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got to go out and play last night

Discussion in 'Daihatsu Hi jet' started by AaronRS4, Feb 5, 2014.

  1. AaronRS4

    AaronRS4 Member

    So, I finally got to go out and play in the Hijet last night for the first time since I purchased it. Im happy to say that I'm overall satisfied with its ability to keep up and hold its own running with both of my brother-in-laws Polaris Rangers. We got about 3-4 inches of snow last night on top of the 4-6 we got a few days ago. Running down the rural roads, it kept up with the the 550cc Ranger with no problems, but the 800cc would start to pull away. I might have been able to keep up with it a little better, but I was holding back from exceeding 6k RPM since I don't really know what the rev limit is on my S83P. Off-road, I have no doubts that it would have kept up with either Ranger if I would have been more familiar with the trails that we were going through. I did notice a few differences between the Hijet and both Rangers... I was nice and warm in the cab of mine wearing jeans and a hoodie, whereas they were all cold wearing Cathartt coveralls, ski coats, etc... I was enjoying listening to my iPod through my stereo, while they were stuck listening to themselves sing. I did end up getting stuck once, and had to have both Rangers pull me out, but I figure that was payback for pulling both of them out earlier in the evening when they were stuck. I was following in their tracks through a corn field when all of the sudden I sank. Apparently, what looked like flat land was actually God knows how deep of a "valley" that had been filled with drifting snow throughout the winter... They had both gone through/across it at about 30mph before me and I was following at a slower rate so I didn't quite have the momentum to get through. We tried to dig it out, but after digging about 3ft down around all of the wheels, we determined that the valley had no bottom, and used both rangers and a couple of log chains to get it out. I determined I am going to look into a few modifications and upgrades...
    1. The wipers are retardedly slow. I need to look into why this is... Even on high, they are comparable to low speed on any other vehicle.
    2. Diff lock... anybody have any suggestions? I don't want to "Lincoln lock" the diffs, but I can't find any posts where anyone has successfully installed lockers on their trucks (front and rear)
    3. Front and rear tow hooks/ receivers. We did yank the sh!t out of that puney little hook on the front drivers side ant it held up well, but it would be nice to have hooks at all 4 corners...
    For the most part, I am super happy with my purchase, and all 3 of my brother-in-laws are pissed that my $3000 Hijet hangs just fine with their $10-14000 Rangers! Even more pissed that I was nice and warm and they were cold!
     
  2. Wedge

    Wedge Member

    That is so awesome to hear ! Do you think the interior space in the hijet is about the same as the ranger 800 ? About the lockers some members here that very active and reputable members such as spaner, have lockers for there rigs check out his supercharge thread i think its in their somewhere send a PM. Keep up the great fun !
     
  3. AaronRS4

    AaronRS4 Member

    Ill have to check out that thread when I have some spare time. It looks pretty lengthy... As far as interior space, I think both Rangers have more room in the cab. I didn't take any measurements, but I know that 3 adults can fit in the cab of the 800, and 2 adults and a smaller child fit in the 3500. And when I say adult, I mean American adults, not Asian adults... Even if the Hijet had a bench seat and an automatic transmission, you still wouldn't be able to fit 3 adults inside the cab.
     
  4. TRAX and HORNS

    TRAX and HORNS Well-Known Member

    I have the same story, couple of yrs. ago we were hunting in South Texas. Ian and I were in a Daihatsu s110 and the other guys were in a Polaris Ranger. First day was in the 50's so it wasnt that bad. Next day temp. drops into the low 30's, wind blowing and drizzle. We were driving around shooting quail and by late morning the guys in the Polaris went to the camp house complaining that they were cold. Ian and I were toasty warm in the Daihatsu cab. Love those heaters.
     
  5. bannock

    bannock Member

    lucky haha i haven't been able to drive at all this winter!
     
  6. muddy moose

    muddy moose Member

    Right on bud. You'll keep up well on winter and even out perform them while keeping warm but come summer you may want heavier springs up front hahaha. There is a thread in the group somewhere.....I'll try to find it and post it here later......but they will make a limited slip for your diff for 250 or 300 dollars. I'm going to add a limited slip in front since my carry has a diff loc in rear already. I just have to figure out how to make it stay locked past 20 kph. Hahahaha
     
  7. spaner

    spaner Well-Known Member

    Just remove the speedo cable connect from the tranny, diff-lock will remain locked, until switched off.
    Otherwise, it's some board work, at the back of the speedo, with an iron...

    :pop:
     
  8. AaronRS4

    AaronRS4 Member

    Muddy- I already upgraded my springs up front to 250lb springs (may go to 275). Who makes the LSD? I saw on another thread where a member was making them, but it sounds like he no longer is...
     
  9. muddy moose

    muddy moose Member

    Really??? Just have to remove the speedo???? What sort of iron work on back? I have a buddy that can solder microchips........hopefully it isn't that small.....but I'd like to keep the speedo if I can. THANX BUD!!! Hahaha in till I can get the solder directions I'm Goin to go do donuts! !!!! Hahahaha
     
  10. muddy moose

    muddy moose Member

  11. AaronRS4

    AaronRS4 Member

    Yeah, that's the thread I was thinking of. The original poster is no longer making them, but there was something on the last page that somebody else had found another company that may be able to make them.... Ill have to check it out when I have more time and try contacting the company for some prices.
     
  12. muddy moose

    muddy moose Member

    I'll go threw my messages tonight. I got a message from someone that included all that. Not sure what time I'll be done with work today. But I'll try to remember to dig it out for ya
     
  13. Wedge

    Wedge Member

    What you guys are talking about is the phantom grip and the companie said that you need to send them the measures they want and they will see if they have something already made or they can make a new one. Sounds good but it doesnt replace a real diff lock but its better then nothing or welded diff.
     
  14. muddy moose

    muddy moose Member

    That's the one.. sorry.....out of town and no Internet for a while.
     

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