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The high cost of a mini truck

Discussion in 'Daihatsu Hi jet' started by dale hynes, May 13, 2021.

  1. dale hynes

    dale hynes Member

    Living in Canada, with metric dollars, which have little value on the world stage, the high cost of Daihatsu mini truck parts has really hit home. Not only did I have to pay $100+ dollars for an outer axle boot, but the worst was a new right side ball joint! First of all, again in metric dollars, the part was $404.00, then because Canada is having a hissy fit over covid 19, the mail won’t accept the item for import. So out comes another $78 for DHL to deliver it. But then this AM I find out that DHL needs $50+ for customs and duty. So… a ball joint which for any other vehicle would cost under $100, has cost me…..$533.00. And this was waiting a month because the item was back ordered. This damn truck better last another 28 years!
     
  2. mrxsht

    mrxsht Member

    I feel you brother.
     
  3. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Some of the ATV/UTV stuff fits. But you really have to look to find out what. I figured out that the CV joints used on my Hijet are the same as those used on some of the ATV/UTVs. Bought new boots off a guy on eBay, who specializes in ATV parts. I sent him a message and asked if he had boots for the CV joints on my Hijet by asking for the number of the CVs on the truck. He had them in stock for considerably less than any of he online shops the specialize in mini truck parts.
     
    Liberty4Ever likes this.
  4. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Dale, please go in to your profile and add the info on your truck in your signature line. The more info the better.
     
    DEG95DH likes this.
  5. Adam Wheeler

    Adam Wheeler Active Member

    Exactly like what jigs said, it helps to cross reference parts. I replaced cv boots on my axle shafts last year with UTV boots, which actually are made to be a lot more durable and most times at a fraction of the cost.

    Another example, I just finished replacing the ball joints on my Sambar. I could have gotten the "genuine" Subaru ball joints from Japan, for $89 US then factoring in the conversion to CAD and other fees and duties, that cost is outrageous as you have pointed out already. That being said, I cross referenced the ball joint size and found that Mevotech made a ball joint the exact same size and could be purchased on Rock Auto for $12 CAD each.

    These trucks do take some researching to find North American parts that do fit, but it most certainly can be done. Another spot to keep an eye on is Amazon Japan. You can occasionally find genuine OEM parts on there, at a fraction of the cost & shipping fee, and there are no additional duties to pay.
     
    Liberty4Ever likes this.
  6. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Also, if there were version of the truck sold in Great Britain or the EU, you can sometimes find parts for those units which will work on eBay, by setting the search filter to worldwide.

    You can get the struts for an 80 series Hijet from dealers in Britain for about $90/each including shipping from England. It took most of an evening to find a KYB Europe catalog, and cross reference it to the KYB Japan catalog, and come up with the correct numbers. And, I didn’t figure it out for my S110, because they were never sold in Europe. But knowing that Daihatsu sold 1, 1.3 and 1.6 liter versions of the S80 series folks with that run of trucks could search eBay for parts for them, and the Porter built in Italy under license, and the body and most interior parts will interchange. As well as quite a bit of the drivetrain and suspension.
     
  7. ttc

    ttc Active Member

    Where are you buying your parts at?
     
  8. bobjonah

    bobjonah Active Member

    If you can get the original part number for what you need, you can contact IMPEX JAPAN. They will source the parts locally ( Japan ) and let you know the price. They also have access to non OEM parts at lower prices. Once you pay for the parts, they buy them and as soon as they have them they let you know the shipping cost. Once all is paid for the parts ship. I just bought two tie rod ends for $118.76 ( Canadian ) and shipping by FedEx was @ $24.00 with an additional $27.47 for HST and clearance. The clearance charge was only $10.00 - included in the $27.47. The process seems a bit awkward, but once you get used to it, it works well. They also communicate very well in English. My parts shipped from Japan on May 12th and are being delivered tomorrow morning in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
     
  9. ttc

    ttc Active Member

    I have been using Impex for years.
     
  10. dale hynes

    dale hynes Member

    Thanks I'll add Impex to my parts list.
     
  11. David Browning

    David Browning New Member

    I'm interested if anyone has made a parts list for a 2000 Hi Jet S210P. I found an old parts list in my glove box but it was for different model (S80LP). They had darn near every part available listed along with the corresponding NAPA part number or other cross reference company.

    Glad to hear of Impex.

    Thanks
     
  12. Hijetinmalawi

    Hijetinmalawi New Member

    I live in deepest darkest Africa, no parts here, we repair by hand everything. I wish I could get spares, I do window shop on line and have a wish list , no dhl.
     
  13. MrJPolito

    MrJPolito Active Member

    It doesn't help that ALL of the Hijet parts for vehicles that are currently importable to the US (older than 25 years) have essentially been discontinued. If something goes wrong in a core part of your Hijet, it's as good as dead. There are no replacement transmission solenoids, for example. Or transmission computers. Or fuel injectors. I'm considering figuring out how to weld a bracket onto a solenoid from another car at this point. Brakes, fuel filters, oil filters, easy things like that are all interchangeable enough, but some things cannot be replaced. Compared to the two previous Honda Actys I've had, this is the most expensive minitruck yet.
     
  14. DEG95DH

    DEG95DH Member

    @dale hynes @ttc @bobjonah

    Are you guys unsure how to add your vehicle information to your signature? Or have you just never been asked? If the latter, please consider this a formal request. It helps the overall quality and efficiency of the forum. And, once you do it, all your hundreds of previous posts will be automatically updated!

    Thanks!
     

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