Upgrading the Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear’s Rear Hatch Supports

May 31, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 2 Comments

Here’s a shocker: The original rear hatch supports/struts on our 1994 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear were shot, and the hatch wouldn’t go all the way up when we’d open it. Fortunately upgrading the Delica Space Gear hatch supports / struts is easy. I’d previously looked for replacement units, but there weren’t any available, or at…

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Coastal Offroad Delica Space Gear Bumpers: Installed and In Action

November 23, 2020 / Mercedes Lilienthal / 1 Comment

We have the Coastal Offroad high-clearance front and rear bumpers (with skid plate and swing-away tire/jerry can carrier) finalized! We thought we’d do a walk-around video showing the Coastal Offroad Delica bumpers’ advantages for off-road driving, camping, and carrying extra gear.

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Coastal Offroad Delica Space Gear Bumpers: The Build Process

November 21, 2020 / Mercedes Lilienthal / 7 Comments

*Updated 12/10/20 Canadian-based Coastal Offroad makes a variety of front and rear weld-together bumper kits for Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear vans. Coastal Offroad, or CO, produces kits for both series 1 and 2 Delica L400s. Our 1994 Space Gear, known as the TBD Tractor, is a series 1 model. The facelifted series 2 Delica Space…

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Our Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Build on Pickup Truck + SUV Talk

November 9, 2020 / Andy Lilienthal / 5 Comments

By now you may know we have a 1994 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear (L400) 4×4 van in our stable. And of course by “stable” I mean our driveway of ’90s JDM 4WD Mitsubishi money pits projects. What you might not know is we’re again partnering with Tim Esterdahl of Pickup Truck + SUV Talk to…

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We Got a New Van: Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear

July 15, 2020 / Andy Lilienthal / 7 Comments

A couple of months ago, we sold our beloved Space Tractor, our 1989 Mitsubishi Delica L300. It was a fantastic vehicle, but it was time for a change. We knew we wanted another Delica, but it had to be the right one. Somewhat amazingly, the perfect van fell into our laps rather quickly: a 1994…

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Our Mitsubishi Delica On TFLoffroad

November 14, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 1 Comment

We drove the Travel Tractor, aka our 1994 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear, to the Denver area to pick up an Egoé Nest Supertramp camper setup. While we were there the crew from TFL invited us over to have a walkaround done on our Mitsubishi Delica on TFLoffroad, their 4×4/overland-centric channel.

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Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: His-and-Hers Big Agnes Torchlite Camp 20° Expandable Mummy Bags

November 9, 2021 / Mercedes Lilienthal / 1 Comment

Andy and I spend as much time outdoors as possible. It’s our respite from the digital world we’re so attached to. Our latest build, the Travel Tractor Mitsubishi Delica van has allowed us to camp in comfort, no matter if we’re headed to overland shows via our makeshift sleeping platform or by moving the mid-row…

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Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: ARB Touring Awning Kit with Light

July 12, 2021 / Mercedes Lilienthal / 2 Comments

Australian-based ARB knows a thing or two about living in the Outback. From heavy-duty bumpers and off-road fridges to high-powered auxiliary lights and even awnings, the company has a long-standing reputation for quality, design, and longevity. We review the ARB Touring Awning Kit with Light to see if it stands up to its other products.

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Maine is Actively Canceling Mitsubishi Delica Registration

July 1, 2021 / Andy Lilienthal / 29 Comments

Do you live in Maine? Do you own or want to own a Mitsubishi Delica van? Prepare for bad news. Maine is actively canceling Mitsubishi Delica registration and not allowing future registration of these JDM vans.

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Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: Lumio’s Lito mini

June 28, 2021 / Mercedes Lilienthal / Leave a comment

Andy and I have reviewed dozens of products over the years. Some types of gear are utilitarian. Others are brought to market as “design first, function last.” It’s rare that your eyes notice something truly unique and functional and you know with a strong degree of certainty it’ll become a classic. One such product that…

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