I neeeeeed one!

[Brian Cool]

Ola peoples. I have loved these machines since the first time this Canadian climber brought one through town. I have been saving up to get one but have yet to pull the trigger. Although I am a very good mechanic, I have never delt with the dark side. Diesel. So with that I humbly come before the guild for guidence.

What are your takes on workability, maintenance, and parts?

How many miles is too many on these "M" diesel motors, and would it be feasible to buy a body and drivetrain then find a motor?

What have been the acquiring techniques for your riggs? Did you buy domestic or Buy in Canada and bring across the border?

Any other advice is extremely welcome and desired. Thank you much all

Cheers

 

[Tom Boyd]

This is highly dependant on where you are. Access to parts, maintenance stuff and even dedicated shops is best in the PNW. Vancouver BC has several places that either are exclusive Delica of cater to them.
If properly maintained they will go several hundred thousand miles/kms.
I would buy Canadian. Again, experienced shops. Either buy from one of them or get it pre inspected by them. I prefer Rising Sun, but there are others. Sure the shops seem to charge more, but #1 they are pricing in CA $'s (like monopoly money), and #2 if you look at the extensive list of things they do to imported Delica's its impressive. You would never be able to even buy a $6k Delica and do the stuff they do to them and come out less than what they are charging (been there, tried that).
If you are an experienced mechanic you should do fine. Diesels are easy. The biggest challenge I have found with the Delica is the pathetic amount of quality literature that is available. By most standards the svc. manuals are a joke. But the online communities, especially delica.ca are a great source of information.

 

[Brian Cool]

Superb advice Tom. Thank you. I was actually hitchhiking up to Canada and about to jump on a freight train to ride up the rest of the way to buy one when the guy sold it to someone else because he was afraid it would be too hard to import it. I did quite a bit of research and it sounds pretty straight forward and simple as long as they are the required 25 years old.

Is an inspection required through either the border patrol or a licensed mechanic in CA?

I would like to buy through a private owner, but would you just go ahead and find a dealer?

Again thank you so much for the help.

 

[Brian Cool]

This is highly dependant on where you are. Access to parts, maintenance stuff and even dedicated shops is best in the PNW. Vancouver BC has several places that either are exclusive Delica of cater to them.
If properly maintained they will go several hundred thousand miles/kms.
I would buy Canadian. Again, experienced shops. Either buy from one of them or get it pre inspected by them. I prefer Rising Sun, but there are others. Sure the shops seem to charge more, but #1 they are pricing in CA $'s (like monopoly money), and #2 if you look at the extensive list of things they do to imported Delica's its impressive. You would never be able to even buy a $6k Delica and do the stuff they do to them and come out less than what they are charging (been there, tried that).
If you are an experienced mechanic you should do fine. Diesels are easy. The biggest challenge I have found with the Delica is the pathetic amount of quality literature that is available. By most standards the svc. manuals are a joke. But the online communities, especially delica.ca are a great source of information.

I just read an old thread you replied to about what to look for. You rock my man! Mad props for your knowledge and expertise.