What Did You Do for Your Van Today?

Krazykraut said:
With access to a vinyl cutter, and too much time on my hands, I made a replacement for the long lost StarWagon decal. Maybe not exactly the correct size and subtly different from the original, but it looks pretty stock.
I haven't seen a single Delica in all Grace Silver Metallic so I had to guess it should be black.
View attachment 1141
If anyone else is interested, I can either share the Silhouette file or cut some more decals.
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Yours looks awesome. If anyone wants to go that route, but does not have access to vinyl cutter, I found the exact sticker on eBay UK and ordered it. Haven’t put it on yet. Search for “delica replacement tailgate decal” and it should come up. About $16 including shipping.
 
sck_nogas said:
Well, I've been working on the interior to repair and "tweak" it to my needs and I'll share the current status... :)
Next up, is to finish the integration tweaks
  • Wire up the USB flush mount I installed in the arm rest
  • Fix the Steering Wheel Buttons (or return them?)
  • Wire up the reverse signal into the Head unit to turn on the camera
Then start on the exterior bits.
  • Repair the rusted side step
  • Install some LED lights into the lip/sides of the hatch
  • Strip all rust spots to bare metal and rust treat them then paint the undercarriage in black textured Durabak bedliner
  • Take all the steps and bumpers off, strip, and repaint in black textured Durabak bedliner
  • Paint the entire Delica in Durabak bedliner (textured and smooth) in my Option #1 color scheme
Then it's roof rack, car shower, pop out awning, reupholster the seats, replace carpet, and re-do headliner? o_O:eek::cool:
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I’m a wiring novice. I understand the concepts like piggybacking, ignition and non-ignition circuits, etc. But actually running wiring in an old, fragile vehicle like ours is new to me. I see you’re tackling a bunch of wiring projects. Based on your agenda, I think it is safe to assume you’re more advanced than me by miles, and was hoping you’d give me a little coaching.

I’m about to tackle 4 projects:

1) replace cigarette lighter with a 2-usb port — this one seems easy enough, but if you have any tips, I am all ears.

2) run wiring to center console to put USB ports there too. I’m tired of having wires hanging all over my legs and console between the cigarette lighter and the console.

3) I’m installing a GPS tracker. I understand the wiring set up. No problem. But I need to run two different wires so that my satellite GPS antennae and my cellular antennae are in good reception spots (manufacturer says they should not have metal over them?). I’ll put the tracking module under the dash right above the drivers side fuse box. Then I’ll run my antennas from there. Any advice or guidance on running that wiring? I was thinking about mounting the two antenna either in my snorkel (running the wire up the snorkel from the inside) or somehow mounting them forward on the bull bar/bumper. Tucked under the rear bumper would probably work too, but that would be long wire runs from the fuse box/module. Advice/guidance?

4) I’d like to get USB power to the second row. Looks like you are thinking about it too. Advice?

Appreciate any help you can give. Thank you in advance.
 
Okay, the EASIEST way I did the USB power for your #1 and #4, was to
  1. Install one of these USB chargers in the front cigarette lighter
  2. Install one of these USB chargers in the back cigarette lighter
Now you have a voltmeter and four 2.4Amp USB ports in the Delica. :)

As for running the wiring for a USB port for the center console, I bought this USB flush-mount port and had to get an 1m RCA extension and 1m USB extension to connect all the way to the headunit. I did not measure correctly and thus had to zip-tie the cables together to make sure they did not shake loose. What I do is use 4 zipties, with two zipties between the connectors and a zip tie on each wire holding the first two.

You can also solder the USB cables together, doing the instructions in this video.
 
Hey @feetforbrains, ever take that video? Would love to hear it. Also would be interested know what the damage is to do a job like this. My exhaust has a couple of c-clamps keeping it from rattling now

feetforbrains said:
Big day for me and my van today. Parts in, parts installed.

View attachment 1146
Update: Because I've been asked I figured I'd share. I ordered my parts online (MagaFlow 10416 and DC Sports EX-1011B). Pipe was provided. Welding was done by Austin's Pro-Max in South Tacoma. Bunch of old muscle head there. Some powerful cars on that lot and a 350 on a stand to gawk at. They were excited to see my weirdo van and got it all done and dusted in about an hour and change.

I'll try to get some video of the sound. The resonator on the end gives it a throaty growl that works really well in my opinion and the shorter exit seems great for evacuation. I think its a bit punchier at low speeds especially.
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daisy said:
Hey @feetforbrains, ever take that video? Would love to hear it. Also would be interested know what the damage is to do a job like this. My exhaust has a couple of c-clamps keeping it from rattling now
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Nope, sorry not yet. I've been stuck in a jury assembly room for the past week and only driving to and from the ferry before or after the sun has gone away for the day.
 
daisy said:
Hey @feetforbrains, ever take that video? Would love to hear it. Also would be interested know what the damage is to do a job like this. My exhaust has a couple of c-clamps keeping it from rattling now
Click to expand...

Here you go. I'm actually getting my insulated coveralls on right now so I can go work on installing some more sound mat, but as you can hear it's not much different from the original rear dump exhaust (except in my case a lot less rattle).

 
feetforbrains said:
Big day for me and my van today. Parts in, parts installed.

View attachment 1146
Update: Because I've been asked I figured I'd share. I ordered my parts online (MagaFlow 10416 and DC Sports EX-1011B). Pipe was provided. Welding was done by Austin's Pro-Max in South Tacoma. Bunch of old muscle head there. Some powerful cars on that lot and a 350 on a stand to gawk at. They were excited to see my weirdo van and got it all done and dusted in about an hour and change.

I'll try to get some video of the sound. The resonator on the end gives it a throaty growl that works really well in my opinion and the shorter exit seems great for evacuation. I think its a bit punchier at low speeds especially.
Click to expand...

Sounds good! I almost went with that shop for mine, but ended up down the street a ways.
 
Started to tackle the timing belt this weekend. This will take alot longer than I thought. Its super slow going as some of these bolts have probably never been touched. 100k KM on a rusty 29 yr old van. Indoubt anybbelt has ever been swapped. Anyway, i am stymied on how to remove the crankshaft pulley bolt. I tried the classic crank the engine with the wrench on it trick and to no avail. I’m borderline about the fabricate my own tool which i have no facilities or tools to actually do. What have you all done?
 
aAdded a GPS tracking system.

I installed the TrackmateGPS Mini Pro 3G. https://www.trackmategps.com/profile/OurProducts/Product?id=2054

So far, it works perfectly. Installation was easy enough. All you have to know how to do is use piggybacks for your fusebox.

Probably overkill to have a tracker on my van, but I've gotten way more attention than I thought I would. People are noticing this thing. And I'd also like to keep track of it when I have to leave it with valet parking.
 
Installed Monroe 708 air shocks in rear. Pretty straight forward for a newbie mechanic. Had to bore out the bushings to 5/8, like previous threads have mentioned. Ordered new Poly bushings and will install once they arrive. I'll upload picture of placement of schraeder valve on rear bumper where a trim bolt was missing.

Had a great camping trip last weekend with family and friends at Spirit of Suwanneee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.

Ordering oil filter and fuel filter from Napa this week. Ordered oil drain plug seal washer and high console lid from Coombs. Can the oil plug washers be ordered from anywhere? Hopefully it all comes in this week and can install new console lid, change oil, oil filter, fuel filter and air filter this coming weekend.

Would like to get up in the North GA mountains first weekend of Nov. for a camping trip before it gets too cold for the wifey and see the colors changing.

This forum is amazing and really appreciate all the help and feedback I get here!!
 
rtaylor6753 said:
Installed Monroe 708 air shocks in rear. Pretty straight forward for a newbie mechanic. Had to bore out the bushings to 5/8, like previous threads have mentioned. Ordered new Poly bushings and will install once they arrive. I'll upload picture of placement of schraeder valve on rear bumper where a trim bolt was missing.

Had a great camping trip last weekend with family and friends at Spirit of Suwanneee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.

Ordering oil filter and fuel filter from Napa this week. Ordered oil drain plug seal washer and high console lid from Coombs. Can the oil plug washers be ordered from anywhere? Hopefully it all comes in this week and can install new console lid, change oil, oil filter, fuel filter and air filter this coming weekend.

Would like to get up in the North GA mountains first weekend of Nov. for a camping trip before it gets too cold for the wifey and see the colors changing.

This forum is amazing and really appreciate all the help and feedback I get here!!
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I didn’t know there was a “high” or “low” console lid. What is the difference? Wonder which I have?
 
Delicatessan said:
I didn’t know there was a “high” or “low” console lid. What is the difference? Wonder which I have?
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Me neither until a few weeks ago. Mine is currently retro-fitted with cupholder tray mounted on top of console without a lid. I am removing and adding a lid. The high console (fabric) acts more like an armrest, I believe. The low lid is flat and plastic (low profile). The two options are shown on megazip. Bought these through Coombs.
 

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The high is much better. There aren't really cup holders in the low, rather small indentations of where one should be. It's really more of a lid than an armrest.

For the $30cad or so Coombs charges, it's probably been dollar for dollar the best thing I did to the van.
 
rtaylor6753 said:
Me neither until a few weeks ago. Mine is currently retro-fitted with cupholder tray mounted on top of console without a lid. I am removing and adding a lid. The high console (fabric) acts more like an armrest, I believe. The low lid is flat and plastic (low profile). The two options are shown on megazip. Bought these through Coombs.
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Thanks. I have the low option. When you install the high, I'd love to see a picture.
 
Nenw said:
Started to tackle the timing belt this weekend. This will take alot longer than I thought. Its super slow going as some of these bolts have probably never been touched. 100k KM on a rusty 29 yr old van. Indoubt anybbelt has ever been swapped. Anyway, i am stymied on how to remove the crankshaft pulley bolt. I tried the classic crank the engine with the wrench on it trick and to no avail. I’m borderline about the fabricate my own tool which i have no facilities or tools to actually do. What have you all done?
Click to expand...
I used the crank engine method, but with a longer breaker bar.
 
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