Ever since I bought my Acty, I've found it a real PITA with the way the tailgate flips completely down. I'm not sure if all the Japanese mini trucks are made this way, but every one that I've seen is the same as mine. There are no limiter chains or cables to allow the tailgate to rest in the horizontal position when opened. The thing that really irks me is that if I have something long in the box which requires me to run with the tailgate down, it completely obscures my taillights, turn signals and licence plate. And it gets to be a bit of a drag tying it up everytime I haul a long load. Today I decided to make some limiter chains and brackets up. I never had to drill any holes on the box or tailgate as there were 2 small existing holes on the rear upper area of the box sides.......and I was able to build tailgate chain loops that bolted up to the same holes that the tailgate latches are mounted to. I made them with a quick attach hook at the upper box side end and with threaded chain link joiners on the tailgate loops so that they can easily be unhooked or removed altogether if need be. I still need to find some really soft rubber hose to slip over the chains because I think they might rattle a little without any soft coating. Here's a couple pics:
heatshrink axe handle grips...I used them on my chains..worked perfect...I like your chain mounts better than the factory ones...yours are beefier
Thanks for the tip, Fupabox. Where does one purchase those heat shrink axe handle grips? And do they remain flexible in the dead of winter?
I got the one I used at princess auto...it was on sale for a couple bucks for a 3 foot length...needed lots of heat to shrink...still flexes in winter,just a tad stiffer
my father used the plastic coating they use for swing sets. that see through blue stuff that prevents kids from getting their digits pinched.
I also was annoyed by the chains. I used road bike inner tubes which were just the right size and we had a dozen laying around. Poked a zap strap in the middle so the rubber didn't slide off.
That's a heckuva good idea......bicycle inner tubes should stay soft and pliable in the coldest of weather and I likely have some kicking around if I look hard enough. Thanks for the suggestion, rst
I have pretty small chains which fit inside a road bike tube. Did you have any flooding problems up in Roblin? I have a cabin by Erickson and I've never seen such water. Lucky the cabin is on top of a hill but the river was spring melt wide until 2 weeks ago! Ralph
We were fortunate here in Roblin while all the rest of Manitoba was experiencing spring and summer flooding. We did have an awful lot of potholes and sloughs that we had to go around while seeding, but we managed to seed 98% of the acres. So I guess we are lots better off than many areas. Just 15 miles southwest of us there are farmers who hardly got any crops in. We actually could use a rain now. I'm glad your cabin survived the flood. I've heard that Erickson was very hard hit.
the original tailgate chains for the Honda Acty truck look like this http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n117730218 the Japanese wording is アクティー テールゲートチェーン as offered here on the Japanese auction house. Cost more than $20 locally here in Japan. Copy the pics and then make some on your own cheaper. Just that you have the original look Here more pics http://www.honda.co.jp/ACCESS/actytruck/exterior/gatechain/ http://www.honda.co.jp/ACCESS/actytruck/ http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/254804/car/658083/3067186/parts.aspx http://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/spread/goo/14/700120009120121206001.html
Hey wanna bring this back from the dead. I know they are easy to make but I’d like to buy some. Will the HA6 and newer ones work on a HA4? Gotta be the same right
On Yahoo auctions Japan I see an offer specifying only HA6 and HA 7, others for HA5. But another offer says HH5 HH6 HA6 HH7 and specifies fits flwg: トラックのTOWNの2WD トラックのTOWNの4WD トラックのSDXの2WD トラックのSDXの4WD トラックのSDX-Nの2WD トラックのSDX-Nの4WD トラックのSTDの2WD トラックのATTACKの4WD トラックのATTACK-Nの4WD https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search...&exflg=1&p=アクティー+テールゲートチェーン&fixed=0&x=31&y=27 if you want to buy from Yahoo auctions Japan, there is a service offering for you, buys and ships overseas http://yahoo.aleado.com/ here is a bigger pic how the parts look, probably easier to DIY https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c669082220
I've been around all kinds of dump trucks, and trucks my whole life, and with that being said, I've noticed a few things. Last week my neighbors brother in law, had his newer 1 1/2 ton dump truck with him, as they were working on the outside pavilion/patio project, and he was telling me how he used bicycle inner tube, to go over his chains to stop the rattle, scratching of paint, and rusty chain look, on his truck! Works pretty well for him, and looks good! When I get a chance, I want to use some small dia. aircraft cable, and make up some, gate limiter cables to do the same thing! I was even thinking about getting some nylon coated cable! Just another thought! Limestone
