Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

No one on this forum has really reported any tranny issues, and there are plenty with 200,000+ km on them. Towing any trailer will add stress, depending on your driving style, the weight and aerodynamics of the trailer. So, short answer, small trailer fine, bigger one maybe.

" I have found the North American vehicles crap out at around 150k."

There's the answer to your question... Delica aren't NA vehicles! From speaking with some Delica mechanics trannies aren't too much of a concern on these vehicles. If my previous '78 VW camper with an auto tranny never failed on me after km over km, I'm very confident with the Mistsu ones...

Mararmeisto regularly uses a trailer, he'd be a good one to ask.

Good luck!

Thanks all, for the responses. I would just hate to get a new ride and then have to plkunk down an additional $2000.00-2,400.00 for a rebuild down the road. Also I would be pulling my 13' Boler. So for sure not a huge Trailer.

If you're towing lots the following would help :

Re-arch rear leaf packs

Pyrometer to monitor exh temps

Intercooler for the added pull

As for the tranny. They are reliable compared to many domestic vehicles but they are still a used vehicle. The Delica's can brake down and do need regular maintenance just like any other vehicle. Buying a used Delica, you are in the same boat as buying a used local vehicle. Just different/usually better condition. But it's still a used vehicle (ie. problems can happen).

Erebus wrote:No one on this forum has really reported any tranny issues,

I have. Had to have a transmission overhaul at about 66,000 km. We're the exception that proves the rule, I guess.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/mysterious-i ... -3394.html

I thought the automatic transmission on delicas actually comes from Chrysler.... thought I read this somewhere on this forum...?!

But I guess with the fairly limited power these diesels generate, a transmission is not put to work all that hard?! When doing hills, I let it shift down to where it needs to go and then lock it (either in O/D off or 2nd) until it flattens out. That way it won't keep shifting up and down all the time which I understand is the worst part for a transmission.

I once heard that when you are looking to buy a classic Dodge Dart or a Ford Mustang for restauration etc. you should look for the 6 cylinder versions as the transmissions on these are usually in good shape whereas the V8's are usually worn right out... if that is true, then a Chrysler transmission should last a while in a Delica...

Cheers, Chris

impalator wrote:I thought the automatic transmission on delicas actually comes from Chrysler....

Strange indeed, that Chrysler thing.... but I did read it in this forum (see below, 2nd post from the top....)

I guess the good news is that J**P's are among the most proven off-road vehicles - and if they can manage with such a trannie, so should the Delica.....

http://www.delica.ca/forum/automatic-tr ... .html#p593

Maybe they're Mitsubishi made trannys used in Chyrslers...

konadog wrote:Maybe they're Mitsubishi made trannys used in Chyrslers...

more likely

konadog wrote:Maybe they're Mitsubishi made trannys used in Chyrslers...

Bingo

jfarsang wrote:

konadog wrote:Maybe they're Mitsubishi made trannys used in Chyrslers...

Bingo

Ya, I think I would double-BINGO that. Waaaaaaaaay more likely that Chrylser was putting Mitsu trannies into NAPOS than Mitsubishi was putting NAPOS-trannies into their vehicles.

As to the towing, yes, I do tow (but I don't inhale) a couple of trailers. Since I've not yet got a clear idea of how much these vehicles will tow, I do know this:

• the trailer shown in the accessories pamphlet has a sticker which indicates "250kg"
  the back of a Mitsubishi Pajero has a sticker which indicates "350kg"
  and I saw a Strada with a sticker which indicated "500kg".

That being said, I use a utility trailer which I've loaded up to nearly 350kg and drove all the way to Calgary and back with no problems (tranny light never came on even once). I also tow a tent trailer which is rated up to about 550kg when loaded - no problems with that one either, although it is a little wider than I'd like.

The only thing I change when towing a trailer is not to push the van any harder than I usually do, which means slower accelerations and longer coasts-before-breaking (or brake with the engine). I've thought of making up a bumper sticker which says, "And you thought that VW bus on the last hill was slow!"

Hello again,

I will mount a trailer hitch onto my Delica coming this spring / summer as I want to be able to launch my inflatable/outboard (16ft. Hondamarine with Aluminum Floors and 25hp outboard) in Shuswap lake...

I won't drive any crazy distances with the trailer on as the boat is stored in our cabin/garage which is only about 2km's from the boat-ramp... and the boat with outboard weighs around 145kg's... and it's just a small little boat trailer that I am using.... My concern is only: When backing down the boat ramp, how low will I have to go to get the boat floating off the trailer? Don't want to drive the Van right down into the water....

PS: I like the idea of a Mitsubishi Transmission that is also used in Mopar vehicles much better than the other way round....