Delica D5

J

Josao38

New Member
Hi guys, i am very keen on buying a Delica D5 but i have some concerns.
1- they came out in 2007 and i will only be able to buy a 2007 or early 2008 version.
Are there any big issues with the 1st gen delica D5s that you would know of?
2- How easy is it to get parts for recently import-able rigs?
Do you have any good repair shops (i live in Vancouver, BC) and/or online websites for parts you could share.
Thanks a lot for your help
Josao38
 
The D5 series is definitely a bit of untested water. As you've pointed out, Canadians are just starting to be able to legally get their hands on them, and Americans still have some time before they can start to mess around with them. This means that tracking down parts domestically would most likely be headache inducing to say the least, and more likely fruitless until there are more floating around in North America (either wrecked ones for used parts or a big enough community to warrant someone investing money in stocking such niche parts). At the same time, however, the fact that the vans are newer does mean that parts are almost certainly available somewhere, (unlike some of the older vans where stockpiles of parts are certainly dwindling often requiring the cannibalization of vans showing any sign of weakness) and there are definitely shops - particularly in western Canada - that specialize in Delicas/JDM that can track them down fairly easily, albeit with a bit of time between ordering and collecting from overseas (fine for preventative, not so great for emergencies). I would be curious to know if there is any parts interchangeability between the D5 and similar Mitsubishi products we did get around here like the Outlander or Endeavour (obviously not body-wise, but perhaps driveline, suspension, etc.).

So far I've only seen a couple D5's floating around, and even then usually only as kind of a quirky choice by shops that already specialize in all things Delica/JDM (I've seen some floating around Magnum Auto and Heritage Auto in Calgary). If you gave one of them a call they would probably have some more tangible advice on day to day operations.
 
Hi Svrdv.
I have thought about parts interchangeability between the D5 and other Mitsubishis too and have just started looking into it but have not found much yet. But this would definitely help.
And i will call/email a couple of shops in the vancouver area to see if they've started to stock parts for D5s. Will share my findings asap.
Cheers
 
Josao38 said:
Hi Svrdv.
I have thought about parts interchangeability between the D5 and other Mitsubishis too and have just started looking into it but have not found much yet. But this would definitely help.
And i will call/email a couple of shops in the vancouver area to see if they've started to stock parts for D5s. Will share my findings asap.
Cheers
Click to expand...
I have a D5 in the fraser valley you are welcome to come have a look at if you would like to see what they are about before buying one. Many parts interchange with north american mitsus, however I am still working out what actually crosses to what. Some things are very close.. but not quite. They seem to be a mix of Outlander, Lancer Evo, and proprietary... Biggest PITA so far is the radio only plays Japanese music... so I am becoming very accustomed to J-pop...

Here's a hitch install I just did on a van I brought in for a friend of mine.
 
TieMyShoe said:
I have a D5 in the fraser valley you are welcome to come have a look at if you would like to see what they are about before buying one. Many parts interchange with north american mitsus, however I am still working out what actually crosses to what. Some things are very close.. but not quite. They seem to be a mix of Outlander, Lancer Evo, and proprietary... Biggest PITA so far is the radio only plays Japanese music... so I am becoming very accustomed to J-pop...

Here's a hitch install I just did on a van I brought in for a friend of mine.
Click to expand...
Hey TieMyShoe,
Thanks for your offer and comments on the beast. ;)
I've seen one selling not too far from work so i plan on test driving it but i may still have milions of questions for you (you said you imported your friend's D5 and maybe yours too and i was thinking of doing it too - if i like the test drive) and confirm the parts potential headache.

Speaking of parts, i did find
- some data about the engine (4b12 right ?): https://www.engine-specs.net/mitsubishi/4b12.html) where they have a "Vehicle applications" section which could be very useful.
- a list of part numbers for the different delicas including the D5. It is an australian forum so this may need to be taken with a grain of salt but could still save ppl lots of time. => not sure if i can share a link to a different Delica forum but I could still share the list of parts on a dedicated discussion i guess.

Note: i watched the youtube video you shared with me and kept on going with your 1st D5 road trip. They were both really great! Love your style! Keep at it pls!

Cheers
 
Most of the internal engine bits for the D:5 line up to a Mitsu Outlander 2008. So if you go to lordco, that's likely your best fitting.

Good luck on importing, I hear the auctions are higher than usual on these, for lower end models, but it never hurts to try and bid. I'm hoping it was a blip myself.

I have mine for sale if you wanna check one out. I'd say people have opinions on the mivec engine and that it's on a car base instead of a truck base like the older models.

I got a friend, that for a fee, can help you import one for you and get it street ready, if you did want to go to auction.
 
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We have plenty here in NZ and they don't have any particular weak points. Even the CVT (which everyone was worried about) turns out to be reliable, even when abused.

The only irritating thing is they aren't big enough inside for a 2400x1200mm sheet of plywood.
 
Growlerbearnz said:
We have plenty here in NZ and they don't have any particular weak points. Even the CVT (which everyone was worried about) turns out to be reliable, even when abused.

The only irritating thing is they aren't big enough inside for a 2400x1200mm sheet of plywood.
Click to expand...
Ya learned that one the hard way... had to put sheets of ply ontop of my roof top tent... glad I made a 3 bar rack for the van lol
Josao38 said:
Hey TieMyShoe,
Thanks for your offer and comments on the beast. ;)
I've seen one selling not too far from work so i plan on test driving it but i may still have milions of questions for you (you said you imported your friend's D5 and maybe yours too and i was thinking of doing it too - if i like the test drive) and confirm the parts potential headache.

Speaking of parts, i did find
- some data about the engine (4b12 right ?): https://www.engine-specs.net/mitsubishi/4b12.html) where they have a "Vehicle applications" section which could be very useful.
- a list of part numbers for the different delicas including the D5. It is an australian forum so this may need to be taken with a grain of salt but could still save ppl lots of time. => not sure if i can share a link to a different Delica forum but I could still share the list of parts on a dedicated discussion i guess.

Note: i watched the youtube video you shared with me and kept on going with your 1st D5 road trip. They were both really great! Love your style! Keep at it pls!

Cheers
Click to expand...
Yup its a 4B12, same as what came in pretty much every mitsu of the era.
 
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Hi all,
Just eyeing up a D5 myself having recently parted ways with my L300.
The 8'x4' sheet of plywood test was something I was hoping it would pass but it's not a deal breaker with a roof rack.
Just wondered what size you could fit in there? Could you fit an 8x4 sheet in diagonally if the seats were out?
I've been searching for internal dimensions but haven't found anything that specific yet?
 
Here you go. To fit a 2400 x 1200 sheet in you'd have to remove the front passenger seat and lean the sheet over towards the driver. With the front seat in place the length is 2200mm.


1LBxpVH.png
 
TieMyShoe said:
Ya learned that one the hard way... had to put sheets of ply ontop of my roof top tent... glad I made a 3 bar rack for the van lol

Yup its a 4B12, same as what came in pretty much every mitsu of the era.
Click to expand...
After some more research, i think we should be fine when it comes to parts for engine and chassis as the Delica platform (GS platform) is shared by other Mitsus (most likely sold in Canada). See extract from wiki
The last thing which could delay repairs will be body parts i suppose since there are not many here yet.
 
Hi again everyone

I eventually got a chance to test drive one (Base model - 2WD only) and the RHD did not feel bad at all.
The seats are super comfy, the interior material quality is not bad either, tons of cool little gadgets/hidden features that can help on a day to day life.

A few only negative points i'd like owners to comment on if they don't mind:
- the 2nd row seats do not swivel like they do in a Toyota Alphard or in the older gens...
Can they be mounted backwards though to face the 3rd row?
- the overall performance of the car is not outstanding (i was expecting a little more from 170hp but i could have been spoiled by V6-V8 engines...)
- my test drive demonstrated
1- very light steering (car swaying left/right) when I put the "pedal to the metal".
2- no shifting-up in gears when i reached red zone with full throttle (i know a CVT is different - no real gears but... it should still have faked a gear shift moving on the CVT "gear ratio" curve right?)
3- quite a bit of roll on turns (not even sharp turns)
Is that what it feels normaly or could it be specific to my ride?
I'm not buying this car coz i'm looking for a AWD version but just wondering how realistic my test drive was.
Cheers
 
Josao38 said:
Hi again everyone

I eventually got a chance to test drive one (Base model - 2WD only) and the RHD did not feel bad at all.
The seats are super comfy, the interior material quality is not bad either, tons of cool little gadgets/hidden features that can help on a day to day life.

A few only negative points i'd like owners to comment on if they don't mind:
- the 2nd row seats do not swivel like they do in a Toyota Alphard or in the older gens...
Can they be mounted backwards though to face the 3rd row?
Click to expand...
because of the seats belt I don't think you can flip them.
Josao38 said:
- the overall performance of the car is not outstanding (i was expecting a little more from 170hp but i could have been spoiled by V6-V8 engines...)
Click to expand...
The CVT and drive by wire makes for a bit lack luster performance.
Josao38 said:
- my test drive demonstrated
1- very light steering (car swaying left/right) when I put the "pedal to the metal".
Click to expand...
This is the nature of unequal length CV front drive cars. What you are discribing is called torque steer. for 4WD vans, if you select AWD mode the torque steer will go away.
Josao38 said:
2- no shifting-up in gears when i reached red zone with full throttle (i know a CVT is different - no real gears but... it should still have faked a gear shift moving on the CVT "gear ratio" curve right?)
Click to expand...
The CVT is designed to hold the engine at the ideal RPM for the demand being put on it. So when you floor it the engine revs to the top of its rev range to give you as much grunt as it can, and the CVT does the rest. Higher end models come with paddle shifters that mimic gears if you want to shift it manually.. it's kinda weird though.
Josao38 said:
3- quite a bit of roll on turns (not even sharp turns)
Is that what it feels normaly or could it be specific to my ride?
Click to expand...
No its kind floppy...

Also don't base anything off the fact its a GS platform.... yes it shares some parts, but there is a lot that is Delica proprietary. There's been a few things I've tried off the outlander that are almost right... but not quite. Even the oil filter... it fits... buts its actually to small. Struts from what I can tell are shorter on the outlander/lancer etc than the Delica... Roof racks, there are no racks availble in north america that fit it properly... there are some that "fit" but IMHO are sketchy at best... that's why I ended up making a conversion kit.
 
pepper said:
I'm interested in bringing a 2017 D5 to the USA. I'm new here and just learning ...
Click to expand...
My understanding is you are unable to for now.
Canada has an import law that a vehicle must be 15 yrs old before you can import.
USA is much longer. 20-25yrs?
You'd have to look it up. I think you'd get grief if you went to Canada, bought and drove in too. Leaving you truly fucked. Because the buyer isn't gonna give your money back because you didn't do your due diligence.
 
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