Cab-over Mini truck source

Chuckman

Chuckman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2005
Location
Huntersville
wasn’t there someone on here that’s importing or retailing the little mini cab over Asian trucks? Several folks I know are wanting some.

Street legal versions available?
 
Jap 4x4 Mini trucks???

Mini-Truck Inventory | Daihatsu and Mitsubishi Mini-Truck Sales

I would like to have one too, but the prices are stupid.

I have thought about just buying a Sidekick/Tracker and putting a small bed on the back.
1995 Geo Tracker 4x4 Soft Top Convertible

Something like this, but maybe done a little better.
Kick with bed.jpg


kick with bed 2.jpg
 
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technically in this state, they cant be made street legal since they don't come with the DOT plates. An imported one that's over 25 years old with a title probably, but all the little vans and trucks you see at universities that are now popping up at surplus auctions cannot be made street legal. If you get the right DMV person you could try to get away with registering it like a golf cart, but I don't know if that will work. I wanted one of the mini minivans, but after talking to the local dmv inspector I was told it's not happening
 
drkelly said:
Jap 4x4 Mini trucks???

Mini-Truck Inventory | Daihatsu and Mitsubishi Mini-Truck Sales

I would like to have one too, but the prices are stupid.

I have thought about just buying a Sidekick/Tracker and putting a small bed on the back.
1995 Geo Tracker 4x4 Soft Top Convertible

Something like this, but maybe done a little better.
View attachment 298585

View attachment 298586
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That thing would be super awesome for trail work days and stuff! Not to mention around a farm or something.
 
yodaman88 said:
technically in this state, they cant be made street legal since they don't come with the DOT plates. An imported one that's over 25 years old with a title probably, but all the little vans and trucks you see at universities that are now popping up at surplus auctions cannot be made street legal. If you get the right DMV person you could try to get away with registering it like a golf cart, but I don't know if that will work. I wanted one of the mini minivans, but after talking to the local dmv inspector I was told it's not happening
Click to expand...

That has changed....and then changed again.
NC Law was passed 7/1/19 that allows them to be titles as special use restricted title roads 55mph and under only...
 
Ron said:
That has changed....and then changed again.
NC Law was passed 7/1/19 that allows them to be titles as special use restricted title roads 55mph and under only...
Click to expand...
I have a friend who used to import and sell them but this law stopped him.
 
R Q said:
I have a friend who used to import and sell them but this law stopped him.
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Your friend live in Monroe, by chance?
 
They're legal to drive on the road, I've been stuck behind one a few times on Irish potato road. It has a NC tag on it and struggles to do 50mph.
 
CarolinaHD said:
They're legal to drive on the road, I've been stuck behind one a few times on Irish potato road. It has a NC tag on it and struggles to do 50mph.
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Shanita Turbo
 
Doesn't that place "dirt legal" or something like that do utv titles & tags? More or less they handle everything and send you plates from what I understand.. Seems they could do a mini if you had one.
 
They are pretty cool, would have to be DIRT cheap to be interesting because there are a million other options. I think they are 4wd and usually diesel, maybe gets a billion mpg? I would think a comparable Isuzu / Chevy Luv 4x4 (diesel 4x4) would be comparable and easier to source. If we get more info on here I would be interested just compared to a side by side / beater. Used my K5 blazer for "truck" purposes the other weekend and trying to get all the durn dirt back out / so it is not blowing in my eyes on the road is a ROYAL PITA!
 
How tough is it to find parts for these things when something breaks? I've always thought a little Daihatsu mini truck would be the jam for hunting and around the farm, but I also don't want to deal with shitty parts availability.
 
As long as you are selective in which Jap truck you buy there are parts. There are a few guys that stock a bunch.
@SHINTON the benefit over a luv is they are smaller and fit down narrower areas. They are SxS size. They arent offroad toys.
THink Gator or Ranger...that for $~6k will do the job of a utility UTV and is street legal and will run 55...60 downhill ...down to the store all legal like
 
SHINTON said:
They are pretty cool, would have to be DIRT cheap to be interesting because there are a million other options. I think they are 4wd and usually diesel, maybe gets a billion mpg? I would think a comparable Isuzu / Chevy Luv 4x4 (diesel 4x4) would be comparable and easier to source. If we get more info on here I would be interested just compared to a side by side / beater. Used my K5 blazer for "truck" purposes the other weekend and trying to get all the durn dirt back out / so it is not blowing in my eyes on the road is a ROYAL PITA!
Click to expand...


I'm pretty sure they are gas engines. 3 cylinder 650cc. Get 30-40mpg.
 
The kei trucks come in lots of different configurations. Some are carbed, some have fuel injection. A few have diesel engines.
Most are straight drives, a few automatics were made.

It seems anything over 2 inches of lift makes the ifs bind, and cause problems.

The only reason I dont currently own one is, it seems insanely hard to swap a solid axle into one.....
 
There’s one that drives around Mt Holly. I see it at least 3 days a week. It has a plate on it.
 
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