Searching for knowledgeable L400 shop/individual Maryland area

[Matt_Hammerhead]

Hello all,

I recently picked up what was supposed to be a pretty minty example on an 1994 L400 Super Exceed from DelicaUSA.

After some semi understandable let’s say “out of box” issues like a dead rpm sensor were sorted out the van was running pretty well. I picked this up in December and now with some warm weather have confirmed the ac system is dead.

The more I dig into this truck, with much assistance from this forum, the more is see seems to be somewhat suspect.

At the very least I’d be thankful if someone could recommend somewhere to go for an AC specialist, anywhere close to the Maryland area. If there was anyway I could have this looked at by someone with a keen eye I’d go far and wide.

 

[B.Delica]

I'd check out the Delica map on the main page, it lists most of the known shops with varying degrees of expertise. We're out in Colorado and have a specialist in L300/L400s, nomadic vans knows their stuff, rising sun knows their stuff, I believe that Karr auto is one of the moderator's spots (no idea why I think that but it definitely could be true?) so I'm guessing they rock. Can't give too much personal experience as I work at a Delica shop and don't have a customer perspective but based on the interactions I've had/seen these shops are on it. I'm sure someone else can pitch in with other recommendations but that's a starting point

 

[B.Delica]

I will say the weather is REAL nice in Denver, so that alone makes the 3500 mile drive worth it.... Right?

 

[Matt_Hammerhead]

I will say the weather is REAL nice in Denver, so that alone makes the 3500 mile drive worth it.... Right?

I just found someone 20 miles away who after a very promising phone call I will be visiting on Saturday.

Failing them, I would certainly consider it a worthy reason to make the trip!

 

[B.Delica]

Well that's shockingly convenient! Hope all goes well and you get the AC cranking before it gets too hot

 

[BMac]

Curious how well you think DelicaUSA went over yours before purchase.

 

[Matt_Hammerhead]

Alright I've received a somewhat devastating quote back from the mechanic. I think there's a combination of fair work and some fleecing going on. My plan is have them do the AC, battery, 86K, and E-Brake work while I put time into learning the brake service myself.

I think I'd like to do two stages, first would be service and keep running what I have so to get back driving then source all new parts and install them with a new set of wheels/tires.

The rack and pinion while obviously concerning, from responses to a corresponding facebook post about this story this seems likely to be a replaceable seal so that's something I'd like to try before replacing parts. I believe the mechanic said there's 3-5mm of material on the pads which is above the min 2mm so this gives me a short timeline to gather things.

I'd appreciate any knowledge, links to posts, or anything brake related that they can share.

I have no background in auto repair but spent 10 years as a mechanic for other machines and have access to a fairly capable manual machine shop where I could resurface brake rotors if needed.

 

[sk66]

Worn out battery terminal? I'm assuming they mean on the cable and not the battery. Run a saw blade through the gap to widen it; it'll tighten up fine.

Changing fluids and greasing is pretty simple stuff; if a bit messy.

Brakes are also pretty basic maintenance. The front rotors are L400 specific; the rest is 90's Montero stuff. Probably won't be able to turn the rotors anyway. But a good/complete brake flush is a lot easier with a power bleeder/flushing system. I would guess 5mm is about 50%; 1.5mm is the minimum.

OEM air filter is hard to come by at that price... aftermarket is available for notably less (IDK how they can charge that much to install an air filter).

Rack and Pinion rebuild (?)/Alignment/AC are the primary things I would think might be better for a shop to do.

 

[BMac]

I found most of my brake parts by cross reference on RockAuto’s site. Pads, rear rotors, and even front calipers. As stated above, fronts rotors are specific, but you can get them shipped from Coombs for a decent price. The work isn’t that difficult, front rotors are a little more difficult than most car rotors, but nothing a quick YouTube search can get you a video of a similar install. Rear caliper rebuild kits are pretty cheap and also easy to tackle. Mine was dragging, so I rebuilt both (new seals and pistons)…passenger rear was super rusty inside. That quote seems crazy. ..Also, you can probably adjust the parking brake while you are at the back rotors. Mine just needed a little tweak and I sanded the shoes a little. There are some videos on that as well, including brake fluid refresh.

Hope something in there helps, it sounds like you should have no problems with this and some of the other stuff.

Cheers!

—I’m in Maryland as well. Van from DUSA…always finding stuff they should have (supposed to have) gone over/changed and definitely did not.

 

[Mr_Flbble]

Wiper blades streaking $103?

Really???

Also, I just adjusted my parking brake shoes - they were too tight, and all it took was removing the wheel, removing the brake and rotor, then adjusting the tension device with a screwdriver. (Its kind of a cylinder ratchet type thing).

$384 may be reasonable for the parking brake if you need the hardware, but you probably don't.