Mitsubishi Delica JB500 camper new member

[yorkslass]

Hi,:welcome::wave::wave:

 

[delicagirl]

Thanks ! I'll keep those tips in mind when I'm winterizing mine. Is the gas fire loud or quiet ? Does it run constantly or how often does it cycle on and off ? Cheers

The gas fire is exceptionally quiet and it trips in and out on a thermostat depending on the ambient temperature. i would not be without it. but i do get it checked out annually. there is a meter which LPG gassafe engineers carry which they stick down my exhaust flue and test the efficiency... doesn't take long.

 

[Channa]

The gas fire is exceptionally quiet and it trips in and out on a thermostat depending on the ambient temperature. i would not be without it. but i do get it checked out annually. there is a meter which LPG gassafe engineers carry which they stick down my exhaust flue and test the efficiency... doesn't take long.

flue analyser that analyses exhaust gasses and points to a problem ,,Part of the journey as you are well aware is learning and understanding your van, it becomes a living thing, that we tend and nourish to ensure it takes care of us

Channa

 

[jessef]

The gas fire is exceptionally quiet and it trips in and out on a thermostat depending on the ambient temperature. i would not be without it. but i do get it checked out annually. there is a meter which LPG gassafe engineers carry which they stick down my exhaust flue and test the efficiency... doesn't take long.

That's great info thanks !

How cold outside have you been while sleeping in the camper with the heat on ?

 

[Clarke05]

Mitsubishi L300 JB500

I've been eyeing these for years and never picked one up for some reason. I know there's a few floating around (delicagirl?) and sparse information on the net, so I'm going to do a thread specifically on the JB500 in it's stock form for maintenance/specs and then I'll be modifying it with the usual suspension lift, 33" tires, some cutting/mods to the camper box and front/rear bumpers to make it into a mini camper similar to a domestic slide in camper/truck but more compact with better use of space and footprint.

A few fun facts considering it's over 20 years old.

The campershell is factory built specific to the L200 4x4 4D46 Mitsubishi truck.. which is almost identical to the normal JDM L300 running gear/engine that I'm familiar with. The difference lies in the ladder truck frame vs monocoque van body.

GVW is not much more than a standard 90's JDM L300 which was surprising considering the size difference, but then it makes sense as it's on a stripped down ladder frame truck chassis.

Interior has propane stove, 3 way 12v/120v/propane(LPG) fridge, forced air furnace, water heater and an electric 12v radiant heater.

Full shower/sink & toilet w external removable cassette.

The windows are double glazed acrylic that are used in modern european/domestic and RV campers to eliminate condensation on windows and has manual blackout blinds.

Sleeps 4 adults. 2 full double beds.

Arrives in a few weeks and will start the mods right off the bat.

Nice example, I have one of these and it is not quite as tidy on the inside. I have already had a number of mods done to enhance it's off road capability, extra ground clearance mainly as running gear is solid and well up to the task. I also had a turbo fitted, the 69bhp 2.5NA diesel really struggled on hills.

 

[delicagirl]

That's great info thanks !

How cold outside have you been while sleeping in the camper with the heat on ?

I'm a tough Lancashire lass.... - heat on at night ??? that's what we call nesh...... woolly hat, scarf, pure wool arab blanket on top of my duvet..... at -10degrees - twere a wee bit chilly. some of the external locks froze that night - it was January in Scotland.


https://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forum...lp-please-me-re-weight-issues.html?highlight=

this is a very long thread about weight. Do either of your two Delica owners have a "plate" in your engine or under the front of the drivers seat specifying the weight - mine had been removed prior to my owning it? Mitsubishi in Japan told me it was a 2.5 - so i have a fairly small payload.

This thread shows you that i had to go to Mitsubishi in Japan to get an answer as to whether it was possible to "lift" the rear end.

 

[Herman]

Hope you enjoy your camper, I had a 4 wheel drive L300 and loved it, I raised it 3" by making extended spring shackles for the rear and tenstioned the torsion bars at the front to get a set of 31" tyres under the arches.

 

[jessef]

I used to fabricate suspension lift kits and custom bumpers for L300's so I've got a good idea what I'll be doing for this one. Should be fun !

Here's a few of my creations.


before



after

 

[delicagirl]

whilst in France i developed a leak from the main water tank - as fast as i filled it up it drained away from a really weird place - behind the water tank yet quite high off the ground. Some of the ply was visibly cracked - how that happened is mysterious. I took it for repairs today and discovered another wee quirk of these lovely vans....

On the internal floor of the water tank is a plug just like a kitchen sink plug - goodness knows why - as there is a perfectly good drain tap/piping alongside the 90 litre water tank under the rear seating block. The mechanic removed this plug which looked corroded with limescale. He cleaned it off and also sealed up the external end of the pipe it was connected to - he could see no reason for it (other than German over engineering) .

I'll wait a day or two for the sealant to set then fill it and report back here.

 

[delicagirl]

have you guys found your weight plate yet please? - or is there a weight on your Logbook

 

[jessef]

Still waiting on mine. It was supposed to arrive but will be coming in late. Have you went to a truck weight scale to check the weight on yours ? We have them here beside the highways for large trucks to weigh in.

 

[jessef]

Finally got time to get working on it ! Bit of a lift, stiffer suspension so it's not wobbly and some bigger tires now the ride is nice and firm.

Delicagirl... I was lucky to get a manual with the camper but it's all in Japanese.

How does the LPG gas system work with the heater and the cooker ? Cheers !