Hey there, just wanted to show off my 97’ Mazda Bongo Brawny I purchased in January of this year. I had been eyeing kei trucks for quite a few years now and decided to visit our local dealer, Mayberry Mini Trucks, and see what they had in stock. Upon arriving my truck and an Isuzu Elf150 caught my eye, and after a short test drive of the Mazda I was eager to sign papers and get it home. I do wish I had done some research before hand as parts are seemingly impossible to come by for the truck, and I had a heck of a time just finding a set of matching tires front and rear for the factory gearing offset difference. For now it’s got a set of road tires, though I’d like to put some more aggressive treads on it in the future if possible, and eventually get another diesel of some sort with a dump bed to be a workhorse on my small 16 acre mountain farm. Maybe a Toyota or some sort of non dually where wheels and tires aren’t a major issue to contend with (seriously where do I source a set of 13” 6x5.5 dually offset wheels lol) This truck has factory working A/C, power windows and mirrors, and will cruise 65mph+ on flats with no issue. The posi rear end is nice, but with the bed being so light and the weight so forward, 4wd is a must for steep gravel roads, especially since I couldn’t find matching off-road treads for the fronts, and only the rears. I am debating on doing a DOT rates SXS tire for the front and just dealing with the aesthetic difference between fronts and rears. If the truck ever does start to have issues with mechanical or driveline problems, I’m no stranger to fabrication as I was a journeyman pipe fitter at one time, worked in fab shops before that, and have done a number of jobs to my vehicles from complete engine rebuilds, to chasing electrical gremlins. Seeing as parts are not likely to become readily available on the US market anytime soon, I’d probably start swapping driveline parts from the 80s model Toyota 4runners, or maybe from a Suzuki Samurai. A man can never have enough vehicles and projects, and someday I’ll get another import light truck, and a kei truck to play around with. Everyone likes a TDI swap! Anyways, I hope this forum proves to be of great value since Facebook has not been so much of this truck, but regardless I look forward to learning and sharing what I learn here.
Welcome to the forum. I bought my Suzuki dump truck from Mayberry a few years ago. Tony delivered it to me down on the coast. It's been a great work truck on my plantation. Kevin in NC
