SlackerVan

YogaSlackers Nomad Hq

Meet The YogaSlackers Headquarters!

  • 1988 4×4 Mitsubishi
  • Delica L300 Exceed
  • 2.5 L Turbo Diesel, mid engine
  • 5-Speed Manual
  • High-/Low-Range Gearbox
  • Limited Slip Differential
  • 7,800 pounds fully loaded with two crew
The SlackerVan

Why Choose A Delica L300?

  • Diesel

    Diesel vehicles tend to be long lasting. We also wanted a flexible fuel source; with minimal modifications we could drive off waste vegetable oil if needed.

  • 4x4

    Having 4x4 is great to get yourself out of trouble and add some safety when driving in the winter and/or back roads.

  • Manual Transmission

    If you know how to drive a manual car you probably agree with us when we say they are simpler. They are also lighter vehicles, their parts are less expensive to repair and easier to rebuild. Plus you can push start them if the starter motor or battery dies.

  • Small Footprint and Maximum Indoor Space

    We wanted a car that was easy to maneuver off road and easy to park in the city.

  • Simple Maintenance

    Older vehicles tend to be simpler to maintain, fix and modify. Something to keep in mind when headed to remote locations.

  • It Is Old and Used

    Older vehicles are often cheaper to insure and register. Parts can also be easier to find, though that is not always the case with this van. And if the vehicle is reasonably efficient, keeping it on the road can have a lower environmental impact than manufacturing and purchasing a new vehicle.

  • They Are Darn Cute!

    Is there anymore to wish for?

Modifications

Extreme Upgrades

This list was compiled with the help of Jack Mac for Mitsubishi Delica L300 4×4 – “SLACKERvan” article published on Expedition Portal. 

Engine Rebuild

2025

Built by Fahim Ali in Trinidad & Tobago

  • 4D56T head on 4D56U block
  • Balanced pistons
  • Balanced crank
  • Balanced rods
  • Ceramic-coated pistons
  • ARP head studs
  • Stainless steel fire ring
  • Ported and polished cylinder head with 3-angle valve job
  • Street grind cam
  • VGT turbo system
  • Ceramic-coated turbo components
  • External waste gate
  • Aluminium radiator

2026
Built & Installed by Owl Claw Performance in Phoenix, AZ

  • 2.5-inch stainless steel exhaust system

Suspension and Drive

  • 4.875 gears
  • Rear limited slip differential
  • Superwinch manual hubs
    (switched out our     Auto hubs for more reliability and 2WD low range)
  • Custom Alcan rear leaf spring pack with military wrap eyes
  • Rancho RS9000 XL adjustable front shocks
  • Monroe Air Shocks rear shocks
    Controlled in the cab
  • 24-millimeter torsion bars

Brakes

  • Tesla iBoost Electric master cylinder
    Allowed us to remove vacuum pump and run a larger alternator
  • Braided stainless steel brake lines
  • 315-millimeter rotors
  • EBC Yellowstuff Brake pads
  • Motul RBF 600 Brake Fluid
  • Upgraded from single-piston calipers to dual-piston calipers

Wheels and Tires

Combined wheel and rim weight = 60 lbs

  • 16×6 inch Raceline alloy wheels
  • 215/85R16 Goodyear Duratrac tires

Recovery and Armor

Driving Lights And Night Vision

Internal Build and Storage

  • Aluminum frame around kitchen and electrical storage
  • Plywood construction
  • Vertical plywood support with router channels to eliminate the need for metal sliders
  • Large storage boxes made out of plywood (bottom), corrugated plastic (side walls) and wall paper. Designed to be lightweight, weather proof and removable for hotel transport or packing. 
  • Small boxes made of corrugated plastic

Interior and Exterior Lighting (MiLight)

  • 50 feet of six wire LED strip lighting.
  • Eight separate zones.
  • All colors are adjustable and can be dimmed.
  • This includes external auxiliary lighting and inside and outside of our roof boxes.

Gauges

  • Just Race Parts (JRP) 14-in-1 gauge system with 2 displays
    Available at Owl Claw Performance
    • EGT – exhaust gas temperature
    • Boost
    • Coolant temperature
    • Coolant pressure
    • Coolant level
    • Oil temperature
    • Oil pressure
    • AIT – air intake temperature 
    • RPM – engine speed
    • Vehicle speed by GPS
    • Starter battery voltage
    • House battery voltage
    • Wideband AFR – air-fuel ratio
  • Electronic boost controller
    Repurposed to control fueling. 
  • PSI (air compressor under the van)
  • Air pressure shocks

Roof Rack System

Roof Boxes and Tray

Bike Rack

Additional Roof Components

Six Merlin Solar Panels (Total 1,065 watts)

  • 240-watt semi-flexible panels mounted to Yakima SkyBox 21 Carbonite
  • 240-watt semi-flexible panel mounted to Yakima SkyBox 12 Carbonite
  • 185-watt semi-flexible panel mounted to the Yakima RocketBox Pro 12
  • 160-watt rigid panel bonded to aluminum honeycomb board, which slides out to cover the windshield
  • 80-watt rigid panel bonded to aluminum honeycomb board, mounted to the right side custom aluminum pop-out
  • 160-watt flat-folding panel under the bed

Electronics

Insulation

Heating and Cooling

  • 12-volt DC air conditioner
  • 12-volt fan
  • 600-watt 12-volt infrared forced air heater
  • Two 12-volt DC radiant heat panels
    Located on the foot (35 watts) and head (72 watts) of the bed

Electronic Appliances

Air System

Fuel Capacity

Fresh Water

Cold

  • 18 gallon custom 316 stainless tank with 1.5 inch insulation and an aluminum shell

Hot

  • 2.6 gallon insulated tank with coolant heat exchanger and 200-watt 12vdc Elgena heater
    Heats from the engine coolant or electricity

Water Filters (In this Order)

Building Blogs

And other random SlackerVan adventures

Our Social Media

We tried to load images in Instagram every week. A few comments and likes from you will help us stay motivated. Like our Facebook page: YogaSlackers Nomads and stay informed of our travels, gear use and other fun adventures.

Let us know what you want to see, and we’ll load it!

Instagram

@SlackerVan

Facebook

YogaSlackers Nomads

Acknowledgements

Sponsors

Financial and gear support provided by Yakima Racks. 

Generous gear support provided by Merlin Solar and Battle Born Batteries.

Friends of the Industry

Additional Gear Support by: Havelock Wool, Flir, Luminor UV, Aquamira, NiteIze, Cotton Carrier, Eagle Creek and Sea to Summit.

Affiliate Programs

These are companies that support our nomadic lifestyle. We use their products because we like them. And requested affiliate codes to share with our friends and family. Purchasing products directly on their website by following these links, will pay us a small incentive, without costing you anything.

Havelock Wool
Battle Born Batteries
Renogy

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