Mini-Trucks?

[RGardner]

Been seeing several around lately and have talked to one rancher that has one. He loves it for the fuel economy. Anyone own one or have thoughts on them?

 

[jgillott]

What do you mean when you are talking about Mini-Trucks? Off road utility truck?

 

[foolkiller]

i only have experience with 87 and earlier nissans and toyotas.



they rock for everything but hauling heavy, hauling families, and getting in crashes... .



i've had a couple; the one that was the BEST overall truck i ever had (even in comparison to our DC trucks) was an 82 toyota 4x4... i really wish i kept that one.



the fuel economy won't blow your mind but is better than our trucks and maintenance is cheap and easy.



my current fuel costs of $500 a month would be about $300-400 depending on 4x4, 4x2, and wheel sizing... my math aint what it used to be though.







jeff

 

[Regcabguy]

The four bangers do real well with the gas. Step into a V-6 and you're better off with one of these 5. 9's. Foolkiller's right about the lack of payload capacity too. I used to load my 85 Toyota(how'd I ever fit in that thing?) for Baja trips with everything you'd need and that reduced the already pitiful spring travel to maybe 1 1/2". I'm lucky I had young kidneys at the time. With that load I must have shifted hundreds of times on the mountainous roads down there. Zero power.

 

[THess]

I think he might be referring to those Japanese Mini-trucks that are kind of like a polaris ranger or smething. They kind of look like a little cab over truck with a pick-up bed. A car dealer where I live keeps them and they look like they would be awesome.

 

[RGardner]

That is what I am talking about, they have most of the advantages of a atv and then some. Stuff I am seeing claims 40 to 50 mpg on 4x4 models. For checking cattle close to home looks like it might work instead of the one ton.

 

[foolkiller]

my bad... . j

 

[FourBarR]

We are starting to see used ones imported from the USA. Since the Canadian dollar is par with US its cheap to get one of these. I have seen pickups,vans and cab overs. Another is the import of right hand drive hgh performance cars .

 

[southpaw]

i,ve checked out several will buy one when the right one comes along. most have 60-70 klm = to about 30-35k miles few have a/c most are 4wd some have dump beds. some states allow highway most dont about 60 mph. topspeed. most major asian mfgs make them but carry a different name than used in USA. also Japan puts a high tax on vehiclels owned with over 30 kelometers. they have more workers than raw materials. also EPA will stop the imports probably by 2010.

 

[RGardner]

Anyone bought one since I started this thread?