Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

So when I was in Calgary at the meetup, one of the fellows mentioned how amazing the Delica's 4WD system is. He was a L300 owner, and I could pick him out of a line-up, but can't remember his name for the life of me. Anyways, that statement popped into my head a while ago and I've searched the forums but found surprisingly little on the different 4WD systems in the Delicas.

All I know is that the Royal has limited slip differentials, and that the L400s can be safely driven in 4WD all the time (ie. guess that means that they have a center diff) but the L300s can't. I'm assuming that there is high and low gearing on the transfer case.

My little Subaru Sambar can be safely shifted into 4WD at 80km/h (not something I like doing), has a rear differential lock (very handy), but lacks a center differential. It is great for driving across our hilly pastures in winter and is so light that it floats nicely on snow, just packing down the top few inches if conditions are right. This is great as long as you keep moving, but if you stop for some reason...start shoveling.

Rural wrote:...and that the L400s can be safely driven in 4WD all the time (ie. guess that means that they have a center diff) but the L300s can't. I'm assuming that there is high and low gearing on the transfer case.

Not 4WD, but AWD - the L400s have a viscous-coupled AWD setting. AWD is different than 4WD in that turning power front-to-rear is the same while 4WD generally applies a different amount of power front-to-rear (usually something like 40-60 or 30-70). The reason for a different amount of power to the wheels is simple: in 4WD, if you get stuck, with the wheels turning at different speeds you shouldn't burrow deeper into the mud.

AWD is meant to provide power to whichever wheels still have traction, front or back. Performance AWDs will apply different amounts of power front-to-back, but that's not the case in these vehicles so I won't go on any further about that. Suffice it to say, AWD is meant for unstable conditions when there isn't a need for a lot of torque (otherwise you'd be switched over to 4WD).

That being said, if you drive around on dry pavement in 4WD, you'll blow up your transmission - just ask Jeep drivers.

The L300 has a "normal" transfercase set up that locks the center diff when four wheel drive is engaged. The L400 as well as the second gen Pajeros have a more unique transfer case that allows an all wheel drive mode. Contrary to what mararmeisto has posted AWD leaves the center diff unlocked allowing the front and rear axle to spin at different rates in order to minimize binding. The viscous coupling is like a limited slip so it can be damaged if the front and rear axles are spinning at significantly different rates. Hence towing with one axle on the ground can damage the transfer case. In offroad situations the lack of traction is what prevents binding in a locked center diff as 4WD locks the front and rear axles so there is equal power going to the front and rear. This is why if your axles aren't locked you will spin one front tire and one rear tire when you get stuck offroad while 4WD is engaged. Your Sambar has a center diff that is engaged when you hit the 4WD button on the shifter, you simply don't have a low range transfer case, they simply added a sixth cog to your gearset that is extra low.

Jesse are you there??

if the person in question said he had a royal it's green 1 I was there and I think he had the only one I believe

L300 = part time 4wd

When in 4wd mode (high or low), the front and rear differentials are connected via driveshafts which are connected to a center mounted transfer case. This transfercase (or some people call them center differentials) locks the front/rear driveshaft to create true 4wd mode.

If driven on a non-slippery surface while turning, the driveline/transfercase/driveshafts, etc.. will bind possibly causing severe damage to the driveline components.


L400 = selectable part time 4wd AND full time 4wd (all wheel drive)

All of the above (L300) applies when the 4wd selector is in 4HLc or 4Llc modes on the L400 which is true part time 4wd mode.

The L400 has an additional in-line viscous coupler inside the transfer case (center differential) which acts as a torque bias between the front and the rear driveshafts/axles. This mode (4H on L400) is called full time 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive.

This viscous coupler is a round donut looking contraption with silicone fluid and plates that, when working together, sense the torsion between the front and rear driveshafts and compensates so that binding/damage does not happen.

The full time 4wd or all wheel drive mode on the L400 is not the best, nor is it up there with the best (Subaru LSD/awd, Audi quattro) but it is good and works very well with the wheelbase and weight of the L400 in icy/snow/rain/slick conditions where 4wd (part time) is not necessary/will not work but added traction helps.

There are no factory front/rear differential lockers in the L300 and L400 delica's. Either open differential or limited slip differentials are available in the rear and all front differentials are open.

Aftermarket lockers with modifications are available.


Want to add that I have posted this info a few times already in the past both in L300 and L400 sections.

Since Jfarsang said he had posted this info in the past, I did some more searching. The magic word was "differential".

I'm sure that there is more, but here are some posts that turned up information on the subject:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/central-diff ... tml#p58199
http://www.delica.ca/forum/turning-on-p ... tml#p61982
http://www.delica.ca/forum/detailed-4x4 ... tml#p59064
http://www.delica.ca/forum/old-member-t ... tml#p45245

I have to say that I was surprised and impressed that there is a viscous coupling in the transfer-case. Very nice. Given that I can count on having to take at least a few 200km trips ever winter on slick or snowy highways with the wind blowing, this gives me some piece of mind. Not as much as staying home, but some.

jfarsang wrote:Want to add that I have posted this info a few times already in the past both in L300 and L400 sections.

And you've posted this a few times too Does that mean you are repeatedly repeating yourself?

we're still into slick conditions

L300, L400 and Pajero visual representation

source: http://pajerosport.motionforum.net/t7-s ... select-4wd