Mitsubishi Delica JB500 camper new member

[jessef]

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.

 

[phillybarbour]

Hi and welcome along to the site. Lovely van with all the features in a compact size great.

 

[oldish hippy]

deliica girl has one simalar to this

 

[delicagirl]

YEA !!!!!!! Lovely !!! this is identical to mind in almost every respect - except i have a small round window in the bathroom with a sliding opening vent, and i have different upholstery.

They are VERY unusual and i have only ever met 2 other owners in the UK and one of those was exported. There is another WC member who bought one a couple of years ago but he has stopped posting.

I knew nothing about vans when i bought mine and it has been a really steep learning curve as no manual is available anywhere. I was in contact with Mitsubishi japan last year to discuss weights and they were helpful. Also this community gave me massive help to understand and repair mine.

So if there is anything at all i can assist with - do get in touch. I would be delighted to help/share my knowledge.

There is an Mitsuibishi owners forum and there is the odd thread on their about our vans Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club - Free to join delica l300 and l400 owners community

i love my van and have done a huge mileage in it and only use campsites rarely. Owning it has changed my life - and my bank balance!!

Yours has ""forced air furnace, water heater and an electric 12v radiant heater." - tell me about the forced air furnace and the radiant heater as i dont have those.

good luck

 

[andyjanet]

YEA !!!!!!! Lovely !!! this is identical to mind in almost every respect - except i have a small round window in the bathroom with a sliding opening vent, and i have different upholstery.

They are VERY unusual and i have only ever met 2 other owners in the UK and one of those was exported. There is another WC member who bought one a couple of years ago but he has stopped posting.

I knew nothing about vans when i bought mine and it has been a really steep learning curve as no manual is available anywhere. I was in contact with Mitsubishi japan last year to discuss weights and they were helpful. Also this community gave me massive help to understand and repair mine.

So if there is anything at all i can assist with - do get in touch. I would be delighted to help/share my knowledge.

There is an Mitsuibishi owners forum and there is the odd thread on their about our vans Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club - Free to join delica l300 and l400 owners community

i love my van and have done a huge mileage in it and only use campsites rarely. Owning it has changed my life - and my bank balance!!

Yours has ""forced air furnace, water heater and an electric 12v radiant heater." - tell me about the forced air furnace and the radiant heater as i dont have those.

good luck

Delicious you forgot to mention the pink interior and the good looking gal driving it

 

[The laird]

Hi welcome and enjoy

 

[trevskoda]

Delicious you forgot to mention the pink interior and the good looking gal driving it

You spot on there as iv had her on my sofa.:lol-053:

 

[delicagirl]

You spot on there as iv had her on my sofa.:lol-053:

naughty boys !!!

I do indeed have a pink all-girlie interior to my van... - but Trev's gorgeous lady was on the other end of the sofa i was sat on whilst Trev and i were chewing the fat for a good few hours !! i know the Irish can TALK (i am half irish) but i reckon Trevskoda would win an award for it.... xx

Andyjanet - thank you .... i took the van to my local garage this week who diagnosed that its loss of power was due to a tired accelerator cable.... (phew!!!!) which they are going to deal with tomorrow.... and the French transmission repair seems to have been a success - so overall i am very relieved.

 

[jeanette]

Hi and:welcome::camper:

 

[trevskoda]

naughty boys !!!

I do indeed have a pink all-girlie interior to my van... - but Trev's gorgeous lady was on the other end of the sofa i was sat on whilst Trev and i were chewing the fat for a good few hours !! i know the Irish can TALK (i am half irish) but i reckon Trevskoda would win an award for it.... xx

Andyjanet - thank you .... i took the van to my local garage this week who diagnosed that its loss of power was due to a tired accelerator cable.... (phew!!!!) which they are going to deal with tomorrow.... and the French transmission repair seems to have been a success - so overall i am very relieved.

Your good for a chat & educated one at that me las.:wave:

 

[molly 2]

Be aware delicia girl told me their is no insulation so very cold . welcome

 

[delicagirl]

Be aware delicia girl told me their is no insulation so very cold . welcome

yes molly - i have lined all the cupboards with silver insulation bubblewrap stuff, i have stuffed bubble wrap into the underseating storage areas and put carptet down, have put up a really thick curtain between cab and hab and and my gas fire is brilliant - so its a lot warmer than it was !!!

 

[Channa]

yes molly - i have lined all the cupboards with silver insulation bubblewrap stuff, i have stuffed bubble wrap into the underseating storage areas and put carptet down, have put up a really thick curtain between cab and hab and and my gas fire is brilliant - so its a lot warmer than it was !!!

I think in general most coachbuilt styles suffer with insulation issues. In essence the cabs on all of them are still commercial with a bit of nicer seat cloth and carpets. It is the Achilles heel, I did the same with a curtain between hab and cab, then used two blankets (travel rugs) the air between the two blankets warms the place and seems to give insulation.

Roll on summer

Channa

 

[jessef]

Thanks guys & delicagirl !

The propane heater should be the same (fire/gas) as yours.

I also have a diesel fired heater (little espar one) I may install if the one in the camper isn't that good.

I've had a number of campers over the years and winter camp (ski) often, so I'll be insulating this one too.

Will post pictures as I do the mods !

 

[molly 2]

yes molly - i have lined all the cupboards with silver insulation bubblewrap stuff, i have stuffed bubble wrap into the underseating storage areas and put carptet down, have put up a really thick curtain between cab and hab and and my gas fire is brilliant - so its a lot warmer than it was !!!

. Eyup Collette nice to get a post from you ,expect you have been galivanting .

 

[delicagirl]

. Eyup Collette nice to get a post from you ,expect you have been galivanting .

yes i gallivanted through Eire this year and then over to France for a couple of months..... whenever i have a few hours i will put up a post about France (my first time there in 30 years) as i had a few interesting challenges to say the least !!! The van now needs a new kitchen window as I reversed into a tree in a campsite one day - so a trip over to South Wales camper scappy is on the cards very soon.

 

[izwozral]

Thanks guys & delicagirl !

The propane heater should be the same (fire/gas) as yours.

I also have a diesel fired heater (little espar one) I may install if the one in the camper isn't that good.

I've had a number of campers over the years and winter camp (ski) often, so I'll be insulating this one too.

Will post pictures as I do the mods !

Great looking van jessef. much cleaner, tidier and less bashed about than delicagirls!

wooooossshhh,i'm off:wave::wave::lol-053:

 

[delicagirl]

Thanks guys & delicagirl !

The propane heater should be the same (fire/gas) as yours.

I also have a diesel fired heater (little espar one) I may install if the one in the camper isn't that good.

I've had a number of campers over the years and winter camp (ski) often, so I'll be insulating this one too.

Will post pictures as I do the mods !

i got my gas fire checked out by GASSAFE guy who specialises in LPG gas appliances when i first go it. this may i had my gas system tested and it was running at 98% efficiency so i was really chuffed.

I find the fire heats the van in next to no time - but i do have very thick double lined curtains. The habitation entry-foot well is the coldest area - and i plan to velcro a new curtain to cover the door frame in the winter.

i also got someone to glue thin carpet to the wall in the dining area (and the downstairs bed area) and this has warmed it up considerably.

 

[delicagirl]

Great looking van jessef. much cleaner, tidier and less bashed about than delicagirls!

wooooossshhh,i'm off:wave::wave::lol-053:

i do have a few scrapes in the van.... but inside is clean and luvverly - outside is a real deterrent to thieves !!!

 

[jessef]

i got my gas fire checked out by GASSAFE guy who specialises in LPG gas appliances when i first go it. this may i had my gas system tested and it was running at 98% efficiency so i was really chuffed.

I find the fire heats the van in next to no time - but i do have very thick double lined curtains. The habitation entry-foot well is the coldest area - and i plan to velcro a new curtain to cover the door frame in the winter.

i also got someone to glue thin carpet to the wall in the dining area (and the downstairs bed area) and this has warmed it up considerably.

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