Project Ironhide

So I posted up a CL link a few weeks ago about maybe buying an old Mitsubishi van. Well I bought it,and just picked it up today from the shipping hub today.

http://web.me.com/cdirado/Diradosite/Ironhyde.html

Before Michael Bay ruined the Transformers my childhood was filled with these wonderful Japanese toys. One I remember fondly was the original Ironhide which was a Nissan van,but I feel this is just as close to original. I may even try to get IRNHYD as a vanity plate for it. Not sure the plans as of yet, but my kids liked the short ride around in it when I got it home. They rode in the second row captains chairs that slide, and spin around. Of course they rode with their backs to me so they could see where they had been.

So far it seems to be a pretty good vehicle aside from not much heat coming out of the HVAC system on the 45 minute ride home, and the spare tire seems real loose in its carrier out back. The cruise control even works! Any ideas on the lack of any real heat (it was lukewarm at best) ? Interesting spot for the gas door release on the right side of the drivers seat. I was worried for a little bit when I stopped for gas, and couldn't fin out how to open the door. I wonder why they even had a release on it instead of just making it impossible to open with the drivers door closed.

Any ideas on which way I should head with this wonderfully Japanese vehicle?

Chris

Haha there was a family who's kids I went to school with that had one of those. Their last name was Padden. We called the van "The Padden Wagon".

They drove that thing into the ground.

My suggestion is to get a Autobot decal.

I don't approve of the fitment of the wheels, but you get the idea.

I have an idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_QOkLuiyos

mndsm wrote: I don't approve of the fitment of the wheels, but you get the idea.

I feel like those ridiculous lines running to the oil cooler are just begging to get cut somehow

thatsnowinnebago wrote:

mndsm wrote: I don't approve of the fitment of the wheels, but you get the idea.

I feel like those ridiculous lines running to the oil cooler are just begging to get cut somehow

Which is why the oil cooler, is almost NEVER hooked up on such installations.

^^ Is that a Daihatsu? Cool Wagovan btw...

When I was at Mitsubishi I worked on one or two of those. Was fun to show owners where their engine was. Can't help ya on the no heat however. Low on coolant?

I can't see your image from work... (blocked..) But a quick search on the web was showing this...

Flares are good... (if your van is this model...)

Looks close enough to it to make the flares work.

driver109x wrote: ^^ Is that a Daihatsu? Cool Wagovan btw...

I have no idea. I googled "boso van" and that as well as some other....Japanese vans showed up. This was the least ridiculous of them.

In reply to noddaz:

That. Is. Awesome!!!1!!1!!11

I couldn't ride in one without worrying about being blown over.

DoctorBlade wrote: I couldn't ride in one without worrying about being blown over.

My grandfather had one he basically kept a portable locksmith shop in. It was SKETCHY.

ScottRA21 wrote:

thatsnowinnebago wrote:

mndsm wrote: I don't approve of the fitment of the wheels, but you get the idea.

I feel like those ridiculous lines running to the oil cooler are just begging to get cut somehow

Which is why the oil cooler, is almost NEVER hooked up on such installations.

Ah, that makes more sense. Sorta.

But will it turn into a giant fighting robot? Just make sure its red.

my friend had one of those in high school. we drove that thing all over the northeast skateboarding and snowboarding along the way. we eventually got t boned by a late 70's oldsmobile. the van help up surprisingly well in the crash.

Just got the van in the garage. This thing is cooler, and cooler the more I look it over. Such a neat little concept. Had my brother-in-law over last night, and he was checking it out. I couldn't for the life of me figure out the brake master cylinder until we investigated more. The next question was where is the brake fluid reservoir. We searched high and low,and couldn't figure it out. Then I noticed a convenient little panel on the side of the dash that was conveniently marked "Brake Fluid". Imagine that? They thought of everything.

Chris

DoctorBlade wrote: I couldn't ride in one without worrying about being blown over.

I was actually concerned about that as well,but it seemed pretty stable on the highway when I brought it home. A little sketchy when passing one semi,but nothing worse than I have felt in my full-sized Dodge vans. The wheelbase on this thing is really short though.

Just got back in from crawling around under the van. It seems to be in really good shape underside, and amazingly well engineered. I took a few more pics of it on the underside, and loaded them here:

http://web.me.com/cdirado/Diradosite/Ironhyde.html

I found the tailpipe is broken off of the muffler,but other than that the exhaust is in great shape. It looks like it could be welded back on fairly easy.

I also realized that while I wouldn't want to test it the front end of this thing is way more robust than I would have thought it to be. I imagine it had to pass some sort of crash worthiness to be imported into this country. The front bumper mounts are really strong looking, and I think would hold up well in a collision. Again I wouldn't want to be the test dummy,but it eases my mind a bit now that I have seen what it looks like under there.

What sort of engine does that thing have? Depending on the cylinder count, I'd imagine it is possible to replace a four with the 4G63 Turbo, or a six with at the very least the 200 hp SOHC V6 out of a 2000-up Eclipse coupe.

FWIW, when I was working in Medellin Colombia, there were thousands of such tiny vans scurrying about the city.
Point being, parts and upgrades may not be so hard to find in Latin America (Hello, Mexico? I need a tranny for a ....)

noddaz wrote: I can't see your image from work... (blocked..) But a quick search on the web was showing this... Flares are good... (if your van is this model...)

"Wheels on Meals" FTW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXVp9938Uq4

I've always been curious of Jackie Chan's Sponsorship from Mitsubishi. It's been a 30 year relationship.

Who am I:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNnDUICM1bU

Thunderbolt: (My favorite Jackie Chan Movie)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGzJUmpexAs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c900e50HE_0

Rob-B-Hood: (cool scene)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG_-WdvhZMQ

In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid: