Yes. Many shipments get turned away at the port. Some slip through. Not trying to ruin your day. Best of luck to you
Yes, automatics cannot be limited to 25mph to satisfy the EPA mandates. Thereore, they may not be legally imported to the states. If someone attempts to do so (and many do), and they get caught in customs, they have to be returned to Japan at the container buyer's expense. If there is an auto on the ground here, it slipped through customs undetected.
Stuff99, it's not an issue in Canada. We aren't required to limit the speed. On the flip side, our US counterparts can import newer units than we can to Canada. They have to be 15 years or older, and Automatics were rare as hen's teeth. The reason for Automatics being an issue in the US is the difficulty in limiting the top speed. With a manual tranny, they simply fab up a gate to go over the shifter to limit the gears selection to furst and reverse. Automatics require a rev limiter of some sort to keep the speed in check. The units imported new for sale Stateside generaly with LHD do have the electronic limiters installed from factory. Now with this in mind, being that autos are not so easy to come byin a 15 year old mini, I was wondering what the issues might be in retro-fitting an automatic into a previously standard transmission early 90's truck? Anybody? Anybody have a wreck with a donor tranny? Say for a 1992 Suzuki Carry? Another thought that comes to mind is if a transaxle out of a Geo Metro might bolt in and serve as a full-time 4x4? Hmmm!?!?
I've heard that customs is cracking down on importing the so-called illegals such as autos and newer year models. I do not know first hand, but I've heard of confiscations as well.
Wouldn't a transaxle out of a metro/swift not just make it a rear wheel drive only, I don't know I am no mechanic.
Nope, they are completely different animals. The transmissions in our minitrucks (Honda and Subaru excepted) are just like any other RWD transmission. A FWD transaxle simply cannot be made to work.
I wasn't thinking of mounting it in the same way as it comes out of the Geo - E-W, but N-S and have each half-shaft driving each differential. I have no idea if it would fit, or if it's possible, just thinking on-line. (instead of out-loud) Maybe if a fellow was doing an extreme lift anyways, you could shoe-horn a 1.0L or 1.3L engine in there with some radical tinkering???
the local junk yard has a Suzuki like this . it has a 1.0 metro motor with a 3 inch hump welded on the motor cover. looks VERY home made. but it works! also has 15 inch wheels sticking out of the rear fenders .
Yes, DEFINITELY, we're going to need pictures....dozens of them!! Lots of different angles!! And some verbal details too. Does it bolt up to the Carry Transmission? Any cooling system issues? Did he also swap radiators? This is getting interesting.....
there is an automatic 2wd w/cargo box on the back for sale at D&D imports in P.A. i found it on autotrader.ca. I had to look a few times to make sure! never seen one before. and of course the shifter knob is broken
metro motor as far as i know a 1.0 metro motor will NOT bolt up the the 660 transmission . this truck has a motor and transmission from a metro with some sort of drive shaft made up. like i said it looks VERY home made!
dd imports is whom I ordered my truck from, as for the one in the autotrader I think the ad on his website said the automatic is coming in soon. But I'm not possitive. Maybe Derik will add to this thread.
a/t the cube van that is coming in is only a 2 wheel drive! the shifter knob is broken? i don't think so?
Pics of the metro engine ghetto conversion, please! I'm searching for a minitruck for parts, and can buy a whole metro for parts with a good engine/trans for cheap.
Well Speedy, I have also thought about this conversion. Been so far as to purchase a Geo (running convert with auto very nice car). Here is what I have come up with so far. 1) Geo turned N-S would require a GEAR DRIVEN limited slip unit.(in geo auto) 2) For front and rear axles I would use Samurai units I have. 3) Gear driven ls unit is $1400.00. 4) Top speed with 28" tires would be only ~32mph at 5000 rpm. (Based on 3.54 geo final drive ratio and sammy 3.73 ratioo) 5) By using the Sammy front end I could have either 2 or 4wd by using the existing manual locking hubs. 6) In order to use 28" ATV tires rims would have to be custom made (no 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern in 12 or 14" wheels) 7) Narrowing the sammy front and rear would be $250/ea (includes housing and axle resplined) I know I am missing other things but Balvinie is talking right now. Thanks,
What size rims does a Samurai come with? As far as 28" tall tires....why go with ATV tire? How about these: Prod. Code SAM-06 Size 28x8.50-14LT Weight 31 Ply Rating 4 Sidewall Ply 4 Skid Depth 20/32 Tread Width 7.0 O.D. 27.4 C.S.(section width) 9.0 Rev Per Mile 758 Rim 14x6.5 Max Infla. 30 Max Load 1310 http://www.intercotire.com/site33.php
Here's some visuals: Daihatsu with 6" suspension lift,27x9.50x14 Super Swamper SSR"s Mitsubishi with 8" suspension lift,29" Super Swamper TSL's SWEET!!!
