1992 Daihatsu Atrai, Port Saint Lucie Florida

My Offroad tow vehicle for my trailers.

 

Ok.... back on topic...lol I am working on the switches for the start and reverse now, making a dash panel for them and converting them to dash switches instead of the handlebar switch deal.

 

good to see I'm not the only FJ and minitruck owner on here!

 

Nice trailers. Just got a bead roller in my little shop of horrors. I like to work on sheetmetal, done a couple of pig rotisseries for clients in the past. Always wanted one of those benders and a bunch of other tools too,lol!
Ok, enuff about tools, how about the reverse button on the shifter? How's the rear diff coming along?

 

The reverse on the shifter would be pretty cool, I thought about it, the problem is that the reverse is the same as the start button, it just gets switched between start and reverse with another switch. I would need to also have a shifter knob with a button, probably not hard to find, either way I have to push a dash button first to set the starter into reverse mode, once i get a solid (R) on the dash then I push the start button to reverse the van.
The rear end is coming along, the parts will be at the machine shop until later next week, I am waiting for axle bearings and seals to come in then it can be assembled and I can start installing it and working on the rear caliper bracket.

 

Look what came in the mail today ! Thanks again Mad...

 

Great, let me know how they line up on your van. I just want to know if my jig was accurate.

 

Oh, btw, it's not a Toyota but it does the job nicely. And then there is the project that never ends which keeps me from finishing my other projects.lol!

 

Oops, here is the 'other' project.

 

Damn.... I like the jeep truggy, but that other project has my attention, tell me more about that one!

 

It's a little off topic but here is the short version, chaindriven rail with 3.1 propane chevy v6 mated to a vw automatic with air suspension. Made with one purpose, to go up a hill with authority.

 

That sounds like it will be a blast to drive, is it close to done?

 

Not really, the rear end is almost done, then it's on to the front which will take some engineering. It's got about 30" of wheel travel in the rear and I should get at least a decent 18'' of travel on the front a arms. It turns on with the propane but have to connect the radiator to do some more testing. The tranny works for sure but have not even started with the brakes yet. Need more time!

 

Looks good though, you should check out another forum I frequent, minibuggy.net lots of cool stuff like that in there.

 

Been to that site, nice stuff going on there.

 

Made my switch panel. From left to right, Start (Green) Key Switch, Reverse (yellow to match the reverse light) and the last switch is for the Fog lights (Blue)

 

Lookin' good.

 

Got the switches all in and wired up, now its on to the other stuff, list of things to still do:
1. Make a mounting flange for the new dog box to seal to and add hood latches.
2. Get the axle reassembled and fab up rear brake caliper mounts, install axle.
3. Measure for new drive shaft and order it. (it has a different companion flange than the Daihatsu)
4. Replace a water pipe that was in the system made out of pvc , I have a steel one now.
5. Install a line lock in the brake line to use for a parking brake.
6. Finish the dash panel I made to house the gauge cluster.
7. Mount the coil packs
8. Pull off all of the engine mounts and paint, then remount.
9. Install the air filters into the cut down airbox, extend a couple air sensors into the box too.
10. Finish the exhaust.
Thats about all I can think of at the moment, this helps me get things done by writing it down.

 

That's all?, should be done by tomorrow then. Seriously, you're gonna end up with one hell of a mini van.
I'm at a standstill with my mini trucks, waiting to see if I get the plate for them or not. Meanwhile I did fire up the propane buggy and got it to purr like a kitten, it was a timing issue.

 

Its a small list of things to do, but it will take a little time for me to complete, I work 6 days a wek and am in the middle of remodeling our house too. What are the laws on the mini trucks over there?

 

Laws? There are plates for low speed vehicles but even though I have all the requirements and more it is up to some government official to decide if they want to give it to me or not. I have submitted everything but it seems it is easier to get plates for a Polaris razor which does not meet the requirements . I am the only person here to submit the paperwork for a Kei truck that I know of. I have pulled strings here and there but have yet to get an answer, extremely frustrating.
I work 8 days a week also.

 

Sucks to hear that, here in Florida there is a place called Title King, they will title anything. It's pretty easy to get one on the road here, especialy if it's over the 25 year mark. I'm still waiting for my axles and discs to come back, the only guy with a Bridgeport around here is back logged with work.

 

Yep, they have me very pissed off. Oh well, time to keep workin' on my buggy.
I have a bridgeport 2 minutes from my house, just ship them over! Did you get a chance to try the caliper bracket?

 

No I haven't yet, I'm going to wait to get the rear back together before I tear into the front. I'm getting a few little things done mean time. Won't be to much longer though.

 

Mkguyvr, you have one heck of a build here. These are awesome little vehicles but the lack of and steep prices of replacement parts is really a deal breaker to keep the factory motors alive. I really enjoyed reading through this thread and look forward to your updates

 

Hey thanks Sootlife, yeah the thing I didn't like was at the end of the day, after finding the parts and buying them you are just keeping a very underpowered slow engine alive. I wanted to make it more fun to drive and more reliable. These Honda engines fit the bill, and there's plenty of parts locally.

 

Couple updates, I have the electrical all done, the dash new buttons installed etc, the parts are back from the machine shop finally, there was quite a bit of machine work ahead of mine and my was pretty complex given the odd request. I have installed the air filters into the air box, I just need to put the axle back together, and fab up the caliper brackets, install the axle and measure for the Road Smith Trike driveshaft which they make for the GL1800 to Danna 44 in their kits.




Welded up one hole the be re-drilled when going to 4 lug

5 lug to 4 lug conversion, drum to disc conversion, 1975 Jeep Dana 44 Short Trac with 2005 Ford Grand Marquis rear disc brakes.

New Bearings.

The outside lip of the axle flange had to be beveled to allow the disc to fit flush, the pilot on the axle had to be turned down to fit the disc pilot hole. The axle mounting flange had to be turned down on one due to it having run out, the rear of the mounting flange had to be turned down to allow for the studs to seat on a flat surface. Quiet a bit of work.

 

WOW, By the time we get back Florida you should have it together. I wanna stop buy and ride in it.
Last Oct. the wife and I spent a few days on a sail boat out of Marathon then went down to Key West for a few days.
Cant wait to go back. Cheers on your build.

 

I hope it works out for you, it looked like a pretty simple swap and now it's more like a full blown makeover. That combo that you have is gonna be slick as hell. Top speed is gonna be hairy.

 

Trax and Horns, I hope to have it done that soon, So far so good, the brake calipers had to change to 95 Ford Explorer front calipers and brackets, the crown vic calipers use a backing plate and was going to be more work to go that way. I have had a bunch of crap going on lately, lost a friend to cancer, had a death party for him before he died 4 days later, we are having his funeral this weekend, anniversary last weekend, family birthday on Sunday to go to, the only work Ive been doing is late at night when the wife is asleep. The tile in the house is still not done.... lots to do!