Tough to decide

[pattonmaclean]

Well, it's not easy to decide what vehicle to get.

I will use the vehicle mostly in Saskatchewan and Western Canada, although I live in South Korea. I'll be arriving in Vancouver in late June, on a stopover on my way to Saskatoon.

Over the last few months I've looked at every vehicle posted here, and everywhere else I can think of.

I've talked with a couple of very pleasant owners who are selling, and had a friend in Canada test drive an L300 for me.

A couple of days ago, I saw a 92 L300 Delica ad in Prince Albert Kijiji, but today the ad is gone.

I'm also considering a Nissan Safari NA diesel (inline 6, non turbo) , which i noticed is similar to what delicat has purchased and may have considered. My brother has checked this one out for me and noted that it's in very good condition and has been expertly maintained, but "lacks get up and go". I understand a 3,500$ turbo kit would solve this.

In my head, I think a 94 Spacegear with a crystallite roof/ roof rack is the ideal vehicle for me, but that may not be the case.

I'm not a mechanic, and have always been a bit "anti-car". I cycle.

I came to delicas because of diesel, and i came to diesel because of biodiesel. I have a b.d. processor back home that is just being set up and will be dialed in before summer. I am working on my WVO collection network from Korea, through some friends in the restaurant industry.

My primary concerns are reliability, durability, serviceability, simplicity of design, and economy.

My primary use will be driving on poor SK highways and dirt roads. Occasionally in the city for shopping and hauling.

I will use the vehicle to occasionally tow a small Trillium trailer (1200 lbs.) or a fishing boat (same). I might rarely use it to move a 3000 lb. boler trailer, but not for more than 30 km, and not often (twice a season) but i can always find another vehicle to do this.

Usually used for two people, but would like to be able to to take 4 people and gear canoeing, say, pulling a trailer with two canoes and gear. It wouldn't be offroaded, but might get driven slowly through a farmer's field, or taken on a logging road in SK.

I'd also like the option of using it as a camper for when I don't want to bring a trailer.

It would be my only vehicle, and while now will only be for the summer, must be equipped to be reliable in the worst Saskatchewan winter, when it might get used more often in the city.

The drawbacks of the safari are the fuel consumption. even worse with a turbo.

But it's reliable, durable, and with a turbo I'm pretty sure it would do everything I want it to do.

How did you decide?

[BCDelica]

Cheers,

Both the L300 and L400 would suit your needs, though the L400 would pull the trailers quicker on the highway. We hauled about the same weight with L300's, we had a 3000 lbs plus travel trailer for camping in our local area and the L300 Delica's pulled it fine. The little 2.4 could even keep a speed of 80 kph; but not on any kind of up hill - super slow. But something lighter, like our aluminum boat with 75 hp motor, the Delica could pull beautifully all over BCs major highways. Normally the boat was loaded with 120 to 200 liters of WVO (for the Delica not the boat ).

And if your not trying to drive up trees, etc, like David you might not need the Safari. I believe you don't need to be so stuck on a crystal lite roof, they're nice but with everyday use not that important. The low roofs are that much easier to put a canoe on, and still roomy enough to camp in. I'm a fan of the L300, but if my van was needed to blast around on flat and straight SK roads a L400 might be pretty darn tempting.

Bet Regards,
Kevin

[twinotter600]

Hi pattonmaclean,

Come on over the the dark side...! I have always eyed the Delica. I think it is an interesting vehicle. If you want a tough, rigid frame for unimproved roads the Safari is your best bang for buck.

cheers.

[jessef]

If you're doing mostly offroad/logging road conditions, I would get the Safari. It's a tank and will glide over everything rough.

The L400 is great too but you'll feel more of the bumps than in the Safari for sure.

The L400 has been up to northern Russia in sub -50C weather so it's not a wussy vehicle.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Au contraire...

The Safari has a very rigid chassis, like an oak. The Delica has a chassis that gives like a willow. I have a P25W (L300) that is so at home on a logging road she dances on them. It is just a different style of driving. Think about historical battles where the Romans wore heavy armour and the Huns wore silk ~ who was better off? (The Huns won, BTW). The Delica is a monocoque construction model, so everything takes the strain. The Safari? Yes, I think you will get more "Bang". L300? You get more cowbell!

Falco.

[jessef]

The L300 - L400 - Safari are all night & day difference between the three.

They are in no way alike so a comparison is not the best approach.

If you're looking at a diesel that can tow, good offroad that won't shake you and the rig like mad and is a great all-around vehicle, I'd recommend a LWB 2.8 Pajero.

Although I have a strong love for all things Delica-related, the Pajero has been my favorite 'driving' vehicle. It's known around the world as the poorman's landcruiser comparing it to the 70/80 series cruisers.

If I could have 2 vehicles, one would be a Pajero without question or an 80 series.

If you want the best stock offroad rig, nothing holds a candle to the 80 series cruiser with the inline 6 or the Safari with the inline 6, not even a Delica. The 80 and Safari are serious offroad vehicle in stock form ready for anything.

To get a Delica to keep up with a locked 80/Safari, you'd need to spend thousands at least in mods and driveline upgrades.

If you want the best tough rig and need space, get a Safari.

If you want the best tough rig with dual lockers and don't need the extra space a Safari can give, get an HDJ81.

[pattonmaclean]

Thanks for all the replies. There are so many factors in the decision.

I guess i need to clarify the vehicle is not really for offroad use. it has to be an all-around vehicle.

The interest in the Safari is primarily because it is close to home and has been meticulously maintained by a diesel mechanics instrcutor. Lots of new parts and work done. Ready to roll on Saskatchewan roads and maybe available for less than $10,000.

but somehow I get the feeling that I'd actually enjoy driving a delica more. Maybe the higher seat? i don't know. i also am a bit concerned that the safari is too much vehicle for me, and maybe too hard on fuel. as for the crystallite, i iknow it's a big extra,and not necessary, but in saskactchewan if you can't see the sky, you are missing the show

But finding a deli in SK is tough. There is a dealer/importer in Prince Albert with a limited stock, but very few private sales. Tough to find a mechanic with deli experience.


Ive considered getting off my flight on june 20th and visiting a few dealers in richmond. i'd even think about driving from Vancouver to SK if i could line up a good trouble-worry-free van by then.


Hmmmm...

[Firesong]

I'll throw something else into the mix.
2 person unit mostly.
Want to haul stuff, trailers and boats.
Sometimes 4 people.

Get a pajero.
With a 2.8 turbo diesel intercooled.
That's your ticket. Not sure why you would
consider the safari and not that.
Lots of power, great pulling, diesel
and plenty of space to boot. Seats 7.

BTW the safari you are checking out, be careful.
It's at DnD imports in PA. right?
There is an excellent mechanic there, but the owner
is pretty forgetful at the best of times. I've noticed
him taking stuff off his other vehicles to put on
the one of the moment. Never sure what's with what.

Just a little more to think on.
FS

[Jsq]

It's at DnD imports in PA. right?
... but the owner
is pretty forgetful at the best of times. I've noticed
him taking stuff off his other vehicles to put on
the one of the moment. Never sure what's with what.

Just a little more to think on.
FS

X2...I chose not to deal there for many reasons. May be different for others!

[pattonmaclean]

Thanks for all the tips!

The Safari is in Saskatoon. Currently owned by a diesel mechanic. high mileage, but expertly maintained.

There is a 92 L300 Delica for sale privately in P.A. that was originally purchased from D& D. They are asking $8,000. They tell me they did no work after buying it from the dealer, which makes me think it will require several thousand dollars' worth.

I'm not a mechanic, and really need something that I can rely on.

[delicat]

I'd be curious to know who is selling the Safari? You can PM me the details if you don't want to post it public... Might be able to give you additional insight!

As for Delica vs Safari, from what you're saying I'd say go with the Delica. I love my Safari but I wanted a tank... The Delica has a better interior floor plan for camping, head room, ease of access (the sliding door is a nice thing to have...) and since you're not planning heavy 4x4 you'll be fine.

Don't buy one just 'cause it's close to your house, a short trip to Vancouver will provide you with a lot more options and probably a much better van in the end. Bonus you get a nice little road trip back home.

[pattonmaclean]

Thanks for the replies.

Delicat, the Safari is one that is for sale in Saskatoon. It had been for sale in November/ December, and from some comments made on the Canadian Safari/Patrol forums, I gathered that you had considered it at one time.

It's back on the market, but I've decided that a Safari isn't suitable for me.

In fact, I called one of the forum's long-term reputable dealers today to discuss one of his stock items ( a nice shorty Paj) and found that it has already been taken.

I think either an L400 or Pajero 2.8l would work well for me for different reasons.
Still looking.....

[delicat]

Why would you consider a SWB Pajero if you plan on camping (in it)? Wait for a nice LWB so you'd have way more room or the Delica. And I know now which Safari you're talking about. It's quite a monster though and good choice not going with it. Might be a fine truck but it's got a 6" lift... not sure you're enjoy it for daily driving!

Cheers!

[pajerry]

If I were you I would also go with a LWB Pajero. I have the SWB, and for two people its a good size for camping if you don't have to haul your wood. With a roof rack or rear rubicon rack, you can camp with 4 if you pack right. I just found out the seats fold flat so you can even sleep two in the shorty if you want, you just have to take your gear out.

[jessef]

For a reference point, the SWB L400 lowroof with dual moonroof is very close to the LWB Pajero in terms of road handling, driving on/off road and overall wheelbase/vehicle length.

The main difference is interior space. The L400 SWB lowroof has a lot more workable room than the LWB Pajero.

On the other side, here are the mechanical differences that are not the same for the L400 and Pajero which come into consideration when servicing or replacing parts :

Suspension -

upper/lower balljoints
front brake rotors
front inner wheel bearings
front hubs
front steering rack/components
front control arms/torsion bars
Rear coil springs
Rear link suspension

Aside from these parts (that you can swap from a NA montero to a JDM Pajero), the rest of the drivetrain is mostly swapable.

Next is body/glass parts and headlights.

The Pajero - Montero is 100% interchangeable whereas the L400 Spacegear is not.

With that said, there are more and more L400 parts vans available.

L400 SWB low-roof

More interior room
Seats 7 fullsized adults

Pajero LWB

lower vehicle height
less interior space
seats 5 full sized adults and 2 midgets

I went for the L400 SWB lowroof as the best alternative to the LWB Pajero we used to own. Love the extra functional space inside.