DeliNut input sought

[mirus]

I’m trying to figure out what model would be best for me, and would love any input you DeliNuts are willing and able to share.

Aside from being a daily driver, one of its uses will be to get out in the bush for some light offroading, and some rough logging roads (although probably not in winter, so no snow). Its other main use will be as a long-distance travel and camping vehicle for three adults, one being my 84 year old mother. Two of us will sleep in the van, and one outside, probably the mom, in a swanky tent set up yet to be devised. It will mostly be her in the back seat, so I want ultra comfort for her.

 It sounds like the front bench seat that comes with the 8 seaters would be preferable to the captain's chairs with their seatbelt and wobbliness issues. Comments?

 Is the length dimension of the interior longer in an 8 seater? I read that the wheel base length is the same, just the seats are configured differently, so I assume that translates to the interior length as well?

 I'm thinking of taking out the rear seat and putting in a sleeping platform over the wheel wells with cargo storage beneath. Depending on length requirements, the platform may need to have a foldable segment at the front end to accommodate the front bench seat, and therefore need to be a custom job. Unfortunately a roof tent wouldn't work for us. A Landcruiser camping kit was mentioned once on this forum. Anyone know if these are adaptable to the Deli?

 The other issue I’d love input on is roof usage. I want some kind of storage (rack or box) but also a solar panel eventually. For these purposes is it best to go with a non-crystal roof, or does it matter? In terms of racks, we wouldn't necessarily need the big aluminum racks that are most commonly seen on the delis. Any kind of extra storage up there would do. I've seen the terms: roof rack, roof crate, roof box, so am trying to get a handle on the options. It needs to be easily removable as i'm a frequent ferry user. I would use it only for long trips when i don't mind paying the over height charges once or twice (assuming high roof model).

 Do the original tires generally need to be changed to be DOT compliant? What’s the standard stock size? Are 30” recommended for the light non-winter off-roading I’ll be doing?

 Do most models generally have rear speakers and FM radio?

Do most models have pop-out rear windows?

 I want to go WVO eventually. Any specs I should look out for to make that easier?

 Also want an awning or van tent eventually. Any specs I should look out for to make that easier?

Gratitude, gratitude. Cheers.

[john clem]

spec sheet (all i have is export versions but shows sizes) sounds like ya need hi top and long body. exceed crystalight star wagon has it all. love it!

[john clem]

http://www.delicaclub.com/load.php?id=2 some spec sheets here under general

[john clem]

http://www.delica.ca/forum/delica-model ... s-857.html just learning about them as had only 2 weeks but looks like you definetly came to the right place. also check australia section. lots of info + pics on this site too. look back in pages + find some informative threads. i'm thinking of changing location (higher) of coolers under front as they look very vulnerable there if your going through washouts etc.

[patty]

ok.so if you get the stock cd deck it will most lickely have fm radio except the frequency is all like in the 60s and 70s, hard to get any real channles if your not in a major city,easily fixed with a new deck or a siruis satellite( i highly recoment,awsome for road trips).Im not possative but i think all models made after 92 have pop outs instead of slidders ,unfortunetly.Then my last little tit bit of info would be watch your spending on the safari rack,they are rediculesly expensive!
hope you like it!

[TardisDeli]

Hello, our usage requirements sound so similar, xcept my mum is 85 years, and stills camps & hikes. We havent modified the deli yet, as only had 2 weeks. Glad we got the captain seats in the rear (and bench in the very rear), as the captain seats have arm rests hence much comfier for passengers as held into chair. We are still debating taking the rear bench out and building in triple fold plywood bed (but that only sleeps 6ft3 spouse Jay and me). Deli too narrow to make a bed across the front seats for my short mum. Maybe a little cot mounted half way up the window, that folds out flat, to be a high level sleep platform for 3rd person, but a bit awkward getting in/out. We have camperized our other van (gmc savannah), and 2 little open-cockpit power boats so we have tried various things (all built by us). our camping is self-contained, no electric plug in, but do use inverters & batteries. don't want to use separate tent outside, but have thought about installing aluminum channel to create side enclosed canopy. Or else create a tent thing that attaches over opened back door, so it has a solid roof and tent walls. Still seems a bit cruel to chuck 85 year old mum outdoors though, what would the neighbours say. Would love to brainstorm. If you are near Burnaby, come visit and see the previous builds. Cheers, Christine.

[mirus]

Thank you John, Patty, and Christine. Great feedback. John, I've been mostly looking at SEx and Chamonix out of ignorance about the Star Wagon. I'll look into it. Thanks for the first link. Have known about the auzzie and british boards but i've spent every waking minute on this one and haven't made it overseas yet! Good tip about cooler location.

Patty -- i'm wanting the radio for using an iPod mini with iTrip. Figure it's a space economical way to take a fair bit of music, so i only need one frequency. Satellite's an idea though. I'm still learning my way through all this stuff. Thanks for the info on windows and heads-up on racks.

Christine -- yes, let's talk! I'm not on the mainland but when next i make it over i'd love to come and see your handiwork. My mom and i have had a few chuckles about her being the one in the tent. We don't want to use a separate tent either so it would be good to do some brainstorming. There is, however, the snoring issue...! I'd like to talk to you about seats more too, captain's vs bench. I got the sense from this forum that the former tend to be wobbly and vibrate, and you have to usually install shoulder seat belts. It would definitely be comfortable for straight sitting up, but the bench give smore options for being in different positions. Re: sleeping platforms, check this out: a man on this site posted pics of his custom made one with drawers, that slides instead of folds. I'm not on my own computer so can't look up the link, and the site won't let me search from here to be able to look it up now, but just search for "bed platform" and it'll come up.
Would love to brainstorm by phone sometime. I'll send you a pm next week with my number (I'm away this weekend) and maybe we could chat.

Thanks y'all.

[EricN]

I prefer the captains chairs in the rear. They can swivel around 180 degrees and you can have a table in the middle and have lunch. As for a simple bed, fold everything flat, put a peice of plywood on top with a mattress and there you go.
As for the captains being wobbly, it took me about 20 minutes each to fix at the cost of 8 washers.
As for seatbelts, I am 99% positive all the 92 and up come with shoulder belts for every seat except the rear bench middle position. I am not sure on the 91 but I think they are the same.

[Adrock]

fm transmitter will work with stock deck and no modifications to the frequency.

[Schwa]

The shoulder belts were options, but 92's almost always have them and a lot of 91's do too, so they might have been standard but could be ordered without, so you just have to check, as with most things when looking at a Delica.

[Green1]

theoretically they became standard in August 1991, in practice we've seen some vehicles as late as 1992 without them (and we haven't seen any 1993s yet obviously)