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Prospective Mini Truck Owner

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by RāJE Panda, Jun 30, 2021.

  1. RāJE Panda

    RāJE Panda New Member

    Hey members,
    I am very interested in a Japanese mini truck. I currently have a 5.4l F150 which is costing me a fortune in gas. I live in Vancouver where we enjoy the highest gas prices in North America. Not only that; I love the mini trucks. Always have.
    I have some concerns about load capacity. Also parts availability and repairs. My job sometimes requires me to pick up commercial dehumidifiers. I don’t need to pick up more than 4 at a time but will these trucks handle 4? They weigh anywhere from 100-150 pounds. I weigh nearly 300. I understand some have a larger weight capacity? I also plow in the winter with a JD lawn tractor. I would consider a plow on my chosen truck. I would love any feedback or expectations I should have.
    Thanks everyone,
    RāJE (pronounced rage) Panda
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2021
  2. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Panda,
    Welcome! Your concerns are real, and very common. Yeah your paying a huge amount in fuel prices. A mini truck will work for you needs, with the weights, and info, that you posted.
    Parts availability, and repairs will always be a concern with these, but to help eliminate a lot of that of the bat, try to go with a more common brand mini truck, and more modern!
    Budget is always the first part of the decision , but if you own a f-150 and are thinking of replacing it with a mini, then I think your Budget will work!
    If your thinking of keeping the F-150, then you'll need additional funds naturally, but this is your decision.
    A more Modern newer 4 wheel drive, with fuel injection, heavier suspension, front and back, would be adequate.
    I added an extra leaf on my rear springs increasing the payload, and spruced up the front, increasing the capacity for the plow up front!
    There's info all over the Forum that will help you to decide, and you might want to contact a few Companies, and see what they might have available!
    I forget the name of one said company, it's like 4 sons or something, if their still around, and it might be one that comes to mind.
    I'm sure others will chime in and offer advice! Good Luck!
    Limestone
     
  3. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Trade/ sell the 5.4L F150 for what you can get out of it and go buy a brand new Ranger.

    Had a '92 Suzuki Carry 5spd 4x4 as a daily driver for a while and it was great, but horrible.. Yes you could put 4 150 lbs objects into the bed. I once hauled a commercial sized side by side freezer. Parts ended up being hard to get and expensive. Everything you will ever need is available BUT, you either need to pay extra to get it from a USA seller, or wait on shipping from Japan, or sometimes the part is just stupid expensive anyway.

    Fuel mpg was so variable, I could go from 39 mpg, to 20 mpg or less depending on if I drove fast, or if I was driving where it was hilly. Power was adaquate but there was nothing to spare. Flat foot on accelerator on anything except around town speeds

    I went from that, to a 1995 F250 which is probably a similar experience to your 5.4L ( 12mpg, slightly anemic in the hp department ). To a brand new Ranger where I have 270hp, great towing capability and I average over 20 MPG... You will spend similar monthly maintinance costs owning a Kei truck as a daily to what you will pay on a payment for a Ranger
     
    Limestone likes this.
  4. RāJE Panda

    RāJE Panda New Member

    Wow! Thanks guys! That’s a big help. I like the idea of being debt free so I won’t finance a Ranger but I do love them. I had a Mazda B3000 once but had to turn it in for a manly van. (Caravan). I have always liked Mini trucks and I think my heart is set on one so I’ll look to beef up suspension maybe. Thanks again. Panda
     
  5. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Look into something like a Toyota Liteace instead. That's a Ford Ranger sized truck that looks like a Kei truck. there are others. The Liteace has something like a 1.4L engine but shares some suspension with the Hilux trucks.. Ford and Mazda also had trucks of the same type. The Mazda Bongo line. The Fords are the same truck but harder to find ( Mazda was sort of a division of Ford in this time period )
     
  6. RāJE Panda

    RāJE Panda New Member

  7. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    That didn't last long! SOLD!
    Limestone
     

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