New old (turned 63 yesterday) guy here. I am a gearhead from way back. We, the wife and I, have old vehicles. We have a '21 Ford Model T Touring, a '28 Model A Coupe, a '40 Chevrolet sedan, and my daily driver, a '55 Studebaker pickup. I've been wanting a mini truck for real ever since I learned that the laws changed here in NC so they can be tagged and driven on public roads. Thanks Mayberry Mini Trucks and Governor Cooper! I am trying to decide which one best suits us, leaning towards the Honda Acty or Suzuki Carry. Open to others and apt to change my mind though! I'm lurking, absorbing all the info my old brain can retain.
You're just a young pup,I'm 77 and still going, just a little slower. I've had a Suzuki that I built out for a hunting rig for my son In Co. then a Mazda Scrum,really another Suzuki, that I put a dump an scissor lift on, and My daily driver a Daihatsu Jumbo cab that's my daily driver. I got stupid and sold the Scrum with dump & lift to a neighbor because I was having trouble getting in and out. They're all great little rigs. I almost forgot, Welcome aboard! There are a lot of good people here who will help you all they can. It's a different bunch than from when I first joined but they are a real good group of younger guys who are a whole lot smarter than me.
In Daihatsu and Suzuki models look for a dump bed, they are lots easier to get to the top of the engine on. The standard trucks you have to access, the top of the engine to work on the cab etc, through a removable panel in the bed, which is about 1.5x2-ft. On a dump bed, you lift the bed, and then remove the engine shield (6 or 8-bolts), and you have good access to the engine. The Daihatsu and Suzuki seem to have better parts and aftermarket lift kits, etc. available. They are both mid engine with the 3-cylinder engine mounted at about the rear of the cab. The Subaru’s are rear engine 4-cylinders, and have the frame separate from the cab, so you can do a body lift, and not mess with the suspension geometry to add a bit of height for taller tires. I think the Honda, has the Engine mounted at mid bed. It seems it have the least amount of custom parts availability.
Jim, To me, your one of the so called fore fathers, like Fred, and Trax, to name a few of the guys who helped make, build and keep this forum going! I'm sure I left a few out, but it's hard to name them all! I have enjoyed looking back and reading several older post's and learning from them! Thanks! Limestone
When I first started here Spaner was the Suzuki guy,Fupa box was the Daihatsu guy, and Dan was the Mitsubishi guy. They were amazing in their knowledge and experience, When a lot of these guys started dropping out for health reasons or whatever I was really afraid the forum would die out but then you young guns came in and brought it back as good as ever, I am truly thankful for that.
Jim, The Moderators, who have helped keep this site going on the technical side, deserve a lot of credit here also! It takes a village, right? I can see this sight, getting better, with more of the younger crowd showing interest! What part of Colorado, is your son in? I've hunted out there in the past several yrs., including the last two! God Bless and Good Luck! Limestone
You are absolutely right about the mods., they do great. My son lives in the North East in the little town of Ft. Morgan. They hunt Antelope and all kinds of birds there but for deer and Elk he hunts up around the Salida and South Park areas. I think there are more deer in the city limits of Salida than anywhere else around. It wasn't like that when I was growing up, too many hungry people.
