First Impressions of A Delica P24 (Petrol That Is)

[docsavage]

First, sorry to those I wanted to contact (Falco, Lazy Fox) while in Vancouver, unfortunately time, traffic, and an overwhelming desire to get the hell out of the city prevented me from calling.

Well, I now have put 1300 km on the new Delica, and I must say that I would never drive a diesel one again. The gas model feels almost like a sports car (for a Delica anyway) compared to my old diesel. First, it has power, it would hold speed in 5th gear on most hills in the Canyon, easily accelerate up hills in 4th, and passing doesn't require passing lanes. Second, it is far more nimble. Gone is the heavy front end, the engine is 250 odd pounds (120 kgs) lighter and thus the handling is lighter, no ploughing of the front end in corners. And third, fuel economy is similar. I averaged 12 litres/100 km over the trip including the last 120 km in 4wd on the highway. I could probably get better mileage, but keeping my foot out of it is more difficult. Plus gas is 20 cents a litre less than diesel.

I'll post pictures later, its snowing like a bugger and too dark to see.

James

[mararmeisto]

Why did you make the switch?

[delicat]

'Cause his old one decided to take a rest on it's side...

Glad you're enjoying your new found power! Glen let me tried a petrol 5sp while at his shop and I agree with you, a lot more nimble and a different drive alltogether.

Cheers,

[konadog]

Hey and happy day great to hear you like your new petrol deli! I test drove that one at ccautos too and yeah, pretty different (read FASTER), though I must say that personally I really like the charm of the slow 'chugga-chugga-grrr' plod of the diesel. I was at a stop light the other day and when it turned green for me and I started to roll the guy behind honked!? I'm workin' on it man, chill-axe already it's a little diesel! If I'd been in a petrol model I coulda left rubber on the road! Anyway, rock on - Looking forward to pictures and tales of your impending adventures! Oh, and uuh snow... shudder

[deLOOKA]

It may not be a Diesel engine but at least it's still a Delica.

[mararmeisto]

...'[c]ause his old one decided to take a rest on it's side...
Cheers,

Was yours the one, the gravel road, the ditch, couldn't regain? Sad to read that story, but good to read that you were okay (if that was you).

Good to hear you found a new ride, too. Would love to see some pictures. I understand the gasoline variant is not as well 'trimmed' as the diesel: is this the case, or was that just the model that was sold State-side?

[jessef]

Nice goin'

I tried a petrol version in the UK while I was there. Was a lot of fun.

[Adam]

Only drawback I see is no WVO option. I guess that's the price you pay for power.

[docsavage]

Marameisto: That was me that let his Deli rest on its side...still kicking myself. But her heart still beats strong in D and L's van in Smithers.

Adam: Up here in Houston, all the WVO is collected by one fellow who runs 3 or 4 Dodges on it. I had started the conversion on the other van but never finished due to the supply limits when I moved here.

After ICBC gave me a nice cheque for my old van I hummed and hawed for a couple months about what to get. I considered a 2000 Nissan Xterra or Pathfinder that can be had for under $8000. I am familiar with Nissans having had one for several years, they are easy to lift, and my brand new (less than 200 km) tires and rims would fit as well as a new set of winter tires. Then I thought, I aready have a lift kit, custom bumper, and other things for the Delica, love the room and style, but needed to tow my boat around up here (lots of hills) but a diesel Delica was just not powerful enough. I talked to CCAutos and he convinced me that a gasser would work. So I put out the order and waited for this one to arrive. Needless to say I am thrilled with it.

Looks like I should be able take it out for some backcountry skiiing soon. I left with the snow just starting Friday morning, and we now have about 20 cm and another 15 on the way. Now get to try out my new ski's sooner rather than later!!!

James

[jessef]

You had better post your mod's !

[docsavage]

I finally changed the thermostat and put on winter tires, does that count as mods?


Seriously, I will be doing most of the work over the remainder of the winter. Just wanted to keep changes to a minimum til I get back from Christmas. Then it can be on jackstands for a few weeks.

JAmes

[jessef]

I finally changed the thermostat and put on winter tires, does that count as mods?

NO!

[thelazybrownfox]

Hey James
I was just about to phone you when I stumbled onto your post. Glad to hear you got back okay with your new hotrod. Love your weather report as well.

By the time I left Houston I was as rain soaked as my camping gear. It was 10:00 but the snow was coming and I left, driving through new snow at six mile pass with ugly side winds all the way to snooze time north of Quesnel. The side winds died about 9:00 A.M. so I drove to 100 mile, had lunch with friends and stayed the night in my first comfy inside bed since I left home two weeks before.

I'm envious of your gas machine, especially since the price of diesel has stayed high for so long.
Tell me about your thermostat change. Was it stock to stock or a higher temp? Does it use a the same type of wierd, tail end (circular) flow restrictor?

9193927673518387594b.png (9.02 KiB) Viewed 5035 times

Please post pictures soon. Hope the pups are okay?

Thanks for making my fishing trip such a success. See you next year.

Wayne

[docsavage]

Hi Wayne,

The river finally froze this last weekend. The fishing was good all the way to the ice up. It seems once all the alien fishers left and the river had a recovery period the steelies got hungry again. Sounds like your adventures on the way home were nothing you were unprepared for. I'm glad your entire trip north was good.

The thermostat was hooped from the get go. With free flowing coolant, it could barely provide enough heat to keep the windows clear and it wasn't cold. I exchanged it with a higher temperature one that stock and it heats up nicely now. There was no flow restrictor on the bottom like the one shown. In fact the thermostat in a gasser is right on top of the engine - it was less than 10 minutes to change.

One dog is fine, and the other goes soon. (you know which) A bit of a bummer so close to Christmas, but she has had a really spoiled life.

Have a great holiday season, I may get down there in the new year with all the extra parts.

James

[FalcoColumbarius]

I tried out a P24 manual at CC Autos one day, Lots of pick up but it was also empty, very sporty, 'though.

Sorry we didn't hook up, but there is always a next time, glad you are well .

Falco.