Delica JB500 Camper

[Nulla]

Hello, We are very new to the world of Delica. Our Delica is a JB500 camper should be arriving in Los Angeles in about 2 to 3 weeks. We will prep it in Los Angeles then begin our joy ride across the USA. We have a lot of learning to do. What we know so far is that it is a L300 with a 4D56 turbo Diesel engine (learned from this forum). The first thing we will do is to change the timing belt, we are trying to source a timing belt kit. I have already send inquiries to Amayama and Megazip. If there are other sources please let us know. After changing the timing belt, water pump etc.. Next is to make the engine more efficient and reliable . This will include the following;
1. Inter cooler - looking for a bolt on kit if available
2. Installing a larger down pipe - looking for a bolt on kit if available if not it will be a trip to a muffler shop
3. Installing a more efficient air intake - looking for a bolt on kit
4. EGT gage - what brand are you all using?
5. Boost control - what brand are you all using?
6. Install an electric fuel pump
7. Install an oil catch can
Other suggestions to make the engine for efficient and reliable are welcome. After installing the above we will then twik the engine as suggested in this forum i.e, removing the EGR gage etc....

Looking forward to your suggestions. We will share inside photos when we get them. Thank you.

 

[bbaker22]

This looks awesome. Any clue how this will do on the highway? My regular L300 is already pretty slow, right lane only most of the time. That reminds me, I need to put my "Top Speed 65mph (sorry)" sticker on my van.

 

[Nulla]

This looks awesome. Any clue how this will do on the highway? My regular L300 is already pretty slow, right lane only most of the time. That reminds me, I need to put my "Top Speed 65mph (sorry)" sticker on my van.

Slow ........ we will travel same speed as the the old trucks, the new trucks will pass us, even when I make the engine more efficient. that is just the way we role

 

[ccmickelson]

That thing does look awesome. Does it have 4WD? How many miles on it? Love to see the interior! There is an outfit in Taiwan called DelicaWorks that was offering an intercooler kit but seem to be temporarily out of business? I can understand your desire for more power considering how much vehicle that little 4d56 needs to move but squeezing a few more horsepower out of a 90 hp engine can be negligible IMO and possibly to the sacrafice of longevity and reliability. Others here may have more informed opinions, but rather than going to the expense of all you have listed, why not just install a new D4BF engine? I believe they run more efficiently, have a more robust head design (less prone to cracking) and the turbo is both oil and water cooled. I have personally driven a "tuned" Delica that had a 3" exhaust, intercooler, ehtanol boost and boost controller and the additional power was barely noticeable (Perhaps a bit more acceleration?) I would personally focus more on reliability than performance.

 

[Nulla]

It has 45k miles on it, yes 4wd. Yes D4BF is an option another forum member also told me about that, I need to understand the option more. I am told it is drop in bolt on no modification needed. I have 5 speed manual transmission. I will search the forum but if you can send me a link that would be greatly appreciated. Simplicity of the engine is also important to me, no computer is best. thx On wikipedia there is the 4DBH I did not see a 4DBF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Astron_engine
Intercooled Turbo (TD04 water-cooled Turbo)[edit]

• Power - 99 hp (74 kW) at 4300 rpm
• Torque - 177 lb⋅ft (240 N⋅m) at 2000 rpm
• Engine type - Inline 4-cylinder SOHC
• Rocker arm - Roller Follower type[13]
• Fuel system - Distribution type jet pump (indirect injection)
• Combustion chamber - Swirl type
• Bore x Stroke - 91.1 mm × 95 mm (3.59 in × 3.74 in)
• Compression ratio - 21.0:1
• Lubrication System - Pressure feed, full flow filtration
• Intercooler Type - Aluminium Air-to-Air, Top-mounted
• Turbocharger - Mitsubishi TD04-09B

Also known as Hyundai D4BH[14]
Thank you

 

[Growlerbearnz]

That all looks like a great plan, though the bolt-on bit will be interesting.
I can save you a tiny bit of hassle though: cross off #6, there's no fuel pump, it's all taken care of by the injector pump.
Adding an external fuel pump is a bad idea, the injector pump uses internal fuel pressure to regulate injection timing. An external pump will raise the pressure in the whole system and mess up the timing.

 

[ccmickelson]

It has 45k miles on it, yes 4wd. Yes D4BF is an option another forum member also told me about that, I need to understand the option more. I am told it is drop in bolt on no modification needed. I have 5 speed manual transmission. I will search the forum but if you can send me a link that would be greatly appreciated. Simplicity of the engine is also important to me, no computer is best. thx On wikipedia there is the 4DBH I did not see a 4DBF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Astron_engine
Intercooled Turbo (TD04 water-cooled Turbo)[edit]

• Power - 99 hp (74 kW) at 4300 rpm
• Torque - 177 lb⋅ft (240 N⋅m) at 2000 rpm
• Engine type - Inline 4-cylinder SOHC
• Rocker arm - Roller Follower type[13]
• Fuel system - Distribution type jet pump (indirect injection)
• Combustion chamber - Swirl type
• Bore x Stroke - 91.1 mm × 95 mm (3.59 in × 3.74 in)
• Compression ratio - 21.0:1
• Lubrication System - Pressure feed, full flow filtration
• Intercooler Type - Aluminium Air-to-Air, Top-mounted
• Turbocharger - Mitsubishi TD04-09B

Also known as Hyundai D4BH[14]
Thank you

If the mileage is legit that is practically a new engine. I’d run it.

I don’t know about the compatibility of the d4bh but yes, the Hyundai d4bf is an improved version of the 4d56 and requires no modification, just a few Delica-specific component swaps. Not sure how similar the engine configuration of your JB500 is to the L300. Growlerbearnz has written the Bible on the d4bf engine install...

Hyundai D4BF info and installation guide.

Thinking of fitting a brand new Hyundai D4BF to your Delica? No? Take a look at these photos and you'll change your mind: SO. SHINY. The D4BF is a 4D56, made under license. It even says 4D56 on the engine block. It says "Hyundai" on a bunch of other parts, but I don't mind. Hyundai make a...

delicaforum.com

 

[Nulla]

Normally when I change timing belt I change water pump, seals, tensioner etc. I have 45k miles on my engine do you think I can get away with just changing the timing belt? If I don't see a leaky seals and all the other parts looks good? thx

 

[The Tick]

Normally when I change timing belt I change water pump, seals, tensioner etc. I have 45k miles on my engine do you think I can get away with just changing the timing belt? If I don't see a leaky seals and all the other parts looks good? thx

If your going through the trouble of tearing everything apart to do the timing belt you might as well do it all. In most cases it won’t leak till you get it all back together.

 

[Nulla]

If your going through the trouble of tearing everything apart to do the timing belt you might as well do it all. In most cases it won’t leak till you get it all back together.

Been doing the part search best luck I have is Megazip, Amayama has been a challenge. I also found I can get most part at the Mitsubishi dealer but more expensive. I am wondering if OEM is worth?

 

[The Tick]

I f

Been doing the part search best luck I have is Megazip, Amayama has been a challenge. I also found I can get most part at the Mitsubishi dealer but more expensive. I am wondering if OEM is worth?

I feel OEM is usually always worth it.

 

[Megerald]

we have the same front end. lovely purchase

 

[jpmustblaze]

Welcome, I love those campers.

 

[sk66]

T3 4x4 workshop sells a "bolt on" intercooler kit for the L300 4d56t... but I think that's a little misleading because it involves relocating the AC radiator. They also sell a nice SS exhaust and oversized aluminum radiator. @mr.sa is making a turbo back SS exhaust as well... it's currently using crush bends, but working on a mandrel bent option (personally, I would go with that when it's ready).

I think the best thing you could do is upgrade the radiator. I'd add the EGT gauge and catch can as well; and replace the belts just because they are old. The rest is going to provide pretty minimal gains at high cost IMO.
But if you want to go that route; I would get the T3 turbo, IP/injectors upgrade kits, and the intercooler... if you do all of that, then the exhaust change will also make more of a difference.

 

[Nulla]

T3 4x4 workshop sells a "bolt on" intercooler kit for the L300 4d56t... but I think that's a little misleading because it involves relocating the AC radiator. They also sell a nice SS exhaust and oversized aluminum radiator. @mr.sa is making a turbo back SS exhaust as well... it's currently using crush bends, but working on a mandrel bent option (personally, I would go with that when it's ready).

I think the best thing you could do is upgrade the radiator. I'd add the EGT gauge and catch can as well; and replace the belts just because they are old. The rest is going to provide pretty minimal gains at high cost IMO.
But if you want to go that route; I would get the T3 turbo, IP/injectors upgrade kits, and the intercooler... if you do all of that, then the exhaust change will also make more of a difference.

Thank you for all the great info. I will look at the suggestion and will get back to you. BTW when you changed your timing belt did you change the water pump, tensioners, seals etc, I only have 43k miles on this rig is the reason I am asking. Other wise I would normally do all of it. thank you.

 

[sk66]

I haven't done the timing belt yet... it was recently done before I got the van.
Personally I only replace things when they are bad, or if failure could be catastrophic. I would replace the timing and balance belts because they are rubber and old, and maybe the seals behind them since you're already there. If the tensioners roll smoothly and aren't making noise, I would be fine with leaving them. The water pump can be replaced w/o pulling the radiator/timing belt etc., but it's easier to do at the same time.

 

[Nenw]

I would do all the timing components if i were you.
Belts, pulleys, oil seals, water pump, accessory belts even the upper and lower radiator hoses, and the radiator cap if you dont get the radiator right away. However that is highly recomemded as well. Ask me how i know.... I did the vacuum lines on top of the engine as well. All low cost if coming from amayama.

It is an old vehicle, likely never done, and if you are road tripping utilizing that 4wd then be safe with it and get the “what ifs” out of the back of your mind.

i was chatting a while back with a now semi retired delica garage owner Butch at CV in BC. He only used oem. Said that you would get 70k km between servicing safely but maybe 40k km on aftermarket parts.

Order yourself up an extra set of accessory belts as backups. Cheap from Amayama and get only OEM. Aftermarket don’t fit quite right and will loosen up. Again ask me how i know.

also any spare parts you can find for these in the states that are oem seem to to be warehoused in the Los Angeles facility so lucky you!

 

[Nulla]

I would do all the timing components if i were you.
Belts, pulleys, oil seals, water pump, accessory belts even the upper and lower radiator hoses, and the radiator cap if you dont get the radiator right away. However that is highly recomemded as well. Ask me how i know.... I did the vacuum lines on top of the engine as well. All low cost if coming from amayama.

It is an old vehicle, likely never done, and if you are road tripping utilizing that 4wd then be safe with it and get the “what ifs” out of the back of your mind.

i was chatting a while back with a now semi retired delica garage owner Butch at CV in BC. He only used oem. Said that you would get 70k km between servicing safely but maybe 40k km on aftermarket parts.

Order yourself up an extra set of accessory belts as backups. Cheap from Amayama and get only OEM. Aftermarket don’t fit quite right and will loosen up. Again ask me how i know.

also any spare parts you can find for these in the states that are oem seem to to be warehoused in the Los Angeles facility so lucky you!

Thx for the advice. I been trying Amayama but not have had good luck. I have better luck with mega zip. I will keep trying amayama. There those who say that “if you gonna do all that just install a 4dbf it will be cheaper” what do you think of that advice? My engine only have 43k miles on it.
Would like to hear your experience of not changing all the parts. Thx

 

[Nenw]

Mine only had 98k Km (60k miles) when I brought it down from BC. I did all the work myself. so it was only the cost of the parts. I was a little bummed that I did not end up with OEM timing parts, as I ordered from Combs Country. Probably cost the same as going through Japan. They had to take their cut, which is fine, I get it. But I figured a Delica shop would have been using OEM. I didn't have enough of a grasp of what was needed yet so I went with the off the shelf expertise of the shop. I would never think to replace an engine that soon, however I know some guys that would buy it off you if you did.

You are going to drop 3-4k on a new engine then how much to install it? Do you get a new engine every time you need to do a timing belt change? Not sure why they would recommend going that route.

This was my first few months of parts refresh into the van. Notice when I was in the engine originally then had to go back and do the radiator. At least verify that your radiator is flowing properly when you first get it. Bad radiators = overheating = no good for our vans. Don't go on looks alone. Mine looked brand new, had perfectly clean coolant inside of it unfortunately it was so calcified inside that it wasn't flowing through the middle part of the core.

2k in parts and almost 800 of that was in tires and a few hundred extra in fluids. Seems like the better value to me.

 

[Nulla]

Mine only had 98k Km (60k miles) when I brought it down from BC. I did all the work myself. so it was only the cost of the parts. I was a little bummed that I did not end up with OEM timing parts, as I ordered from Combs Country. Probably cost the same as going through Japan. They had to take their cut, which is fine, I get it. But I figured a Delica shop would have been using OEM. I didn't have enough of a grasp of what was needed yet so I went with the off the shelf expertise of the shop. I would never think to replace an engine that soon, however I know some guys that would buy it off you if you did.

You are going to drop 3-4k on a new engine then how much to install it? Do you get a new engine every time you need to do a timing belt change? Not sure why they would recommend going that route.

This was my first few months of parts refresh into the van. Notice when I was in the engine originally then had to go back and do the radiator. At least verify that your radiator is flowing properly when you first get it. Bad radiators = overheating = no good for our vans. Don't go on looks alone. Mine looked brand new, had perfectly clean coolant inside of it unfortunately it was so calcified inside that it wasn't flowing through the middle part of the core.

2k in parts and almost 800 of that was in tires and a few hundred extra in fluids. Seems like the better value to me.

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Thanks for the list. I am thinking of doing the work myself also.... not sure. I will take the radiator to a shop and get it clean, there are a lot of places in Los Angeles. I know there is the option of putting an aluminum radiator but I will probably stick with the OEM easier to repair if there is a leak, I assume it is copper.