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in the dirt

Discussion in 'Mitsubishi Minicab' started by Dan, May 4, 2008.

  1. Dan

    Dan Member

    I took out my minis for the first time after working out most of the mechanical/electrical problems. i took a friend and played in the desert for a while a few days ago. i now know why there is a need for all of you to upgrade the tires on these. i got stuck on nearly level ground. there is no travel to the suspension and lockers are absolutely a necessity. i had these on the golf course for so many years and never pushed the limits. i sure did find them quickly when i went out to play. they sure do go down hill better than they go up. tires are definately next on the list, maybe welding the rear axle... then i'll work some more on the aesthetics. 3 gears is plenty for off roading and i got to 4th and about 50 mph on the gravel. it was pure insanity, how quickly it floats out of control

    We shot some really bad video of us getting stuck from a still camera and put it on youtube. should be good for a few laughs
    http://www.youtube.com/user/reelman68

    1994 mits highcab 4x4 dumpbody lefty
    carlisle multitrac turf tires 23 x 8.50 x 12
    no lift
    no lockers
    no traction
    no suspension
    no governors
    no problem
    lots a dirt
     
  2. slimbad

    slimbad Member

    Cool Videos

    Dan, wish my cuz and I could have been out there in the dunes with you guys - looks like fun. You are absolutely right about the suspension. My cuz has a 2wd and he keeps two heavy tool boxes in the back of his and even with 13" street tires can go places that I have to engage 4wd. I think these things were really designed to tote heavy loads on fairly level ground. But we can retrain them. But, like you say "lots of sand" but "no problems". Good thing we have a reverse.......later, slim.
     
  3. volkswagen50

    volkswagen50 Member

    Dan, that was so sad to watch! I've got Turfmaster tires on mine, and I only got stuck in deep mud. But that loose silt like stuff you were in, no thanks. It's just as bad. I'm heading to www.gulchesorvpark.com tomorrow to try out my re-done rear suspension. I don't have much articulation, but far more than when I got the truck.
    Do you have a spare axle to take the rear pumkin out to examine? I'm trying to find out the spline count and axle diameter, as well as ring gear size. Richmond gear that makes the lockrite diff is about an hour from me. I might see if they can make one or have one that fits.

    Keep posting, they're cool to watch.
    Greg
     
  4. oldfart

    oldfart New Member

    Used mine to scrap almost half a ton of aluminum trailer in the hills near my house last year. The little Mits hauled all the gear up the hill, and all the scrap down. She pulled right on up the hill every time. Actually drove it a few miles to the scrapyard a couple weeks back with about half a ton again of ferrous material. It was alot of fun to back up, hit the lift on the dump and just drive away as it all fell off. Man I love my little truck!
     
  5. jimhammer1

    jimhammer1 Member

    Yep, I found out I have to have a load to climb on loose dirt. She's just too light in the booty otherwise.
     
  6. Dan

    Dan Member

    I think you are all on the right track here. hmmmm... track...:rolleyes: I'm thinking that a hunk of old train track would make a nice bumper and add to the rear ballast. someone mentioned recently that there was a way to tighten up the rear diff so it wouldnt slip as easy. anyone remember the thread? i searched last night and couldn't find it.:frustration: I'm concidering an assault on the rearend with a mig welder. any thoughts/ suggestions on welding the diff? I'm not that familiar with the axles but, i'm determined to gain some traction somehow.
     
  7. Dan

    Dan Member

    I added some still pics to my gallery last week. in case you didn't catch them. from the same trip to the desert washes. I just looked at them again and can see just how little travel there is. Theres one shot of a truck straddled over a little rut and the front wheel is completely extended and the rear is bottomed out. I can remember taking the picture and he could rock back and forth in his seat and the truck was balanced on two wheels.
     
  8. jimhammer1

    jimhammer1 Member

    I going to try and rig my front end tractor weights on the front and put the rear wheel tractor weights in the bed.
     
  9. Timetripper

    Timetripper Moderator

    Dan, I lucked out and my Sambar has the factory Diff Lock on it. From my experience so far with it driving around my property I think if you weld the diff up it might be to much of a good thing. I sure notice if the diff lock is on and I'm trying to turn full lock that the back end is pushing the front to go straight, and the outside rear has to give ground so to speak. I just have the stock summer tires on as I'm just working my way through to make my rig street legal. Just wondering though of the negative long term aspects of permantly locking the diff. Tire wear, less control during turns at higher speeds, etc.

    Not telling you not to do it.
     
  10. DRW

    DRW Member

    Dan, look at "IDEAS/OPINIONS FOR FRONT LOCKER" in the general truck information, there is mucho discussion in the forum about this topic and someone posted info about a company that makes locker type kits that looked pretty slick,but I do not remember the name.
     
  11. Dan

    Dan Member

    Thats the thread i was looking for. Thanks!
     
  12. volkswagen50

    volkswagen50 Member

    Hey Dan, here's a clip of me in mine yesterday climbing a steep trail in 4-Lo.
    No audio, but I wasn't reving out. I have a few more to upload. I did do the center section of this same trail, across the rocks. It jumped around twice, but not bad and I didn't hit it with any real speed. In fact I did it after stopping on the hill.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA0fwZwPIuA

    What tires do you have? How much tread left?
     
  13. Dan

    Dan Member

    Thanks for the video post! These things are like goats if you can keep contact with the ground. I like the mountainous trails through the trees, all i have is dirt and tumbleweeds.

    Tires? I have the carlisle multi trac with 1/2 - 3/4 tread on them. They were great on turf. Probably the most agressive turf tire we dared try on the golfcourse. They might as well have been bald and flat concidering how well they performed in the dirt.
     
  14. Dan

    Dan Member

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