Expected Mechanical etc on Import?

[Matthew]

Can anyone answer a few basics for me as I am close to taking the Delica plunge...

Is the delica a 12 or 24 volt system?
Can anyone give me the final answer on what it can realistically be expected to do on the highway?
Is a tranny cooler necessary as some have suggested?
It has on-board GPS. Any idea if it will be compatible with software etc. here?

What all can I expect for costs on a newly imported Delica?
I've heard that new headlights are required? Cost/Availability?
Whats the deal on tires? DOT approved? How can you tell?
Is it true I'll need to change all the fluids for our climate (Northern Alberta)?

Confused/Thanks

[docsavage]

Is the delica a 12 or 24 volt system?

12 volt

expected to do on the highway

With an automatic you can generally cruise around 110 km/hr until there are hills and headwinds. I purposely take secondary roads to cruise at 90-100 km/hr.

Is a tranny cooler necessary as some have suggested?

It is standard on all automatics (I think)- it even has its own electric cooling fan

It has on-board GPS. Any idea if it will be compatible with software etc. here?

Good luck - first I heard of one.

What all can I expect for costs on a newly imported Delica?

Not sure I used a dealer.

I've heard that new headlights are required? Cost/Availability?

E-coded headlights are available at a few importers search the site - they are generally 350-400 bucks. Need them to get the correct beam pattern.

Whats the deal on tires? DOT approved? How can you tell?

Check the sidewall for a load rating. Probably will need new tires as many have been sitting for a while.

Is it true I'll need to change all the fluids for our climate (Northern Alberta)?

Good practice to put new fluids in right off and vary as needed with the seasons - ie. a lighter oil in the winter. You will need some sort of coolant heater to plug it in in the winter. A block heater can also be installed or and Espar style diesel burning coolant heater. In Williams Lake we get cold as well and I was able to get by most of the time with a magnetic oil pan heater, but when it is really cold below -25 you will need more.

Hope this helped.

James

[BCDelica]

Hi Matthew,

The Delica is a 12v system and all the autos I have seen have a transmission cooler.

Most Delica seem to max out at 120-130km/h, and ours never slows below 80km/m on the Coquihalla fully loaded. Drove the Deerfoot (not the Crowfoot like I mentioned in my PM) from Calgary to Edmonton last summer and the van did great on the flats, we held a steady 110 - 120.

Onboard GPS? Would assume it's a different network and only the antenna would be compatible. Just guessing here though.

Seems the cost of a importer's Delica start at the 10k mark and should be fully complaint. Headlight for a 91, from the last half of the years production, cost 350 to 450 for a complaint assembly! Earlier 91 and older, the "squares", are common and easily replaced, great for those Mexico road trips.

Tires just seem to need a pressure rating on the sidewall and be decent enough to pass inspection. But most people like a larger size rubber then the stock 215/15's.

It's over 15 years old, change all fluids is just a good idea

All that's James anwered, bet me to the punch!

Cheers!

[MardyDelica]

Hi, Mathew,
as james & BCdelica says it right, this van is in need of full service Like changing all fluid , timing belt, water pump, tires if needed no crack, all suspension check , alighnment & other thing like shocks, to make this van works perfectly.
if you got all this service then its good for a long years of used aprrox at least 5 to 10 years without any problem as long as you maintain the service on all fluids, oil, antifreezed, brake & other thing, like other normal cars, this delica engine last at least 500,000 kms or more depend on how you maintain it. it last long.
hopefully hope you will be happy & proud to own one of this nice delica .
Cheers;
Mardy

[Matthew]

Thanks for all the good info guys. Now... the sales pitch to my wife. Safety is an issue of concern. Is there any hard and fast evidence I can present? She's concerned about not having the engine and compartment for protection in a collision as well as side impact. If I can convince her of the safety level then it's just a matter of selling her on the RHD. We already have one but it's my daily driver and she never really uses it. I'm working on it!

[Artacoma]

Somebody posted vehicle specs a few weeks ago and the specs for mine showed side impact beams or something like that,do a search with the link at the top of the page . If I find it I'll post.

[Matthew]

Don't see a link...
It seems that everyone here has a 90 or newer. Was that a major model change year or something??? Anything wrong with an 89 or older?

[BCDelica]

What kind of RHD do you currently have?

[Matthew]

89 Land Cruiser hj61 turbo diesel...

[BCDelica]

Oh, you already told me that. Me bad, so how do we stand on the trade.

[Matthew]

I'm more than a little attached to the cruiser. Based on how it's geared out... not to insult you but... it's probably valued at about the price of 2 top end Delica's. Sorry. Did you find that link on safety info?

[- GT Style -]

for our climate (Northern Alberta)

Where abouts? I'm in north-eastern BC.

[Matthew]

Edmonton area.