[cvp33]

Thought my V brethren would appreciate my odd ball project. This is a 1997 4 door Toyota Toyoace dually. It was imported from Japan under the 25 year rule. She has a underwhelming 100hp/100ftlb of torque and can hit 80mph all in. She ain't happy about it, but it'll do it. This example had just over 5K real miles when it hit the port and was a former Fire Chief vehicle so VERY well maintained and cared for with virtually no wear. Much like the US, Fire Trucks are definitely fawned over to an extent that other fleet vehicles just aren't. Next steps are wiring all of my lights and getting my wheels mounted. Wheels are waiting on adapter plates moving from 12" dually setup to a single wheel, 17x9's and changing the rear wheel bolt pattern from an orphan 6x6.5" with a reverse thread lugnut to a conventional thread and matching the front axle bolt pattern at 6x139.7 standard OEM Toyota. Another fun fact is the dual bench seating allows for 6 person carrying (in theory) and the carrying capacity is nearly 3,000 pounds - which I have tested.

 

[Karch]

Welcome back.

Did you use your Discover card?


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[random84]

Probably AmEx cash back coupled with a retailmenot 3% rebate and a 0% PayPal line of credit.

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[Spearfishin]

I've got an Autozam Scrum in the driveway that I got for free. Turns over, but doesn't start. It's the eensie weensie version of that.

 

[tinman]

That's beautiful!

 

[Blown376]

When is the LS swap happening?

 

[cvp33]

Funny you mention the Scrum. I sold my Kei Truck to buy the Toyoace. It was a hoot and would do 70mph, Bought it for $5,800 and sold for $10K. First person who saw it bought it. 1995 Daihatsu Hijet, 2WD, 5spd with A/C. Good fun but too small For anyone over 5’10”.

 

[Spearfishin]

That's awesome! Mine is in good original condition, but nowhere near that. Mines 4wd, 5spd and van. I think it looks like something a Russian circus bear would climb out of and start juggling.

 

[cvp33]

That's awesome! Mine is in good original condition, but nowhere near that. Mines 4wd, 5spd and van. I think it looks like something a Russian circus bear would climb out of and start juggling.

I did put a $500 Maaco paint job on it. Looked great to about 3’ and then you’d see a few over/under sprays. It had only 19K miles and virtually perfect when I got it.

 

[Slizzo]

Oh man, you guys need to watch Mighty Car Mods on YouTube if you haven't already. Marty (and Moog) love their Kei vehicles. Marty has a Kei truck that they put a turbo on.

 

[cvp33]

Yup, already watched that build…..

Oh man, you guys need to watch Mighty Car Mods on YouTube if you haven't already. Marty (and Moog) love their Kei vehicles. Marty has a Kei truck that they put a turbo on.

 

[Spearfishin]

Here's mine. Eventually I'll get to figuring out what's wrong with it. Have you found any good parts sources for them? (Granted I know mine is an Autozam/Mazda/Suzuki)

 

[cvp33]

Depends on what you need. I used MegaZip when I needed something fairly quick, but shipping is expensive. If you can cross-reference parts then Spareto from Italy was dirt cheap for pads and rotors.

 

[cvp33]

Old school Hella halogens mounted and took her out for an e-bike run.

 

[cvp33]

Hard Tuned swag.

 

[RocketSled]

Two words: Crumple Zones.

As in the sentence "these vehicles have no front end crumple zones".

Against similar Japanese vehicles you might stand a chance, even so (it's not like there aren't pissloads of vehicles in the roads in Asia that are built the same way. I know, having spent a fair amount of time there on business over the years). But against the much heavier typical American car/SUV/PUT, you're going to look like a bug on a windshield in a front end crash. Not the kind of thing I'd want to be driving very much...

 

[cvp33]

@RocketSled - You’re not wrong but I gotta believe it’s better than a motorcycle with no helmet? We’re in SC, we threw safety out the window decades ago.

 

[random84]

These cars a cool. It's neat to see them in such good condition.

But it makes me think how much it must suck to have to drive one of those to your shitty Japanese factory job every day, only to have to drive it back to your shitty Japanese flat in the evening, so you can sit down and eat low end Japanese soups.

I guess having an attentive Japanese wife probably makes up for a lot!

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[cvp33]

Japanese life is pretty tough in general by American standards. I've been there 3 times. They are blown away by our houses, our food costs, our cars......etc. We Americans are pretty hard working and productive, however, the family we spent time with would put most of us to shame. Mom works 60 hours per week, father is 90+ and takes the train 3 hours away for work so stays at work from Mon to Saturday afternoon.