Just saying hello! I just got a 96 MiniCab and am very excited. Lots of tinkering to do. I am still getting used to driving it, but I’ll get there. Happy to have the perfect sized buddy for farm chores and messy errands. I am struggling to find info, but I’m sure it’s just a time thing. Any recommendations for things to fix, I’m on it! I’ve tried the marine battery box and that went poorly. Came with a vented battery so the tie down doesn’t fit. Got a strap. I’m 90% done with the tach install, but waiting for insurance guy first tomorrow to finish. Hitting rust and tidying up. Found fun things under the seats! Got some MDs for my stereo, but definitely need to improve the speakers. That’s about it so far! It’s a dream come true and I’m happy there is a great resource here!
Congratulations on your truck. I have a 94-minicab on its way from Mayberry. I'm just waiting for the title from the State of NC. I don't have much "clean up" work since it's in really good shape, but I plan to get the windows tinted, stereo installed, and a few other bits and pieces. At some point, I will probably add a spoiler to the tailgate and look at the front suspension for an upgrade. One thing I have discovered, it appears to be difficult to find many after-market accessories and kits for the Mini-Cab in comparison to the Acty or Sambar. I guess it is just not as popular of a truck. I started off looking heavily at those two models mentioned, but I couldn't find the right combination of condition and size that worked for me.
I was also looking at the actually for parts availability and such, but really - there were a lot of these made in differing capacities. There’s not a lot of info for causals - I’ve been doing a lot of digging with few results, but I’ve found stuff! I got such a good deal on my little guy, and I like that it’s a bit of a project - I’ve wanted a project car since I was in tech school! I do like that it is bigger, for sure. Still cute!
It appears that "parts" for repair are not much of an issue to source from either domestic or overseas suppliers. The challenge becomes any type of mod kit from lifts to exterior or even interior unless you want to get into custom fabrication. My presumption is there are not enough numbers of minicabs in the US to warrant companies developing many after-market products. All you ever see plastered all over the internet are Acty's, Carry's, and Sambars...Occasionally a Hi-Jet but rarely a minicab. I've owned a few Mitsubishi US vehicles and found you simply can't kill them, the body will fall apart before the powerplant dies. Hopefully, the same can be said for this one. Also, I was told by a reliable source to not put a lift on the mini-cab. The geometry of the suspension and frame were not designed for a lift and you will run into nothing but trouble with the CV's and excessive tire wear. I was able to get new 14" rims and slightly more aggressive tires on without rubbing the doors which raised the overall truck about 2" with no lift.
All of that is reasonable! It is a very niche market. There were several reasons I liked the mitsu. I was wondering if there is some compatibility with the larger trucks that are common over here - outside of the suspension and drive train lol. Bits and pieces, basically. I don’t plan on modding the suspension because I like its little cuteness. I am sure I will change my mind when I need tires. I’m just tinkering around. Cleaning up rust and such. I’d like to improve the speakers and stuff like that. Nothing wild. It’s got a lot of spray can work currently, so I will continue that trend to get it clean, then worry about paint later on. Next priority item (once I finish the tach which is proving to be more annoying than anything) is the wiper motor situation. They stop and start, then won’t return to bottom. They like to stop at top of sweep…which wouldn’t matter so much IF I DIDN’T KEEP HITTING THEM WHEN I TRY TO INDICATE LOL!!! So it’s gonna be a dash pull (will do speaker then) but I don’t want to break anything so I’m nervous! Can’t just run to the pick and pull. It’s definitely going to be used for mini farm work, and I don’t plan on driving it a ton - I have a Corolla. I was sick of trying to use it for lumber, and other dirty/comically large items.
Try cleaning your windshield, treating it with Rain-X and adding some new wipers before you go after the wiper motor. Also, make sure the joint at the base of the arm moves freely up and down. Maybe add a little lubricant and work them a little.
