Praire owners, I need help deciding

brewskie · Post by **brewskie** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 8:11 am

Good Morning from Winnipeg.

Im looking for some help with deciding on my next rig. I am currently a proud owner of an L300. I have had it for six years and its been wonderfully reliable. That being said I am growing tired of running really slow out on the highway with a bit of a head wind and constantly worried that my turbo is going to let go. I suppose this is my main question to you L400 owners. What are your experiences with head winds and do you need to slow down a bunch. I know that I have needed to slow to 70Km with some of the big wind we get here.

So what I am thinking is:

L400 LWB Series II
Nissan Safari

I know you guys may not be familiar with the Safari. Its essentially Nissans direct competition to the Toyota Land Cruiser. My Brother has one and its really rugged, bigger diesel at 4.2L straight six, but Im thinking it may be hard to go away from a van seeing as I have two kids. I don't really do much off roading, mainly crappy Manitoba gravel roads to get where I am going for camping as such. We do drive to BC occasionaly to visit family. Have done it three times with the L300 and its slow going.

I know with my experience with the L300 that the Mits are reliable when properly serviced when it comes to Canada. I can only assume the same with the L400. The Safari has an incredible reputation globally for being bomb proof with the same care when it arrives her too.

Maybe some of you could give me your two cents.

Much appreciated.

Rob

doodah · Post by **doodah** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:56 am

Parts, parts, parts.....lots available for L400....

Never had to worry about headwinds, hills etc with my two L400s, they just keep going regardless.

VanVonVan · Post by **VanVonVan** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 10:45 am

Hello Rob,

I am also in Winnipeg and I love my SWB L400. That being said I have read online that Nissan supports you worldwide if you are into long distance road trips while if you breakdown in your delica you have to order the oddball stuff through BC which is the same as a L300. Anytime you wanna see my L400 drop me a PM.

I have never had a prob with headwinds but I also don't have a pyro which I am going to put in this year. I have owned my van for 2 years. I usually watch the revs and since I have a huge roof rack, you definitely feel a head wind at 100km/h. But I still get pretty good fuel economy.

Russell

lrp374 · Post by **lrp374** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 10:46 am

If you don't do a lot of back road driving where you need clearance take a look @ one of these - super deluxe!! A lot cheaper than a Delica and they do come in a diesel if you want.

http://www.zenautoworks.ca/index.php?op ... ail&id=143

Tinytoy · Post by **Tinytoy** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 3:36 pm

The Safari is an exelent rig for winter driving. Have had zero issues with cold starts or parts.
There are parts dealers in Canada that can help you with this.
They are noted on having a weak auto trany . If you can find one with a turbo 4.2 get it!

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 5:21 pm

As well. My series 2 l400 kicks ass vs prairie winds and mountain trips. 6 people and loaded with our small trailer... Good times.

bbisset · Post by **bbisset** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:29 pm

Just get the LWB Pajero 2.8 turbo ...better fuel economy than a Safari and plenty of power. I love mine. No block heater and it starts in -25° no problem (albeit needs a few minutes to warm at that temp, lol).

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 8:46 am

Which ever you go for get a block heater installed. It saves you engine in this cold climate.

brewskie · Post by **brewskie** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 10:51 am

Hi guys. Thanks for the response. I'd say at this point I'm leaning toward an L400. I just think I'd miss not having the space a van provides. With kids and camping/canoe gear I think it's probably right choice for us. I think if It was just my wife and myself I'd go with the safari. As far as the block heater goes, there is no way my van would have survived this winter without one!

Cheers

Post by **Big-Bird** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 6:20 pm

With -25C the last few days and -31 at night I have been impressed with my L400.

If your choice is for an L400 then spring for good quality glow plugs, new dual batteries, fuel pump and injector service before it leaves BC. Worth the cost to give long term reliability a chance.

brewskie · Post by **brewskie** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 6:40 pm

I picked up my L300 from Mardy. I decided to go over and above what he normally dose to most of his vehicles coming in. I had him rebuild my IP, re-core my rad, new engine and tranny mounts. I'm glad I spent the extra few bucks. I would do the same for sure I think.

Winter has been hell in Manitoba this year. If you are 35 years old or younger you have never been through a winter this cold the "experts" say. Yesterday morning the forecast was -35 static and -50 with the wind chill. Thank god for the block heater this year!

vstrom · Post by **vstrom** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 8:05 pm

I hear ya.. this has been a terrible ball-freezing winter. Atleast up here we don't feel the wind too much (all these trees work pretty well).

I heard that our average temp, here in Thompson, this past Dec was -29. That was the average! Not the average low, but the overall average. We were hittting -30 in November for #@%$'s sake!

I'm glad I finally put that espar in because it's been amazing.. I can't imagine going without it now.

MardyDelica · Post by **MardyDelica** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 12:38 pm

hi, rob,
you can choose now with rhd or lhd.
now 1999 to 2000 Mitsubishi pajero fieldmaster will be available on a left hand drive same as in japan with 4m40 engine.
same as the delica engine and parts Is same as Montero 4x4.
question now pajero Rhd from japan don't hold the value here in b.c. and its quite high price don't know why.
now with original left hand drive 99-2000 pajero fieldmaster , I am planning to bring some of this as per customer request as its a left hand drive . so its matter of which design you want.
but cannot compare rhd and lhd price as lhd ,LHD can insured or use anywhere in Canada and the us with this LHD pajero fieldmaster.
as fas as the L400, 2 variation from japan. gen 1 and 2.

generation one for me is much better to fix and easier. only downside is to maintain the glow plug system all the time.
but easier to fix from ip service and mechanical no problem. get the lower mileage if you can.

Generation 2 delica for me as I can see is a big problem later to fix as the injection pump is electronic. I am having a problem also to fix this electronic gen 2. if any problem u need to have the right scanner not the north American snap on scanner. I try it wont work. different spec. as this is Asian spec not north America spec. it cannot read it.
even CVI and other lower mainland shop repair don't have this tools. its a big problem.

then I go and see 3 well known injection pump repair specialist shop.
they say yes they can try for $ 1,200 minimum cost quote only but no guarantee on ip service.
its a big headache. that why I don't buy too many gen 2 delica as this is a huge problem later to my customer which will need help soon if problem occurs.
again its customer choice which one they want but stay away on problem like this as its not worth to have this type of problem.
if somebody tell you they can fix this ask them if they have proper tools to fix , knowledge and help you when you have problem. not just by talking. not easy.

Gen 1 is little bit slow on response on throttle response but on high sped its the same as gen 2.
gen 2 is quite quicker response but reliability as its electronic ip will be a big question mark. you never know what could be problem later as its electronic ip and component not like gen1 delica its mostly manual component.

if you need more info about all this car pls don't hesitate to call me and will gladly to help you to decide and answer all your question you need as I know well enough whats involve mechanical wise on all of this car I mention.

cheers;

I don't think anybody will guarantee with this.

brewskie · Post by **brewskie** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:43 pm

Ok Mardy. Thanks for the heads up on the electronic IP.
Thanks

Rob

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 6:23 am

Hi Brewski

Just thought I would give you some updated information.
I have a Series 2 L400 as I stated earlier.
The only shop that I know of that will fix and rebuild
the newer electronic IP's is Rising Sun. Steven has already
rebuilt 3 and has no problems with them. They have know what
they are doing, I believe it's due to the right knowledge and tools
through hyundai.

I get all my parts through him, bought my L400 S2 almost a year
ago by looking through pictures and email/phone calls. He picked me
up at the airport and helped me get the papers to drive it back etc.
Still loving it, no issues and it was exactly as described.

In my L300 I had my IP pump rebuilt through him as well. I have no fears
with dealing with Steven. Great guy. PM me for more information. I have
another guy that I am talking to about this very thing.

James

aka Firesong

Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club