RJD Services - North Van - ANY GOOD??

[nvanadm]

I'm looking to do a few things to the Derilictica (ie. Oil Change, Front End Alignment etc.) and was just wondering if anyone has used the services of RJD Services in North Van? It's very close to my house and would work out great, but I just wanted to make sure first. I bought Derilictica from Mardy in September and always go to him for everything, but it's quite the trek from N.Van.

Thanks in advance!

Adam

[jrman]

I would have to say overall yes.
Partly because they are just great guys with can-do attitudes, and partly because they aren't afraid to work on our vehicles, and partly because I think they do reasonable work at a reasonable price. I've never had an invoice "shock" from them, and I can't say that for many shops. They've handled enough of these rigs now to know the major issues that come up - and are in regular contact with Crown Auto and Glen at CCAuto for backup when needed. My experience overall has been positive. However, they are a very small shop - so you do have to schedule your time with them well in advance. Currently - Richard is in Baja so Nathan is holding down the fort as best as possible.
Have they been perfect - no. Have they stood behind their work and fixed my gripes...yes! One recommendation is doing your own research and bringing them the parts if you don't wish to wrench on your rig yourself. Case in point - if you wish a tranny to be serviced, they will gladly clean out your screen and replace the fluid, and use a perfectly good quality sealant on the tranny pan instead of the factory gasket. This is a perfectly acceptable improvisation in my opinion (some fords never had gaskets on their tranny pans - probably other vehicles too) - certainly better than not servicing the tranny at all - but certainly not 100% either. To do things 100% - would be to pickup the tranny kit from Mardy or others???? which includes gasket & new screen and bring it to them to install.

The way I look at it - I made the choice to own 15 (now 16) year old vehicle - I do as much of the work myself as I'm comfortable or time allows - but I recognize that this is not a local "off the shelf" car and need to help shops like RJD help us keep on trucking!

[nvanadm]

I figured you'd be the one to post a reply since you're in N.Van. Thanks for the advice.

When we bought our Deli in September Mardy did a full servicing on it so I don't need anything major right now.

Here's the list of what I'd like to get done;

-I just noticed that the oil was a little dark after only 3500kms (not sure if that's normal with diesel) so I thought I would get it changed.

-Mardy sealed the front panels and our floors are still a little damp so he said to get the windshield resealed so I'd like to do that.

-I need a front end alignment (not sure if they have the equipment to do that).

-Noticed that the front doesn't sit level...think I need the torsion adjusted.

Are the switches, ie rear wipers, defrost, gate lock/unlock supposed to light up?? I know what does what now, but I can't see them at night. If so, i'd like to get the bulbs changed.

Also, if i leave my lights on and open the door there is no indication that I left them on. Is that just a fuse??

Thanks again for all the help.
Adam

[Delicanadabc]

Indeed Diesel oil is much darker than gasoline engine oil. The leak is always a bit hard to nail down just don't use silicon!
As per the alignment there is no better place then west coast alignment on Powell. Ask for the Delica Special and they will sort you out. I am not sure if you are doing the tranny but it's simple and the filter and gasket is avail most every where.

I recommend getting to know your van and to do most of the small stuff yourself. If you need any advice or help feel free to drop by on Friday as I'll be helping Dave to change his fan/alt/ac belt as the are worn out.

The switches should light up and you can see the individual lamps if you pop the switch out. Replace with LED!

Good luck,
Daniel

[fishslapper]

I figured you'd be the one to post a reply since you're in N.Van. Thanks for the advice.

When we bought our Deli in September Mardy did a full servicing on it so I don't need anything major right now.

Here's the list of what I'd like to get done;

-I just noticed that the oil was a little dark after only 3500kms (not sure if that's normal with diesel) so I thought I would get it changed.

this is normal for diesel ! it will look dirty after 100 km !! no need to worry !!

-Mardy sealed the front panels and our floors are still a little damp so he said to get the windshield resealed so I'd like to do that.

-I need a front end alignment (not sure if they have the equipment to do that).

go to west coast alignment. They seem to be who everyone including mardy says to use.
-Noticed that the front doesn't sit level...think I need the torsion adjusted.

You can have west coast alignment do it or if you are out of adjustment you can re-index your torsion bar adjusters in about 1.5 hours in your driveway.
shops for some reason don't want to take the time to do this. It is very simple though.

Are the switches, ie rear wipers, defrost, gate lock/unlock supposed to light up?? I know what does what now, but I can't see them at night. If so, i'd like to get the bulbs changed.
Those switches don't light up. No need to worry......

Also, if i leave my lights on and open the door there is no indication that I left them on. Is that just a fuse??
don't know off hand about this.....

Thanks again for all the help.
Adam

cheers isaac.

enjoy your delica !!!

[delicat]

Switches:
Actually some light up, some don't.
Fog: no
Rear fan: yes
Rear defrost: yes
Rear hatch: no (but lights up on your dash/instrument cluster)

When you leave your lights on, remove key and open door there should be a buzzer. Mine doesn't work neither and I'd love to get it back but haven't found the connection yet.

Enjoy!

[Golf Cart]

Adam,

One other thing to remember Adam is at the mini meets or get togethers , youd be amazed at what gets accomplished in a short time. Information sharing as well as wrenching.

Last Sunday, after the 4x4 run we all herded ( i like that term, then again, I laft my bag off during the tractor tipping scenes in "Cars") over to the TadisDeli Motel. 3 Deli's got their turbo boost set inside of an hour. A "heres why your sliding door lock only works some of the time", and a good round of technical/political discussion over tea ( Thanks David)

And I find its one thing to read how somebody did something to their Deli, but it becomes alot clearer when yur nose is 2 feet away and listening to another member .

Deli On DooD

[Profister]

To put the thread back on track I would like to echo Jrman. I used RJD Services 3 times so far and was satisfied with their work overall. They will do exactly what you ask them to do but you have to provide parts and point them to where the problem is. Also their schedule does not work well for me.
BTW as far as I know West Coast Alignment on Powell is not the best place to do the alignment.

[jessef]

If you can make it to Langley, go to Dale's Alignment.

Well worth the trip.

http://www.delica.ca/forum/need-an-alig ... -4169.html

I installed a brand new set of tires, brakes, balljoints, tierods, shocks, grommets and took it all to Westcoast Alignment.

They charged me $148 for the alignment.

After a few weeks, it was pulling to the right side. Suspension, tires, brakes were all brand new.

Spent a lot of time going over with my mechanic why it was pulling to one side.

I left it with him and he said the alignment was out on the left front wheel.

I took it back to Westcoast and they said they can do another alignment but it will cost me $120.

So I paid it and had the alignment done.

Now it was pulling to the left side a week later.

I took it back to my mechanic and he took it right to Dale's alignment.

They went over everything and as soon as it was on their laser machine, it was determined in a few mins that the alignment was out.

They did a proper alignment and checked it 2 weeks laters later + 5 weeks later, the alignment they did was spot on.

Hence my gripe with Westcoast Alignment. In total, I paid $268 + two 1/2 day's off work (no pay) and my time running back and forth.

Needless to say, I still send everyone I know who owns a vehicle to Dale's for an alignment.

Maybe the fellow at Westcoast who was working on mine slacked or something. I'm not sure. But to have to pay twice and have both alignments not accurate was not a pleasant experience.

Plus Dale's have the Delica in their laser alignment system and they have auto-leveling machines (they adjust torsion bars too).

Back on topic, RJD has worked on my girlfriend's coworkers cars for a long time. They do good work at good prices.

[nvanadm]

Wow! Thanks, sounds like Dale's is the place to go. I guess it's off to Langley. I also wanted to get my torsion bars adjusted so it will work out great.

Thanks again,
Adam