Mitsubishi Delica Camper Van Conversion

It happened!  I finally pulled the trigger and purchased my future camping van!

She ain’t pretty, but she will be very functional … fingers crossed!

She is a 1995 Mitsubishi Delica L400, and this page shares my journey converting her into a campervan in support of my outdoor photography adventures. Join me on the journey!

A Mitsubishi What?

Her full name is 1995 Mitsubishi Delica L400 Exceed Space Gear Green Field 2800 Turbo Diesel.  How’s that for typical 1980s/1990s JDM car naming silliness?

Let’s just call her “Deli” for short.

But Brad, why did you buy a 28 year old, right-hand drive van?

Deli is a Japanese domestic market (JDM) vehicle … meaning that it was designed for the Japanese market, and not sold in North America.  So they are built to Japanese environmental and safety standards, which are different than those in North America.  Such vehicles need to be at least 25 years old to be legally imported into the United States (only 15 years old for import into Canada).

Luckily, the Delica's have a small following here in the Pacific Northwest, so it is possible to buy them off the lot from local used car deals and to get them serviced around here. In fact, the Mitsubishi Delica are also somewhat popular with the off-road and over-lander crowds in Australia, Canada, UK, Russia and Taiwan, and the Vancouver, British Columbia (just 95 miles from my home) seems to be the Delica importing/service epicenter of North America.

Why a Mitsubishi Delica Campervan?

So why did I choose a Delica for a campervan?  Several reasons:

• Small-ish:  A smaller van is easier to maneuver, easier to park and gets better fuel economy.  And since most of my trips will be solo, a small camping van will do.

• Reasonable Cost:  Running in the range of $12,000 to $25,000, these old vans are just a fraction the cost of a Sprinter, Transit or Promaster.

• Super Select System:  With options for 2WD (rear wheels), AWD, 4WD-high and 4WD-low, how could you go wrong?  I’m sure I’ll spend the vast majority of my time in 2WD for best fuel economy, but this transmission sets me up for snow, mud and sand, which I used quite a bit on a 2 month winter journey through the American Southwest.

• Reasonably High Clearance:  With 8.25 inch (810mm) of clearance, good approach and departure angles, and the capability for 4WD, I should be able to get up most of the mountain roads around here … and be ready to take on some Utah backcountry this next winter.  If nothing else, this all gives me a margin of additional safety when I’m out solo.

• Reasonable Fuel Economy:  I have some long trips in mind, so fuel economy is better for the environment and for my wallet.  I’m currently averaging 20 mpg with the Delica.

• Different:  I wanted something a bit different.

Do I have some concerns about all this?  Yes:

• Reliability:  It is 28 years old!

• Maintenance:  I’ve never been much of a grease-monkey.  That’s going to change!

• Crashworthiness:  No airbags.  No ABS.  No vehicle safety improvements of the 2000s, 2010s or 2020s.

Camper Van Mission

So what do I want out of a camper van?

My vision for the van is three-fold, but mainly set around supporting my outdoor photography and adventures.

First, I see the van as a way to camp at or very near my sunrise photography locations.  How convenient would it be to pop out of bed right at my sunrise photography location without having to drive a couple hours in the dark from home?  Why not drive there the day before, scout the location in daylight, shoot the sunset, and then get a full night’s sleep before the morning shoot?  Maybe even do some night sky photography while I’m at it.

A camper van makes this really convenient.  It can always be packed and ready to go, providing a simple and convenient shelter in all weather conditions, with a place to cook.

Second, the van opens possibilities for short regional photography trips of 3-5 days, with the flexibility of camping wherever I want and not being tied to expensive hotels.  I imagine quick trips to destinations all over the Pacific Northwest.  And I no longer need to set up or tear down a camping tent in the pouring rain!

Finally, I do have some bigger photography trips in mind, to destination like Alaska and the American Southwest.  These trips could be months long.  A camper van will make these trips efficient, flexible and more economical.  I can drive where I want for as long as I want (flexible itinerary), feed myself from grocery stores (healthy and economical) and sleep anywhere (flexible and economical).

So join me in my camper van conversion journey, as I convert this 28 year old van into a lean camping machine.

My Camper Van Requirements

One thing I don’t envision is living full-time in this camper van.  My conversion will focus on being simple and comfortable, as well as modular and flexible.  It will be mostly self-made … simple, affordable, comfortable and functional. 

I come from a backpacking background … so for me, even a simple camper van is a major upgrade from sleeping in a tent on the ground, especially here in the rainy Pacific Northwest.

I will also keep everything modular and flexible.  Out on a winter trip, leave the refrigerator and solar panel at home.  On a summer outing, leave the heater behind.

Need to move some furniture?  I want to be able to pull out the entire camping setup in less than 30 minutes to temporarily transform my Deli into a cargo van.

Most of my trips will be solo, so my conversion will be optimized around that.  But I plan to have an optional bed extension for those cases where my wife comes along, or I’m using the van with a friend as a “trailhead vehicle”.

Here are the main requirements I jotted down at the start of the van conversion project:

1. Comfortable camping for one.  Reasonable camping for two.  Can drive three (me, my wife and our daughter).

2. Comfortable for all season camping (hot, cold, mud, rain, snow).

3. Secure place to store expensive photography equipment.

4. Interior installs/removes in 30 minutes, to also allow occasional cargo van capability.

A few things implied here:

• No built-in refrigerator.

• No built-in stove.

• No built-in plumbing.

• No built-in toilet.

• Probably no supplemental air conditioning system.

Finally, I also have a desire to avoid adding any new holes to the van, or removing any carpets or wall liners.  I’d like to retain the ability to restore everything back to its original passenger van condition for when it comes time to eventually re-sell the van.

Has Right Hand Drive Been a Problem?

No, not really. It is something you get used to pretty quickly.

There are two main challenges: It can be more difficult to see around other vehicles when you want to pass them, as you are on the right side of your vehicle trying to look around the left side of the vehicle in front of you. The Delica is pretty high, so it’s only an issue when trying to pass large trucks. But really, the Delica is not a speed demon, so I really don’t do much passing anyway.

The other challenge is getting used to the turn signal lever and the windshield wiper lever being on opposite sides of the steering whee. Not only do I frequently cross these levers in the van, but, if I’ve been driving the van for awhile, I start to get them mixed up in my regular left hand drive vehicles as well.

Mitsubishi Delica L400 Campervan Conversion

Below are individual posts and videos on each major element of my campervan conversion, in approximate chronological order.