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Mail Delivery Vehicle Needed & Questions

Discussion in 'General Truck Info' started by IndianaJason, Dec 31, 2009.

  1. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    If there is another thread relevent to this one, sorry. I searched but couldnt find what I needed.

    I am possibly going to be a rural mail carrier here soon and will be needing a vehicle.

    The popular choice seems to be the right hand drive Jeep Cherokees imported. With 25k miles to 60k miles, factory RHD, starting at around $7,500.00 . At 15 mpg city /20 hwy , I would like to see what the alternatives are before buying one. The job pays well enough obviously to put gas in a 15 mpg vehicle as many carriers go with the Cherokee. My interest however is in a Kei Van and/or Deck Van. From what I have found, I can get one around the same price as a Cherokee. I will be gaining in MPG, but then there is the issue with not being able to run down to the local parts store and get something should I need it. Pro's and Con's. There are also other Japanese RHD vehicles with 4wd avalable.

    The lack of information/specs/etc on the Kei vans is somewhat surprising, or I have just completely missed it while searching the net.

    Anyone with any suggestions concerning a good rural delivery RHD vehicle with 4wd please give me your 2 cents. Also Cherokee vs. Kei Van vs. ???
    The vehicles should have automatic transmission.

    What I am wondering is :

    What is the cubic feet inside a deck van?

    Do the rear seats fold down or easily removable? (Im sure they can be removed by just unbolting them permanently)

    Do Kei vans come in automatic with 4wd or only manual trans. w/ 4wd ?

    Where is the best place to purchase a Kei Van and/or other 4wd RHD vehicle?

    Now just to clarify and without getting into the legality issues that have been discussed to death here, the legal issue of using one of these as a rural carrier vehicle where I live (Indiana) is irrelevent and a non-issue. I have already made sure of it. They are legal on county roads tagged as an ATV/UTV. The state is now also issuing Indiana license plates with proper paperwork. There is no problem with me using one as a rural mail carrier vehicle.

    I already own a 93 Suzuki Carry so I am familiar with the Kei trucks also.

    Thank You.
     
  2. Mr. Obvious

    Mr. Obvious Guest

    I would be concerned more with the fuel consumption per hour vs the miles per gallon. Your route will be 16-25 miles long.*

    With the mini at idle speed you will use a pint an hour. With the used Cherokee you will use 5-7 times this amount.*
     
  3. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    Yes I see what you are saying, but its essentially the same thing just looking at it a different way.

    I am not sure how long the route will be, I estimated over 50 easy. Its a large county with few carriers. Its one of the larger counties in Indiana, but not a ton of people. Longer distance between houses. So I guess the word to use is fuel economy, instead of mileage. Either way .

    There just is not much info on the mini's to be had, and even less places to acquire one.

    Are you a mail carrier?
     
  4. andy_george

    andy_george Member

    Other than the issue of finding parts, I can't imagine a downside to using a Kei for a constant stop-and-go job like mail carrying. That little motor would be much happier with all the constant speed variations, and slowing down a 1700lb. vehicle every half mile is a lot less stressful on mechanical bits than slowing down a 4,000lb. vehicle.

    I'd get one in a heartbeat!

    -Andy
     
  5. Daddio

    Daddio New Member

    I am using a Mitsubishi Bravo 4WD A/T van as a pizza delivery vehicle so there are a lot of short start and stop trips.

    Compared to my Jeep Liberty the fuel consumption is about half. The cargo space compared to the Liberty is close to the same, maybe even a bit more.

    I am very happy with van's winter performance. it started easily at -25F and warmed up within 5 minutes. I have had it through 6-8 inches of fresh snow with no trouble at all.
     
  6. Mr. Obvious

    Mr. Obvious Guest

    Yes, I am. I have today off. *I had bought one of the RHD Jeeps and was very pleased at first. It worked great for about 7 months and then it started running rough. I thought mabe bad gas or it needed a tune up or something small. *I had new plugs, wires and filters put in and it seemed to help for a few days then it started to run rough again. I started to hear the motor noise when I stopped and started. Come to find out the oil pump was failing.*

    I try to fuel up at the end of my route so by that time I am tired of going 4 miles an hour and I go full throttle to 65. Just as I hit 60 the Jeep shuttered and all the lights on the dash went on.

    It took me four weeks and $2800 to get the damn thing running again. *Nobody seems to know why the oil light didn't go on at all. I called the guy I bought it from and he said he would help me find a motor at his cost. Whopee!

    I used it for a year after that while noticing the paint was starting to chip on the edge of the door. I thought it was my fault at first but I noticed all the doors were like that. I didn't want to look closer but I forced myself to get under and look.*

    The frame was crumbling. Someone had resprayed thick paint over the rust and now it was coming off in chunks.

    That was the last straw. I was so mad, well the family is here now I will tell you more after they leave.*
     
  7. andy_george

    andy_george Member

    I'd call the dependability of a mini "great". I'll probably catch some flack for this statement, but I'll consider the dependability of many of Chrysler's (ie.Jeep) recent vehicles downright poor.

    -Andy
     
  8. Mr. Obvious

    Mr. Obvious Guest

    Anywho, I was so mad at myself for buying this 11 year old piece of junk. What could I do. I saw an add for a 2006 Suzuki little minivan for about 11000. I ended up trading the jeep in and getting the little van. It hurt me money wise for a while, but since then I have cut my gas expenses to about one third of what I was spending before. It works out now that the money I save is more than the little van payment and I do my job faster because starting and stopping is so much quicker. I will tell anyon to buy a little van over an old Jeep any day.

    I measured the inside of the little van and it is about four feet wide by six feet to the back of the seat. It has plenty of room for anything. I hope this helps you Indiana.
     
  9. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    The only issue I have had with my carry is clutch went out shortly after purchase. Starts and runs like a sewing machine all the time. Sets outside in zero hellish midwest weather and fires right up.

    Wish I had it a decade ago....
     
  10. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    What kind of Suzuki van are we talking about ?

    4wd? kei or ?

    What were you getting out of the Jeep during the route.....like 14 or less mpg??
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2010
  11. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    ....by the way thanks to those that have responded thus far.....
     
  12. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    Did you purchase it privatly or through a dealer/importer?

    What mpg are you getting from it?

    Thanks
     
  13. Daddio

    Daddio New Member

    I bought my van from Darc at Samurai Trucks. His ad banner is at the top of the page.

    I am getting 24 to 26 MPG with the van compared to 13 to 15 with the Liberty.
     
  14. Mr. Obvious

    Mr. Obvious Guest

    If I did not touch the gas at all I got an average of 5.25 miles per gallon. I bought the Jeep at the place in Michigan. I thought the 6 cylinder 4.0 motor was a good motor also. The only thing I can figure is that these things sit around so long without being used they are bound to deteriorate because they are not being driven. The little van I bought was also from Michigan. It is a Suzuki Every Van. The guy I bought it from is still in business. I spend about $100 a month on fuel. I have used this little van for 13 months and I have done nothing to it except oil and filter change.

    I am covered on my wife's insurance plan so long I do not remember if we did it because we had to or by way of choice. I will check tomorrow for you. I can look up the name of the place I bought the van from also.
     
  15. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    5.25 mpg ????? wow. That just doesnt sound right at all. Sounds like something may have really been wrong with that. Not disputing your claim, just...wow :eek: ..... I could be wrong but that sounds like a serious issue of some sort... ?

    The only thing I have heard about those Jeeps is 1 of 3? sensors in the transmission going out, the most common has something to do with what they refer to as "limp mode" . I have heard nothing but praise about the motors. Who knows. Kinda like Buick cars...last 4 ever literally. Bought a 2001 LeSabre 3800V6 owned by an old man with 50+ thousand miles on it. She drove it almost 2k miles, trans went out. Come to find out, it was a 10 dollar imported bearing that is known to go out between 50 and 70k miles, in rare instances. 1,800.00 later it was back on the road. Good thing I talked them down a little over 2k to start with, I didnt feel near as bad :mad:

    Yes, whatever info you have that you feel is usefull Ill gladly take it.

    Thanks.
     
  16. o8k

    o8k Member

    Sounds about right, (Sarcastic), If you didnt touch the Gas at all, you would be either sitting there burning fuel not moving, or idleing along some where at about 2-5mph. So i can easily see 5.25mpg in that situation... :D:D:D
     
  17. Mr. Obvious

    Mr. Obvious Guest

    I think you know what I mean o8k. And you are right about the speed. I average four miles per hour.

    Health insurance is available for about 1800 a year/single person, more for family.

    You should call some carriers in your area. You will see what I mean about the miles per gallon. The Jeep gets it maximum efficiency at about 60 mph, but guess what. You never hit 60.

    Something else I have noticed about the brakes. I would normally go through brakes in 6 months or so, but I just checked the little 4WD van and they are about one third worn in over a year.

    I bought my van from Gung Ho Trucks in Jackson, Michigan. His web address is usedminitrucks.com. I think you know the guy I bought the Jeep from.

    Postal work is good work for most people. I have many customers that have become my friends now.
     
  18. Stuff99

    Stuff99 Moderator Staff Member

    seeing these trucks get their peek mpg at city speeds and not highway, id say get a van model, probably a high roof model and go from there. vans you can get automatics to if you like them.
     
  19. Dan

    Dan Member

    Last edited: Jan 6, 2010
  20. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    Hey thanks Dan that was very helpful and I have no idea how that page slipped through the radar when I did the search before I started this thread.

    If any of the mods want, they can stick my thread with that one to condense it all , make a "Mail Delivery Vehicle" thread or something..??. Just a suggestion.

    I am still undecided at this point but all of this info has helped.

    Realistically I have a hard time accepting the fact that I will get 10 mpg when I could get around 30 mpg , whether I can afford the gas or not. :eek:

    Pros and cons - parts availability, comfort which is a big factor if your office is in a vehicle the majority of the day.

    Example - 10 mpg at 50 miles per day = 5 gallons x $3 pg = $15
    30mpg at 50 mpd = 1.5 x $3pg = $5

    Saving 10 bucks a day x 30 days = $300 (x12 months) = $3600 :eek:

    (that should be enough for chiropractor visists huh? ;) )
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2010
  21. Stuff99

    Stuff99 Moderator Staff Member

    that panel truck is a sweet idea!
     
  22. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    Yes.

    It got me thinking. I already have a 93 Suzuki truck .....

    It wouldnt be hard to make a panel type "topper" / "insert" for my truck. Mine has the HD rock box/dump bed with the removable hinged tailgate also if I wanted to make a complete insert.

    I could either get a small truck topper and frame in the sides and go full blown redneck with it, or make something and skin it with aluminum real fancy like......

    ???????????????

    Cost of building a "topper" inset VS. 8 grand for a Jeep or Kei Van ?
    :confused:

    Or at the very least Ill always have a back-up vehicle that wont cost me much to utilize... hmm
     
  23. zazenmaster

    zazenmaster Member

  24. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    Those are really nice. Thanks.

    Definatly looks better than what I was envisioning...a 50 dollar topper from some small truck, skinned with leftover aluminum from last years dirt track race car bodies ;)
     
  25. Mr. Obvious

    Mr. Obvious Guest

    You might want to TRY your Suzuki mini truck and see how it works foryou. I can tell you I have had many cars and I have driven my friends mini truck and you need steel balls to run a mail route with your mini truck.

    I can tell you the vans are much more comfortable then the trucks. The seats go back further, there is more headroom and you will find shifting is hard on you and the truck.

    Did I answer all of you question?
     
  26. IndianaJason

    IndianaJason Member

    Yeah I know. I really doubt I use the truck. Just thinking and speculating out loud. I would have to change tires on it right off the bat, and its a stick, etc... I use it too much off road.

    I am interested in a van for sure. Just not many available it seems.

    Yes you answered my questions, however I sent you 2 private messages with some others. At the top right corner of this page, it will say ->
    Welcome Mr. Obvious then under that it will say Private Messages (or Notifications?) . Click on that.
    Thanks!
     
  27. Stuff99

    Stuff99 Moderator Staff Member

    sounds like van is way to go.

    would say to really do a good test drive before you decide on a van still
     
  28. o8k

    o8k Member

    Darn fine point, my back goes out quick in my Suzuki Carry!
     
  29. o8k

    o8k Member

    Just for giggles, what i have found so far on camper shells, etc...

    Camper shell options;
    .....Chevy S10 Side step is close (however, it tapers about 3" front to back and mini-trucks do not)
    .....Ford Ranger Side step is close as well.
    .....another note, std camper shells are not as tall
    .....found 1 thread here
    .....Bulldog seems to make custom ones here
    .....Canvas ones...
    .....ugh, make your own (someone did, out of fiberglass, and i found it in the photo gallery)
    .....From This thread(zenmaster post #24), custom toppers here <-- this is recursive in this context as it refers to this thread.
     
  30. Mr. Obvious

    Mr. Obvious Guest

    I called the truck place where I got my van and he said he was going to have a new vehicle for mail carriers called the Mail Mate. It looks sort of like a smaller Scion. It is too cool. I wanted to post the picture but I got stuck. I will try again tomorrow. He said it is 4wd at and Ac and it would get about 50 miles per gallon with normal use.
     

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