siren676

Been tinkering with the truck over the last few months in between picking up renovation parts. Scoured through the catalogs at work to find some replacement rear shocks. Fronts off a mid 80's Chevy Blazer fit perfectly, just needed to slightly increase the diameter of the crush tube. Mates invited me along to the oldschool drags where it got a best time of 21.60@59mph Over the xmas break finally started wrapping the truck with the wrap i bought around xmas the year before 1.5x6m roll of 3M Gloss Black Rose almost finished the whole truck, just got 2 bed sides to finish, and the smaller border of the tray. Will be using bedliner for the inside of the tray and back of the cab.

Parts are hard to find for them over here, i've imported most of my difficult parts from yahoo japan. Oe number for the booster is MR370408, from what i can find over $1k new. Could try something like this if 2nd hand is ok. https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/r1090095794?conversionType=service_page_search

Small antics over xmas, bought a cb radio for it. Then helped a mate re-gravel his driveway, 1/2 cube of gap40 at a time was slightly overloaded but it handled it fine. Finally got some rolling shots too. Getting vinyl wrapped over new years so watch this space...

Small updates. Helped a mate pick up a whole shed from Silverdale. 2 up with a fair bit over the rated capacity it struggled on Albany hill. Even with a run-up it slowed down from slightly north of 100 to 70kph by the top with the accelerator pinned to the floor. That one trip spawned the idea for its new personalised plate. Imported some lowering springs from Yahoo Japan. Rated drop was 35mm front, 50mm rear but it seemed to go a little lower once i replaced the rear bump stops. Very happy with how it sits now. Leaf springs seem to be uprated too as it drove much smoother on a 400kg dump run and still had some travel.

Thought they weren't allowed as most of them block the operation of the indicators

The NC 5 speed box doesn't have an internal drive gear. NC https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/unit?c=Mazda&ssd=%24*KwEIPC09VGJUYlsWc3MLBlBEZGN9DAMODx0OHl5efH4LRVpMIxkPU1daUXoKcgtWWUcLRVVQVntPWxATBlMJfAoLDQwAAAAAJvVUlQ%24&vid=1412980545&cid=&uid=146501&q= NA https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/unit?c=Mazda&ssd=%24*KwHe6vvOqamhv6ii34D92IaSsrWr2tXY2cvYyIiIqqjdk4ya9c_ZhYGMh6yopNiEiZ_dk4OGgK2ZjcbF0IXfqtzd2NsAAAAAF_3U_g%24&vid=1412980575&cid=&uid=203543&q=

Managed to find some factory tailgate chains on yahoo japan. Picked up more ridiculous loads from Bunnings. Had the week off work so grabbed my welder back off my dad and started making some things starting with a rear lumber rack. Between my helmet intermittently turning off giving me arc eye and not touching the welder in 10 years my welds weren't pretty, flux core didnt help either. Hit it with a grinder and rattle can, hasn't fallen apart yet Finally decided to replace the old exhaust with a custom one. Seemed to make a difference replacing the cat converter with a reso, decent sized muffler and moving up from 30mm to 45mm pipe. Very happy with how it came out, didn't want it too loud.

Trucks been doing a fair bit of work over the last year. Taking out a tree for a colleague. Found a tonneau cover that fits very tidily. Found an LSD on yahoo japan, 6" 2-way clutch type 6.666 ratio from a slightly earlier model. Was good that I'd bought it as i discovered the pinion bearing was toast in the original diff while swapping the new one in. Tiny axles on these trucks. Picked up some more windows for the house. And found out that 6m lengths of wood "fit" on it, will be building some front and rear ladder racks shortly. Next mods on the to-do list. -Make the flares out of sheet metal -Fit the new wheels. -Replace the AM radio -Build some limiting straps for the tailgate -Look into importing some lowering springs.

If a deal pops up i say do it! Find myself making excuses to use it, even made some money off doing pickup/deliveries for mates. This ones been really good on gas (even if doing 5.5k @ 100kph) been getting 7.8l/100km no matter how hard i drive it.

Did a little clear out of the garage during lockdown and found my wheel collection so decided to test fit them and see what size flares i need to make. Need at least 60mm for the 6 black wheels and 90mm for the formula mesh. Fitted a Momo Prototipo i forgot i had bought. Picked up a wood lathe and did a couple of near 500kg dump runs. And worked out how to get a stock looking tachometer into it. Discovered on a Japanese forum that the Mitsubishi Townbox dash cluster has identical wiring, just need to run 1 wire from the ecu to the cluster for the tach signal. Works perfect, has a dual trip meter and now know that the limiter is at 7500rpm.

I have considered that route but really don't want to risk breaking an axle since everything has to come out of Japan. Going to grab a Carry or similar kei trucks diff and see if they use the same housing/axle splines/prop shaft flanges. That or wait till another complete Minicab/clipper/townbox diff comes up on Yahoo Japan and get moonlight to bring it in

Thought i'd make a thread to keep track of the progress and antics i get up to with the truck. Basic details. 2005 Mitsubishi Minicab Truck 3G83 - 3cyl 660cc 12 valve SOHC, 10.2:1 compression 5 Speed manual 6.857:1 open diff 14x5.5 +39 wheels with 165/60-14 tyres Moves a surprising amount of weight around, this trip to the dump tipped the scales at 1230kg with a passenger. (Considering its only 700kg dry weight) Also done numerous trips to Bunnings for building supplies and taking my bikes places. Ordered new parts off yahoo japan. Replacement drivers seat belt buckle as it didnt come with one and a factory tool/storage box that bolts under the tray. Future mods planned are different wheels, flares to suit, lowering springs, full paint job and an LSD install once i figure out what fits( factory ones are rare as hens teeth).

Replacement leaf springs it is then

Possibly been covered before but i assume i'd need a cert if i converted my minicab from diff under spring to over spring by getting the perches put on the other side?

Borrowed the brake flaring tool from work and made up some lines to relocate the brake proportioning valve from beside to under the master cyl for more itb clearance. Fitted slightly bigger brakes (255mm front, 250mm rear) off an NA8 MX5 along with braided lines, new pads and rotors. Car stops on a dime now and the handbrake has a lot more bite.