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Incoming 93 Carry

Discussion in 'Suzuki Carry' started by Rockridge, Feb 11, 2021.

  1. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    So I figure I might as well start this post now. From the beginning (± 18 hours).

    So I just won an auction on a 1993 Suzuki Carry in Japan.

    I had a lot of help from Japan Car Direct. I have to say, the best customer service I have received in a long time. Service after the sale, etc.

    At the time of the auction, I was aiming fairly high for this truck. Just 12,000 kilometers, diff lock, pretty clean body, and glass. I was emailed a video of the actual auction which was cool. Long story short, I won the truck for a fair price. In one of the recent emails from Japan, I found out that it's also a dump body! Possibly got missed since it's not the sturdy dump type bed and the button is missing or punched in or just missing from the dash. Would it still have the engine access panel in the bed? Either way, it's great news. I was sent a bunch of photos today, truck looks great and is now waiting to get loaded and go sailing!

    Planning on putting this thing to work. I will be registering it for the street for local errands, dump runs etc., and moving stuff around the property, rocks, dirt, firewood, stuff. I already picked up a 6'-4" Myers full hydraulic plow for it and a hitch from a Toyoda tundra to be sacrificed for a front hitch on the truck. I can weld and might like to add some steel around the front, not sure what I'll do exactly. I know very little about hydraulics but I'm hoping there might be a way I can use the Myers pump to run the dump bed or the other way around. At a minimum, I'd like to move the plow hydraulics somewhere rearward.

    The bed looks so nice, if it's a dump, I'll have to make another one for it and save the original!

    The tire in the pic looks pretty good, If they are all like that I won't bother with new ones.


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    DD51B-104226_P2090378.JPG DD51B-104226_P2090386.JPG Auction Sheet.png
     
  2. ed nap

    ed nap Member

    Hi Rockridge. I have '94 Carry that I just mounted a Blackline plow to. Allow me to give you my 2 cents worth... Prior to purchasing my Carry in Nov 2020, I used a Jeep Wrangler with a Myers hydraulic 2 meter plow setup (the same one you have). It is one of the most popular, capable homeowner setups you can get . That plow however, is probably much too heavy and likely too large for the Carry to lift, and push. Although sturdily built, that Myers plow setup was probably over 400 lbs including the truckside mount. You will flatten out the stock front suspension on the Carry, as that set up is meant for a much more capable vehicle. You should search under "snow plow" here on this site and see what other people have already been successful with. Mine is a 60 inch Blackline , fully hydraulic plow, with a specifically designed and built front hitch from mini4x4.ca in Canada, along with progressive weight springs up front. This Blackline plow and hitch set up only weighs approx just over 200 lbs all in. Even with that setup, you may find the ground clearance under the plows cutting edge to be very small if you have to drive over objects in your path (eg. curbs , driveways, etc). Even if you successfully mount the plow, you may also have difficulty pushing that kind of New England snow load with a 6.5 ft wide blade. When I bought my plow the Michigan based dealer suggested that I only use the 60 inch blade in lieu of the avail 72 inch blade. I have now used my truck in two 12 inch snow falls since installing it a few weeks ago and I can tell you that it works fine with this set up. I'm sure others may chime in with their suggestions as well...
     
  3. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    I’ll second the Blackline with full hydraulics. I bought my Hijet with the intention of setting it up to plow snow.

    I started looking getting a good used UTV, rare as hen’s teeth and expensive. There was an older woman in town, who had a Blue Acty. I walked by it in a parking lot one day, and got hit alongside the. Head with the revelation that the little trucks, had a real cab, with a heater, and windshield wipers.

    So, I started looking at my options. I of course started my research just a month or two before the west coast longshoreman strike started, so the mini trucks instantly became unobtainable. And, in the mean time I kept checking out this forum, and all the dealer sites I could find online.

    I wanted a full hydraulic plow, because if you have to get out and adjust it, you have kind of defeated the purpose of buying a truck with an enclosed cab. the Blackline plows had good reviews. And there was at the time a minitruck dealer in the Minneapolis area who’s primary winter business was plowing parking lots. he said he had six minis with the Black line plows in his fleet, becasue they could get into areas his larger equipment couldn’t.

    I upgraded my suspension with a heavier 150 to 450-lb/in variable rate spring, and installed new struts. And built some bumpers for the front and rear with integrated receiver hitches. My rig is a pick/tip, or scissors lift dump bed, so I installed receivers on all four corners to mount outriggers, and in the middle of both bumpers. I bought a 4-ga, 30-ft jumper cable, and used it to run power to both ends of the truck. I have a 4500-lb winch mounted on a receiver plate, and can mount it to any of the receivers in the bumpers, and may add a reciever to the bottom of my tool box, to help hauling things, (dead deer, and elk) into the bed. I had bought a front receiver hitch kit from a dealer who is no longer in business that went back to the front differential carrier to mount the plow. I hooked it into the square tube bumper I made, and ran it for the first two years. The plow hung low, and I had to be careful going in and out of parking lots. The third year, I added another reciever welded in between the two square tubes of the bumper and raised the mount point about five inches. Which eliminated the dragging, and still let the plow go down enough to almost lift the truck at fulldrop. The new problem was the plow now blocked the headlights at the full rise position, and I needed to add the plow lights.

    Having used the winch operated ATV/UTV plows, I was very aware of the limitations not having down force cause. And, I went with the 72-inch Blackline, I’m in the mountains of Central Idaho, and the snow is typically very dry powder, which you can’t even compress into a snow ball, so I felt that I could push the wide plow.

    When I installed my plow, I ran the truck out to the weigh shack, and checked the weight distribution. Even though the plow only weighs about 250-lbs, it added 350-lbs to the front axle, and dropped the rear axle load by about 175-lbs. I ran back into town and bought some sand from the concrete plant the first year, to get the weight on the axles equal. the next year I bought bagged sand from the hardware store, and it lasted two years. I went to load it this year, and the bags had sun rotted to the point the failed as I lifted them. So, I went to the lumberyard, and bought 5@50-lbs sacks or redicrete, put it in the bed just behind the axle. I then punched some holes in the top of the sacks, and added about a quart of water to each sack. My theory is that they will setup very hard, and last forever, even after the paper bag rots off.

    Setup that way, the truck plows like a champ, and is very sure footed. I’ve pushed snow up-to the bottom of the windshield.
    18C01E45-C666-4C9C-BF74-F87F9C9EBD55.jpeg

    May get another chance to push lots of snow this weekend. The forecast was for an inch last night and today. Woke up to about 4-inches, and it has been snowing all day. Supposed to keep up until Sunday at about noon. have break until Wednesday, and then snow through Friday of next week.

    We need it. The snow pack is a prime predictor of the fire season we will have. And, I could not be near another fire for three years until I retire, and be perfectly happy about it.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2021
  4. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    thanks for the insight. I have considered cutting down the width of the plow and relocating the hydraulics (optimally to do double duty for the dump bed). I don't think it was that heavy, the shipping weight is claimed to be 300lbs. I think it's closer to 250 or so for just the plow. It mounts via 2" receiver so there is no truck side mount, I will have to fab up a receiver of course so there will be that I suppose. If I can shave some more weight and upgrade suspension (definitely on the list) I am hoping to be OK.

    I will definitely be looking for info in selecting springs.

    I'll keep you all posted. Thanks
     
  5. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Truck is supposed to arrive in NY April 26th. Gives me time to be done with winter and get some driveway space back!
     
  6. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    So just getting all the paperwork submitted.

    The ship just made it through the Panama Canal.

    Need to go through the trailer to make sure it's ready for the road trip. Just put summer tires on the van so it's all set.

    The official documents say it has a dump body but I don't think I've seen a dump bed with the engine access panel. I guess I'll find out in a few weeks.

    Snow is gone and I sold my 03 GMC Sierra plow rig last month for pretty close to what this thing cost me.

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    Thought this view was interesting. I found that like 90+ % of the red ships are tankers... WOW

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    Last edited: Apr 19, 2021
  7. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    My Hijet has the panel. It depends on whether is a heavy or light dump. Heavy Dumps have a bed which is completely different from the stock bed and has fixed sides. The light dumps have the stock bed mounted to the lift frame, and retain the removable, foldable sides and tailgate. So the hatch is still there, but it is easier to block the bed in dump mode, and remove the engine protection plate to access the engine and transmission.
     
  8. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    thanks for that info.

    I'll have to source a switch for it. Might even have a 2-way momentary toggle somewhere...
     
  9. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Just got an update from the Ship, due in port in NY on the 30th.
     
  10. Nimlo

    Nimlo Member

    Just a fun fact, 90% of everything you use came to you via ship.
     
  11. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Well, Customs has cleared my truck. I need to get down there in 5 days before they start charging me storage. Off to Newark NJ Monday I think.

    Rewired the trailer and got all the lights working. There were a couple of those crappy splice connectors causing problems. The trailer has a steel mesh tailgate, probably going to remove that and just bring some planks for ramps. Tailgate catches a lot of wind. I'm due to oil change the van and grease up the front end and should be good to go.
     
  12. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Have a safe trip. On your switch, I used one for a winch, mounted next to the stock switch, so I could operate my dump trailer.
    E5696FA8-4076-4F4B-A43B-9D801C3A429A.jpeg
     
  13. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Thanks for the switch info. I looked at a few of those online.

    Looks like a rainy Monday all the way......

    They sent me all my documents to register the van today, psyched about that. My Town Clerk is going to love this!
     
  14. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Long day today. 680 miles round trip.

    My Astro van pulled it just fine.

    Got it home and drove it around a little. Definitely going to need better tires and probably a tune up and definitely a wash!
     
  15. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    So, learning some things about the new truck. The good news is it runs decent and everything works. Already hauled some brush around the property and did a little wheeling.

    Bummed to find a timing belt service sticker from 108K kilometers so it's not the low mileage cream puff I was hoping for. Nothing to be done about it as the paperwork is final Feel like I need to fix the heater selector cable thing. Ordered a 1 din am/fm bluetooth head unit with built-in speakers for $29, a tune-up kit, air filter etc, a camber correct lift kit, and some 260 springs. Looking at some smooth finish bedliner and some fabric to redo the seats.

    I have been searching for what to do about tires. I plan on hitting the local JY to see what he has for a direct fit. Also saw some adaptors to go from 4 x 114.3 to 4x100. Old VW or honda wheels are easy to find and cheap at 13" size or even 14" in which case I'd just do some winter tires. Local JY has a huge pile of rims and some good ones in the shop, fingers crossed I might find something but probably slim chances to find a set of 4.
     
  16. ed nap

    ed nap Member

    I just got a new set of 14" wheels and tires for my '94 Carry. I have a set of 4 brand new Yokohama snow tires, with no more than 50 miles on them, on the original 12 inch wheels that are now extra to my needs if you are interested in them. I would also likely add the brand new spare tire to the set (5 wheels & tires total) as I don't think that I can use that new small spare tire on the same axle as the larger tires. I used these tires while plowing my driveway and they provided plenty of traction.
     
  17. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Looking at EFX 22x9.5x12 tires, assuming I can find some 12" x 8" rims.

    Didn't have time to hit the JY for wheels last week...

    Just received my springs, ignition tune up and some other bits. Might be a good day to wash the truck and tackle some of that stuff.
     
  18. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Worked on cleaning the truck up a bit today, glass, dash, interior etc.

    Decided to install the cheapo radio with built in speakers I bought for 29.99. worked fine, need to replace antenna (broken off). Then later on I was checking the lights and my parking lights went out, could have sworn I heard the fuse go. And then the rear left blinker blew out. And so it begins..,..

    Looked over the mountain of old rims at the JY, found some cool 4x100, a pair of 4x114.3 14" slotted mags. Owners were busy but the have some neat old mags in deep storage. Going to check back with them next week
     
  19. kip thompson

    kip thompson Member

    Where did you get your springs
     
  20. ed nap

    ed nap Member

    I got my progessive rate coil springs from Gold Star Parts, goldstarparts.com. It added a 2 inch lift to the front end. I changed to the 14 inch wheels and tires and now no more bottoming out on potholes, and no harsh ride quality around town. In driving the truck around town for the last 6 months at night, some folks were flashing their high beams at me while night driving. I have since added 2 inch longer shackles to the rear. This must have leveled off the headlights as I have not had anyone flashing me since then.
     

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