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New owner of old truck

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by Dwight Webster, Oct 4, 2020.

  1. Hello all, just recently became a mini (or would it be micro?) truck owner. Started when my friend gave me a (round eye) HiJet with no drive train. First thought was put a lawnmower engine somehow. Got both for free so why not?! Well, just found a 7th gen and picked it up. Same guy has one more I want to get next week. Being mostly complete seems an easier path so that is what I want to do. Wish I had noticed it had no carb, but whatever! VIN is JDA000S8000306703. It is a S80LP-TRK by the tag plate. Can anyone break down the VIN and tell me more about it? Year, engine size, etc. Looking forward to bringing it back to life!

    Thanks,
    Dwight
     
  2. Pics
     

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  3. VIN plate
     

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  4. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    The S80LP is a left hand drive, 2wd, with the 550-cc engine.

    The fender flares mean it was originally equipped with the turf or golf course tires and wheels. I think the wheels were 12X6 as opposed to the 12X3 wheels used with the street tires.

    If I had a 2wd with no engine, I’d be looking at a water cooled, engine and transmission from a big, shaft drive street bike with reverse. The big BMW comes to mind, but I’m not sure if the driveshaft rotation is correct...
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2020
    Dwight Webster likes this.
  5. Thanks for the fast response! I wondered about those flares as my other does not have them. I have a line on another from the same scrap yard. Hoping to go back and get it this weekend. Also hoping it has a carb unlike the first one!

    Thanks for the engine recommendation too. That makes good sense, especially if I can get all wiring and just lay it on top of the existing. I wonder if you could flip the rear end over if the rotation was opposite??

    Is there a resource for checking VIN numbers for these trucks?
     
  6. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Welcome Dwight,
    I'm pretty interested in the path you choose! You have options! Yeah you have a Mini truck, not micro! I think it all depends on what you want to do with your mini! San Diego's, great weather wise, but a little crazy trying to drive there! That's what comes to mind with your plans! Before I put a lot of time, money, and energy into what your acquiring. I think your being smart to do your research here on the forum and any other places that you can pick up tips! You probably have more options than most, with your project, simply because of the 3 different units your kinda combining to make one out of, if I'm understanding you correctly! I'm assuming that your skill levels are pretty high, which, to me is everything! I'm sure you'll be able to teach us a few tricks! Take it to another level and get creative! The sky is the limit!:) Good Luck, and keep us posted!
    Limestone
     
    Dwight Webster likes this.
  7. OK, mini is fair. They are just a lot smaller than our F250! :) The plan is to have it be our ranch truck as we are on 10 acres up in the mountains. We are on a dirt road and there are some trails around us too. Not planning on any hardcore driving but good general ranch usage. We can use to go the two miles down to our mailbox for example. Ideally I want to end up with 2 working trucks. Would like the older one to be one of them as the round headlights and the truck's patina(!) gives it an awesome look. Skill wise I am good with basic mechanical and will be pretty comfortable getting the (mostly) complete one running. My friend has massive experience and skills building all manner of vehicles. Planning to learn from him and also have him backstop any serious fab or welding.

    I'll try to post a bit on the progress. Today I picked up basic tuneup type stuff plus some of the missing parts: plugs, air filter, oil filter, oil, radiator cap, fuel filter and extra fuel line. Going to drain all fluids and replace before I hand crank it to make sure it's not frozen.

    One more question, what oil goes in the transmission (it is manual )?
     
  8. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    The only major difference between the 80 and 81, and the 82, 83 is the engine size, so this should help: But you may have trouble finding GL3 and GL4. You can use GL5, if it is safe for yellow metal. The synchro rings are made of bronze, and you don’t want the lube to destroy them.
     

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    Last edited: Oct 5, 2020
    Dwight Webster and Limestone like this.
  9. Thanks very much, big help! Got the carb today so tonight is show time for trying to get it ready to hand crank!
     
  10. Evening update and a question. Question first. Clearly the old carb was likely a water choke version. The new one (which arrived today) is electric. Not worried about connecting that but I am concerned that I close those water lines properly. I had a funny surprise when I filled the radiator. Looked under and everywhere was leaking! Turns out the line that used to feed the carb, I assume, was just flowing everywhere. There is another line going to a fitting that looks like it goes in to the intake manifold. My thought is that I just connect those lines. That’s my question - does this make sense.

    On the plus side: rad cap fit! I reattached the dash, had to make a part to secure the passenger side upper, plugs installed, found GL4 for trans (thanks to jigs-n-fixtures for the advice!), brake fluid reservoir re-attached to dash, brake light switch plug reattached, ignition switch reattached, think I found a replacement flasher (on order), and the generic window crank I bought works! Pretty good day for spending an hour after work.
     
  11. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    I substituted a variable rate flasher for the stock one. I mounted it to the backside of the dash, using a double stick tape, with the adjuster poking though a small hole. Then just ran jumper wires back to the corresponding positions on the fuse panel. By using it I could change over to LED bulbs, and adjust the blink rate without having to add resisters to the circuit, which kind of defeats half the reason to run LEDs.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008C9YJ6C/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_kjuFFbPKMZVTY
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2020
  12. I ran across that one too last night at the parts store. Not sure why I am so worried since it doesn't run yet, and I am pretty sure I don't have a turn signal stalk.... :)
     
  13. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Yeah, I just ran a short hose , and connected those two, inlet and outlet, circulating the fluid! problem solved!
     
  14. I got some adapters today but just realized I could just run a longer hose!

    They key question is the other side of the water line, I feel like it would have been exiting the choke, does it go into the manifold? Where I am pointing is that the right water going back to the motor spot?
     

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  15. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    It looks like it, although it's hard to tell by your pics! I'll try to tale a look this weekend, and maybe snap some pics, at least compare! Dragging trees, and hauling top soil right now with mine, trying to take advantage of the gorgeous weather!
    Limestone
     
  16. Jim Nelson

    Jim Nelson Active Member

    [​IMG] I'll try to attach an old photo from manual. Get "file too large" How do you reduce size on Apple iMac?
     
  17. Jim Nelson

    Jim Nelson Active Member

  18. Anyone know where I can get the black center bearing cap for the wheels?
     
  19. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    I measured mine out with a Digital Micrometer, (I think 2"), and found it on Amazon, or Ebay! I remember, that I had to do a little massaging, with a ball peen hammer, and an anvil, and kinda rework them, to go on, kinda snug, which is what I wanted, after I repacked the bearings! They , fit and work great!
    Limestone
     
  20. Thanks Limestone! I just need the one so maybe I can use another to measure it out. Also, I ordered new lug nuts. Hoping they are actually 10mm x 1.25....
     
  21. Also had to change my picture to show both trucks. And they are finally power washed, turns out they are white not mold colored!

    Here is a picture of the first one in its new home. Added a solar panel, battery and relay setup so that it turns on at night. More pics once we get it finalized as a decorative landscape piece.
     

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  22. Koffer

    Koffer Active Member

    That’s really cool looking plus your making a nice place for snakes to scare the crap out of you too :D
     
  23. @Koffer, that is a fair statement as we do get snakes here! Hoping to have them running soon to discourage the unwanted guests.... Actually probably more concerned about mice! They have chewed a couple of my cars, not cool.
     
  24. Koffer

    Koffer Active Member

    I’ve been dealing with mice quite a bit since my neighbors got a royal PITA dog the other 2 they had at the time were fine till the 3rd showed who killed or ran off the cats ( also killed my chickens by getting into their pen thru the 4x2 wielded wire more then once ) so the mice have overrun the area , they are getting into my garage which I never had an issue till the dog showed I put a trap in my daihatsu and was caught 5 in 2 days . I set a trap after catching one and walked away, heard it snap 30 secs later while I was next to the truck thinking I didn’t set it right , nope it was another one .Tossed the “ issue” reset the trap and had another With in 2 hours . My chickens don’t even go after the mice anymore ( plus the bugs have gotten worse as I can’t let them roam my yard )
     
  25. We had dogs when we first moved out here that went after our chickens! We got rid of those 2 thank goodness. It is pretty amazing what happens if the cats leave or slow down. Our main mouser is coming up on 15 years old. She is awesome but her time is probably running short. Hate to see what happens when she is gone. Every other cat we have had doesn't last more than a few months if they go outside. We call it 'hanging out at the coyote bar'.

    As for the truck, got 4 new tires, hand cranked the motor. Now I just need to figure out if the starter is getting power. Heading out there now!
     
  26. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Know your area well! I used to take the month of February off, and get out of the snow, for a bit with my family! Spent time in Lake Forest, near you, and Thousand Oaks, above LA! Yeah your right, the Coyotes are pretty abundant their! I'm used to them, cause we have em here too! I usually wack 5 or 6 a year, depending! Good Luck!
    Limestone
     
  27. We are a bit further south, but yes, it is the same kind of terrain. Luckily we are up in the mountains east of San Diego, and away from most of the city stuff. Hoping to get my truck running because out here I can drive it pretty much anywhere they drive golf carts now!
     
    Limestone likes this.
  28. Looking for some advice. Got everything in place to start it. Turn the key, get 2 red lights on the dash. But that's it. Tried pushing in the clutch in case there was an over ride - nothing. The question is whether there should be another connection to the positive side of the battery. Right now all I have is the line that goes to the starter. Seems like there should be something that powers everything else... Thoughts/suggestions?

    Also wondering where I can get a good service manual. Ideally one I can just download. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2020
  29. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Yeah I'm like you! Not crazy about cities! I deal with them, as I need, or have too!
    Limestone
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2020
    Dwight Webster likes this.
  30. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    The manuals for the S81s show up on eBay. A bit pricey. But then it is kind of invaluable.
     

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