https://www.duncanimports.com/vehicles/1261/1991-honda-acty-dump-bed After a researching all the different configurations, I realized that this was going to be a compromise. This was only missing one check from my wish list, 5th gear.. At first I was hesitant to go with the Honda because one of the jobs I will be using this for is plowing snow and if I need low reverse and these don't have a traditional transfer case so they were originally out of the running but 2 reverse gears will do the trick. I like that the engine isn't under the cab though for noise, heat, and headroom so originally I was looking at Sambars but they don't really do the hi-lo transfer case ether so it was really looking like it was going to be the Suzuki. The only way o get a hi-lo in a Suzuki is with the 4 speed so still no 5th. So this seems like the best of what I could find, I'm hoping it will be ok on 45-50mph two-lane rural roads without rattling the valvetrain out of the top end. As a noob here, are there any DO THIS RIGHT AWAY maintenance tips anyone could suggest? Thanks all, I'm sure to be back here soon, cant wait for delivery!
Nice clean unit with dump bed and diff-lock!!! I always change every fluid in all the used stuff I buy. You never know what is in there and how long its been there. When you crawl under to change them it also gives you a chance to inspect other stuff. I suggest you invest in good studded tires and an oil pan heater. Welcome to the mini-truckers community.
Thanks! The heater is a good call. I'll look it up. Any way to help a cold start is worth it to me in older vehicles
Derek' Welcome! I was wondering where you were in Ohio, as I'm near Cleveland! Yeah, lake effect snow can be brutal at times here! I, do agree with, SAITCHO, he won't steer you wrong, All the fluids, filters, check all wear items, especially the timing belt/chain, whatever you have! When you get your mini, go to your profile, and in your signature, put in all your info, year, make, model, engine, etc... It really helps us help you with you mini! Good Luck! Limestone
Derek, on mine I added a shore power circuit protected by a marine 15-amp GFCI breaker. It looks like a you would have room on the right side next to your hydraulics to mount a couple of junction boxes. I have a thermostatic switch to control the glue-on oil pan heaters on the engine, transmission and transfer case, and the battery heater. They come on when it drops below freezing, and there is a hard mounted battery charger, which comes on any time it is plugged in, to keep the battery topped off, which helps a lot with cold starts. I had a magnetic oil pan heater the first year. The engine would start right up, but at -20F, the oil in the transmission and transfer case were so cold it would still take ten minutes to get the truck so it would roll. I used these on the engine, transmission and transfer case: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079G7P27S/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6CjMFbPVKKTCA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1. The plug in that powers everything is on a timer so it comes on at about 0400, which gives it time to heat up everything before I need to start it up, at about 0630.
Hey Limestone, I'm over in Portage county, so not far. The timing belt is on my to-do short list along with the fluids. It's arriving on Friday, so then I get to deal with the out of state title and bmv first. Then, I'm scouting out ebay for filters. I'll be sure to document everything and post my work too.
Jigs-n-fixtures, that's a good mod idea, I wonder if I could mount an ammo can back there to house everything. I'll take a stab at it. Thanks for the tip!
Derek, Yeah, Portage isn't that far at all! Nice area! The ammo can could be used, but I think, a different, waterproof box to size would work better! Just my thoughts! Limestone
I used standard weather proof exterior boxes on mine. Used these for to make water tight entrances for the wires https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KBFLF8X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_1F0MFbMWDFT9R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 I used this switch screwed to an aluminum cover plate to control the heaters: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QGG9L4G/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_gM0MFbPSK1AEF This is on it’s own box as the power inlet: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01347DU16/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_FV0MFb9CJZMYM With a BlueSeas 15-amp GFCI breaker mounted in a second box next to it. It is catalog 3100, which unfortunately they no longer make.
