What did you do to your truck today?

Thanks! It's soldered, otherwise I'm sure it would be an oily mess. It was key that I used an actual tin funnel - https://www.mcmaster.com/8996T14/

And I didn't want to ruin a real cap so I got this thing on Amazon and just used the cap - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VDXH371?ref_=pe_386300_442618370_TE_sc_as_ri_0&th=1

The copper pipe fitting I had pressed right in.

And the 2L measuring cup was pretty cheap too - https://www.mcmaster.com/9896T3/

 

Ok not all today, but in order: Cab Lights, LED Bedlights mounted on headache rack, Herculiner Bedliner, LED Bulbs (every bulb in the truck), LED Headlights, gaskets in the turn signal/taillights, New 195/60R14 Fuzion on the 14x6 steelies, new wheel covers with Suzuki center caps on the 14s", new stereo, new front struts and 300lb springs from Mini4x4.ca, Rockford Fosgate 4" speakers, 7" touchscreen Android Auto/Apple Carplay head unit (for internet radio and GPS, hands free calling), engine grounding straps, Siless 2mm Butyl Sound Deadening mat, custom floor carpet, carpeted floor mats, bed tailgate chains, new rubber bed rail covers, custom vanity plate for the front that says "Kaiju Jr." in Kanji, then New 13" alloy wheels w/ 165/80R13 Forceum M+S tires, Amsoil GL-5 Severe Gear Oil in diffs, Amsoil GL-4 Heavy Duty Transmission Oil, Amsoil 10w30 Synthetic Engine Oil and Amsoil EA15K09 filter.

WHEW!!

20250111_111848 (Medium) by Jeff Kushen posted Feb 1, 2025 at 11:11 PM

On deck: Fender flares, paint job, new factory stickers all the way around, and if I can find one I want a windshield visor, like you see on some trucks, front and rear bumpers, 2500lbs winch with synthetic rope.
I think that is enough for now. ;-)

 

Definitely one of the coolest mods/updates that I have seen so far

 

Went out to get potted roses, came home with a free air compressor. When your truck is small it makes your air compressor look MASSIVE.

 

I didn't take any pictures but I:

1. took everything out of my cab to chase some rattles
2. took my plywood bedliner out to pressure wash it and the bed itself
3. made sure my vacuum advance was working on the distributor cap (throttle has been sluggish)
4. scraped the points and the rotor (points were actually pretty crusty)
5. sprayed carb cleaner into my intake hose for the first time since I got the truck 3 years ago
6. checked my spark plug gaps
7. put some seafoam in a full tank of gas

Took it for a test drive and the bogging down is completely gone. Just needed a little TLC.

 

Today I removed boxes and bed, removed speedometer governor box, and was going to remove cir clip from transfer box to get high gear. Rain and wind had other plans

 

Thats a good day's work!

 

I had the windows tinted and a clear protective film applied to the front end

 

Added lights to the tool boxes on the s80p and swapped plugs/cleaned carb on the s110p

 

Back from the detailers...

 

I have a 1993 Carry. I used a RH visor modified to work on the LH side. Just disassemble the mount and bend the arm approximately 35 degrees. I used a 18" adjustable wrench to do so while pressing down firmly to prevent kinking the visor tube. Obtained from G&R Imports.

 

I had a tune-up completed that included a new timing belt, tensioner, water pump, seals, plugs, distributor, wires, and a thermostat by a local mechanic in Sparta, NC....Hopefully, good to go for a while

 

I had a local shop fabricate a tailgate splitter that I finished and installed

 

added some vinyl.. still working on the green stripe (needs to be on the door running to the kanji)


黒蟇妖術
Kuro hiki yōjutsu
Black Toad Magic!

Stick3 by InkAndPistons posted Apr 30, 2025 at 8:06 PM

Stick2 by InkAndPistons posted Apr 30, 2025 at 8:06 PM

Stick by InkAndPistons posted Apr 30, 2025 at 8:06 PM

 

Very cool

 

thanks

 

It wasn't today but last week I painted my brake calipers and drums. I felt like I got at least 1/2 HP out of the deal






And then I went to the 4th Annual PNW Kei Owners Meetup in Tacoma.

 

Thats baller! If you did black pinstriping on the drums it adds extra HP too.

 

Dang it! Now I have to do this too. Looks so fresh when done.

Nice job!

 

Thanks! Just be advised that Rustoleum Caliper paint really does take almost a week to fully cure. I thought cooking it in a space heater oven at 150°F for a few hours would speed it up. Nope, it was still tacky after 3 days of temp cycling.

 

Over the last two days I:

1. Replaced the timing belt
2. Replaced the cam/crank seals
3. Changed oil/filter
4. Refreshed coolant
   1. did NOT replace water pump
   2. FYI my Subaru Sambar fan doesn't come on until my oil temp gauge is over 92°C
5. Replaced original spark plug wires
6. Replaced original distributor cap and rotor
7. Mailed off an oil sample to Blackstone

Took it for a test drive, definitely has more pep. Only thing left on my list is to check the valve gaps but that can wait... she's running great.

Shout out to Kevin at Oh Kei Garage for the parts and videos and Mr. Subaru for the detailed timing belt videos!

 

Life intervened and I've been away from the forum for awhile but it's time to get back on my Hijet projects this fall.

I received the 5th Yokohama Geolandar KT 145/80R12 tire today. I ordered it from Japan via eBay and it was $195 delivered, with state tax. I ordered four of them in September of 2023 for $370 delivered. I tried to buy a fifth but it was going to add $200 to the cost. Apparently they can only ship four tires at once, and it costs almost as much to ship one tire as it does four? I wanted a good spare, so after calling around to local Yokohama dealers who couldn't help me, I bit the bullet and paid almost $200 for a $100 tire. I thought about buying four and selling three but I didn't want to be in the tire shipping business, so I paid the US kei tax. :-/

I got a quote of $90 per steel rim to sand blast them and powder coat them. I have the powder coating gun but my oven can't do a 12" rim. If my wife would leave for the day I'd use the kitchen oven with the windows open. I had always thought I'd make a powder coating oven for the Hijet rims, but it wasn't happening, so I got a quote, and now I'm leaning back toward doing it myself... in part because they have a four day turn around and I didn't want my Hijet up on jack stands on the street in front of my suburban house for several days. I'm not quite that redneck. I can do them one at a time and knock it out in a day.

I'm looking forward to pulling the seats and dash, painting the interior with gray Monstaliner bed liner to match the exterior, reupholstering the seats while upgrading to heated seats, installing the double DIN Android stereo with backup camera, and installing the power remote door locks. I bought all of that stuff a couple of years ago and then lost my mojo.

But first, I need to install a new water pump and timing belt.

I haven't been driving my mini truck and I miss her.

 

Sounds like a golden opportunity to do some How To write-ups with pics. Good luck and update us on your progress!

 

Wasn't today, was actually September, but got the truck painted Purple, added some new side-marker lights, colored accents, and replaced the stickers, even color coordinated the spare gas can.

 

I just cracked the Suzuki rear drum brake parts puzzle by using various parts from RockAuto to do it cheaply. Wrote it all up here https://minitrucktalk.com/threads/sourcing-local-parts-for-brakes.22603/page-2#post-145126

Teaser pic

 

Looks good & DRY!!

I did this a while back with suxuki/geo wheel cylinders.

 

Got the van decorated for Xmas and the toy drive at Triple C brewery here in Charlotte, NC. Pics too big to post and no patience to resize.

 

I went to Lowes and the guys working the Contractor Entrance yelled, "That the coolest truck we've seen all day!"

 

All the sexy people have them!

 

Testify