First L400

Gardenerguy

Gardenerguy

Active Member
Just saw my first L400 on the road today. Sighted at about 10am heading south out of Bandon, OR Hwy 101. Painted a flat black and looked to have a lift kit, seemed to sit a bit taller than me.
 
Question, auto vs manual transmission, has this been covered elsewhere? I’ve always driven manuals..
 
Trixie said:
Question, auto vs manual transmission, has this been covered elsewhere? I’ve always driven manuals..
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L400 - get the Auto. I have driven manual all my life, and still went for the Auto.

Why?

The gearing. The manual gear range is not as high as the auto. So, you cannot go as fast in the manual. If I remember correctly, the manual is 5 speed, and the Auto is basically a 6 speed due to the overdrive and gearing.
 
Wow, 90 mph. Don’t need to hit that speed. That being said, living in the Midwest we’ve got to travel to get to the fun spots. Could one drive for hundreds of miles doing 70-75 without any ill effects or does she need to be pampered more?

You mentioned faster with automatic transmission, what’s the difference in speed with a manual?

Thanks.
 
Unfortunately there are very few L400 manual Delica's out there, from what we see they do not have a gear ratio problem and can cruise at 125 km, top out at 140 km
 
DelicaUSA.com said:
Unfortunately there are very few L400 manual Delica's out there, from what we see they do not have a gear ratio problem and can cruise at 125 km, top out at 140 km
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Thanks for the info, sounds like most people are quite happy with the auto and get around quite well.

I’ll be sure to keep my eyes peeled on your site for a suitable L400. Any recommendations for a Midwest vehicle? We get the worst kinds of weather, blazing hot summers and arctic winters. New to this and read somewhere that a ‘Jasper’ was good in hot/cold conditions. Thanks for your help.
 
Trixie said:
Thanks for the info, sounds like most people are quite happy with the auto and get around quite well.

I’ll be sure to keep my eyes peeled on your site for a suitable L400. Any recommendations for a Midwest vehicle? We get the worst kinds of weather, blazing hot summers and arctic winters. New to this and read somewhere that a ‘Jasper’ was good in hot/cold conditions. Thanks for your help.
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Actually, I reverse what I said before, the L400 manual does have about the same range as the auto - however, they are much much harder to find.

All of the L400's will perform very well in winter conditions - I say this as a Canadian. The difference in models has an effect on your trim levels - so the Royal Exceed has all the chrome bits, the karaoke machine, power curtains, heated seats... etc.. etc... however, even the lowest spec L400 Will have the same 4X4 and transmission, so in terms of traction and driving in the winter, they will be the same.

If you are in the midwest, you do want a block heater though!
 
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