Japanese Mini Trucks

I've seen these for many years, but for what they are, I wasn't rea interested in them because of not being able to tag them here. But, you say you can, please share in how.
I'd also like to hear about more specifics, like:
what engines/HP are they?
What trans and gear ratio's?
What t case, and gearing?
What differentials, what gearing?
What are the years of manufacturing?
How easy/difficult are they to get parts for?
thanks
 
upnover said:
I've seen these for many years, but for what they are, I wasn't rea interested in them because of not being able to tag them here. But, you say you can, please share in how.
I'd also like to hear about more specifics, like:
what engines/HP are they?
What trans and gear ratio's?
What t case, and gearing?
What differentials, what gearing?
What are the years of manufacturing?
How easy/difficult are they to get parts for?
thanks
Click to expand...
I took on the NCDMV with these trucks about 3 years ago. It was difficult at first, until they realized I wasn't going away. Then they became helpful, believe it or not.
I had to start a vehicle dealership and get my license to sell in quantity. I have to present the DMV with specific documents from the Japanese government for each truck. When they are satisfied, I turn in everything to tag office and get registration for each. Then each truck is safety inspected. The paperwork travels to Special Titles division in Raleigh that handles imports , military, etc. When they approve , the NC titles are printed and mailed to me. At this point it's no different than buying a ford truck. Just a title transfer like any other.
Engines are a Jap government mandidated displacement for all brands. 1989 and older-550cc. 1990 and up-660cc. (These are relevant models to what I do, very new models may have a different mandate).
All gas engines.(diesels were not offered in these trucks-per every Japanese contact I know). All are 3 cylinder except Subaru(4).
Suzuki 660 are 12 valve OHC -maybe high 30's HP. Don't know exact figure.
Suzuki has two distinct transmission/transfer case set-ups.
1-4 speed Trans with 2 speed transfer case. and
2-5 speed with EL(granny)that's 6 forward gears with 1 speed transfer case.
As far as gearing, I don't know exact ratios of Trans , transfer case , or diff.
Parts are readily available for the trucks I import(Suzuki and Daihatsu). Primarily 88-92 year model. I keep most common , and many uncommon parts for Suzuki. I reorder from my Jap people when I get low. There are several parts dealers in US on the web also. Some sell a cheaper aftermarket part that I don't recommend . Pay a little more for OE Jap and part lasts forever.
FYI- I stock engines, transmissions, carbs, clutches, fuel pumps, water pumps, belts, hoses, clutches, bushings, etc.. Even master cylinder rebuild kits.
 
RatLabGuy said:
So are these mostly riight hand drive?
Click to expand...
All the JDM trucks I import are RHD. There was a time when some of the manufactures built LHD for export to US as new units. These were primarily for military , industrial, and municipal use . Apparently it was not marketed well and the program died off. As did the parts support for these LHD trucks. You can still find them here and there, but without documents, they couldn't be titled. As far as parts go, some interchange with RHD trucks... but not all. All reservations about driving RHD trucks are put to rest in the first few minutes of the first test drive.
I literally have a 65 year old retired real estate broker(female) who bought one, jumped in, and took off.
 
So, if I read what you wrote correctly, the ones I see for sale on the side of the road, on Craigs list and so on, would be next to impossible to get tagged?
 
upnover said:
So, if I read what you wrote correctly, the ones I see for sale on the side of the road, on Craigs list and so on, would be next to impossible to get tagged?
Click to expand...
Unless it has a title already, it's about impossible. Just ask the seller. Most likely it doesn't have one. If it has an out of state title, you probably can transfer. I do sell my titled ones on CL. Most of the time seller will state title status, if it has one.
*** Beware buying one with import documents only!!!. This doesn't guarantee a title. If a title is important to you, then buy one with existing state issued title only.
Also, be careful of an out of state title on a 96 or newer truck. It's home state might not require OBD emissions testing. Most counties in NC do and a Jap mini truck won't communicate with our OBD. You can transfer from out of state on initial registration without inspection, but when it's time to re-new you might get a surprise.
 
Hey Gunn, got any of them with a Cummins Engine in them ?
;)

::beer::
 
I bet a 3cylinder a series could be shoe horned in...we might need to stretch the front a tad
 
R Q said:
OK I'm Richard with the Jeepster. You should post a pic of the 4x4 one's you done.
Click to expand...
Hey Richard, I thought that was you. I only bring in 4 X 4. Can't give the 2WD away. Although I would like to partner with someone to customize the 2WD for the tuner crowd . Ugly thoughts, I know. I'll post some when I figure out how.
 
Just start a Photobucket account and import the URL from there. But I meant
the one's with the big tires on them!
 
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
Gunn said:
Hey Richard, I thought that was you. I only bring in 4 X 4. Can't give the 2WD away. Although I would like to partner with someone to customize the 2WD for the tuner crowd . Ugly thoughts, I know. I'll post some when I figure out how.
Click to expand...
 
Gunn said:
I took on the NCDMV with these trucks about 3 years ago. It was difficult at first, until they realized I wasn't going away. Then they became helpful, believe it or not.
I had to start a vehicle dealership and get my license to sell in quantity. I have to present the DMV with specific documents from the Japanese government for each truck. When they are satisfied, I turn in everything to tag office and get registration for each. Then each truck is safety inspected. The paperwork travels to Special Titles division in Raleigh that handles imports , military, etc. When they approve , the NC titles are printed and mailed to me. At this point it's no different than buying a ford truck. Just a title transfer like any other.
Engines are a Jap government mandidated displacement for all brands. 1989 and older-550cc. 1990 and up-660cc. (These are relevant models to what I do, very new models may have a different mandate).
All gas engines.(diesels were not offered in these trucks-per every Japanese contact I know). All are 3 cylinder except Subaru(4).
Suzuki 660 are 12 valve OHC -maybe high 30's HP. Don't know exact figure.
Suzuki has two distinct transmission/transfer case set-ups.
1-4 speed Trans with 2 speed transfer case. and
2-5 speed with EL(granny)that's 6 forward gears with 1 speed transfer case.
As far as gearing, I don't know exact ratios of Trans , transfer case , or diff.
Parts are readily available for the trucks I import(Suzuki and Daihatsu). Primarily 88-92 year model. I keep most common , and many uncommon parts for Suzuki. I reorder from my Jap people when I get low. There are several parts dealers in US on the web also. Some sell a cheaper aftermarket part that I don't recommend . Pay a little more for OE Jap and part lasts forever.
FYI- I stock engines, transmissions, carbs, clutches, fuel pumps, water pumps, belts, hoses, clutches, bushings, etc.. Even master cylinder rebuild kits.
Click to expand...


Just out of curiosity, how much do they run?
 
This has suddenly turned into the most informational thread in this section.
 
ManglerYJ said:
Just out of curiosity, how much do they run?
Click to expand...
Stock trucks with no mods usually $5500-$6200 Titled, serviced and any parts needed are replaced. I can do a little better on the 89 and older 550cc trucks. Fine trucks, just not as fast. Plenty of pull in low range of course.
3 inch lift & new 25 X 8 x12 DOT ATV tires adds $600
Camo usually adds $600
HD rear bumper w' 2" standard receiver tube- adds $400(pricey I know , but it's a complicated fab and stronger than any I've seen).
 
RatLabGuy said:
This has suddenly turned into the most informational thread in this section.
Click to expand...
Yeah, where was this when I asked about em awhile back??? But considering I wanted to get up and running selling them and modifying for customers.
Seems @Gunn has it figured. I was wanting to do a truck load and build from that point on. I found absolutely nothing concrete. Guess I didn't dig in the right places.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Yeah, where was this when I asked about em awhile back??? But considering I wanted to get up and running selling them and modifying for customers.
Seems @Gunn has it figured. I was wanting to do a truck load and build from that point on. I found absolutely nothing concrete. Guess I didn't dig in the right places.
Click to expand...
Man, it's a tough business. It's fun for sure... But tough. You send money(lots) to people you don't know for product you've never seen. I've been doing this for years and still get surprised. My last container got pulled in Charleston for a "detailed inspection". This involves freighting from port to 3rd party contractor, trucks are unloaded, inspected by whatever entity called for it(they won't tell you who). Then contractor can't reload in one container... So 2nd container is required with another truck to haul it. End result ... $4,000 dollars in fees and additional freight. And.... I was in complete compliance! $4,000 just poof gone! They even bill for storage if they don't perform the inspection in a timely manner. It's a hard business!!! But, Jap mini trucks are the best engineered and built vehicles I've ever seen. I'm committed to making them available to those who can see the value in them. By the way, I did not raise the price on the trucks that were inspected.... I ate it.
 
I can tell y'all I've known Gunn for a few years and he is legit, FOS but legit! :D The little trucks are cool
 
R Q said:
I can tell y'all I've known Gunn for a few years and he is legit, FOS but legit! :D The little trucks are cool
Click to expand...
Same.
Agreed!
 
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