Ran across this while researching imported micro trucks from Japan. fairly decked out little beast I wonder how it does hauling a full load, I think they only have a 600cc engine.
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They are popular here in NZ with farmers that use them as a safer and more comfortable alternative to a quad bike around the farm. They are 4WD, and with the right tires they seem pretty capable off road. Low gearing get over the lack of engine power, and it's not like you are going to be racing through the woods at 60 mph.
Rated to carry ~500kg from memory, and can tow a small trailer if needed.
I think for the money, compared to a side by side they are a great idea. Think about how you would make a side by side better, glass, roof, heater, road legal. These are about the same size as a side by side but weather proof. You could probably put quad tracks on them as well.
Make sure you can fit in one before you buy, a friend of mine (5'8") has one if he was a few inches taller he would not be able to get his legs in.
Where can you buy one of these. I would consider one for sure. Some of the ones i have seen on the road have the steering wheel on the right.
there's one here, just up the black top, if I understand it right they are not licensable, heard the authorities gave him a gruff for a spell, now he has the triangle on the back and goes his merry way, I kinda like em', purpose for about everything,
I am only 6 ft and lots of things are a bit of a squeeze but they are so small they are not for everyone. The one near me is street legal.
Anyone have a link, or a least a name and manufacturer so I can look up some info on these?
As far as I know, they can only be brought to North America if more than three years old. They can be imported in limited numbers. In Japan, hence the right hand drive, the extremely strict emission laws force them off the road after that time. And you thought the EPA was rough.
Quote from: sawguy21 on February 24, 2015, 09:56:45 AM
As far as I know, they can only be brought to North America if more than three years old. They can be imported in limited numbers. In Japan, hence the right hand drive, the extremely strict emission laws force them off the road after that time. And you thought the EPA was rough.
It figures. I just followed a link the other day that shows a dozen or so vehicles made by major manufacturers (Ford, Toyota, Honda, etc) that you can't buy in the US. There were some great small trucks I'd be interested in. Not all of these were banned due to EPA regs; some were just not sold here since the manufacturer felt that a small diesel pickup or SUV would not sell well here. (I'd jump on some of the models shown - much better mileage than what's available here, reputation for just about bomb-proof reliability)
I have often thought about those, but the price seems steep.
Take an 80s mod Toyota 4x4 ( solid front axle), bob the rear and build a flatbed on it. Tires and a winch, take the doors off if you like, and you are in it for $3k or so.
Just thinkin out load !
FRank
Smokey - any chance you can post a link to where you found the photo or to the manufacturer, since the photo itself was removed?
I found this link.
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/chinese-mini-truck.html
There are some interesting trucks, and prices not too bad.
Quote from: Seaman on February 25, 2015, 07:40:52 AM
I have often thought about those, but the price seems steep.
Take an 80s mod Toyota 4x4 ( solid front axle), bob the rear and build a flatbed on it. Tires and a winch, take the doors off if you like, and you are in it for $3k or so.
Just thinkin out load !
FRank
quite a few of these around here, go bout anywhere
All the ones around here are from Japan and right hand drive, they are mostly Honda, Suzuki, Daihatsu, Nissan and Subaru. If you google "Japanese mini truck" you should come up with lots of info.
Quote from: Seaman on February 25, 2015, 07:40:52 AM
I have often thought about those, but the price seems steep.
Take an 80s mod Toyota 4x4 ( solid front axle), bob the rear and build a flatbed on it. Tires and a winch, take the doors off if you like, and you are in it for $3k or so.
Just thinkin out load !
FRank
Some of the rock crawler guys already do some of the work for you, the bobbing the rear and installing a flatbed part. And a bumper winch, of course. That may give me an idea for my '81 Toyota. On the other hand, it hauls wood fine now. I'm not going far so don't need to pile it up any higher than the bed sides.
"Copyright Best Used Tractors" would have been your clue where to look.
http://www.best-used-tractors.com/mini_truck.html
A guy that lives north of me has one. He bought it in Colorado and had it licensed there. He just renews it every year. His is a 4X4 and has a dump box. He goes all over with it and said it is a solid truck. Never had a problem with it. I was at a sale a few years ago and there was one on the sale that sold for 2400.00. I don't know where you would get parts if you need them
A friend lifted his and installed flotation tires for hunting in swampy areas. The tires are not road legal but he hasn't licensed it, the nearest cop is 60 miles away.
leaving the lumber yard yesterday, the ole boy was at the farm store with his loaded up pretty good, just took this while driving by, then the battery lost power to do a front view,
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30023/IMGA0155.JPG)
Quote from: Jeff on February 25, 2015, 07:51:41 PM
"Copyright Best Used Tractors" would have been your clue where to look.
http://www.best-used-tractors.com/mini_truck.html
Thanks, Jeff. I eventually found that place. Also found a forum specializing in the mini trucks:
minitrucktalk.com (http://minitrucktalk.com/)
There was one, maybe still is, for sale locally. The owner felt it was worth $6,500.00 :-\
I think I'd consider owning one of these micro trucks but only if I had a complete and running parts truck and I got them dirt cheap, otherwise you have a monopoly on parts supplies and all the problems inherent with vehicles not originally exported to your country, with no dealer network even one small part failing could leave you up the creek. so these guys importing container loads asking anywhere from $ 6500 to 12.000 is a joke, I found a place called Autorec sell them for less than $ 2000
A few more links.
http://www.minitruckcanada.com/MiniTrucks/mini-trucks-what-is.html (http://www.minitruckcanada.com/MiniTrucks/mini-trucks-what-is.html)
http://www.autorec.co.jp/japanese-used-trucks.php (http://www.autorec.co.jp/japanese-used-trucks.php)
http://www.japaneseminitrucks.ca/ (http://www.japaneseminitrucks.ca/)
I'll try repost an acceptable version of that wood hauling micro truck I posted earlier but my comp is on it's last legs...
I don't think smudging out the copyright name will make it an acceptable version, but I could be mistaken.
Just sayin...
Quote from: beenthere on March 17, 2015, 01:43:04 AM
I don't think smudging out the copyright name will make it an acceptable version, but I could be mistaken.
Just sayin...
No, it does not. From the forum rules page:
By uploading photos to The Forestry Forum you declare that any photograph submitted by you is your own original creation and work, and does not infringe the rights (including copyright) of any other person.