Japanese Mini Trucks

[jhl]

Just wondering if anyone has any information on these mini trucks? looking at buying one instead of a side by side and was wondering about parts and repairs on these. From what I have seen they are about 1/2 price of a side by side and have a heater and doors.
thanks

[TBark]

A fellow 5 miles south of Valleyview had some.
Have not see any the last few times I drove by tho.

TBark

[stephane]

looking to purchase one this year too.
only things i have came across is parts will have to be ordered online or through an importer.
some of the features and specifics per model are difficult to differentiate. and they are not known for their comfort level depending on your size.

they are available in several configurations each one having their own positives and negatives.
some features to look for are electronic diff lock (rear only)
some have 4hi/low. Honda is a 550cc all time 4wd.
some are mid engine and some are rear.

[KegRiver]

I know a couple of people that have one. They say some parts can be a bit difficult to get but since the manufactures do have outlets in this area, they can be obtained locally, they just aren't kept in stock.

They also tell me that these trucks? do mot make good every day transportation and forget about cold weather use. But put a set of quad tires on them and they make great farm service rigs, for fencing and the like.
They do make a reasonable alternative to a quad or side by side, but are a bit heavier and harder to manoeuvre in the bush.

For me, they look to be just what I need. I plan on getting one as soon as the mortgage is paid off.

[FishingMOM]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

I know a couple of people that have one. They say some parts can be a bit difficult to get but since the manufactures do have outlets in this area, they can be obtained locally, they just aren't kept in stock.

They also tell me that these trucks? do mot make good every day transportation and forget about cold weather use. But put a set of quad tires on them and they make great farm service rigs, for fencing and the like.
They do make a reasonable alternative to a quad or side by side, but are a bit heavier and harder to manoeuvre in the bush.

For me, they look to be just what I need. I plan on getting one as soon as the mortgage is paid off.

If your taller than 5'7 be prepared to slouch to see out the windshield.
Keg is RIGHT they hate the cold weather
Speed wise they top out at 110 - 120km/h

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by FishingMOM

If your taller than 5'7 be prepared to slouch to see out the windshield.
Keg is RIGHT they hate the cold weather
Speed wise they top out at 110 - 120km/h

Thats with a turbo charger and going downhill with a 100km/hr tail wind....you might hit that speed

The only ones that will hit 120 km/hr on their own are when they are being towed on a flatdeck on the highway....

LC

[FishingMOM]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Thats with a turbo charger and going downhill with a 100km/hr tail wind....you might his that speed

LC

ha ha lefty.

Remember slow and steady wins the race.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by FishingMOM

ha ha lefty.

Remember slow and steady wins the race.

My Wife told me that.....but I always win anyway

LC

[pipercub17]

http://westernminitrucks.com/index.htm
and
http://www.minitruck.ca/

[Leeper]

I see them often in Montana and I think they are a very sensible vehicle. Unfortunately, North Amercans are not too big on sensible so they will remain a curiosity. If any of the manufacturers started to import them, they would soon need to have larger engines, air conditioning, larger size, air bags, sun roofs,air conditioning, power windows and door locks and so on.
I followed one from Eureka to Fortine at about 110 KMH. The guy in the cab was about 6' 5" and looked to weigh about 260 or so. This one was a Mitsubishi. Leeper

[jhl]

Originally Posted by pipercub17

http://westernminitrucks.com/index.htm
and
http://www.minitruck.ca/

Thanks for the links and thanks all for the information

[stephane]

Originally Posted by FishingMOM

If your taller than 5'7 be prepared to slouch to see out the windshield.
Keg is RIGHT they hate the cold weather
Speed wise they top out at 110 - 120km/h

Daihatsu makes a jumbo cab ( ironic I know) that will provide more cab space for the larger than average person. As well as the newer model Suzuki and Subaru sambar are said to be roomier.

As for cold weather problems, what is their issue? Cabin heat? Or mechanical?

Lefty, a guy I work with told me he knows of a dealer in Beaumont. Happen to know of him/ a website for him?

[FishingMOM]

Originally Posted by stephane

Daihatsu makes a jumbo cab ( ironic I know) that will provide more cab space for the larger than average person. As well as the newer model Suzuki and Subaru sambar are said to be roomier.

As for cold weather problems, what is their issue? Cabin heat? Or mechanical?

Lefty, a guy I work with told me he knows of a dealer in Beaumont. Happen to know of him/ a website for him?

well the mitsubishi isnt meant for tall people.
cabin heat isnt an issue it seems the one I have 1st hand knowledge of it hates the cold weather.

[silver]

I hear that with the right hand drive, knowing when to pass a vehicle on the highway can be tricky.

[stephane]

Originally Posted by silver

I hear that with the right hand drive, knowing when to pass a vehicle on the highway can be tricky.

That is true in busy traffic. Otherwise if it's a single vehicle in front, pulling to the shoulder to look past works well.

That being said, there won't be too many cases you will find yourself passing anything but farm equipment in a kei truck.

[Mekanik]

Originally Posted by stephane

looking to purchase one this year too.
only things i have came across is parts will have to be ordered online or through an importer.

See if you can get an English shop manual with it as well. These things are a different beast at times and most North American dealers don't have access to the other continents manuals. We run into it all the time with imported toyota's and I used to have the problem with mitsus before I left them years ago.

[stephane]

Found a PDF copy of the Suzuki carry.
Are you aware If engine parts are all brand specific or do many parts cross over?

[coreya3212]

There is a lawn mower shop in okotoks in behind car craft. I think the name is gold star or something. He used to have one or two all the time in front of his place. He would put quad tires on them and a hoist on the box I think, and then sell them.