Whatzzit?

[MiniDave]

Where is the motor access?

[BruceK]

Where is the motor access?

In this video my lovely assistant will show you.

[MiniDave]

And she was!

[ADRay]

I've had something like this in mind for when I don't need a back seat anymore. I haven't seen any Toyota ones though. Can you get parts easily?

[BruceK]

[

I've had something like this in mind for when I don't need a back seat anymore. I haven't seen any Toyota ones though. Can you get parts easily?

The small 660cc Kei trucks are built by Honda, Suzuki, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Daihatsu. But Toyota and Nissan don't offer any Kei trucks.  (Technically, Toyota owns Daihatsu, but there are no Kei trucks under the Toyota nameplate)  So if you have been looking at Kei trucks, that's why you haven't seen any Toyota ones.

The next size up trucks in the Japanese market (like mine) come in vans, people carrier minivans, and pickups and these trucks are only made by Toyota (Liteace & Townace models), Mazda (Bongo), Nissan (which uses the Vanette name for its various models even when they are not a 'van'), and Mitsubishi (Delica).

When I was looking for a truck, I stuck with looking for a Toyota one rather than Mazda, Nissan or Mitsubishi because I wanted to have a truck that had some sort of parts availability in the US.  That's because back in the 1980s Toyota imported Americanized versions of their van and minivan Liteace/Townace models into the US badged as the Toyota Van and Toyota Wagon, in both 2WD and 4WD.  So my truck, designed in the 1980s, is from the same generation as the ones sold here.  So it has some parts interchangeability with those US market Toyota models (same doors, same windshield, same brakes and suspension, same 4WD parts, etc.).  So, I should be able visit my local NAPA or Advanced Auto and get brake pads, shocks, CV boots, etc.


For the other parts, I found a good source not in Japan (although there are parts vendors there that ship internationally), but in Dubai UAE. Apparently there are a lot of Japanese trucks in the Middle East and therefore a need for parts suppliers.  My parts source is partsouq.com where I can just enter the VIN and detailed parts diagrams point me to the right parts. Prices are reasonable and shipping is like dealing with MiniSpares - parts arrive within 5 or 6 days.

This is the Toyota Wagon that was imported to the US for much of the 1980s during the minivan craze.

[Jims5543]

Are you going to put a short shifter in it?

The you will be able to shift mad quick, yo!

[BruceK]

Are you going to put a short shifter in it?

The you will be able to shift mad quick, yo!

Haha.  A short shift kit and a giant wing with the turbo badge are what's really needed!  And a coffee can exhaust!! 

[BruceK]

Put the truck to work today getting free mulch from the county recycling center which is about 25 miles away.  I have no idea how much weight it was but the truck did fine with the load up and down the hills.  Actually I went back for a second load.

[gr8kornholio]

Now that's some mulch

[BruceK]

Now that's some mulch

Did I mention it was FREE! 

And hey I've got lotta mulch areas in my front yard.    Every square foot that has mulch is a square foot that does not need to be mowed! 

[MiniDave]

Pickup trucks are so useful, especially one that you don't have to climb a ladder to reach into the bed!  77.gif