Japanese Mini-trucks

[Jim]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

They are everywhere in BC. I have a friend up North who used to import and sell them, but I don't think he actually used them.

I'm waiting for Transport Canada to say no more RHD vehicles. I'm not sure if they would Grandfather the existing registered units or not. That said, I have seen the odd mini truck like the one in your photo that is LHD. Apparently they were made for the Middle Eastern market.

They should say no more RHD vehicles, they aren't safe for our roads... I saw one trying to pass someone on a two lane road, of course they had to swing all the way into the oncoming lane to see if it was clear. :?

[frostbite]

At ~45hp, I can't imagine passing anyone.

Regardless of the vehicle there are always going to be a few retards.

[Jim]

They like to bring in imported right hand drive sports cars, so they are more likely to drive like that. Our roads are designed for left hand drive, signs and signals...

I didn't know those trucks were all rhd?

[katoranger]

Originally Posted by frostbite

Common? Did something North American run the 2.2L? I know the Ranger ran a Mazda diesel but it was a Perkins. I believe this engine is a bit newer than that.

My biggest and only fear with the truck is that it would be an 'orphan' from a parts perspective. There is quite a bit of parts support for the gas mini's; the diesel's are almost unheard of in these parts.

Not really common in the US or maybe north america, but the rest of the world had them.

The ranger used a 2.2NA mazda diesel. Lots of them in Japan and getting the parts sent over should not be difficult. Filters should be available at the parts store.

I thought they had more diesels in Canada?

Allen

[FastDoc]

Here's where I got my info from:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...ry/Diesels.htm

[katoranger]

The mazda was also found in the mazda 626 in the US. I think it was used in forklifts and some other equipment. The ford escort/tempo also had a mazda diesel.

One found in a ranger is rare. I think the mitsubishi was alot more popular due to its hp rating.

[Reveeen]

I too have been looking at these little trucks.

I *think*, like a Miata, they would be summer use only (locally), they just aren't built heavy enough to resist corrosion, or I should say, corrode in a controlled fashion from the crap put on the roads here in the winter. The frames are no heavier than body metal with plenty of places to retain the corrosive materials the local government puts on the road in the attempt to melt the ice and snow.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Reveeen

...I *think*, like a Miata, they would be summer use only (locally), they just aren't built heavy enough to resist corrosion, or I should say, corrode in a controlled fashion from the crap put on the roads here in the winter. The frames are no heavier than body metal with plenty of places to retain the corrosive materials the local government puts on the road in the attempt to melt the ice and snow.

OK. Now I can surmise the "Orbital Platform" is somewhere in either Canada, the Northeast, Midwest, or Northcentral United States. They don't use road salt anywhere west of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S.A.

Spud

[Reveeen]

Road salt here is the very least of one's vehicle worries.

In the guise of cost cutting they are currently spraying sea water on the roads here in the winter.........and when you see them out "salting" the roads, that isn't salt, or what one would consider salt, it is about 10% "pit tailing" (crusher dust), 20% salt, and 70% potash (potassium oxide).

I have never seen, short of battery acid, anything as corrosive as a potash/water mix. And most scary of all, it conducts electricity, so as vehicle computer use increases, so do the potential problems. I have seen tractor trailer lighting plugs completely shorted out (and arcing) from potash/water.

[frostbite]

Originally Posted by katoranger

I thought they had more diesels in Canada?
Allen

They do, but in the non-commercial space they're mostly limited to full size trucks (i.e. pickups) and Volkswagen cars (e.g. Jetta, Golf, etc...). Finding a diesel ranger is like a Yeti sighting.

BTW, I tried out a mini last night (not the diesel listed above). I was surprised at the power; not as weak as I imagined. Leg room was non-existent (I'm 6' 2") and the bed size was good - at least 4x6. For a used truck the thing was immaculate; a bit of surface rust on the frame members and under the bed but that was it. I got a real kick out of the engine bay, you had to flip up both front seats to get at the motor. The Alternator was the size of a pencil sharpener.

The ride was fairly rough since your sitting right directly above the front tires. I suspect a few hundred pounds in the back would smooth out the ride substantially and balance the truck more.

I agree with Reveen - around here they may not last too long with our Winter salt conditions. I suspect a healthy dose of Rust Check/undercoating/etc... and a good wash schedule would help immensely for Winter driving.

The lack of leg room was a definite show-stopper for me. The only way I would consider one now is to find one of these with the extended cab:

[katoranger]

Info on the mazda diesel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Diesel_engine

I have never been in one, but you have about 4 inches on me. I relocated the seat in my 74 chevy luv. Drilled new holes and moved it as far back as possible. The ranger the seat is as far back as it goes too. I have long legs. My next truck will be a crew cab. F250 powerstroke. :wink:

I have seen videos of people doing stoppies in the minitrucks. Alot of forward weight. You may need to tote around firewood to balance out.


I think in Canada you got more toyota diesels. Landcrusiers. Rovers etc.


Maybe a vw 1.6 diesel swap into a minitruck. Probably be good for 65mpg.

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by Reveeen

Road salt here is the very least of one's vehicle worries.

In the guise of cost cutting they are currently spraying sea water on the roads here in the winter.........and when you see them out "salting" the roads, that isn't salt, or what one would consider salt, it is about 10% "pit tailing" (crusher dust), 20% salt, and 70% potash (potassium oxide).

I have never seen, short of battery acid, anything as corrosive as a potash/water mix. And most scary of all, it conducts electricity, so as vehicle computer use increases, so do the potential problems. I have seen tractor trailer lighting plugs completely shorted out (and arcing) from potash/water.

Yuck! :!:

I don't miss the East Coast salt where I grew up. It's very rare to see rust on cars out here, even old poorly maintained ones. No road salt that I know of. Maybe in the passes, but I think even up there they use sand.

[katoranger]

No salt here in GA either. I don't miss MN cars at all.

[SpudRider]

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation uses road salt as if it were free! 8O When I lived in Pennsylvania, all the motor vehicles became rusted, even if they were kept very clean. :x I'm very glad the transportation departments in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington don't employ road salt. Even the very old vehicles here don't have any rust on them.

Spud

[lego1970]

Salt is a pain in the rear, eats up cars, bridges, and everything it come into contact with. I could definetly live without it, however it does help get people to work, keeps freight moving, and has probably saved thousands of lives over the years. As a truck driver you can always tell which roads haven't had any salt shakers on them by the number of cars in the ditches. Having said that, if people would learn to slow down they wouldn't need to use salt, except for really steep drives.