Project R.C. Pro Am

Hey guys,

I thought I would start a thread on the ownership of my 1989 Mitsubishi Delica Starwagon. It really isn't a project per se, but I do want to do a few things to it over time. If you are not familiar with the van you can check out my thread on getting it from Japan via Canada earlier this year.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/my-adventure-for-the-delica-starts-tomorrow-morning/89410/page1/

So far owning this van has been great, but the lousy weather is coming, and I am torn on using it during the winter. On one hand it was designed for the winter in mind. What with a 4wd chassis, and the turbo diesel engine, and cool yellow driving lights that I imagine would work well on a snowy road. On the other hand this van is 25 years old, and looks almost brand new, so subjecting it to a New England winter almost doesn't seem fair. Still not sure what I am going to do yet.

I'm calling it project R.C. Pro Am because while it doesn't exactly mimic the look of the vehicles in that video game, it is at least very similar.

So far I have yet to have to do anything to the van, but it need a few things that I hope to get to this winter if money, time, and funds allow. The first being sealing up a seam leak under the windshield corner that is a known leaky spot on the Delica. I hadn't noticed it while driving home in the rain from Ontario, but a few weeks ago after washing it I noticed the carpet was wet in the typical spot, and I discovered I have the dreaded leak. It is well documented, and I don't think it is too tough to tackle, but we'll see.

http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12646

The other "issues" the van has are suspension/axle related. Number one is the left(passengers side) CV axle has a torn outer boot that needs replacing. Because of this I have yet to try the 4wd, because I am afraid of that joint. While I repair this I plan on installing manual locking hubs due to my van not having the vacuum hubs, but rather axles that are turning all the time. Not great for wear and tear, or fuel mileage. While I am in there I plan on doing the lower ball joints as they are okay, but not great. I figure I will probably need to repack or replace the wheel bearings also.

Hopefully I will get the alloy wheels I got from my importer cleaned up or painted also. When I do this I will either get some new larger tires or swap the new tires on the steelies now, but we'll see. I would like some 31" tires, but they require some lift to the suspension which poses another problem for me. Mainly I am afraid that with a lift the van will no longer fit in my already tight garage. That is also the reason I have yet to get a set of roof racks or a full roof basket as the van will not fit in the garage with either of these options.

Anyway here is a pic or two of the van:

If you drive it in the winter, please undercoat and/or "waxoil" the snot out of it. While I agree it is too nice to use as a winter beater, it also is a shame not to use it as intended.

You know I love that van. I will love that van forever. It is a sight to behold.

BTW I love that van.

Can you do stoppies with it? Lots of front overhang.

Its been a long time since I have seen one of those. Very cool to see what you do with it.

Oh I forgot to mention that I want to tint the rear windows a bit. I don't want crazy dark, but just more tint than the clear glass that is on it now. It will probably cost a fortune to do all the glass on this. I am not sure the tint place would even want to tackle the sliding rear windows as it seems it may be tough to do if not impossible.

I'm still looking for a legit reason to drive to your part of the country to see this van. Just the prospect of seeing the van already has me 95% of the way to packing my stuff and driving out.

mazdeuce wrote: I'm still looking for a legit reason to drive to your part of the country to see this van. Just the prospect of seeing the van already has me 95% of the way to packing my stuff and driving out.

Because the GRM Challenge Jeep is from this area too and we're all pro-am drinkers.

Fluid Film is the answer: http://www.amazon.com/Fluid-Undercoating-Gallon-bottles-everything/dp/B0048770KE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1414762430&sr=8-3&keywords=fluid+film

mazdeuce wrote: I'm still looking for a legit reason to drive to your part of the country to see this van. Just the prospect of seeing the van already has me 95% of the way to packing my stuff and driving out.

You can come see the new home of that fuel sending unit you sent me that's now in my CSX. I live one town over from JDM Awesomeness.

BTW I love that van.

I like the RC Pro-Am reference. I logged a lot of hours on that game as a kid and its certainly an appropriate title for the thread with all this 80's goodness within.

I would love to figure out a way to incorporate an RC style antenna on the roof of the van somehow.

On an unrelated note I have found myself reaching for the directional stalk on my LHD cars on the right side of the steering column, and not the left side. I guess that means I am used to driving the Delica which isn't as often as I would like, but apparently enough to get a comfortable feel for its controls.

Successfully changed the oil yesterday. I got the oil filter through NAPA, and other than it being too larger for my biggest oil filter wrench the job was pretty easy. I ended up using my belt to get the filter off.

Like that game in that it's literally the best thing to ever happen to videa games at that point?

Cool van. I'm watching.

And jonesing for some RC pro AM action.

I got some new CV axle boots today, so if it warms up anytime soon I hope to attempt replacing the ripped left outer at a minimum, but hope to do all of them Any gotchas on a job like this? I have never owned a 4wd before.

Don't let your balls fall out and get lost.

I'm assuming you're using one those generic dorman kits with the universal fit stepped boot and bag of grease, the two piece boot kits are all garbage AFAIK. You need a coffee can and paint thinner to clean the parts(they need to be spotless), and probably circlip pliers to undo the clip holding the shaft on the joint. You can crimp the new bands with a pair of cheap wire cutters dulled a little. Use the whole bag of grease, before you snap the shaft in, pack the hole with the grease and use the shaft to push it in, to pack the area in there as best as possible, then pile on the rest and slide the boot on, making sure to keep the boot/joint contact surface dry. Also make sure to keep a clean work area, cleaner the better, you'll use a ton of rags keeping your hands grit free during reassembly.

If you can source them, and the truck uses them(I'm unfamiliar with old kei van construction), new hub nuts are recommended, use a torque wrench. If it can be avoided, don't use a impact gun, bad for the wheel bearings.

bgkast wrote: Don't let your balls fall out and get lost.

Balls? Well my wife has them in a jar on the shelf anyway. Not those balls you say?

Kenny_McCormic wrote: I'm assuming you're using one those generic dorman kits with the universal fit stepped boot and bag of grease, the two piece boot kits are all garbage AFAIK. You need a coffee can and paint thinner to clean the parts(they need to be spotless), and probably circlip pliers to undo the clip holding the shaft on the joint. You can crimp the new bands with a pair of cheap wire cutters dulled a little. Use the whole bag of grease, before you snap the shaft in, pack the hole with the grease and use the shaft to push it in, to pack the area in there as best as possible, then pile on the rest and slide the boot on, making sure to keep the boot/joint contact surface dry. Also make sure to keep a clean work area, cleaner the better, you'll use a ton of rags keeping your hands grit free during reassembly. If you can source them, and the truck uses them(I'm unfamiliar with old kei van construction), new hub nuts are recommended, use a torque wrench. If it can be avoided, don't use a impact gun, bad for the wheel bearings.

Not Dorman generic kit. Real Mitsubishi stuff. I really don't even know how to get the axle shafts out as it seems I will have to remove the spindle assembly( maybe not the name of said part) which may include undoing a ball joint or two. Also not sure how they are attached to the differential. Bolted, or just slid in? I guess I will figure it out.

Same procedure with the OE parts.

If you need to pop ball joints, I recommend one of these if you don't have one already. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html

It's been a long, cold, snowy winter so no progress on the cv axle boot replacement on the delica. I did add a few stickers to the van the other day however.

Did I see you driving down East bay street in Charleston SC this past weekend?

I swear it was this exact van. I pointed it out to my wife and she thought it looked funny but cute.

Wasn't me. I've never been to SC.

Love it! I have also always loved the name of one of the trim levels on the later models... "SpaceGear"

There is a newer gen one that they operate the radio communications for stage rally in out here. has about 14 antennas on it (I am from Cana-pan (or Jap-ada?) land)

In reply to Mazdax605:

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there's a Delica club out there. Good get.

The "Made in the 80's..." sticker rules, though.

gamby wrote: In reply to Mazdax605: I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there's a Delica club out there. Good get. The "Made in the 80's..." sticker rules, though.

There are several Delica clubs out there, but the one I got the sticker from, and the largest (possibly only) in North America is based in Canada(British Columbia to be exact). It was the closest I could find.

Do you need a chase vehicle for your MS ride this year?

I recently made an addition to the project. I bought a used trailer hitch receiver from a Delica forum member in Canada. I got it in the mail on Saturday around 2PM when I got back from my sons baseball game. By 7 PM I had a fresh coat of paint on it, and had it mounted on the van. It isn't bolted on to the chassis with much, but I only plan on using it for a bike rack, and maybe a few more accessories. It has three receivers for some reason. I was thinking maybe I could use the outermost ones for D-rings in case I get stuck on the mud/sand, but then again the hitch isn't held on with much, so maybe not.