Ruffian72 548 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Son and I are taking stock mini trucks and making them more useful for our area. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 What do these things run money wise? What's the availability of 4x4, limited slip diffs, etc? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Front bumper/skid plate on deck van 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Base Units run between $6,500 to $8,000 for low mileage/fuel injected. Some upto $10,000 year/mileage) Smaller/older carb units run less. All are 4x4. Heat, mine have AC. I don't like to get hot. About all options are available. Auto, most are 5 speed. Imported at 25mph, yet speed reducer is easily disabled by end user. Most dealers would charge around $10,000 or more for one like this. Did a lift, tires, bed liner, and camo wrap on this one. The deck van pictured are hard to come by. Seen a few go for over $15,000 did up like the one we did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Pickups have hi/lo 4x4, vans/deck vans hi only. hydraulic dump bed is our next project for my brother. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 What is the make and model? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 What is the make and model?2001 Suzuki DA62T, Deck Van is 96 Diahatsu, remotored to fuel injection. Both have 660cc 3 cylinder. Carb units had around 500cc. Street tires, upto 70mph, UTV 45 is fast enough. 7 states allow to be tagged for highway (Non Federal)use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Better pics. These were before final detailing of white items bolts/tags/etc. Supervisor kept falling a sleep. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 The Navy base near my parents' place uses a ton of these things, used to see them putting around in town between some off-base contractor sites. I've always wanted to find out if they surplused them, never looked into it. They would be awesome for a small community where nobody gives a shit if you're licensed/registered. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Kei trucks kick ass! Nice work! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) Edited March 24, 2016 by Sim_Player 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) Started out about a year ago to replace a "Mule" for doing chores and running around property. 1/3 to 1/2 the price with creature comfort of heat, ac was a bonus. Found a couple older pre 99" Carb units here and there, (cabs are smaller, no AC, very used up). State Park had gotten a couple post 98's for maintenance, so one thing led to another and we imported 6 in a container as a group (family/friends) buy There are dealers here and there through out US. Couple who do serious mods and parts are easily obtained. When got them in, basic service, (good wholesale buyer/importer) were ready to go. Mod. as we go. Hobby that is useful for me, yet interest has aroused locally. Son might turn into a sideline business. We are in middle of America, many rural uses. Most areas treat as a UTV, drive anywhere except US Highway, 7 states allow, my area even allows in city limits with a slow moving vehicle triangle and flag. Edited March 24, 2016 by Ruffian72 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 That looks like fun! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 In the 70's I had a 360 Subaru van, and a sedan. ('72 model year was the last year they were legal to sell as a highway vehicle). Their 2 cylinder 2 cycle engines went WINNNNNGGGG DINNNNNNG DIIINNNNG! Those were a lot of fun during the "fuel shortages"! Gas stations would only sell 5 gallons of gas - but the sedan had a 5 gallon tank, and the van only held 8! Many fun memories! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB of CJ 1,263 Posted March 25, 2016 Report Share Posted March 25, 2016 Are they the Japanese domestic 600cc limited models? Some smog law in Japan created these cool dinky vehicles? When they reach a low total mileage the Japanese must either sell or crush them? We are starting to see a few in SW OR USA. They had Oregon license plates. Some friends are putting the engines into dinky open wheel sports cars. The engine is a piece of art. Three cylinders, computer controlled. The turbo looks so cool. With adapters the engines bolts up to various trannies. A very nice project indeed and thank you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted March 25, 2016 Report Share Posted March 25, 2016 In the 70's I had a 360 Subaru van, and a sedan. ('72 model year was the last year they were legal to sell as a highway vehicle). Their 2 cylinder 2 cycle engines went WINNNNNGGGG DINNNNNNG DIIINNNNG! Those were a lot of fun during the "fuel shortages"! Gas stations would only sell 5 gallons of gas - but the sedan had a 5 gallon tank, and the van only held 8! Many fun memories! I had that exact little van...till the tranny locked up we had a blast with it. It was painted like the custom vans of the era minus the white fuzz interior 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted March 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 Yes the 660cc 3 cylinder engine. Japan taxes the crud out of any vehicle after the 15 year mark. Many incentives to purchase new. Most have under 40,000 miles. Regular maintenance these regularly go 150,000+. Have an 03 Mitzi with only 4,200 miles. Doing it up after brother's 01 Suzuki dump bed. Diahatsu is the Toyota, Suzuki makes the Mazda. Many components are shared between manufactures Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) Artificially driving up the econony in Japan, through taxes. Edited March 26, 2016 by Sim_Player 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 One of those little trucks would be very useful around the ranch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 UW has a fleet of those, and a lot are electric. I've thought it would be pretty cool to have a more off-roady one with electric conversion and a windmill. Then you could tear around the property for free for the life of the batteries. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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