Delica JB500 Camper

[ajsucks]

Is yours not holding in place? I went to ace hardware and bought new bolt and fasteners and tightened everything up.

yes correct. ok I will take a gander. thanks!

 

[Oisin]

Hey all! I've bought a JB470 a couple of months ago in Japan, should arrive in Ireland within the next month, I'm very excited!

This thread is great, will be doing a lot of mods/upgrades that have been mentioned here, along with many more. I plan on living in it while travelling Europe and working full time for a year or so and then drive it back to Japan! I may also ship it to and drive the Americas if budget allows once I reach Japan haha!

Attached image of it sitting in the port in Japan.

 

[Nulla]

Hey all! I've bought a JB470 a couple of months ago in Japan, should arrive in Ireland within the next month, I'm very excited!

This thread is great, will be doing a lot of mods/upgrades that have been mentioned here, along with many more. I plan on living in it while travelling Europe and working full time for a year or so and then drive it back to Japan! I may also ship it to and drive the Americas if budget allows once I reach Japan haha!

Attached image of it sitting in the port in Japan.

We love our JB500, slow but it gets as us there. Congratulations

 

[ColoradoKehoe]

here is an update on the lift, added 3 springs from atlas suspension, bilstein shocks, shuckels from rising sun, 235/75r15 29" tires I could have gone to 30". lifted 4". thank you all for your help. more update to come.

Hi @Nulla I just bought a 1996 JB500 and am looking to upgrade some components. This thread has been very inspiring for what I could do!

What size shackle did you install? Did it affect your ride/drivability with the new shackle and added leaf springs?

Also, is there any chance that the shop that did your custom wheel spacers would be able to reproduce that without visiting their shop? I live in Colorado and likely won't be able to make a trip out there.

Thanks in advance!

-Jordan

 

[Raugur]

Hey all! I've bought a JB470 a couple of months ago in Japan, should arrive in Ireland within the next month, I'm very excited!

This thread is great, will be doing a lot of mods/upgrades that have been mentioned here, along with many more. I plan on living in it while travelling Europe and working full time for a year or so and then drive it back to Japan! I may also ship it to and drive the Americas if budget allows once I reach Japan haha!

Attached image of it sitting in the port in Japan.

Hi, does your jb 470 have a webasco cabin heater? If so, would you kindly post a picture of how it is plumbed to the diesel tank/line? Thx

 

[Nulla]

Hi @Nulla I just bought a 1996 JB500 and am looking to upgrade some components. This thread has been very inspiring for what I could do!

What size shackle did you install? Did it affect your ride/drivability with the new shackle and added leaf springs?

Also, is there any chance that the shop that did your custom wheel spacers would be able to reproduce that without visiting their shop? I live in Colorado and likely won't be able to make a trip out there.

Thanks in advance!

-Jordan

Hello sorry for the late respond i have been on travel outside of the country. Everything i have done to my suspension has been great. I don’t remember installing a shackle (maybe I did) it has been a while. Atlas suspension added a couple of lift springs. My rig is in storage now i will check when i visit there. Everything i did to the suspension is on this tread. On the spacer you should call them and send them a picture of your rig, I think they might be able to look up the specs they did on my rig. Here their site https://www.wheeladapter.com/ I can also call them if needed. enjoy!

 

[Nulla]

Hi, does your jb 470 have a webasco cabin heater? If so, would you kindly post a picture of how it is plumbed to the diesel tank/line? Thx

My rig is not here now, i should be able to do this in a couple of days. This might be difficult to track down because it is OEM to the camper but i will try. Enjoy.

 

[ColoradoKehoe]

Hello sorry for the late respond i have been on travel outside of the country. Everything i have done to my suspension has been great. I don’t remember installing a shackle (maybe I did) it has been a while. Atlas suspension added a couple of lift springs. My rig is in storage now i will check when i visit there. Everything i did to the suspension is on this tread. On the spacer you should call them and send them a picture of your rig, I think they might be able to look up the specs they did on my rig. Here their site https://www.wheeladapter.com/ I can also call them if needed. enjoy!

No worries! I actually got in touch with Wheel Adapter today and they are sending out the spacers this week. They mentioned they re-created your spacers not too long ago either - others seem to be following along and liking your build!

Can I ask where you got your bull bar and radiator from? Every radiator I seem to find doesn't have the same bolting style/pattern.

Thanks,
Jordan

 

[Macleod]

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.

Well, one thing I did on your list was add an electric fuel pump before the filter.
I was having issues with air getting in The system, had the HP pump overhauled, new fuel filter pump housing, dropped the tank, checked all hoses....still had to reprise the filter pump frequently.
Added the diesel specific electric pump, all issues gone.
Talked to the pump overhaul shop to make sure sending 5psi to the HP pump was OK, they said absolutely. No reason not to. Why isn't there a lift pump to begin with?
The HP pump was a victim of 25 years of little use, fuel crap clogging it.
My JB 500 now runs like a tip, I can easily hit 60mph towing my motorcycle trailer.

 

[Nulla]

No worries! I actually got in touch with Wheel Adapter today and they are sending out the spacers this week. They mentioned they re-created your spacers not too long ago either - others seem to be following along and liking your build!

Can I ask where you got your bull bar and radiator from? Every radiator I seem to find doesn't have the same bolting style/pattern.

Thanks,
Jordan

I got mine from Canada but you can find them here, shipping was expensive. I had to modify the Bull bar to fit, that is also on my thread. My aluminum radiator is custom made. I took my radiator to a radiator builder and copied it. Honestly the aluminum radiator did not make much difference on the temp but the electric fan is very helpful. If i had to do it over again i probably just keep my oem radiator and put an electric fan on it.
Enjoy
Amado

Well, one thing I did on your list was add an electric fuel pump before the filter.
I was having issues with air getting in The system, had the HP pump overhauled, new fuel filter pump housing, dropped the tank, checked all hoses....still had to reprise the filter pump frequently.
Added the diesel specific electric pump, all issues gone.
Talked to the pump overhaul shop to make sure sending 5psi to the HP pump was OK, they said absolutely. No reason not to. Why isn't there a lift pump to begin with?
The HP pump was a victim of 25 years of little use, fuel crap clogging it.
My JB 500 now runs like a tip, I can easily hit 60mph towing my motorcycle trailer.

wow! I did not add the electric fuel pump because I was told that it is not a good idea. I am now having some kind fuel starvation at 2500 to 3000 rpm. I am thinking of adding an electric fuel pump but lower pressure like 1 to 2 psi. I am told that a pressure that is too high will cause the manual fuel pump to leak over time. I would like to hear more experience about this. Thx for posting this. I might start a thread on it to hear more experiences about electric fuel pump. I installed one on my Landcruiser and it works great. Thx

 

[sk66]

I am thinking of adding an electric fuel pump but lower pressure like 1 to 2 psi.

Calibration pressure is ~3 psi, so something near that is fine. Much higher and it can shift the pumps internal timing; but as long as it's not much that can be compensated for with external timing. The bigger issue is what happens if the small pump fails? It probably becomes a line blockage.

 

[Nulla]

Calibration pressure is ~3 psi, so something near that is fine. Much higher and it can shift the pumps internal timing; but as long as it's not much that can be compensated for with external timing. The bigger issue is what happens if the small pump fails? It probably becomes a line blockage.

I just replaced the fuel filter and air filter it got better but still missing at 3000 rpm and higher. I actually have a thread on this I will respond there also. Thx

 

[Nulla]

Problem was one of my fuel filter was clogged. I also installed an electric fuel pump. With a manual switch. I only turn it on when I feel I need it. Bye fuel starvation

 

[Nulla]

I have been ask ed about my shock and suspension. See attach for part #

 

[Macleod]

I had both my mechanic, Northeast Auto Imports, and the shop that overhauled my HP pump both say an electric pump is fine.
The rebuild shop, "Diesels", in Bow, NH, said specifically that 5-7 psi is perfect, he actually couldn't understand why there wasn't a lift pump already. I've got about 3000 miles on it with the pump, which I power on manually.
I'm using an Edelbrock 17302 diesel - specific rated pump. Many cheap Chinese pumps have crap reviews about failing. The Edelbrock is on the shelf at O'Reilly.
The camper runs so much better with a lift pump, it's amazing.
I'm not sure where you're finding a pump at 2psi, if it's China, you better but extras.

 

[Raugur]

I have been ask ed about my shock and suspension. See attach for part #

Hey Nulla,

Any. Hence of a photo of how your webasto is plumbed into the diesel system? Assuming it it plumbed to camper diesel tank and not stand alone tank.
Thx

 

[Zinguy]

I think there are maybe 5 in the US I have communicated with one who helped me with replacing my oem water pump and faucet.
What I know about the engine is what I learned from this forum & delica.Ca (delica Canada) if I can be of help with the engine let me know. As you can see on my thread I also widen the track width.
Do you know where to source the window next to the camper door & black out curtains and screens? Thx again.

Hello All,
Wally in Iowa here. Drove my 93 JB 500 home from Portland in January 2022. It landed from Japan August 2021 and we had work done at OttoEx, who had purchased and imported for resale. The *work* was around $10K and was pretty much a disaster. I've seen jobs that Alex completed that were fantastic but unfortunately ours is not. Alex attributes the issue to Sam, who worked there just long enough to do a lousy job on "BAG END", our little hobbit house on wheels. Mother-in-law health issues have taken precedence ever since I brought the vehicle home, so I'm just starting to work through systems. Fortunately the engine, transmission, and other systems are all working well after I found a company in Florida that could refurbish the AC compressor. I retired in January so I've got some time now to go through the systems. Nulla your posts and your sheer guts to take on big jobs are inspiring. And everyone who has chimed in mix this forum not only incredibly informative but also incredibly welcoming and supportive. The questions will start rolling in soon, glad to be on board. I've attached a couple pictures. You'll no doubt note that we are members of the prestigious and exclusive "OUTDOOR CAPTAINS CLUB" whatever that is. You'll also notice that I dropped the passenger side window the first time I opened it. If anyone knows where I can have a window fabricated give me a shout. Thanks, Wally and Victoria

 

[Raugur]

Hello All,
Wally in Iowa here. Drove my 93 JB 500 home from Portland in January 2022. It landed from Japan August 2021 and we had work done at OttoEx, who had purchased and imported for resale. The *work* was around $10K and was pretty much a disaster. I've seen jobs that Alex completed that were fantastic but unfortunately ours is not. Alex attributes the issue to Sam, who worked there just long enough to do a lousy job on "BAG END", our little hobbit house on wheels. Mother-in-law health issues have taken precedence ever since I brought the vehicle home, so I'm just starting to work through systems. Fortunately the engine, transmission, and other systems are all working well after I found a company in Florida that could refurbish the AC compressor. I retired in January so I've got some time now to go through the systems. Nulla your posts and your sheer guts to take on big jobs are inspiring. And everyone who has chimed in mix this forum not only incredibly informative but also incredibly welcoming and supportive. The questions will start rolling in soon, glad to be on board. I've attached a couple pictures. You'll no doubt note that we are members of the prestigious and exclusive "OUTDOOR CAPTAINS CLUB" whatever that is. You'll also notice that I dropped the passenger side window the first time I opened it. If anyone knows where I can have a window fabricated give me a shout. Thanks, Wally and Victoria

It looks like your

 

[Raugur]

Hello Zinguy,

It looks like your door opens towards your window....mine did originally but was retrofitted to open towards the cab. May help with future window issues.

Do you have a diesel heater? Plumbed to vehicle fuel tank? If yes, could you post a picture of how/where it connects to the fuel system?

Thanks,

 

[Zinguy]

Hello Zinguy,

It looks like your door opens towards your window....mine did originally but was retrofitted to open towards the cab. May help with future window issues.

Do you have a diesel heater? Plumbed to vehicle fuel tank? If yes, could you post a picture of how/where it connects to the fuel system?

Thanks,

I try to snap a photo in the morning.