mini trucks

[Pikemaster101]

Does anyone have a mini truck? I have been looking at getting on for a while but they seam expensive. I anyone has one ho much did you spend on it what year is it and how many miles are on it? What is a reasonable price to pay for one that is in good shape with low miles and four wheel drive? also where does a guy look at getting on around Bemidji MN so it does not have to get shipped there.

[Jeremy airjer W]

No he's talking about mini trucks like these

I have been looking at them for a couple of years. The ones with the tracks look pretty sweet. There is one set up like that with a snow blower on the southern shore of mille lacs. Maybe once the kids are out of the house I'll get a little more serious.

[solbes]

Ooops, my bad...

[Phred52]

pikemaster101, Take a drive down 371 to Highway 10, north of Little Falls, but south of Brainerd. There's a number of them for sale at a dealership along the highway near the boat and camper dealerships. They DO look like an interesting little toy. Phred52

[cold one sd]

I have a friend that owns one and he really likes it. The problem that he has is that he needs a tie rod end and has been waiting for it more than a year and a half. He also broke a tail light and ended up glueing the pieces together because he couldn't get a replacement. He also needed new tires and they took over a month to show up after he had a tire store order them for him. Maybe in a more populated area parts may be easier to get. Other than these small problems he really does like the truck. He is looking now for one with the extended cab to have more room.

[CAMAN]

I can't help with a good one or anything like that, but to help ColdOneSD and anyone else, for parts I would look down south. Whenever I go to a place like florida or arizona I see those things everywhere. Landscapers and gardeners love 'em. I'm sure there are junkyards filled with them down there.

[JohnMickish]

They are cheaper than a side by side wheeler, have a windshield and a heater, 4 wheel drive and weigh about the same as a side by side. I don't have one but have thought about it as well. I have seen that either Honda or Toyota build some as well so the quality should be there.

I don't know why these things aren't all over the place up here.

[CJH]

Just out of curiosity, how much does one of those go for? (ball park)

[fiskyknut]

There is a place that sells those little things in Roseau. Right next to the Goodyear place, center of town on 11.

[LightningBG]

I've seen them go for 3500 to 4500, depending on condition.

Here is a good description of the one I saw go for 3500. 2001 Mitsubishi Mini Truck Utility Vehicle, 660cc EFI overhead cam gas engine, 5 speed transmission, push button 4 wheel drive, high and low range, air conditioning, power steering, removable fold down bed sides, 1000lb load capacity, 57,888 miles, running working condition

Heck of a deal if you ask me.

[timjones]

I don't know why these things aren't all over the place up here.

Up until this year they have been illegal on Minnesota roads. Mainly because they don't have to meet Federal safety standards for vehicles. The Minnesota State Legislature passed a bill this year making it a local option as to whether local governments would allow them on the roads. Before you get one you should check with your county, city, township and whatever to find out if you can take them on the roads in your area.

[deadeye]

Huh, never even seen one of these before.

I guess if I had a bit of land it would be the cats meow. A/C, heat, a cab, forget the four wheeler, that would be sweet. I like mitsubishi stuff too so even better. Cheaper than any of the four wheelers we are selling at the HP right now too.

[Surface Tension]

There is a small dealer in my area but I've never seen a mini in operation.

First thing I checked is are they street legal which at the time they were not. I'd imagine they're pretty squirrel on the hwy, not to mention survivability in a crash.

Parts come from Japan(stay away from the China Minis), on-line dealers say they have no problem getting parts in a two week time period. Cost of parts who knows.

Some dealers say you don't want one with many miles on it and 50 K is a lot of mikes for one of these. Since it costs the same to import one with 50k as one with 5k, importers usually pick wisely.

I'd like one too but it is a matter of could I use it.

[RogersResort]

You would be way ahead trying to find a older Suzuki Samurai or a Geo, they are street legal and all kinds of parts are available to repair or modify them.

I have two of them and they are just about impossible to get stuck, winter or summer.

[JohnMickish]

A Samuri or Tracker would be a good choice too, but the weight is substantially more than the mini trucks. I suppose if we are talking road leagal then that is a different story, my thoughts on these trucks would be the same use as a side by side 4 wheeler. The side by sides are not street leagal to the point you can run it down main street either.

I do believe you would not want to run one of these down the road anyway since you are sitting on top of the front wheels. Any kind of a front end accident would probably be a real bad deal, but for cruizing across a field or frozen lake I would think it would be tops.

Why dosen't someone buy one and let us know? I think there is a place in Grand Forks that sells them too.

[Jeremy airjer W]

At the time I was looking at them they where not street legal. You'd have to wonder with the smart car on the road why they wouldn't be!

[zamboni]

I spent over 6 months in Japan in the mid 90s when I was on my ship, these things are as common there as a Ford or a Chevy here. I think the USPS should look into them in the future once all the Jeepsters fizzle out

[deadeye]

I really like the idea of it. Im thinking a 4g63t motor swap outa my Talon into it would be pretty sweet. Little bitty 4x4 truck thing with a 450hp motor what could be more fun? Sounds dangerous and fun. I want one NOW...Too bad I have nowhere to drive it. Bummer.

[JohnMickish]

Do a google search for "mini trucks for sale" and you will find more info than you thought possible. 4 doors, dump beds, flat beds, parts info and everything you might need. Oh, they run on regular 4 wheeler tires so the choices are awsome!

[aczr2k]

Just north of Detroit Lakes on the east side of hwy 59 a guy has a few sitting on a hill. Usually has one on tracks, drive by a couple of times a week but don't remember the number.

[RussC]

Go to Petes Place West/Countryside Restaurant on Hwy2, they had 3 or 5 sitting there for sale last time I drove by.