Purchased a mini instead of a UTV

[Number15]

Got frustrated with the lack of availability and prices on the UTV's I was considering. Ended up finding a mini truck and it ticked all the boxes for me, including a dump bed. Bonus is I can get a plate in TN and drive it to the lumber yard

 

[shooterdon]

They are not legal on the road here in MI, so that killed it for me. I wanted something I could drive a few miles to get to the mail box and visit neighbors as well as do chores. Wound up with a cheap Mule SX ($8k OTD) last year.

I would have gotten a mini truck otherwise.

 

[ArlyA]

What egnine size does it have? What is the lift capacity of that box lift?

 

[Number15]

What egnine size does it have? What is the lift capacity of that box lift?

660 cc fi engine. 54hp 44ft/lb torque it's also 4x4. Good enough to cruise at 60mph without to many issues. It's slow to accelerate and for sure feels the hills but it does the job. Got it mainly for the property and runs to the transfer station. Insurance is 308 dollars a year.

Box is rated to lift 1500 lbs I think, good enough for what I need it for. The hydraulic cylinder is pretty stout compared to the other items on the truck. All 3 sides of the bed can also drop individually for oversize loads.

Has airbags, ps, ac and am/fm. Otherwise the interior is very basic.

I also got new tires so I can take it off road with a little more confidence. Yokohama Geolandar g003

compared to my f250 tires

 

[RalphVa]

Where'd you get it and ball park price? Love it. Guess it's a stick?

 

[5030]

They are not legal on the road here in MI, so that killed it for me. I wanted something I could drive a few miles to get to the mail box and visit neighbors as well as do chores. Wound up with a cheap Mule SX ($8k OTD) last year.

I would have gotten a mini truck otherwise.

Interesting. My farmer buddy down the road has one (a bit bigger than the one in the picture) and it's plated and he drives it all over including out in the fields fueling equipment.

He was at HF the other day in Adrian when I was there pocking up my Chief air grinder.

 

[s219]

What year/make/model? Used/imported from Japanese market I assume? I know there are a couple importers in the USA. For the price they are a great value. Yours looks to be in great shape. I saw one setup as a mini fire truck and that would have been cool.

 

[Number15]

Where'd you get it and ball park price? Love it. Guess it's a stick?

If you buy them in the US used usually start around 6k and new start around 18k depending on options. Mine is auto, I had to get the auto because it was the only one with AC available at the time. I would have prefered stick but I am not really that disappointed. The 4x4 still works good. You can save a lot of money if you import one yourself.

What year/make/model? Used/imported from Japanese market I assume? I know there are a couple importers in the USA. For the price they are a great value. Yours looks to be in great shape. I saw one setup as a mini fire truck and that would have been cool.

2020 Daihatsu HiJet S510, imported from Japan. IMO Daihatsu is one of the uglier ones, but it has the best reliability reputation as far as I can tell. Plus it was available

 

[jjeff]

Mini Trucks are cheaper than most sxs these days/ about the same width/size as a 5 seater and already have a cab with air/heat, lights, and a windshield/ wiper ever price the accessories out for a sxs you know how expensive they can get. When I was over in Japan the locals used mini trucks and Hilux's extensively for what we use 1/2 ton and bigger trucks over here for. They appeared very capable, depending on brand parts are available at an import dealership or online if you know where to look and what you need. Personally id envy anyone who got a diesel with a manual tranny and dump box.

 

[ArlyA]

Most don't have A/C and there suspenion is not good for off-road use. If you need to tow things then there HP is quite low.

 

[jjeff]

Most don't have A/C and there suspenion is not good for off-road use. If you need to tow things then there HP is quite low.

yes sxs usually are more capable off road due to there suspension, ground clearance, and aggressive tires but most imported ones get a small lift and aggressive tires.Tell limited towing and hauling to the Japanese, I've seen 15 ton excavators hauled on roll backs smaller than my 3/4 ton. Safely, no but they make do with what they have. lol

 

[Number15]

I needed a work vehicle not a off road toy. So I am hoping and I am pretty sure this will get the job done.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Was looking to do the same. Screw the prices of UTVs ...

 

[arto98607]

Got frustrated with the lack of availability and prices on the UTV's I was considering. Ended up finding a mini truck and it ticked all the boxes for me, including a dump bed. Bonus is I can get a plate in TN and drive it to the lumber yard

Nice mini truck but sorry, I doubt I would drive one of those on a public road in traffic?

I have been holding on to my sons old 1983 Ford Ranger 4x4 to revive one of these days.
All the Ranger really needs is swapping the 5 speed transmission with another one which I already have (lost reverse in the original) and some TLC etc. etc.

The plan is to use it for hauling wood chips, firewood etc. on our own property only.


In other words: It's another project waiting...

 

[scaredychicken]

Those are cool little trucks. I looked at them a few years ago, and could only find RIGHT HAND DRIVES, so I lost interest. I have an old truck for around the yard that does most hauling. I was recently looking at Trackers, Samarais, Sidekicks, Vitaras ... but those things are getting older, high mileage, and astronomical prices because the SxS crowd has discovered them. I keep looking

 

[jjeff]

I needed a work vehicle not a off road toy. So I am hoping and I am pretty sure this will get the job done.

For 18k it's a steal. Price a new sxs with enclosed cab ac heat etc 30k+ plus unless it's a Honda it's belt driven, it will probably tow and haul more than most sxs. What does it weigh and how much is it supposed to haul in bed and towing?

 

[lman]

The engine on my motorcycle is almost 3 times bigger.

 

[Number15]

For 18k it's a steal. Price a new sxs with enclosed cab ac heat etc 30k+ plus unless it's a Honda it's belt driven, it will probably tow and haul more than most sxs. What does it weigh and how much is it supposed to haul in bed and towing?

Yes I thought about it hard before I purchased and the positives outweigh the negative.
pos
cheaper than similar equipped utv (ac, ps, am/fm, dump,4x4)
can be tagged in TN
has airbags JIC
bed can carry and dump ~900lbs (I think this is right, might be more)
easy to work on
all sides of dump fold down

neg
RHD
parts are harder to get
might not handle very difficult terrain as well
I look ridiculous in it

 

[jjeff]

Yes I thought about it hard before I purchased and the positives outweigh the negative.
pos
cheaper than similar equipped utv (ac, ps, am/fm, dump,4x4)
can be tagged in TN
has airbags JIC
bed can carry and dump ~900lbs (I think this is right, might be more)
easy to work on
all sides of dump fold down

neg
RHD
parts are harder to get
might not handle very difficult terrain as well
I look ridiculous in it

I believe a lot of them have a locking differential, does yours? Ridiculous to me is spending over 30k for a sxs to go through the woods. You probably can outfit it with a cheaper winch just in case 5k or less with a snatch block. I noticed there are more and more websites catering to mini trucks including parts and accessories. In my younger days I could lift the back of foreign mini cars and turn them around lol. Good luck and awesome purchase!

 

[ArlyA]

UTV's and Japanese mini trucks are built for completely different uses. This UTV has a 1000cc 80 something HP engine in it. Seems Number15 got a mini truck that will fit his needs but those little trucks, are not for everyone.