Diesel Mini Truck, Left Hand Drive and Cheap!
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- I bought this 2002 King mini truck sight unseen because it was a diesel and left hand drive. Both of those are pretty rare in this type of truck! Then once I worked on it, I had second thoughts...
It's impressive how someone managed to get this truck into this state in only 20-odd years 😂
your voice has a hint of Hank Hill. I just found your channel while i was looking at mini truck videos. I enjoy your stuff, I'll be subscribing. greetings from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
So I am not the only one, that is a relief!
I’m voting for a solid axle swap and 4wd conversion! I have a soft spot for 4wd diesels.
Me too !
I just bought a Mitsubishi Mini Cab that has an extremely horrible diesel swap. They put a NA 3.6L Kubota Diesel into it but couldn’t get it mounted correctly so the engine hangs down low enough to rest on the front differential. The Trans adapter is also home made from angle iron lol.
Then the Jeep would be a better choice. Put the motor in a Flatty.
@@rowdyhoundsmanThen why did you buy it, bud? That's on you.
@@jeffrykopis5468 Because I can sell the motor for about 3 times what I paid for the little truck. I’m also looking into the cost of the transmission adapter kit so I can weigh my options on putting it into one of my other projects. I have an 88 Ranger and a 55 Willys Pickup that I want to put diesel engines in. I’m leaning towards the Willys pickup because I have always wanted to use it as a daily driver for work.
If you get it cleaned up and road worthy they make a great little around town pick up vehicle. The sides normally come off as well as drop down so loading and unloading is easy. They’re pretty frugal on gas and can carry a fair load so it might make a great shop truck.
On the downside you need to check the price of spare parts and you don’t want to be involved in a frontal crash as there is little to no safety features. Probably safer to put the motor in the Jeep. Sold as a Suzuki Carry in Australia. Cheers mate, Stuart 🇦🇺
Suzuki Carry in the UK, too, but with a 1300cc petrol engine. I had one with full van body - 5 doors, two sliding on the side. Didn't matter how much you loaded into it, or not, it still did 30mpg. I loved it!
18 years I plied trade using these… incredibly work hungry and so versatile !
not even counting the fun part!
Yes, I would imagine that a DIESEL is VERY frugal on gas! 😂 Probably doesn't burn a drop of it! 😉
The best Bart about being in a frontal collision is that he will be the first one there.
I think it's actually a chinese copy of the Suzuki Carry. A real bad one, but yeah, that engine should be alright for the Jeep.
It all depends on how much work you want to put into the little truck. To fix the radiator, a 1992 to 2000 Honda Civic radiator should fit. It's size is 18.5 in high by 17.09 in side, inlet and outlet are 1.1 in. Fixing the windshield will take a custom glass cutter to do it. But the bones are there for a nice little work truck.
Good plan with the flat fender, that front steering looks terrifying, even compared to a flat fender
If you swapped it into a jeep, you wouldn’t have to worry about the busted windshield. I had to Google Ling Long tires and they are available in the US. You’ll make something amazing no matter what you do. Thanks for the video
Lift it and 4x4. Oooooorrrrrrrrrr figure out if you could somehow squeeze a v8 in it and then put the diesel in your jeep if you want. 🤷♂️
*What I’d really like to know more about is the 4x4 RV that I’ve seen from time to time in the Background.*
I would say the deciding factor is if it can be licensed for road use. If not, scrap it and take the parts for another project. A diesel powered flat fender sounds like a great choice.
Just looking at that mint interior, screams out to me that it should be a 4x4 conversion. I love those drop side boxes, a very handy feature. 20 years ago, that type of box, was about the only thing I saw on trucks. Adding a ram and making the box a tipper, would increase the utility.
I grew up in japan and i have a soft spot in my heart for these trucks. All the farmers in my village had one
I didn't know these things were even available in the United States and in left side drive.
A 4 wheel drive conversion on that would be really cool. The box it has would make it very useful for hauling stuff around, and it would be a fun toy. I've always noticed a CR-V around, and now I see two. You must like tinkering with those as well. I've had them off and on as well, along with various Jeeps and old trucks.
Awesome find James! 😁👍 I think a 4x4 swap would be pretty cool to see. Engine sounds healthy as well. Enjoyed the video. Happy wrenching 🔧🔩
Let me suggest that you make it a mini half-track. Find a pair of junk snow-mobiles with matching tracks and repurpose those. Add a boom to the back. Then paint it olive drab and add a white star to the door. Now you have a little brother to your huge half-track tow truck. BTW, love your projects and your channel!
Cool video...I'd use that lil' puppy on the regular...This channel is a hidden gem!! Love the way you innovate to make things work. Looking forward to subsequent videos on the "King".
Hey James. Great video. You have interesting vehicles and I had to subscribe.
I love the little kei trucks. The guys on Mighty Car Mods have done a couple and then used them as shop trucks, 'raced' them and taken them 4-wheelinjg/camping. They had gas engines with a turbo and at least one 4WD. A diesel would be even better for 4-wheeling.
Unique rig. Like the old Corvair ramp side units that truck could be very handy to have around.
It definitely has terrible build quality, the whole video i was like wow that thing is a PILE. While you definitely have the skills and resources to put it back on the road as is, i think your passion for old jeeps is more meaningful and you'd end up with a lot more for any given amount if work, by just snagging the engine for a swap. Im sure youll have fun regardless and as you know thats all that matters.
If it is street legal then it would be worth putting back on the road. I would love to have something like that!
When "it's got 4 tires" is a good surprise, you know you're at *Low buck Garage*😁
Would love to see that diesel go in a flat fender. I’ve got a 3A that I want to put diesel in and would be interested in seeing how you would make it happen. Cool little truck though.
I would keep it as a movable work bench. I have a bunch of trailers, one has the wheels under the deck and the trailer is the best work surface. As small as that thing is you could use it inside and take it outside to the larger projects.
I have a 1997 Micro van...mine is badged Cushman...don't know who made it. Mine has a trans where they locked out 4th and 5th gear.
Spent many years in Asia! They will move an entire household using these little trucks! Very reliable if cared for! Good luck with it!
I vote for swapping the engine into the jeep!
Woah, classy vehicle. You barely had to do a thing. I like the 4WD idea,- and just use it as a compact cargo carrier with that very useful drop-side bed. Ideal for if you want to go pick-up some donor parts - couple of engines, stack of wheels, burritos...
16:13 sir thats probably because the factory workers are around 6- 14 year age-group. That hole is perfect for them . 😂
ISUZU is my goto for anything that has to last. Their stuff is never fancy or high performance but they last forever
27:30 personally i think you should cannibalize it for bits since it's a bit too far gone interior, body, brake system and sell the bed since you'll recover most of your money just on that since it'll fit on most K trucks
Can confirm I have installed LingLongs for a customer in the US
The side profile of that truck looks similar to 2nd gen MItsubishi Delica, and it's still in production to this day with the name Mitsubishi L300
I believe those are illegal for street use here. You most likely could not get it liability insured either.
I say put the parts in the Jeep and pee on the rest for the LoLs.
Tow it behind the 1953 bus and use it as a fun vehicle to drive into town while the bus is parked. Must fix the leaks first. I love your humor. Most people would be cursing and throwing tbings. You just roll with the punches. Great role model. Thanks.
i vote for the flat fender Diesel conversion!!
Or... and hear me out... turn it into an asphalt tearing drag truck. S9mewhere between 500 hp - 1000hp outta do it 😅
Love these micro vans and definitely want one in my fleet one day. I ran a couple when I managed the car parks at Heathrow. So handy for just running around in. The Chinese vehicles of this era are often licensed rebadges of western vehicles so you might find that it’s a Suzuki or similar. Keep up the good work 👍🏻
In 1985 I was stationed in Japan. There was a lot of trucks like yours. I love it!!!!! It needs a lot of love. A lot of your projects needed lots of work so I think it is within you skill level. There are places here in the states that buy these old truck and resell them. Well good luck and I can not wait to see you give it new life.
I like the fix up the jeep option, better quality vehicle when done, and I like jeeps.
First off, your definitely one of my favorite channels. We think the same. As much as I hate to cut a vehicle up, I think this would be a pain to find parts for. Glass, door latches, brakes, I sure you've been there before. However a flat fender jeep would be awesome! I have a 68 gladiator I'm looking for a diesel to drop in. So my pick is diesel jeep
This Chinese mini truck makes a Jeep Cj2a look high class and sophisticated.
*- I don''t like the "feel" of this thing, James...except for the Easy Starting Diesel.*
*- The Flat Fender engine swap feels like a Build Idea to me...not a aggravating jury rig fix-it idea.*
*- Could you weld the flatbed frame into the middle of the Flat Fender Jeep?*
*- Now THAT would be unique and a very smart project in my mind...and useful for town shopping.*
My vehicles owned is past 50. That was years ago, when I instituted the "one comes, one leaves" rule. Still I am jealous of this guy.
I would definitely make a diesel willys before putting time and effort into a very beat kei truck. Somebody will buy the roller for parts. Show us how u make a custom adapter setup to the t90 out of recycled junk.
If it was mine, I would go ahead and put that Diesel Motor in one of the Jeeps and convert the King into an Electric Vehicle.
That way you can eliminate the Cooling system all together and the Wonky Gear Shit Transmission since Electric motors have so much torque you won't need a Transmission at all.
Now you'll have some room to get the Brake Parts to work together and you'll only need a push button to start it.
I know...
Awesome Right?!
You can thank me later! lol
I vote for doing the Diesel swap into a Jeep. The rest of that little flatbed is so poor, it's probably not worth much. Can you even get a windshield for it?
It’s been 12 days since your last video it would be nice if you could do a video once a week . thx 👍
I try, but sometimes (usually) things go wrong along the way and delay the project. I'm not very good at following a schedule...
could it be useful for carrying a smaller sand dune buggy? or pit bikes, 4x4 with ramps.
A 1.9 turbo diesel out of an earlier VW Jetta (up to 2003) makes a much more suitable engine for any of your Jeep.
That small diesel engine is just not powerful enough to drive the diesel Jeep on highways.
Hey Man. Loving your vids. Watched 3 in a row and subscribed. Found my new go to channel...
Ling long tires have been in the US a long while. I used to work at a Tire Factory in the mid aughts and we carried them. They were fine. Really inexpensive. Never had any defects come through our shop
That's was in Washington state. Don't know if the chain is anywhere else.
Seen a lot of videos lately about the micro van/truck. Not for me unless I needed a golf cart or grocery hauler. Suspension is garbage. Parts are hard to come by. Idk me I'd go with the jeep idear. 4x4 diesel jeep always wins in my book.
Fix it up and use it, assuming you can easily get parts for them. The JDM versions have great parts availability but that one is Chinese version and they weren’t particularly the best quality and parts can be tricky. (We sold them for a min years back)
Your in-yard tool kit holder! You now have a mini service truck! (and handy for junk yard trips!)👍🇺🇸😎
No idea why this is happening but 2 different times now I've gotten unsubsribed from your channel. But I'll keep re subbing
My mower is a 1975, my Corvette is 1985, and my Chevy blazer is 2001. When you said it's the newest thing you own I laughed and felt your pride! I buy nothing unless it has a throttle cable and hydraulic brakes. Nothing new junk for me ..
Man, I really want to see something fun out of this, but you can get kei trucks from Japan with long cabs for not a lot of money that is incredible amounts better than this, and already 4wd with lockers. Use the engine for a jeep. It's probably been done before.
I say you swap it to the jeep. The build quality and the amount of parts that you would need to make that decent to drive in the end would not be worth it. You would still have a dong.
I work on those chinese minitrucks but i have never seen a diesel one like this one, nice find, that engine looks to me like an Isuzu knock off, if you need parts for it check any isuzu store it's probably a 2.2 o 2.8 or check the engine in a 53' refeer trailer
feels weird watching this inside my mitsubishi L300... wich that truck seems to be a copy of.
The off-road tires are awesome 👍 and yeah definitely turn it into a little camper too just build an actual camper on there with a bed sink stove etc. I forgot what those campers are called but you get my drift lol but i surely would make some design improvements you can surely install A/C after its all said and done but personally if i had that truck i would improve the bad engineering install an A/C system then build a camper for it not a camper top but one if those campers with a door on the back or hell just get a small pop up camper and slap it on top lol
You can buy linglong tires here in the US I run them on my 2001 Volkswagen they're the cheapest tires you can buy at the tire shop
The cassette player says something about how vintage this car is. Probably made somewhere in the early nineties of lthe previous century.
It's amazing that engine still runs as well as it does if you consider how neglected this vehicle was.
I think a diesel jeep is the way to go. Use parts off this thing to get a jeep running, and it will be more fun in the long run. If this thing was in remotely decent condition it might be worth using but given all of the work it will take to make even sorta right - even assuming you can find a source for parts...that sounds like no fun. Fix a jeep.
Put the diesel in a jeep. The transmission appears to be one of many a problem as is. A little jeep with a diesel would make a nice rock crawler...lots of torque.
Pull the motor and put in a jeep. You can get those mini trucks in 4x4 variety for relatively cheep that are in way better condition then that one. Just my two cents
Put it in one of the jeeps since you obviously kept them around for that exact reason. Then put the pick up bed on it as well...
Diesel jeep. But keep the truck and put a cheap air cooled motor in it. Maybe an old vw motor.
I see ling long tires all the time, it's sad when you see them on a brand new 23 Model S when it shows up to the collision shop!!!!
4wd swap would be so cool. Same thing with a diesel flat fender. Im torn. I want both
That thing is too clapped out to bother with restoring. I like to see a diesel Jeep though!
Yes, put the motor in a flat fender. Assuming you can mate it to a suitable transmission.
Selling it to me would be the best plan.
That thing would be great for a bucket lift I have and strong enough to haul a trailer too. 😁
I'd love to see a flat fender diesel swap!
I think whatever you decide will be cool and fun.
Wow. I really like your style. Instant sub. Thank you for the great content.
Use the diesel in a jeep and turn the trailer in to a towable bed with maybe a PTO powers trailer axle .
Build the diesel jeep you want! Then put a spare l-head jeep engine in your new parts getter truck
one thing i love about these K trucks is that parts are stupidly cheap since most of the time they use generic parts
Diesel Jeep all the way - then convert what's left behind into a trailer with side panels that drop 🙂
Watching it a second time, your face when it doesn’t turn off with the key!
When I wasn’t in sick bay, my professional occupation involved a lot of marine diesels and those usually don’t turn off with the key. So, before starting any diesel, I always check to make sure I know how to stop it. If I can’t find a way, I’ll usually have something I can use to block the air intake, just in case.
I was leaning towards swapping the engine into one of the flat fenders. But then when you fix it up you'll have a nice little runabout truck. So i vote fix it up and find a diesel for the jeep later.
those little mini trucks are a blast sadly they are not road legal in kentucky but a beer can geo metro is fine makes no sense to me lol
You should call Marlin old school garage he got one of those is the extra gear that they took out or block or something
Bolt cab & bed onto jeep frame after swapping diesel onto frame.
I love how you take an absolute POS vehicle and make it work.
Linglongs are a Walmart specials during a Black Friday
build it like a toy...love all the video that your making...and i learn some from your idea and apply some on my cars...
Diesel jeep convert is my vote because i want a diesel jeep too........
Hello from England. Thanks for this and all the other videos; you're one of the most entertaining men on UA-cam and I'm learning lots.
Use the Diesel engine elsewhere and modify the mini truck into a trailer
That is a nice little truck, that rear deck with the sides opening is very handy. The diesel starts easy and sounds great. Great video and awesome commentary.
You sell it to me I been wanting a left hand drive diesel with 4 speed
Looks like a JDM, but obviously from China. How did this get imported into the US, lol. I love how changing gears is like stirring a pot of soup
CNDM
You Sir, are a man after my own heart. I have been trying to talk the wife into getting one, I had one on Okinawa for a while, and they are great. Wife is pretty much a no go what with the RHD. Maybe I will show her this video and let her know how cool they are.
Pretty cool little truck. Amazing that it started up so easily. Sounded good too.
Licenced copy of a Japanese Truck (not micro). All parts form the equivalent japanese truck will be available in Japan, Austrailia, Europe. or in the USA + Shipping. Also may be available south of the USA border.
I found your channel and starting watching when you posted the first video of the bus. Now I watch every video you post so keep them coming...love the content on how you just make something work and don't worry about it being pretty.
looks like a good candidate for a 670cc predator swap
You sound like me, if I had money lol. "I have so many big projects, I know, I'll get a *small* project!" **neglects the bigger projects**
I bot a project a small I like that, another project 👀
😉👍
Dear LBG guy.
👍👌👏 Congratulations for purchasing this vehicle. I'm even a bit jealous. Looks as if nothing is rusted out, not even the brackets. Therefore it seems that the extremely low "mileage" is true. Please do a really good and complete maintenance job (with good engine oil). Please also try to figure out why the engine is rattling so much (or maybe it's only the microphone on the camera?). Because you fit well in the cabin, this little rig could be a very useful member of your fleet. The fuel consumption will be astoningly low. Maybe you could convert the bed to be a dump bed (just like J.C. Smith projects did to an even smaller mini pickup truck). Maybe even to have 4wheel drive!? I'm pretty sure that your kids will love this thing (even looks a bit like a wasp apart from the missing black stripes).
I definitely like it and I would love to own such a vehicle. Especially because of the relatively big cabin, the 4cyl Diesel engine (usually they only have 3cylinder gasoline engines) and the LHD!
Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards, luck and health in particular.
It would be a really neat little 4x4.
Did you see what Grind Hard Plumbing Co. did with one of those little thingies?
Making one which is diesel and all 'automotive' would be pretty cool.