Japanese Mini Truck build

FuelAddict · Oct 21, 2015

Ok i bought a new battery for the car so i can finally start it up after installing the new parts. After installing the battery she fired up and ran great. I ended up registering it, getting a tag and putting insurance on it. I drove it around all weekend and was very impressed with the way it drove. The shifter was a little lose and will grind first gear if you're not careful but for 259,xxx mls it is expected. I installed a 1k pot to see what the "evry mod" was all about, pretty big gain in power for $5.

Tomorrow i plan to start removing the drivetrain. I will be back with updates.

Thanks for looking.

samuraitd · Oct 21, 2015

I just got an interesting idea for 2wd. Other than unlocking the samurai hubs, could you fab up a drive line disconnect?

FuelAddict · Oct 22, 2015

I could fab something but unlocking the hubs should suffice. I am itching to get this thing going

samuraitd said:
I just got an interesting idea for 2wd. Other than unlocking the samurai hubs, could you fab up a drive line disconnect?

samuraitd · Oct 23, 2015

FuelAddict said:
I could fab something but unlocking the hubs should suffice. I am itching to get this thing going

Should be awesome! It would just suck getting out to unlock the hubs constantly. If you get to that point you can figure it out then I guess. Maybe a 12v clutch or something? Push button 4x4 would be cool

FuelAddict · Oct 24, 2015

Let me liven this thread up. I have some pictures of one of the big steps of moving towards getting the motor transplanted.
First i labeled all plugs, hoses etc. before pulling the motor.

Heart removed

The carcass

FuelAddict · Oct 24, 2015

Test fit it in the mini truck and it fits great. I took a few measurements to get started on drawing the motor mounting brackets using Mercedes benz hydraulic mounts.

Mr. Pink · Oct 24, 2015

this is awesome.

deejaaa · Oct 25, 2015

subbed.....

papasmurf · Oct 25, 2015

This is pretty amazing. I'm in union park but work in winter park and would love to check this out sometime

FuelAddict · Oct 26, 2015

papasmurf said:
This is pretty amazing. I'm in union park but work in winter park and would love to check this out sometime

Shoot me a PM. You're more than welcome to stop by and check it out.

FuelAddict · Oct 26, 2015

i finished drawing the left side motor bracket set up. I had to make the motor side bracket angle back 4'' to clear the sub frame plate on the frame. This made the bracket set up more complex but i got it done and it should be cut out by the end of the week.

samuraitd · Oct 26, 2015

What's your plan for a bed? Stock bed? Looks really good so far, giving me some ideas

FuelAddict · Oct 26, 2015

samuraitd said:
What's your plan for a bed? Stock bed? Looks really good so far, giving me some ideas

I will be putting the stock bed back on as of right now. Likely to change to a custom bed though, time will tell

. Thank you, I have been trying to do as much as i can with the little bits of time i get. I'm getting mud fever

deejaaa · Nov 2, 2015

X2 on looking good. great project.

FuelAddict · Nov 3, 2015

deejaaa said:
X2 on looking good. great project.

Thank you very much.

FuelAddict · Nov 3, 2015

Quick update:

I am waiting on my buddy to cut my brackets out. They're laser has been down for a couple days.

FuelAddict · Nov 11, 2015

Brackets are done. I will be going to pick them up friday. woohoo

Gavin · Nov 11, 2015

This build is so cool. Ive seen these mini trucks before and thought they were cool but this thread has now made me want one bad. Have you looked anymore into getting it licensed? I'm in Florida too and the info I found so far was that it would only be licensed for roads with speed limits of 35 and under.

Info from here.
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/minitrucks

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

FuelAddict · Nov 12, 2015

Gavin said:
This build is so cool. Ive seen these mini trucks before and thought they were cool but this thread has now made me want one bad. Have you looked anymore into getting it licensed? I'm in Florida too and the info I found so far was that it would only be licensed for roads with speed limits of 35 and under.

Info from here.
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/minitrucks

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

thank you.

They are addicting. I have another one sitting in my shop also haha. I sometimes wonder if its a start of hoarding. I have found the same info of 35mph and under but have read about folks getting them registered without restrictions.

I have thought about applying for a custom vehicle registration due to the fact that this truck will be 80% custom by the time i am done. I have also contemplated using a suzuki samurai title and reg.

Gavin · Nov 13, 2015

Where did you buy your 2 mini trucks from? And did you ever drive it with the original engine? If so what's the top speed?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

FuelAddict · Nov 14, 2015

Gavin said:
Where did you buy your 2 mini trucks from? And did you ever drive it with the original engine? If so what's the top speed?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I searched high and low in florida and Georgia on Craigslist. I originally was going to buy a running white Carry in ocala and sell the motor to the guy that owned this green one. Ended up the white one had bad rust on the frame and ended up buying this green one. The red Mini cab i have i got from north florida, another craigslist find.

I have yet to drive one with the original motor.

FuelAddict · Nov 30, 2015

Ok so i pulled all of the wiring harnesses out of the car and it is ready for the scrapper. I also got my brackets from the CNC laser. Now i need build the motor mount and get it welded onto the frame so i can design the other 2.

FuelAddict · Nov 30, 2015

I hope y'all had a good thanksgiving weekend. We went on vacation up north, first stop was Asheville, NC. We went on a "hop on & off" trolly tour around the city and were able to get off at 5 different stops they have to walk around. That was pretty cool to learn some history. then we went to Hendersonville, NC to visit friends that were also up from Florida visiting family. They took us to there house in the mountains, AMAZING. then we went to Chimney rock and walked around. I am ready to move!! We then headed to our last stop "work related" in Athens, GA were i picked up materials to bring home. All in all it was an amazing trip and we are already planning our next.

Stopped by SUMMIT in GA

Loading up roofing materials

FuelAddict · Dec 10, 2015

UPDATE:

- Ordered rear coilovers
- designed new brackets for the rear coil over set up
- ordered one 235/75r15 Kumho M/T to check fitment.
- I am going to rebuild all of the link bars with 1.5'' .250 wall DOM and change the lengths to get the right WB

I'll post some pictures soon

FuelAddict · Dec 10, 2015

Left motor mount, using a hydraulic Mercedes mount

Rear panhard brackets

1.9ZOOK · Dec 15, 2015

Cool Build...
Here is everything you would ever want to know about coilovers and then some.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/coilovers/Part_1/#Whattoshootfor

FuelAddict · Dec 16, 2015

1.9ZOOK said:
Cool Build...
Here is everything you would ever want to know about coilovers and then some.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/coilovers/Part_1/#Whattoshootfor

I appreciate it. Thanks for sharing the link. thats getting bookmarked for sure....i'll use that when i tune the coil overs

FuelAddict · Dec 16, 2015

The tire came in for test fitting. it looks like it will work perfect.

jimbote · Dec 16, 2015

not wanting to threadjack but i saw this in a parking lot few weeks ago and wanted to share

1.9ZOOK · Dec 16, 2015

Using Samurai axles will help with the drive line angle because they are
both offset to the passenger side.

Japanese Mini Truck build

Airbags or Coilovers???

Airbags

Coilovers

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