Welcome Norm, You don't happen to work into Hettinger ND on a Choo Choo do ya? I run over that way from Eastern MT. on occasion; coal and grain.
Hi Norm! Every time I see my little truck, I can't help but get a big grin it looks so good with its All Trails tires, fancy wheels, and Rustoleum green paint job. I thought the mini-trucks were really cool when I saw my first one years ago and I'm still thrilled that I own one. You'll really enjoy yours! (Good thing you have an inside job since you live in SD!)
I can imagine the looks you must be getting driving around in that. Great story. I know what you mean about getting used to the "right side world", to drive a manual over here you have to take the drivers test with one and it's written on your license that you're legal to drive one, pain in a** it took me 3 trys before I passed, sometimes I still get in the wrong side, hit my wipers instead of blinkers, but I haven't driven on the wrong side of the road yet, I just tell myself "Keep left".
There is ZERO insulation in these little guys. If you can, find some vinyl-covered foam and glue it on the bare metal - what would normally be the 'firewall' - and the inner fenders and rear wall of the cab. The doors could likely benefit too, but there's only so much room you can give up inside the cab. Maybe a 12 volt heater (warmer) to take the chill off. A smaller 12 volt fan to keep the air moving over the side windows. Block off some of the radiator on the coldest days. A trick that the 'ice-road-truckers' use is to tarp in under the engine and transmission too - might be worth looking into that as well. I think I will. Keep in mind that the dash vents only blow outside (unheated) air on most of these KEI trucks. Heat generally only comes out the defroster and floor vents.
I was driving my Jumbo around last Friday in a rare Deep South snow storm. Temp outside was only like 35 degrees, but my trucks temp guage barely moved off of the "COLD" all the way to the left. After about 20 minutes, it started to warm up in the cab, enough that I had to turn down the heater. I also ran a little rough that same length of time. Once the guage finally move a little, the truck seemed to smooth out and run much better. Cold natured, I guess.
frozen on the east coast too! Your thread has been of great value to me. Here on Canada's east coast, it's been chilly too. Minus 30's (c). We're breaking ten year old records. I've "bought" my first mini - as soon as we can get it going! It's frozen solid & battery issues are always an ongoing issue. Your research is of great assistance & I'll use it in short order when I replace this battery. This Forum is fantastic - great work guys! K.I.
Cold weather I live out in the Bush in AK and a couple of tips if you're real concerned about the cold. Blocking off part of the radiator is a good idea. Also using the panel heat doesn't really keep the cab warm as the air doesn't have enough time from outside to inside to warm. Stick with with the floor and defrost on the second highest fan setting. I have extremes down to -40 and it my daily driver so I have a oil pan heater, coolant line heater and cab heater. You're truck will idle high in temps below 0 so be ready for it.
Actually the reason for this is that some of these trucks are designed without the capability of putting out heat through the dash vents. Heat can only come from the floor & defrost. Some brands come this way.
Hummm...I have a 2001 Suzuki w/ac and the vents put out heat also..I found that the fresh air position seems to work better for defrosting than the recycled air position....Anyone else get heat from vents?
My 94 dah puts out really hot air from the heat vents just over the radio. You can't leave the heater on hi heat and high fan speed and let the heat come out of these vents. I turn it to defrost most of the time.
I changed the wording in my post above to "some" To see that it is not a isolated problem see the posts below. here here here here here
i agree with the fluids thing. im wanting to do that to before the snow flies. just gotta find out what is in where for type and weights etc.
Hey I had that happen to me too! Losing interest while driving through Jamestown ND. <ba dum bump!> Just kidding peoples!!!
Hey man. Im in Rapid City, SD and I saw a few quads driving around town on the street. Is that legal in SD??
wow you been around the block with the dealers lol!! impressive really! ya I would have loved to bring my toyota on the trip. I know the hills would have killed me though!! my buick park avenue with the 307 is having troubles with them! But a mini truck with a mini camper would have been an awesome thing to do!
I've used GR quite a few times in the past and have had no problems, pretty quick service every time I purchased something. Haven't done much with the others except see their websites, I thought michtrucks was in Michigan? He drove all the way to SD to look at your truck?? that's service!
thinking that the traveling thing is going to go down for lots of people. i know its tough even with the gf's family living 2-2.5 hours away. thats about $100 each time to go see them between fuel and food.
