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Hello from the Philippines

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by frisky32001, Feb 27, 2009.

  1. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    I am an American who lives part time in the Philippines. Call me a little crazy but I bought a 2001 Suzuki Scrum 2x4 which has the set forward axle and the mini hood so it doesn't have the traditional look of the Carry but uses the same drive train. I bought it for the equivalent of 800 US dollars with a motor problem. Since I am an above average shade tree mechanic I decided to tackle the project (with more than a little help from my father who worked as an engine builder for 20 years) head on.

    As I got into it I learned as I went. I learned what a Kei car is. I learned that I had a .657L motor (F6A). My motor had thrown the #3 rod (which seems to be common since the block I got surplus had done the same thing but had done no major damage) which bounced off the #1 rod and through the exaust side of the block terminally damaging the corner of the block. The head was undamaged and after inspection we decided not to do anything to it. We replaced the block, used salvage rod and piston combos with good wrist pins, salvage crank, rings, Rod, Main and Thrust Bearings ,a thermostat, timing belt, gaskets and misc the rebuild was complete. And it was a hell of a lot of fun learning how simple yet how versatile this little powerplant is. Now I am getting ready to reinstall the motor and I will get to drive it for the first time in a few days. The total cost was about and fifth of the cost of one in the US or Canada.

    There are also lots of neat add-ons available(the variety is truly staggering). These little rigs are used for public transportation having frames stretched and passenger cabs built for the back accommodating 20 or more passengers using the F5A motor with the updraft carburetor (mine is fuel injected). Truly amazing. And the body work and paint is really awesome.

    I also found out that for about $300 dollars more I can convert my 2x4 into a 4x4 model. How cool is that?!

    Anyway, I am really excited. Anyone have any tips on the reinstall of the motor or anything I should change before the motor is reinstalled? I also am thinking of becoming a reseller of surplus and rebuilt parts since the parts seem to be so affordable to me here and there should be room to turn a profit and still offer things at a fair price. Anyway, glad to be a newbie to the Mini Truck world!
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2009
  2. Windmill

    Windmill Member

    Welcome from Oklahoma. Would love to see some pictures.
     
  3. canadian1

    canadian1 Member

    Parts

    CAN YOU SEND PARTS TO THE U.S. FROM YOUR LOCATION?
    THANKS
    PAUL
     
  4. Schick

    Schick Member

    Sounds like a great project. Let's see some pics.
     
  5. kiowacampers

    kiowacampers Member

    Hi Frisky, welcome from Colorado...I am not motor savy but I believe there are several guys on here that are experts in motor repair..Heck I think they probably can do it with their eyes closed and a toothpick....LOL...Check the search and find the treads...Lots of information on here and they are very helpul...Do you have a pic of the Scrum? I have a 01 Suz carry....whats the difference besides it's 2WD..Again, welcome.....
     
  6. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    The difference is nothing.

    In the Philippines they call all the Suzuki's newer than 92 "Scrum" for some reason. There is no Suzuki Scrum model, but I think its because of the Mazda Scrum.

    It is your standard, every-day 2001 Zuki.


    Welcome to the board!
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2009
  7. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    Here the Carry with the slanted door window opening are called "Scrum", the ones with a flat door window are called "Carry" and the one like mine, with the mini hood, are called "New Model" or "Scrum 11 series"
    Minibrute is right, the Scrum should only refer to Mazda.

    My Carry is exactly like kiowacampers only not four wheel drive. Its a 2001 new model.
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2009
  8. kiowacampers

    kiowacampers Member

    Very nice Frisky. Does yours have a small window in the back? That's one thing I would like to get is a sliding window to make it feel bigger inside...Should be an easy fix....or not.....lot's of ideas but as you know...one thing at a time..You sure did get a great deal on yours, even with the repairs....Does it have alot of km's on it? Mine has almost 40k on it now...real clean and runs like a top. I kept mine stock and added a rear bumper...The little tires go great in sand,snow and hard terrain with no problem...Haven't had mud yet so I'm hoping that too..We got it up to 110k on the pavement with no problems...Zoom Zoom.....Is yours a 5 speed? I really like the p/s and a/c...Now all's I need is a new FM stereo....but I've learned alot from the AM talk stations since I never listen to them in my car...
     
  9. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    Pics and Progress

    We finished the rebuild last night and installed the motor today. Here are some pics taken today of the install. We haven't fired up the motor yet due to a dead battery but will do so tomorrow. BTW, I am halfway around the world from most of you so my day is your night and vice versa.
     

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  10. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    Some more pics

    Notice some of our equipment. This rebuild was done in the bed of the Mini with a tarp shelter. We used a block and tackle attached to my mango tree to hoist from. We put a 3x6 timber through the windows, tied to the roof to use as a hoist inside the cab. Our vice was tied down on one side and C-clamped on the other across the drivers corner of the bed. The mini is so friggin easy to work on! Notice my two little helpers, they decided since I was on my back under the truck that they could fix the broken baby buggy. LOL!

    I could buy a come along for 30 dollars or I could buy the makings for a block and tackle for 5 bucks. Both would do the same job except the block and tackle worked better so it was a no brainer.
     

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    Last edited: Mar 1, 2009
  11. kiowacampers

    kiowacampers Member

    Cute little girl! I see yours is also a left hand drive, mine is a right hand...Maybe that's why they call it a Scrum....I like your hoist..We did that with a come a long to put on a front end loader on our tractor..worked just fine...Keep the pic's coming, great job...
     
  12. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    The trucks come in as RHD and are converted to LHD. (Their laws are strict on that.... )

    All done by hand. Quite an amazing amount of work required.
     
  13. kiowacampers

    kiowacampers Member

    I guess so!!!!! I wonder how much the dash board costs or do they find something that fits....You sure are knowlegable Mini-brutes....
     
  14. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    We have been there a few times investigating the trucks. Even if a LHD dash exists somewhere, they generally wouldnt use it.

    Their labor is so inexpensive, its cheaper to make stuff than to buy stuff. To make the LHD dash, they cut up the RHD dash into about 10 pieces. It is then reassembled with everything in the right spot and plastic welded back together. Once the fit is correct, they clean up the welds and re-texture and re-dye the dash.

    Considering the amount of work involved, they do a pretty good job.

    Even the taxis and personal cars (Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, whatever) are cut and converted to LHD. Some dashes dont come out right because of their original design, but its hard to tell unless you are looking specifically for it.

    There are some pretty amazing craftsmen there. But there is some pretty amazing junk too!

    We saw a jeep there that was completely chromed. I mean every body part was straight chrome. It was nuts.
     

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  15. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    And the hell of it is, those aren't "Jeep" at all! The big ones are called "Jeepneys" and are hand built in the Philippines. Unique to the world. They use all different drive trains, Isuzu mainly but Ive seen Mitsi, Ford, even Mercedes. Any type of medium truck frame and motor they can get surplus. And the chrome you see is about 50 percent chrome and 50 percent POLISHED STAINLESS STEEL! Pretty damned cool.
    The other "Jeep" you see is called an "owner type" which usually looks exactly like a standard jeep, only they use a toyota chassis. They come made either out of Stainless Steel or Galvanized Steel. Some are a mix, with Galvanized for the body and stainless fenders.

    I have also seen some imitations of the Humvee over here. Some are pretty fugly, but others are pretty darned good knock offs.
     
  16. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    Polished stainless steel - even better!
     
  17. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    Those pics you have of the Owner Type are awesome! The make some really great rigs here, but like you said there is some real junk too. The minis over here don't have a good reputation among the foreigners because of maintenance issues. Its nearly impossible to find a good mechanic here, so after a few years of poor maintenance they are constantly breaking down. Thats the primary reason I chose to do the overhaul myself. I called a "Mechanic" in and he claimed there was nothing wrong with my Mini and he would have it back together and running for 3000 pesos (70 USD). He didn't even try to turn it over, just looked at it from the top. What a goober.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2009
  18. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    Got my Mini running and took it for a test drive, was turning into a driveway and a motorcycle ran into my drivers side as he was trying to overtake me before I could complete my turn. I never saw him, but since I am a foreigner here they expect me to pay for the medical bill and repairs for him doing something REALLY STUPID! his motorcycle had racing stripes and numbers on it so he fancies himself a street racer which is obviously what he was doing, thought he could get around me before I blocked the lane with my turn. I was all the way to the centerline and turning left. On top of that I hadn't completed the registration yet because they needed new engine numbers for the title, so they impounded my car until I get the paperwork done. Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood boys and girls. I gave the other driver a 1000p in cash to care for medical, he came back to me this morning with receipts for 531p and asked me for more money. So he spent just a little more than half the money on medical and wanted more. The extent of his injuries were a broken toe and some minor scrapes, he even drove the motorcycle home. In the grand scheme of things it was a very minor accident, but since I am a foreigner they think I'm rich and want to get rich themselves. They have already mentioned that they want 100,000p (2,100 USD) which is the equivalent of over 2 years pay for a broken toe. Hate to break reality to them, it just ain't going to happen for an accident that was caused by him. I wan't even cited for the paperwork problem, just couldn't take home my car til I fix it. The guys wife keeps saying how her wallet is empty even after I gave them the equivalent of half a months wages.

    Can you tell I'm just a little irritated?
     
  19. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    On the upside

    The extent of the damage to my Mini was two scratches and a minor ding, the motorcycle went under the bed. I am happy that the other driver had only minor injuries even if he was doing something REALLY STUPID! I would have hated seeing someone hurt badly.
     
  20. kiowacampers

    kiowacampers Member

    :eek::(:confused: ...I'm sorry that happened after all the work you did...I'm glad it wasn't too serious and he didn't get to hurt. I can't believe people these days when you try and help them out they try and screw you over....Give an inch and they take a mile....Jeeeezzz.....So...how did your truck run?
     
  21. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    Purr's like a kitten, Drivin like I stole it

    On the initial test drive after the overhaul the engine was missing and some crazy motorcycle rider zigged when he should have zagged, but the day after we cleaned the #1 fuel injector and it purrs like a kitten. I'm so stoked! We have also run the engine far enough for the assembly oil to have burned out of the cylinders so no more blue in the exaust. Now just breaking it in and waiting for license tags.
     
  22. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    The Land of the Mini

    The following are some pictures of Minis taken within a 4 square block area on a 10 minute walk in downtown Dumaguete City, Philippines. It truly is the Land of the Mini. Many of these are used for public transportation and you will see several that are full of passengers. I counted 14 passengers plus a driver in a NON-extended Mini. Here they are called a Multi-cab because you can get a number of different cab designs on them, 3 of which are pictured in the following few posts. A standard 2 door, a 4 door with sliding rear doors like a van only with a short bed in the back, and a Van.
     

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  23. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    The Land of the Mini II

    More Multi-Cabs...........
     

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  24. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    The Land of the Mini III

    And even more Multi-Cabs. Did I mention the women are Hot in this country?
     

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  25. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    The Land of the Mini IV

    And more and more and more......
     

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  26. cabinmini

    cabinmini Member

    Wow! You're not kidding about the land of the mini. Some pretty ugly looking stuff and judging by the numbers of scrapes and dings they should look at a rubber bodied version:D.
    Thanks for the post
    Jim
     
  27. frisky32001

    frisky32001 New Member

    4 City blocks

    4 city blocks is all I walked to take these pictures. There are THOUSANDS of Multicabs (Minis) in this town alone. I have pictures of Pedicabs, which are motorcycles with sidecars which are truly the wonder of Philippine transport. We had 14 passengers on 1 Pedicab and had space for 1 more rider. Crazy. All with a motorcycle between 70cc and 175cc. No larger. We even have Caribou (care a bow not care a boo) drawn carts. A Caribou is like a mix between a water buffalo and an Ox. The Caribou also do more than a little plowing here too, since tractors are out of the price range of most farmers.
     

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    Last edited: Mar 13, 2009
  28. kiowacampers

    kiowacampers Member

    Wow..I can't believe there are so many of these little guys running around. Do you see any other larger vehicles? How much is gas over there?
     
  29. S.Hiro

    S.Hiro Member

    Money Matter

    Dose any one tell me please, "how to get my Money us$6,000" from a US Dealer, he have block my money and not sending the balance from June 2008, please please any help will be highly apriciated,
    thanks in advance,
    S.Hiro
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2009
  30. S.Hiro

    S.Hiro Member

    also kindly note that Parts are a big problems, in the philippines can get many parts in cheap price but hard to get parts related to 4WD,
     

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