We just purchased a 1993 Daihatsu Hijet, it appears to be all stock/original other then the tires are slightly bigger. I think it's a factory 4 speed unless it has been 5th gear blocked. Is there anything I need to check or issues known with these little trucks. We are using it for farm truck for little jobs like hauling bails of hay, hauling feed etc and running from farm to farm on the street about 5 miles apart.
Hi there, I'm kinda in the same boat. Main thing I read up on is make sure the fuel tank is clean.. Carb problems are hard to solve for the average Jo mech tinkerer like me. Lol. I just bought mine a few days ago myself. It sat for a while so I'm having to clean the carb, tank etc and other fun stuff.. Also keep the choke linkage lubed very well. It's to the left of the carb, has a lil plastic gear. Fupabox on the site has a good you tube video on it. If u decide to lift it don't go higher then 2", it may cause axle and suspension problems. I'm replacing the front struts and springs on mine. Other then that if it's running good then just the normal, change oil regularly, keep clean fuel. Maybe change plugs.. I'm new to mini trucks so I'm still learning. But I have read everything I can. I do all my own work and so far I'm getting my lil guy tuned up and going. And I'm not some nascar mechanic for sure.
I'm also using mine on the ranch. Hauling bales , winter fire wood etc and spraying all summer. I changed all my oils. bought a new air filter and gas filters. theres 2. coil springs for the front 250-300 #. The coil springs are a must when carrying loads plus people. plus coil springs will give you a lift of 2" add longer shackels to rear leaf springs. 170/70 R13 tires. also add a bush bar for front.
Yes mine already the 3" lift blocks and shackles when I bought it. And it has 25's which I'm worried about now. I ordered new struts and the new 250 springs but I an worried that installing the springs with the blocks will put too much angle on the cv joints.. And taking the blocks off won't be enough lift. So I'm back and forth on what to do. I would go down to 23" tires but the 25's are like new.
yeah I was thinking the same as you TommyB, I have some extra 25" rims from a seized china crap Kazuma side by side. the tires are new but I was worried about angle and so far have only been looking at them. Mostly because I would have to invest in wheel adapters to fit the 4x115 Kazuma rim. I'm pretty happy with with the 175/70 R13 tire plus lift from the new coil. 250# coil is perfect , I went with the 300# but really wish I had the 250# when I'm not carrying a load. Tony
Yeppers Tony that is a hard one.. Wheel adapters, more lift, more $$. Lol! I'm lucky mine had all that when I bought it. Although I don't like spacer lifts. I think I'm going to keep the 250's on the shelf. I found a set of #225 afco coils like new on ebay for $60 a pair. Should give me a 1" lift which is just what I need. Then I may drop the diff 1" to 1 1/4". I have the metal laying around. When the 25's wear out then I'll leave the diff drop. Remove the strut spacers and install the #250 springs.. And put 23's on it. Lots of work but from what I've read that should be enough to protect the cv's and do what I need. And I can always sell the #225 coils. I mainly just hunt and drive around the farm, and use my backhoe for heavy stuff so I think I'd be fine.
