New Washintonian over at PNW

[Tuskano]

What's up, here looking to get into having a low ride once again. I have a US street legal Daihatsu Hijet I will be one day lowering. Already have fender flares I'll be getting on. Maybe someday a engine swap... my list goes on. But so far, have already given her a new gloss white coat of paint and rhinoliner'd the bed. Found her on craigslist down in southern California and havn't regretted buying her. Right now she is my daily to work as she gets used to moving from SoCal to the cold Washinton state.

Also have a 91 3000GT VR4... but the last months I have been more focused on the Hijet. Not sure on the future of the Mitsu as of now.

So now for camera shots!








What I want to eventually get the stance like... the flares are taped on... and the lowering was my photoshopping. The sides of the bed were still drying at the time.


I think my only issues that holds me back from buying stuff to lower it is I am still searching for such items. I know I can flip the leaf springs in the back, but the front I want to find coilovers for. Not just lowering springs.

Most sites that I feel I am the closest to finding such parts are in Japanese, and most likely wont ship to the states. Would be all for putting it on bags, but would have to find someone willing to help out as I don't know anything on them to do that on my own.

As for stretching tires... if I found tires smaller then what I got, I might do that. But that would be another story.

So yeap... HELLO! I look forward to all the fun times. Maybe meet some of you guys in meets and shows and stuff. Oh yea, and made a video of it too.

[P78]

hmz, this is different

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

Welcome!

This thing seems like the perfect candidate for bags. Probably sleeve-style over short struts in the front, and in the rear, I'd remove all the leafs but the main leaf, and sandwich a pair of bags between the axle and the frame, like full-size trucks do.

Pretty rad little truck.

[Mostwanted]

I would love to see some air on this one.

[sleeps]

Holy yes! i want one.

[L_O_O_M]

I'm looking forward to this! Keep the updates coming please. Sub'd.

[Tuskano]

Thanks! Yea this will be the first car I will be having to possibly think outside the box with. Ah the possibilities. When I start stuff on it, I'll start a build thread. I remember one friend saying a engine swap idea for it to be AWD. Getting 2 cbr1000 bike engines and having them side by side while facing in opposite directions while sharing the same oils, ect and being synced. Would be terribly hard... but would be cool if done right and actually worked.

One question however... is it better to fit the fender flares on before I mess with the suspension? I am thinking so, but I wanted to be sure. I might have a shop do that as I don't really have the tools needed if I have to cut into the door. I know I may have to shave my flares to get them to fit right though.

[L_O_O_M]

Not sure about the fender flares, maybe some with a bit more knowledge can help you out. The engine conversion sounds good especially AWD, but it sounds like a lot of work. Maybe you can try a I4 turbo engine like a sr20det or 3sgte. Just need to make sure about turbo clearance. Take some engine bay pics so we can see what you have to work with. Best of luck and looking forward to the build thread.

[Tuskano]

Ah maybe. I know newer truck models had a 3 cylinder turbo diesel option. Mine is also 3 cylinders... 660cc that puts out about 65 ehp. There is a good amount of room under the cab and bed for something bigger. And if I have to, I could cut a bigger hole in to bed for a engine to stick out.

I think I might worry about the flares first as I can have an idea how low to go, so I don't have to just eyeball the hight.

[L_O_O_M]

Just keep in mind the weight of the new engine so that your track doesn't become to nose heavy and tail happy. You might need to mount it back more depending. I had a truck like that just a bit bigger, a 1ton. If you like a bike engine maybe look at a Suzuki Hayabusa engine, its about 1,299cc - 1,340cc and about 160hp - 197hp and rev's to about 10,000rpm.

Sounds good about the flares, are you going to paint them another color?

[Tuskano]

Just keep in mind the weight of the new engine so that your track doesn't become to nose heavy and tail happy. You might need to mount it back more depending. I had a truck like that just a bit bigger, a 1ton. If you like a bike engine maybe look at a Suzuki Hayabusa engine, its about 1,299cc - 1,340cc and about 160hp - 197hp and rev's to about 10,000rpm.

Sounds good about the flares, are you going to paint them another color?

True, well if it ended up being a motorcycle engine, it would possibly be lighter then the stock 660cc, or near the same weight. The good thing is it is a midmounted engine... but yep, I'll take some pictures of the engine bay for you all to see once I clear the bed of some boxes I just moved. I have yet to officially weigh it myself, but the title says mine is 1600lbs lol. A car sized engine would be way overkill, but I have seen Hijet projects involving V8 swaps and complete frame customization. Crazy stuff.

Yea, if I get any cycle motor, the Hayabusa would be the top of my list. I grew in love with that one after seeing someone else fit it in a Hijet truck on youtube and be able to do insant burnouts and donuts on a dime.

I might continue with the white/black theme and paint them black

[t.han]

oh my god this is perfect!

[Tuskano]

An update... Since the last post the Hijet has been off the road due to engine trouble. Had to stop fast to avoid rearending someone and messed the crackshaft up. Not sure what else has broke, but I ended up ordering a stock engine from Yokohamamotors.com and should be getting it next Friday. That is when FedEx says. But yea, just trying to get her reliable now. The engine swap might be the last I'll do.

Since then, I have been having fun with a chinese made Honda Ruckus clone called a Maddog that comes factory stretched. Already lowered the back more on DrowSports coils. Would be a nice addition to have in the bed of a lowered Hijet.