Does anyone have a Japanese mini truck?

[Arizona_928]

I have my eye on a beater to get around town with. Speed limit is 45 so I think I'll be fine. Models to look for, stay away from?

[herr_oberst]

Any 80's 90's Toyota with a 22R or 22RE will fit your needs perfectly. Prices are going up, though.

Same vintage Nissan Hardbodies are a close second.

Mazda B2000 / Ford Rangers from that era can also serve you well with next to no maintenance.

Bring A just sold an 87 4Runner that has more miles than a moonshot for 17K.

(Be clear, all bets are off if that truck ever lived in the rust belt - course, by now, those trucks have gone back to Gaia)

[Scott Douglas]

I once talked to an older gent that was polishing his Toyota down at the beach. Got to talking with him as it was a really clean looking older truck. He said his mechanic told him 2004 was the last year Toyota made a good truck, said every thing since then was not as good. He was polishing at 2004 V-6 model extended cab that had a shell on it.
Just another data point for you to consider.

[stevej37]

In the late 90's, I drove a Chevy LUV truck for a couple years.
Toughest, most reliable small truck I have owned. It was made by Isuzu.

[look 171]

I am a huge Toyota truck (their product in general) fan. Owned a number of them and still drive their latest gan 4 runner. I thing you mechanic is wrong, Scott. They has some issues with head gaskets in some of their truck due to using another materials instead of using asbestos. anything with a 20 or 22RE(E, fuel injection) is a solid good motor that will get you to hell and ask you to go back again. The 04 V6 has a tiny bit of trouble with head gasket but fixed with the next gen. From there on, they are all pretty good reliable. Quick enough, but not 930 fast, that's for sure. Nissan trucks are good too. Two of my workmen has them and have beaten them to pulp. One has 340,000 on it before he had to take it in for a new head. That damn thing is still running daily. It can't haul too much. Don't thinking about stacking it 6' high full of hay. It don't like it, we tried with bags of concrete.

[john70t]

I would love a Kei truck.
But they are RHD, mostly manual, exposed undercarriage for salty states, and parts/repair would be a challenge.
https://www.japan-partner.com/mini-trucks.html

[Arizona_928]

That's the website I was looking at ^^.
Commute to town is 30 miles dirt, and 1 mile paved. Mud bog when it rains/snows.
I've been looking at side by sides, but they get uber expensive when you add the cab around it.
I don't mind rhd, or the manual. They should be good for 30+ mpg with a 660cc engine.

[fastfredracing]

Like Bubbles truck ?

[Bugsinrugs]

I’ve got a 99 Tacoma prerunner. 3.4 liter V6. 401000 miles with original alternator, air compressor, power steering pump and transmission. Still get 20 mpg. Best truck I’ve ever owned.

[gtc]

I've been thinking about these also... starting to see quite a few around Seattle these days.
In high school I had an '84 Mitsubishi Mighty Max that was the greatest little truck ever... been regretting selling that one for a long time now. These mini / kei trucks seem to be the closest thing available these days.

[porsche930dude]

check out motocheez on utube he has a few. He deals with a guy in NJ that imports them. I dont know the name of the place but it would be good to talk to that guy. I want one too. Really all i would want is one with diff locks. I dont think brand matters as much as the condition. The ones with dump beds are always beat but you can add that later

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by look 171

I am a huge Toyota truck (their product in general) fan. Owned a number of them and still drive their latest gan 4 runner. I thing you mechanic is wrong, Scott. They has some issues with head gaskets in some of their truck due to using another materials instead of using asbestos. anything with a 20 or 22RE(E, fuel injection) is a solid good motor that will get you to hell and ask you to go back again. The 04 V6 has a tiny bit of trouble with head gasket but fixed with the next gen. From there on, they are all pretty good reliable. Quick enough, but not 930 fast, that's for sure. Nissan trucks are good too. Two of my workmen has them and have beaten them to pulp. One has 340,000 on it before he had to take it in for a new head. That damn thing is still running daily. It can't haul too much. Don't thinking about stacking it 6' high full of hay. It don't like it, we tried with bags of concrete.

Not my mechanic, it was the old guys mechanic. I may have gotten the years wrong too. I'm old and don't remember stuff real good anymore. Just ask my wife.

[porsche930dude]

here it is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNnCpkwGFOs&list=PLcxhNVEfTm_NSX6kKwSul1ikThs59LskP

[manbridge 74]

I, for one, am glad the lowered neon mini-trucks went the way of the dodo bird. The all stock Toy/Nissan still catches my eye, though still fairly rare.

[JavaBrewer]

I remember a domestic, Dodge? small truck that came out in the 80's, had color stripes, and a big motor. We rode dirt bikes back then and towed trailers or had bikes in the bed. My best friend's dad bought a new Ford 150 (POS) and was left in the dust as we drove up the grape vine in the truck i am talking about. We had 3 bikes, gas, coolers, and camping gear and smoked the F150 without even trying.

Toyota in the 80's and 90's were high end. IMO that brand relaxed on their reputation at some point and the competition made up ground. Never owned a Toyota vehicle, but have many miles in them due to friends. Life goes on.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I remember a domestic, Dodge? small truck that came out in the 80's, had color stripes, and a big motor. We rode dirt bikes back then and towed trailers or had bikes in the bed. My best friend's dad bought a new Ford 150 (POS) and was left in the dust as we drove up the grape vine in the truck i am talking about. We had 3 bikes, gas, coolers, and camping gear and smoked the F150 without even trying.

Toyota in the 80's and 90's were high end. IMO that brand relaxed on their reputation at some point and the competition made up ground. Never owned a Toyota vehicle, but have many miles in them due to friends. Life goes on.

That was a Dodge Ram 50? Pretty much a Mitsubishi, I had one with longbed and a 2.4 or 2.7L engine. That thing ran forever!

[craigster59]

They also had a version of the Mitsubishi Montero called the Dodge Raider.

[stevej37]

[QUOTE=JavaBrewer;10845446]I remember a domestic, Dodge? small truck that came out in the 80's, had color stripes, and a big motor.

Dodge D-50..made by Mitsubishi?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I remember a domestic, Dodge? small truck that came out in the 80's, had color stripes, and a big motor. We rode dirt bikes back then and towed trailers or had bikes in the bed. My best friend's dad bought a new Ford 150 (POS) and was left in the dust as we drove up the grape vine in the truck i am talking about. We had 3 bikes, gas, coolers, and camping gear and smoked the F150 without even trying.

Toyota in the 80's and 90's were high end. IMO that brand relaxed on their reputation at some point and the competition made up ground. Never owned a Toyota vehicle, but have many miles in them due to friends. Life goes on.

I remembered them too. You must be talking about this one. They were made by Mitsubishi

[look 171]

Damn, you guys are good. Great memory.