These are popular in Australia thanks to their off-road capability and versatility. Not uncommon to see quite a few of these as private imports used for camping, off-roading and long distance travel.
The problem with the "flashing lights" on the 4WD indicator on the dash is most likely the vacuum solenoid (part number MB937731). I know because I just corrected this problem on my Delica Space Gear (PD6W) last week. The solenoid is under the fuse box in the engine bay, left hand side. You can see the yellow-marked tube and the blue-marked tube leading into it. I was in a rush and didn't feel like fixing it myself, so took it into my dealership, Mitusbishi Meguro, and they replaced it for about 15,000 yen. One thing to note, the 4WD shifter on the floor is mechanical, not electrical. The position you have the stick in is the what the vehicle is driving in, no matter what your dashboard indicator says. However, having the dashboard indicator flashing at you while driving is a real pain, so that's why I got the solenoid replaced to get rid of it. Your CD lock is flashing in the video because you switched it over while stationary. Drive a few meters and it will stay solid.
Also, the vehicle will not pass the mandatory two-year inspection (known as "shaken" here in Japan) if there are any flashing lights or error codes on the dashboard. I know this because I did my "shaken" last week as well.
What happen to Lets Drive Japan? I remember you guys said you wanted to do a lot with that channel. I liked the questions and answers you did on your vlog while driving so much more. That was much more informative and helpful. I know you're busy and I'm not trying to say you should start up a vlog again, but more like a video on a Q/A. May be fitting it in after one of your auto reviews like this one. Even if it's 5 questions, it helps us a lot. Lets Drive Japan seems even more work than your vlog. Bring the Q/A back. Lol!
Hey thanks! That cleared things up, but Derek's Q/A was still more informative and helpful than Let's Drive Japan. I remember he explained that his personal vlog was too much for his busy schedule. I would think Let's Drive Japan would be too much for that as well and probably take even more time. The vlogging was basically just answering questions. Oh well. Derek if you're reading this do a Q/A even if it's just 3 questions or have someone do it. Thanks for all the videos still!
Sweet looking van. By the time this generation Mitsubishi Delica came along, the Mitsubishi van had long been discontinued from the USA market. I don't know why. I became rather fond of the boxy Japanese minivan. :)
I like what Mitsubishi's engineers accomplished, but the company's marketing and management decisions are a complete mystery. Dodge is making millions selling Jeeps, Mitsu didn't sell the Pajero or the Delica? They did make left hand drive versions for Europe and elsewhere, why not sell them in NA? Car companies can't make money if they refuse to sell their vehicles... sigh.
Out of curiosity, are diesels "punished" in japan in someway compared to gasoline cars? In finland you have to pay motive power tax that is depending of the car around 400-800 euros (i guess about same in dollars) per year unless you register your car as van when it drasticly drops.
Diesels are generally cheaper to run here and taxes are probably about the same but you can't register them in the Kantou area (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki). To register a diesel in this area, it needs to fit really strict emissions requirements... the kind that would make VW cry.
I entered my L-400 at the Chipman Alberta car crafters show on June 4th. Everybody thought I had customized a minivan by making it 4wd and a diesel ! The only customizing I did was a Centre Console made of Mahogany that houses an Auxiliary Battery ! Very few L-400's and L-300's in OILberta and I have never understood why ! June 10th and 11th is History Road at Reynolds in Wetaskiwin. Reynolds has this show every year and I have NEVER seen a Delica on display.
JDM Boys? That sounded very disturbing! :o It is indeed a very good looking Delica! This Delica reminds me of Robotech/Gundam: the captain chairs, the automatic sunroofs (opening as bay doors) and the name "Space Gear". What a 90s throwback! :)
I'm certain about that. Most of them have been exported overseas by now. Many of them have been sent here to the Philippines during the 2000s, and other places for sure.
I sometimes wonder if there are savvy exporters in Japan who bought them up, stored them in warehouses for 10+ years waiting for the Canadian and USA markets to open up (15yr / 25 yr time delay due to protectionism), then sell them at auction. One RU-vid video I saw mentioned that as you drive eastward from Europe, you will see more and more Delicas. From Kazakhstan, Lituania, etc. east. On RU-vid there are many videos of Delicas in Russian and some of the parts lists and tech manuals for the vans are available in Russian.
The drivetrain flashing indicators sometimes go away after driving a few feet, I think it just takes a bit of time for all the gears to register their state. (I have a 1994 PF8W Royal Exceed, ref. drive.google.com/open?id=0B0r7PF5G10XeeWZBWmxPRlE4RkE ) Mine has the karaoke machine but no monitor, the CD changer under the passenger seat isn't working right now (I hope I can fix it), no curtains, had no OEM ladder but I bought one and installed it myself, no ECS shocks but it is possible to buy some on the Japanese Yahoo site. The van is so comfortable for passengers, some of them fall asleep within an hour's drive every time... and I'm not sure but the seats feel like they're made of suede (?!) super soft -- how is one supposed to clean suede seats. Anyway I love the van. Lots of torque (I drove up a 40 degree angle hill once) but don't drive at 130+ kph / 80 mph with it, ensure that the 3 belts are all securely in place. That inclinometer ball often doesn't work when people get the vans because the liquid inside them gels or drained out over time, but it can be fixed. Many just replace them with gauges they hook up to the engine. Anyway love this review! Fun to see the JAOS aftermarket components.
PacificCoastAuto thanks. I bought it through Amazing Auto Imports in BC, then had it shipped to Nova Scotia by train. I don't understand why Mitsu didn't bother selling Delicas and Pajeros in Canada, people are stuck having to buy jeeps instead. There must not be many Royal Exceeds left. Mine comes from Tokyo Plaza in Chiba prefecture, that's where the Mitsu HQ showroom is. Strangely my VIN is a weird round number, PF8W_001500. Anyway, glad to see you responded, you do good work.
it really isn't hard to get used to at all. Only issues are left turns are harder and passing is tough to see. If you're a good driver you'll have no issues
CarPhonix CarAudio it's up to the owner of the to decide if they want to make their car video public, most of the time the owner don't want the video to be made public, Derek also buys cars for other car dealers in Japan, in those cases the dealership never let the videos made public
