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Mini Truck
Buyer's Guide
We are
often asked "what to look for" when buying a Mini Truck,
especially from customers that have no experience with the
industry or trucks. We've assembled this buying guide from
an objective standpoint to help you become an educated and
informed consumer
before you spend a dime with us, or anyone else for that matter.
This guide has been compiled from our own experience, as well as
the best advice offered from other top dealers.
The Dealer
First and
foremost: find a dealer that you feel comfortable working with Remember: how a dealer treats you initially should speak volumes
about how they will take care of you down the road. If they don't seem to have the
 time to
answer all of your questions on the front end of a transaction, then you should consider moving-on
to one that will take the time to help you make an informed
decision. The term "shop around" really has a different
meaning when searching for the perfect mini truck. While
buying local may seem like the best option for some people
because of the fear of working with a dealer a distance away,
know that the "mileage factor" isn't always the source of a good
or bad experience. Not all dealers are created equal,
either with their customer service abilities, or the caliber of
the trucks that they sell. It is VERY worthwhile for
someone on the market for a mini truck to look at multiple
dealers and what they have to offer. With the recent
changes in import guidelines and changes to the industry, many
of the "shady" dealers that were selling what we would consider
parts trucks at premium prices have fallen by the wayside
(but there are some still out there!).
We share the same philosophy as the handful of other top
quality dealers across the U.S. and Canada: QUALITY over
QUANTITY. This
exact principle is what has helped us grow
to where we are today. We treat our customers that are
hundreds or thousands of miles away just the same as we do the
guy next door: with respect and appreciation just like we would
expect to be treated. We stand behind the product we bring
to market and will always support our customers to the fullest
extent possible. We started out in the industry the same
as you: as hobbyists and enthusiasts who really saw the
potential in these little work-horses. We simply grew
tired of being asked, "Where can I get one of those?" It's
a common phrase shared amongst the respectable dealers in the
industry who all seem to share the same roots. Remember:
ask lots of questions and feel
 comfortable that those questions
have been answered before you make a decision. If a
dealer
is not investing their time into helping you, then you probably
don't want to invest your money with them! Shop smart and
know that you will take home the best utility vehicle money can
buy!
Now, let's take a look at the trucks themselves and talk a
little about what
you should look for as an informed consumer.
The
Trucks
Mini Trucks are widely available from 6 major
manufacturers in Japan: Suzuki, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Daihatsu,
Honda, and Subaru. Suzuki, Mazda, and Autozam trucks
all share the same parts and chassis and are commonly cross-referenced.
We deal with far more Suzuki, Mitsubishi, and Daihatsu trucks on
a routine basis so we will cover these manufacturers in this
guide. We've listed the main manufacturer-specific
advantages and disadvantages below to help you narrow down your
search criteria.
Suzuki:
+
Most popular truck line in North America based
upon sheer numbers and availability.
+
Wide range of 4WD options such as Differential locks
+ Widest range of aftermarket accessories
- Smallest of the Mini cab truck configurations
- Radiator in the front
of cab (mid 90's models) and can be
susceptible to damage
Mitsubishi:
+
More leg room in cab than Suzuki for larger operators
+ Radiator under seats and well-protected
+ Wide range of aftermarket accessories
Daihatsu (Toyota):
+
More leg room in cab than Suzuki for larger operators
+ Radiator protected
under drivers seat in front of engine.
+ Wide range of aftermarket accessories
What
we look for when buying a Mini Truck...
Frame, Chassis and underbody:
Most Mini Trucks from
Japan are built and delivered new with a
white-painted
frame and underbody. This should be a
point to look for the reasons we've listed below:
Re-painting:
Is something being covered-up? Consider
asking the seller why the frame has been re-painted new white or undercoated
black if you're questionable. Look for welded
metal patches or other signs of repair
that might be cloaked from easy view because of new paint.
While a fresh paint job is never a bad thing by itself, it
should always raise a question as to why.
Rusting:
Mini
Trucks will show slight
rusting over time along areas of unibody and frame component
joints, etc. While this is normal and to
be expected, it can be an indicator
of excess usage that
does not match mileage of the truck.
Look under the front body panels for signs of rust
or rust-through. This is where you will
generally find the first signs of any
serious rot on the body, which will also serve
as a very good indicator of
mileage and usage.
Wear
Gives
Usage and Age
Indications:
The Drivers side
wheel well and lower door panel will
always show paint wear
and rub marks from sliding in and
out of the truck. The wheel well and lower door panel
are often repainted for two purposes: One, to cover-up
the usage
indicator and two, to allow for a better, cleaner
appearing truck interior overall.
Again, this is not a negative indicator but
rather a gauge of usage.
Underbody Steering and Axles:
We
inspect the undercarriage of every
truck checking the CV boots,
steering linkage, and arms
for signs of damage or replacement. Seldom is there a problem in
this area other than torn CV boots.
Clutch and shifter cables:
Tip
about the ever-popular Suzuki DD51T and
DB51T:
It’s important to always make sure to check that the 4x4
shifter/cable is working and not stuck. It is a common problem in
the Suzuki’s that have sat un-used for long
periods of time. Also, by looking at the end of the clutch cable (at
the transmission end) - if you see no thread left that means
that the clutch is gone and needs to be replaced.
Determining the Mileage:
Again, use your wear indicators to help determine if the numbers
on the clock actually represent the trucks true mileage.
Since the older, mid 90's trucks only have 5
digits in their odometer, one way to tell if they are really under
100,000kms is to look at the accelerator rubber pad.
Being made from rubber, they
clearly show their wear. I've seen
several "10,000
kms" trucks with wear indicators
dictating otherwise. That tells me
the odometer has rolled at some point and the
truck has been presented as something it is not. Proceed
cautiously if you're observing wear indicators not matching the
mileage presented on the truck!
Interior of Cab:
It seems most Japanese
operators
are smokers as indicated by the number of dirty trucks
we’ve seen.
A clean, well cared-for interior is a sign the truck was well cared
for overall. Torn seat upholstery is a
common find among mid to high mileage trucks that have seen hard
service. This can sometimes be another indicator of wear
and tear not represented by what the odometer is telling you.
Exterior of Truck:
Many of these trucks
were sold through auction houses where the
potential buyer was only supplied with several pictures and
vague condition reports. Often times, slight body
imperfections were given a quick “cheap” paint spray.
The idea
here was to bring a better price. But as you are able
to see your potential purchase firsthand you will be able to
determine the degree of imperfections you are willing to accept.
While the cleaner the truck, the higher the cost, it shouldn’t
always be
your primary concern.
Engine, Steering, Running:
We
always start and run all of our trucks,
letting them idle to operating temperature. This lets
us see if
the thermostat or radiator has any issues to be addressed. A rev
test will let you know if there is anything loose or wrong within
the engine. Finally, driving the truck will allow you to check the steering,
acceleration and braking. This should be
offered by the dealer or seller to ensure that everything is
operating as expected.
Price: (What’s that truck worth?)
This is the big issue.
Are you looking for the most for your dollar or the
BEST for your
dollar? These are
always two different things.
Here are the main components used to dictate the pricing set on
a truck:
- Condition of truck (interior and
exterior)
- Options such as 4WD (Hi-Lo, Diff Locks,
etc), A/C, Dump Beds
- Model Year and Mileage
- Repair costs to the dealer (if any other than typical prep)
- Freight costs to acquire a specific truck (not always a direct
import)
- Any aftermarket accessories installed
We
hope that this guide will help you in your hunt for the perfect
Mini Truck. As always, feel free to call us or email us if
you have further questions before you make a purchase!
Email:
sales@badgerlandminitrucks.com
Call Toll-Free:
1-866-373-0829 |
