, as well, especially if they have German made cars in the country.

Out of all the headlamps I've seen on Starwagons, I think that Depo makes one of the better ones. They're made in Taiwan.

Falco.

[DR1665]

Good to know, Falco. Thanks!

Here's a random thought had over the weekend. Suppose I bought a square headlight Delica. How difficult would it be to do the facelift myself? I read through Felix's Dino Evo blog - from start to finish - and came across this picture last week.



Would it be as easy as sourcing the lights, grille, and maybe bull bar separately, then bolting into place?

[Mazdax605]

So my dream of a real Delica may be getting closer to reality. Just last night my contact in Ontario bid, and won on an auction for an 89 Delica for me. Just need to have it shipped to him, and wait until August when the the van will be legal for me to import under the USA 25 year rule. I am very excited! It is the nice two tone blue and white, with the sliding windows, 4 headlamps, turbo diesel, 4wd, automatic, and large moonroof in the passengers area. I wanted the spinning captains seats in the middle row, but this one has the flip-flop bench, but beggars can't be choosers with these in the USA. Low kilometers with only 66,000, so it should be in good shape. Wish me luck in the coming months with regard to getting it here in the USA. I can't wait.

[DR1665]

Good for you, dude. Not far behind you.

EDIT: Come August, I'll be flying into Detroit, driving up to Sarnia to meet a friend, and probably dropping by RightDrive to say hi, maybe check out the odd Delica in person, on my way to Norwalk, Ohio, for the DSM/Evo/GTR Shootout. Once I get my travel plans nailed down, I'll see if I can't meet up with some Delica.ca members in the Toronto area while I'm up that way.

Hope to be driving my own within six months of that.

[Rattlenbang]

I sense a big market opening up in the US.

[DR1665]

I post a picture of a Delica in my Facebook timeline, and half a dozen American Mitsubishi owners go wild.

If I'm going to Hell, I'm going in a Delica.
And considering the direction America seems to be headed, thanks to whackadoo, corporate & religious extremism, these days. I need my Delica sooner than later!

[Mazdax605]

Here is the van I bought. Hope to get more pics soon. I can't wait to get it in the US.

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w51 ... ab0489.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w51 ... 62ae9b.jpg

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w51 ... 3bc000.jpg

[DR1665]

Excellent! Love those wheels. Head looks pretty clean, too. (Better than that red Dodge! Haha)

What does your insurance agent say about coverage? Have you asked yet? Sometimes I wonder about that. Not like the local body shop will be able to easy parts for these if needed, so I'm curious about how they'll rate these things down here.

[Mazdax605]

That head is not from the Delica, but rather an Audi powered 6-cylinder diesel standby generator at work. If you look close you will see the camshaft broken in two places. Not clean in the least. The red Dodge is my old van that I gave to my father a few years ago. The suspension rotted off of the frame last year, and you can see the results.

I have not asked about insurance yet, but I imagine it won't be easy. I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

[DR1665]

That head is not from the Delica, but rather an Audi powered 6-cylinder diesel standby generator at work. If you look close you will see the camshaft broken in two places. Not clean in the least. The red Dodge is my old van that I gave to my father a few years ago. The suspension rotted off of the frame last year, and you can see the results.

I have not asked about insurance yet, but I imagine it won't be easy. I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

Derp. Sorry. Was looking on a tiny phone screen very late at night. Didn't catch that.

Good luck. Rooting for you.

[Erich]

Insurance shouldn't be a problem in the US. I went through my local State Farm which I've had for years. The underwriter had to do a bit of research, but had no problem insuring the car. A bit higher than my 96 Corolla, but that was because the Delica is heavier and they reckoned would damage the other vehicle more in a crash.

[DR1665]

the Delica is heavier and they reckoned would damage the other vehicle more in a crash.

They must not have seen that infamous crash test video from Australia. I've never seen a crash test video that made me nervous about owning a vehicle until then. Crazy.