Hi gang,I am new to the forum,from Southern Ontario Canada,and have seen a few mini's around Toronto,and the area.I believe I have worked next door to the owner of Kei-cars here on the board as well,as there were several in the driveway,and in the garage of the home.I am also a fan of Suzuki trucks,having owned a few sj410's,and Samurai's and a few sidekicks too.Anyway to the point...are the Carry van's and trucks unibody,or full frame,or a combo ?I would like to put the drive train from my Swift gtne,with Samurai axles under it.
I can't speak for anyone else, but my 94 Mits has a full frame . The actual frame rails are similar to a standard pickup. I have been considering an engine swap myself (spare 1.0l geo metro engine). later......slim
slim your pic only shows components before they are welded together and is entitled "Body Construction Charateristics". I can't speak for them all but have seen a few and the rear section of the frame appears to be separate (The bed floor is bolted to it) but I cannot unbolt the Cab from the frame. -Greg
Colin, I agree with that. Its the closest your gonna get to a subframe in uni-body form. Its made from stamped sheet metal. I just didn't want anyone getting excited about a full sub frame. -Greg
Greg is correct with his description. I know on a Suzuki and Daihatsu (and nearly certain on a Mitsubishi) the frame is not a seperate component from the cab. The bed can be removed the same way as on a conventional truck, but the cab is basically a uni-boby construction. The frame members are formed sheet metal integrated into the cab weldment. Based on vanbdan's original post, he is interested in putting running gear from a Swift and Samurai under a Carry. I believe this could be done, but a subframe would need to built under the cab for supporting the springs. Or at least some substantial mounting plates built to attach the hangers. Actually the rear frame section is only sheet metal (maybe 11 ga.) and I would feel better about beefing it up also if I were adding heavier duty running gear. I think it is an interesting idea!
That sucks! I wish mine unbolted. The Subaru was the only model I have not had a close look at. I'm surprised no one has done a body lift on those yet. Is the frame made from stamped sheet metal? -Greg
Without seeing it,as I don't own ...yet,I still dont think that building a frame under this truck,with beffier axles,which I have access to,and a bigger drivetrain would be that difficult.Now to just get some money.
vanbdan - that's my thinking, too. I'd like to find another truck body to build at my leisure (read: it will never get done) and fabricate a simple ladder frame from square or rectangular tubing, using a VW turbodiesel engine and a four-linked rear axle with coilovers. Maybe a pipe dream, since I'm already ***-deep in my Merkur project. Yes.
Hey Vanbdan, My home is in Burlington, but my shop is in Kitchener. If you ever want, you can come by the shop and check out the frame yourself.. I have a Subaru and a Suzuki Chris
Hi misterturbo...I thought you must have lived in Vaughan,as I was next door to a house that had several kei cars parked there,including some from your listings.I would really like to get to your shop this spring/summer,and will give you an e-mail when I am coming.
I have a left hand drive Suzuki carry DA62T here in the Philippines, probably a 2002 model (but titled as a 2022). It has a full frame, the bed is bolted on and the cab is welded on.