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View Full Version : Andy's Weebmobile - 1994 Nissan Caravan Silkroad



Yeti
August 18th, 2020, 08:25 AM
https://i.imgur.com/h4po4bY.jpg

Almost a year ago to the day, I bought this silly thing from an importer down in Houston, who I'd met while visiting our own HondaKid86 in 2017. Danny got the van in, and it turned out to be an extremely clean 5-speed diesel with under 50k miles and I had to have it.

I'd already used up my vacation time for 2019, so Adam again factored in, as the bagman handing the cash off and leaving some swag in the console (https://i.imgur.com/lOQ9S3G.jpg) :lol:

It rolled off the transport and onto a local towing company's flatbed on August 19 last year, (https://i.imgur.com/6oI10JB.jpg) sporting the worst, most dry-rotted tires I've ever seen. I went to pick it up in the 1992 Volvo I owned at the time. (https://i.imgur.com/GdWI1ZP.jpg)

It matched the general aesthetic of my drivway just fine. (https://i.imgur.com/QfdX8ox.jpg) I don't have the Volvo or Toyota anymore :(

First thing it needed was new tires. (https://i.imgur.com/ieDGwtu.jpg) I also changed the oil, air filter, and fuel filter. (https://i.imgur.com/mVDQylB.jpg) We'll come back to that fuel filter.

Despite Caravan oji-san's apparent love of Parliament cigarettes (https://i.imgur.com/p84r8N9.jpg), the interior is really clean and smells nice too. Grandpa apparently felt strongly about keeping the interior nice, as not only did he spring for Genuine Nissan plaid seat covers from the dealership accessory catalog (https://i.imgur.com/u7v9DfW.png?1), but he also had three layers of mats protecting the carpets. The OEM carpet mats, a set of dealer accessory rubber mats over those, and then a set of oil-absorb mats he cut himself with a scissors :lol: I pulled the seat covers off to launder the 26 years of JDM swampass out of them, to find seats that were literally brand new, so I decided I'd leave the covers off and destroy the seats myself. (https://i.imgur.com/qfPVAFT.jpg) He also installed a Broadway wide-angle mirror. (https://i.imgur.com/Yrjrsak.jpg)

The other immediate issue was a smashed-up taillight. (https://i.imgur.com/pBR9cF7.jpg) I ordered one and it literally arrived overnight from Japan. (https://i.imgur.com/rGdPgQv.jpg)

About a month after I got it, it developed an issue where it would blow a ton of white-gray diesel-smelling smoke at cold startup, and misfire a lot. How much smoke? This was a pretty minor cloud compared to what it usually spewed. (https://i.imgur.com/e4Yh2mS.jpg) Usually this kind of thing in a diesel is either a lack of heat at startup, or air infiltration via a leak on the suction side of the fuel system.

I'd already changed the filter and gaskets. That didn't help.

Then I changed the glow plugs (https://i.imgur.com/hGmcHds.jpg) with OEM NGK's. They were in bad shape, but that didn't help.

Then I thought I might have injector leakdown so I changed those. (https://i.imgur.com/c6T5Y3b.jpg) They were in poor shape but that didn't help. (https://i.imgur.com/2HtxWsf.jpg) The injectors were actually leaking though, and replacing them did solve another issue, where the van's idle speed would wander around depending on different factors. That 2.7l 4-cylinder diesel makes 85 horsepower, btw. More than enough for two tons of van :lol:

Then I replaced a bunch of questionable fuel lines and clamps. Didn't help.

Finally, I put some clear lines on to check for air bubbles and that led me to this bastard. (https://i.imgur.com/6Qu1J06.jpg) The manual primer pump for repriming the engine after changing the fuel filter or otherwise opening up the system. It doubles as the fuel inlet and outlet for the filter. Mine turned out to be sucking air, stifling the fuel flow, and frothing/aerating the fuel under throttle. I ordered a new primer, water separator, filter (again), and replaced all of it along with the lines (again). No more smoky starts! Yay!

Just in time too. Dad's Camry broke down so I've lent him my 2000 Honda Civic, and the Silverado still isn't registered thanks to the Coof (mail in registrations only. At one office. For the whole state. :mad: ) so the Caravan is the daily driver for probably the next week at least. :lol:

Summer is almost over, so I don't plan to do much more to it this year, other than change the oil again. Plans for next summer are

1. Change the gear oil in the trans and rear end with Redline products.
2. Get a 17x8 Infiniti QX4 (https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Ls8AAOSwdzBeoH79/s-l500.jpg) wheel to test fit and see if it will clear the sliding door. If not, I will probably go with a set of these D21 V6-SE wheels. (http://www.2040-cars.com/_content/cars/images/46/928746/001.jpg)

The current 80s Nissan hubcaps are on there because I hated the original daisy hubcaps.

3. Try to order a set of JDM checker floor mats (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Ff%2Bndp1vL._AC_.jpg) for it via a proxy service from Amazon japan or Rakuten. So far I've tried to order a couple of different manufacturer's ones and found them NLA. Plan B is having a set custom made from a place in NC.
4. Replace the ugly 2-spoke steering wheel with a non-airbag S13 240SX wheel. (https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/312971324855_/nissan-240sx-steering-wheel.jpg) The S13 wheel is a good choice because it bolts right on and the turn-signal cancel tab clocking is the same.
5. New KYB gas-a-just shocks. The original are kinda floaty. This van is made of a lot of D21 parts, and that includes the shocks.
6. Belts and hoses.
7. Maybe a set of lace seat covers, if i can find a used set on yahoo japan :lol:

And finally, some random weebery:

He kinda looks like me. (https://i.imgur.com/vXdzOPM.jpg)
Finally got it registered. (https://i.imgur.com/SQd18Jf.jpg)
Hagerty says I can't street park, but this says I'm allowed to. (https://i.imgur.com/4r8aHUF.jpg)
OK (https://i.imgur.com/abMRta0.jpg)
THIS IS MY TOY CAR (https://i.imgur.com/IhfzZ56.jpg)
nob. (https://i.imgur.com/3cVYXDl.jpg)
My piece of flare. (https://i.imgur.com/YoXOG75.jpg)

dodint
August 18th, 2020, 08:51 AM
Read this as 'Weedmobile.' :lol:

Very cool, I love interesting cars. I wonder if this is an older/nicer version of the one I drove in Afghanistan.

Rikadyn
August 18th, 2020, 10:22 AM
If I was going to track my S13, I would want this as my support vehicle.

CudaMan
August 18th, 2020, 11:19 AM
This is so cool!

speedpimp
August 18th, 2020, 01:29 PM
Very cool.

Rare White Ape
August 18th, 2020, 02:03 PM
Uhhhhhhhhgggggggghhhhhh I love the colour.

And those wheels.

*chef kiss*

Rare White Ape
August 18th, 2020, 02:04 PM
A question for ya: you said you got it from an importer.

Is it right hand drive?

Yeti
August 18th, 2020, 02:10 PM
Yeah, RHD. Sold new in Oita, Japan apparently.

Phil_SS
August 26th, 2020, 11:58 AM
That is a beautiful color.....#swoon.

Yeti
August 27th, 2020, 03:08 PM
That is a beautiful color.....#swoon.

'2K1 Charcoal Gray two-tone'.

It's a nice color. There's defintely some blue and violet in the mix with the gray.

George
September 3rd, 2020, 08:35 AM
Awesome Weedmobile! :up:

Enjoyed the pictures also.

Yeti
October 2nd, 2020, 12:13 PM
Sometimes you've got to crash into your van just to remind it who's boss :smh:

3624

dodint
October 8th, 2020, 07:17 PM
Well, it's not new anymore...

Yeti
August 23rd, 2021, 11:35 AM
So, it turns out diesels stop running right when the inlet to the injection pump looks like this:

3801

So I called upon Japan (and Latvia) to deliver me the replacement parts:

3802

I also took the opportunity to change the gear oil in the trans and rear end, which was the OG stuff from 1994. Gross.

Fuel mileage is way up with the fuel delivery system sorted, which is nice.

And I had a home for it built, along with a concrete driveway pour:

3803

It's been fun driving around this summer, but a two-ton van with 83 horsepower and a 4.64 rear end is absolutely garbage at freeway travel. I think next summer it'll be time to find another car to fill the garage with, one that has the legs for Interstate travel. Then I can keep the van for around-town trips.

38043805

TheBenior
August 29th, 2021, 10:33 AM
So I called upon Japan (and Latvia) to deliver me the replacement parts:


e-acca?

Yeti
June 9th, 2022, 09:31 AM
BRANG AMBERLAMPS!

3917

Bought a bunch of amber LED’s for the vans interior, thinking they would reflect nice off the tan and brown interior. Mood achieved!

Also installed a MOMO Indy Black, because nothing is more JDM van than an Italian wood steering wheel.

3918

dodint
June 9th, 2022, 10:21 AM
Yup, heck of a vibe you got going there. :up:

Cam
June 12th, 2022, 05:17 AM
Just here to say I like your van very much. :)

Yeti
April 24th, 2023, 07:57 AM
Current van status: Sitting on my driveway with a dead battery, filled with crap from the garage

4079

The old Autobacs battery finally gave up the ghost. I've got an Optima ready to go as soon as I need to move the van again.

The reason the van is outside is because I'm working on the inside of my garage. I've got the ceiling and around the doors sheeted with OSB and primed with 2 coats of oil-based Kilz. Not a drywall-smooth wall covering or anything, but good enough for a garage.

4080

I can start painting the ceiling on Thursday. Then I can put the overhead door back into operation and install my LED lights. After that I'll get OSB on the walls and then more priming and painting (yay). If I have the walls entirely done, all the lighting up, and any trim and shelving needed installed by the end of summer, I'll be happy. Next summer I'll probably install a mini-split.

Yeti
May 4th, 2023, 10:50 AM
Light level: AGGRESSIVE


https://youtu.be/glSQSqmID0A

Yeti
May 12th, 2023, 01:09 PM
THE WALL, not by Pink Floyd.

40944095

21Kid
May 15th, 2023, 03:34 PM
Moar outlets!!!

George
May 15th, 2023, 06:41 PM
Looks great, Andy.

OSB instead of drywall?

Yeti
May 16th, 2023, 04:57 PM
Yeah, standard half-inch sheathing osb was only $11 a sheet so I went with it. Wanted wood walls for resistance to accidental damage and relative ease of hanging light to medium-ish items.

George
May 16th, 2023, 05:26 PM
:up:

neanderthal
May 18th, 2023, 07:07 AM
Light level: AGGRESSIVE


https://youtu.be/glSQSqmID0A

It's gonna be even brighter when you're done with the walls and they are adding to the reflected light. Good stuff.

Yeti
May 25th, 2023, 03:12 PM
It's gonna be even brighter when you're done with the walls and they are adding to the reflected light. Good stuff.

You ain't lyin.

4099

Yeti
June 12th, 2023, 08:28 AM
4103
4104
4105

Apart from installing a few smaller lights for when I don't need the full-tilt LED work lights, I think I'm calling it for the season.

dodint
June 12th, 2023, 08:34 AM
You're making me nervous with my modest number of outlets in my plans. :lol:

Phil_SS
June 12th, 2023, 11:24 AM
Needs a calendar of naked chicks or dudes.....

Kchrpm
June 13th, 2023, 05:12 AM
Or half naked chicks on a red Corvette...

Yeti
June 13th, 2023, 06:30 AM
*hits ebay for a bunch of old Miss NGK posters*

George
June 15th, 2023, 12:52 PM
https://i.etsystatic.com/16005756/r/il/7889f6/1672692650/il_794xN.1672692650_6gnj.jpg

^ Needs whitewalls.

Don't forget a clock.

I'm in the market for another garage clock to replace a cheap plastic one I bought when we bought our current house. It finally quit working. Thinking I might hit the local antique mall and find an old kitchen clock from the 1970s, perhaps. Don't want one that's too "garagey" like every other guy has.

Yeti
June 16th, 2023, 10:21 AM
New toy get! I bought a soap cannon too.

4107

Yeti
June 17th, 2023, 06:44 PM
IF YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM, BLIND THEM!

4111
4112

I was thinking of putting in the mini-split this summer, but I'm hitting the pause button on this project for a year or so.

I'd like to pay this dump off by the first quarter of 2025 and not have a mortgage anymore. Once that's done maybe I can find another car to put in the garage too.

CudaMan
June 26th, 2023, 09:35 AM
Garage is looking like a great place to spend some time in!

Yeti
June 28th, 2023, 06:52 AM
Smaller lights for when I don't need 100,000 lumens to work by:

4116

George
June 28th, 2023, 10:07 AM
^ Sexy!

Hey, I know this is way off topic from Yeti's Weedmobile and garage so bright he's gotta wear shades, but just wanted to mention that finding a used battery-powered clock to replace the one that died in my own garage is proving to be quite the challenge. Sure, Target and Wal-Mart sell clocks all day long, and the local IKEA monstrosity has enough clocks to put one in every office in the Pentagon, probably. I've been to two large antique stores and yesterday I hit two thrift shops on the way home from work. I guess people just don't get rid of working clocks, no matter how ugly and out of style they may be. More to follow in my own garage thread, I guess.