BUYING MITSUBISHI DELICA L400
bars are readily available. You can even go as far as suspension lift kits and airbag kits, as well. Be prepared to buy from a non-UK supplier, though. The 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine responds well to conversion to run on LPG fuel. It is pretty much exactly the same engine as found in Nineties UK-market Shoguns, plenty of which have been converted to LPG, so kits and experienced fitters are fairly easy to find. Just bear in mind where the tank will go.
Camper conversions JDM MPVs found a real niche in the UK for conversion into camper vans.
Contacts Saxon Motors 01202 479688 www.saxonmotorsdorset.co.uk Jap MPV Specialist 01895 439090 www.japmpvspecialist.co.uk Japan Motors 0121 679 6721 www.japanmpvmotors.co.uk Japanese Auto Locators 01386 792946 www.jalimports.co.uk Camper Kong 01204 791905 www.camperkong.co.uk Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club www.mdocuk.co.uk Delica Friends www.delicaownersclub.co.uk Thanks to Saxon Motors and Jap MPV Specialist for their help with this feature.
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No doubt the single rear sliding door most have helped there, as it makes packaging easier. The Delica is one of the less obvious choices, but its vast interior makes it perfectly viable for conversion. Indeed, with its offroad ability, the 4x4 version makes a fantastic expedition vehicle. There are a number of off-theshelf conversions available, notably Camper Kong’s two-berth Boo-oom pack and Japanese Auto Locator’s four-berth pop-top conversion. Alternatively, you could do it yourself and let your imagination run riot. Incidentally, if you are looking to buy a Delica that has already been converted into a camper, go through it with a fine-toothed comb to check the quality of the build.
Parts availability Most parts are readily available new or second-hand in the UK. The Delica is also extremely popular in Australia, where there are a number of specialists who would probably be able to help with anything that is proving hard to find closer to home. It is important to note that, though the 4x4 versions of both the L300 and L400 Delica have suspension and four-wheel-drive systems shared with that of the Pajero/Shogun, there are few directly interchangeable parts. Engines and gearboxes, however, are pretty much exactly the same.
Specialist support When it comes to buying a Delica, there are myriad specialists who will be able to import one specifically for you, or who will be able to
Left: On this model, the centre row of seats can swivel and face different directions. Right: Crystal Lite roof is popular, though check for water leaks.
supply one from their stock. Dealers worth keeping an eye on include Saxon Motors in Bournemouth, Jap MPV Specialist in Uxbridge, Japan Motors in Birmingham and Japanese Auto Locators in Inkberrow. As we’ve already said, the supply of freshly imported Delicas has slowed down significantly in the last few years, but it won’t be too hard to find a dealer with at least one in stock. On the maintenance front, specialist support is thin on the ground. There are some specialists in the Pajero/ Shogun out there who should know their way around the Delica, but it is not an especially complicated vehicle, so any competent mechanic will be capable of looking after it properly. The best port of call for any information and advice is an owners club. There are two in the UK, the Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club and the Delica Friends.
What to pay There are plenty of serviceable Delicas on the market for less than £3000. At this price level, they are likely to have been in the UK for a while, so check it thoroughly. The price of freshly imported Delicas varies surprisingly widely. Age seems to have little bearing, though mileage and specification does. £6000 is the base level for one that’s new to the UK, while the top whack is around £9000 if the specification and condition are particularly good. n RETRO JAPAN E S E