Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| P25W | Type | June 1986 4WD 2500 Diesel Turbo Exceed (Web Motor Magazine): 4D56, five-speed manual |
| P35W | Type | 2.5 Chamonix High Roof Diesel Turbo 4WD, October 1991 to July 1992 (Response): 4D56, five-speed manual, eight seats |
| P03W, P04W, P05W, P15W, P23W, P24W | Other types | Also in Mitsubishi's Star Wagon type list |
Read the whole type code against the catalogue.
Key Takeaways
- Mitsubishi calls June 1986 the Delica series' third full model change; the Star Wagon name dates from 1979.
- Mitsubishi lists eight Star Wagon types, P03W to P35W; the Chamonix high roof is a P35W.
- The 4D56 diesel is rated 85 PS in the 1986 Exceed and 1991 Chamonix catalogue entries. 4WD is part-time with a high/low transfer case.
- Aero Roof is the standard roof. High Roof and Crystal Lite Roof are separate versions.
- Rust is the owner warning that recurs. One owner's cracked head is a single reported case, not a failure rate.
- Age is counted per car: 25 years for the US, 15 for Canada. The catalogue ended in September 1999.
Background
Third Delica, second Star Wagon
Mitsubishi calls June 1986 the Delica series' third full model change, the first in seven years, and Web Motor Magazine also counts it as the third generation. The Star Wagon name itself began in June 1979 with a nine-seat wagon, and Mitsubishi's 2026 release lists the Star Wagon as the second and third Delica generations, the Space Gear as the fourth and the D:5 as the fifth. Mitsubishi's export tables use 'L300 Delica' for the commercial Delica, and its Australian table labels the Space Gear 'Star Wagon', so an overseas 'L300' or 'Star Wagon' may not be this car.
Launch specification (June 1986)
Mitsubishi describes a monocoque body chosen for safety and durability, rounded 'soft cube' styling and a 'Living room on wheels' theme. A proposal for a semi-cab-over layout was dropped in favour of the full cab-over layout. A 2.0-litre engine and a 2.5-litre turbodiesel were offered. Web Motor Magazine's figures for the 4WD 2500 Diesel Turbo Exceed (type P25W) are: 4D56 engine, 2,476 cc, 85 PS at 4,200 rpm and 20.0 kgf·m (about 196 N·m) at 2,000 rpm; five-speed manual; 4,460 × 1,695 × 1,975 mm; wheelbase 2,240 mm; 215SR15 tyres.
Four-wheel drive and running gear
The 4WD cars use a part-time system with a high/low transfer case. 2H is rear-wheel drive for the road, 4H is four-wheel high range for snow, mud, sand and rough ground, and 4L is low range for heavy pulling and engine braking. Do not confuse it with the Space Gear's Super Select.
The front suspension is double wishbone with a torsion-bar spring on the upper arm; the rear is a leaf-sprung rigid axle. Steering is rack and pinion, with 22 mm ventilated front discs and rear drums. Web Motor Magazine says 2WD cars use I-arms and 4WD cars the sturdier A-arms.
Roofs, seats and grades
Aero Roof is the standard roof. The High Roof and the Crystal Lite Roof, which Mitsubishi calls the first of its kind in its class, are separate. Response's catalogue example of the 1991–92 Chamonix is a P35W high roof, 2,090 mm tall, with eight seats.
Web Motor Magazine says upper grades had second-row captain's seats that rotate to face the rear, and that the 4WD turbodiesel Exceed came with a front guard bar, large side steps and a rear underguard. A 2.4 Exceed with Crystal Lite Roof or sunroof is pictured at the August 1990 minor change. Seating differs by grade, so confirm each car.
Dated changes
June 1986: launch. August 1988: Mitsubishi adds an automatic-transmission trim level to the 4WD line-up; Web Motor Magazine gives September 1988 and says it reached the 4WD turbodiesel. Response's catalogue lists minor changes from August 1989, August 1990, August 1991, August 1992, June 1993, May 1994, August 1995 and October 1997, and runs the generation to September 1999. Before it came the June 1979 Star Wagon and, from October 1982, the full 4WD cab-over that Mitsubishi calls a Japanese first; neither is this generation.
Importing a Star Wagon
The US federal safety exemption covers a vehicle 25 or more years old (49 CFR 591.5(i)), counted from the car's own build date. Response's catalogue ends the generation in September 1999, so check each car's build date against the rule. EPA is a separate check: its exemption for vehicles at least 21 years old requires the original unmodified configuration or an equivalent or newer EPA-certified replacement engine and emissions-control system. Canada does not regulate vehicles older than 15 years at importation, with age set mainly by manufacture month and year; importing does not guarantee provincial registration, and some provinces will not license right-hand-drive vehicles.
Technical Specifications
Figures are Web Motor Magazine's launch data for the 4WD 2500 Diesel Turbo Exceed (P25W) and Response's catalogue data for the Chamonix (P35W). They describe those named cars, not the whole range.
Engine Options
-
P25W 4WD 2500 Diesel Turbo Exceed June 1986 launch
4D56- Displacement
- 2,476 cc
- Aspiration
- Turbo diesel
- Power
- 85 PS @ 4,200 rpm
- Torque
- 20.0 kgf·m (about 196 N·m) @ 2,000 rpm
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual with high/low transfer; part-time 4WD
4,460 × 1,695 × 1,975 mm, wheelbase 2,240 mm, 215SR15 tyres (Web Motor Magazine).
-
P35W 2.5 Chamonix High Roof Diesel Turbo 4WD Oct 1991 – Jul 1992 catalogue
4D56- Displacement
- 2,476 cc
- Aspiration
- Turbo diesel
- Power
- 85 PS @ 4,200 rpm
- Torque
- 20 kgf·m @ 2,000 rpm
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual; 4WD
4,485 × 1,695 × 2,090 mm, wheelbase 2,240 mm, interior 3,150 × 1,530 × 1,325 mm, 1,740 kg, eight seats, 75-litre tank (Response).
Transmission Options
| Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| 5-speed manual with high/low auxiliary transmission | From launch, June 1986 (4WD diesel turbo Exceed P25W); also the 1991–92 Chamonix P35W |
| 4-speed automatic | Added to the 4WD line-up in August 1988 per Mitsubishi; September 1988 on the diesel turbo 4WD per Web Motor Magazine |
Should You Buy a Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon?
Why You'll Love It
- Simple, documented 4WD A part-time system with a high/low transfer case and 2H, 4H and 4L ranges, described in detail by Web Motor Magazine.
- Space-efficient cab-over body Mitsubishi kept the full cab-over layout for space efficiency and built the wagon to a 'Living room on wheels' theme.
- Roof choice Aero Roof, High Roof and the Crystal Lite Roof were offered, so a car can be matched to the roof you want.
- Spares market An owner interviewed by Field Mag says most mechanical issues can be fixed and there is a good market for spares.
Why You Might Not
- Rust can be terminal The same owner warns that all Delicas are prone to rust and that it can be terminal or very expensive to deal with.
- You sit over the front axle Owner Matt Farah says you hang out over the front axle and sit on the engine, which is the cab-over layout.
- Automatic came later The 1986 launch gearbox was a five-speed manual only; an automatic reached the 4WD diesel turbo in 1988.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Anyone who expects the US-market Mitsubishi wagon/van of 1987 to 1990 to match a Japanese-market 4WD Star Wagon: Field Mag says it was not the same.
- Anyone who cannot inspect underneath: rust is the owner warning that recurs.
Common Issues & Solutions
These are owner reports, not failure rates. Each entry is attributed in the notes under the Issue column.
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Rust | An owner interviewed by Field Mag says all Delicas are prone to rust and that it can be terminal or very expensive to repair. | Inspect the body and floor from underneath before buying, and walk away from structural rust. |
| Cracked cylinder head (4D56) | One owner's forum record: the head on a 1993 Super Exceed cracked and was replaced, with new timing belts and water pump. A single reported case, not a failure rate. | Ask for head, timing-belt and water-pump records, and check coolant condition and temperature on a test drive. |
Differences between JDM & USDM
This page covers the Japanese-market Star Wagon. The US did receive a Mitsubishi wagon/van in 1987 to 1990 (NHTSA's records), but Field Mag says it was not the same as the Japanese-market 4WD vans, so do not read US specifications or parts lists across. For import, the US federal safety exemption applies to a vehicle 25 or more years old, counted from the car's own build date. EPA is a separate check: its exemption for vehicles at least 21 years old requires the original unmodified configuration or an equivalent or newer EPA-certified replacement engine and emissions-control system. Canada does not regulate vehicles older than 15 years at importation, with age set mainly by manufacture month and year; some provinces will not license right-hand-drive vehicles.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Items marked Critical or High decide the purchase.
Critical Priority
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
Generation span (Japan catalogue) (1986–1999)
- Response's catalogue runs the full model change from June 1986 to September 1999
- A catalogue period is a model-availability interval, not a build-date range
Launch (June 1986)
- Third full model change of the Delica series and the first in seven years (Mitsubishi)
- Monocoque body, full cab-over layout, 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre turbodiesel engines
Automatic added to 4WD (1988)
- Mitsubishi: an automatic-transmission trim level added to the 4WD line-up in August 1988
- Web Motor Magazine: four-speed automatic set for the 4WD diesel turbo at the September 1988 minor change
Minor changes (1989–1997)
- Response lists August 1989, August 1990, August 1991, August 1992, June 1993, May 1994, August 1995 and October 1997
Space Gear overlap (1994–1999)
- The Space Gear catalogue starts in May 1994, while the Star Wagon's runs to September 1999
In Pictures
The Buyer's Read
Start with the type code and the roof. P25W and P35W are the two catalogue entries documented here, and Aero Roof, High Roof and Crystal Lite Roof are different bodies; a listing that blurs them is a warning. Ask for the build month and the grade sheet, because eight minor changes between August 1989 and October 1997 changed the range.
Then go underneath. The owner warning that recurs is rust, which can be terminal or very expensive, and the one documented engine failure is a cracked 4D56 head on a 1993 car, one case, not a pattern. Ask for head, belt and water-pump records. Test 2H, 4H and 4L, and remember the automatic only reached the 4WD turbodiesel in 1988. Finally, count import age from the build date: 25 years for the US, subject to EPA's separate engine and emissions requirements, and 15 years for Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Delica Star Wagon the same as an L300?
- Not necessarily. In Japan the passenger wagon is the Delica Star Wagon. Mitsubishi's export tables use 'L300 Delica' for the commercial Delica (sold as the Express in Australia) and label the Space Gear 'Star Wagon' there. This page covers the Japanese passenger Star Wagon of June 1986 to September 1999.
- Which Delica generation is the 1986 Star Wagon?
- Mitsubishi calls June 1986 the third full model change of the Delica series. Its 2026 release lists the Star Wagon as the second and third Delica generations, so this is the third Delica and the second to carry the Star Wagon name. Web Motor Magazine also calls it the third generation.
- What is the difference between Aero Roof, High Roof and Crystal Lite Roof?
- Aero Roof is the standard roof, with a raised bead along each edge. The High Roof is a taller body: the P35W Chamonix example is 2,090 mm tall. The Crystal Lite Roof is a glazed roof that Mitsubishi describes as the first in its class. Check which one a listing means.
- Is the Star Wagon's 4WD part-time or full-time?
- Part-time, with a high/low transfer case: 2H rear-wheel drive, 4H four-wheel high range and 4L low range. It is a different system from the Space Gear's Super Select, which Mitsubishi describes as derived from the Pajero.
- How much power does the diesel make?
- Web Motor Magazine gives 85 PS at 4,200 rpm for the 1986 4WD Exceed, and Response's catalogue gives the same figure for the 1991 Chamonix. PS is metric horsepower. Ratings for the petrol engines and for other years were not found in the sources used.
- Did the US get a Mitsubishi Delica van?
- The US had a Mitsubishi wagon/van in NHTSA's 1987–90 light-truck records. Field Mag says one model reached the US briefly but was not the same as the Japanese-market vans, so treat US-market specifications and parts as separate.
- Can a Star Wagon be imported to the US or Canada?
- That depends on each car's build date. The US federal exemption applies to vehicles 25 or more years old, and the catalogue ended in September 1999. EPA's separate engine and emissions requirements also apply, and state or provincial registration is separate. Canada's threshold is 15 years, by manufacture month and year.
- Does every Chamonix have captain's seats?
- Not established. Web Motor Magazine says upper grades had rotating second-row captain's seats, and Response's Chamonix example (October 1991 to July 1992) is an eight-seater. Neither source says what every Chamonix had, so check the car.
Sources & References
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