Jason Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Well, considering the weather we've had lately and the beast of a winter vehicle that I currently have I thought it was time to change up my snow driver. This is my first non Datsun purchase in 10 years... Nissan didn't have anything new or used that I was interested in so I had been shopping around and ended up buying a 1992 Suzuki Carry Kei Van with a Volkswagon Combi body kit. A big thanks to Cam and Andrew for helping me get it home from the dealer in Burnaby! It's a 4 seater micro van in RHD as it was imported from Japan by a local company that deals with these things. It's the 4 wheel drive version (my first 4WD) and has A/C too (the engine rpms really drop when you push the switch in to turn it on!) It's powered by a 657cc N/A carburetted engine making a whopping 42 crank horsepower (take that Cam!) driving through a 5 speed transmission and rolls on 145/70/12 tires on 4" wide rims. It'll do 90km/hr on the highway and takes about 35L of fuel, it's a 10:1 compression ratio engine so I'm running premium gas. The body work is marginal and the paint is pretty bad and it needs work on some things, but, the price was right and it's practical for work. It gets awesome milage, I filled it up on Friday night with 27 litres of premium and I've run off over 200 kilometers on less than half a tank so far. It does need bigger tires though, I've tried out stock 13" 510 steelies with 155/80/13 tires on and they fit with no interference. I'm going to use the 4.5" wide 510 steelies with 175/70/13 snow tires and see how it works through the fall/winter season and decide on new tires in the spring. Unfortunately I only have 3 of the 4.5" wide 510 steelies, anybody got a couple extras? I know you guys like pictures so here we go. Driver's side front quarter (it's RHD) Driver's interior Driver's side Driver's side passenger bench (it's got a sliding passenger door on each side) Driver's rear quarter Rear cargo area (it's pretty big, with the seat up it's 48" wide, 44" tall and 73" deep with the rear bench folded down) Passenger side rear quarter Passenger side (notice the sliding door) Passenger's side bench ( notice the giant sissy bar going across the width of the van behind the front seats) Front passenger seat (funny thing with the seat is it's fixed in place!) Passenger side front quarter Massive 145/70/12 tires, less than 20" tall! Quote Link to comment
72 327 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I would totally drive that around. That would so be better than what Im using now. No room for mini bikes, parts, engines, rear ends, in a 2001 Mercury Sable. lol Oh and dare I stick anything in the back of my truck.... Quote Link to comment
808DA6 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Throw on some 13x9 -5 offset SSR MKII's and send that buggy on its merry way! Hahahaha. Quote Link to comment
stevensonDNL Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I think it's awesome! If you put a snowplow on it, maybe you could get a contract for plowing the sidewalks in your town! Nice ride. Dan Quote Link to comment
Jason Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Thanks guys! I gotta get another 13x4.5" 510 rim though for the snow tires. I've found 3 in my parts stash, but, all of the rest seem to be the 13x4" ones. Funny how the bolt pattern is the same as a 510. The little 13x5.5" mags on this thing stick out an inch from the fender wells, pretty hilarious, I might see if I can get those on instead! Quote Link to comment
Mr. Squirrel Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 that thing looks like a old school VW bus or something from the movie CARS. NEVER seen one till now. That is one sweet looking ride. Quote Link to comment
FoxyRoadster Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 yeah needs some better wheels on the car for sure. Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Looks like it will be fun Jason! Is it 4wd or awd? Mini boogy van Your plate even says B-oogy V-an :lol::thumbup: Quote Link to comment
tdaaj Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 cute little booger, i'm curios if its a part time 4wheel or all wheel also. i say lift it and put some monster 235/75r15's on there. Quote Link to comment
Jason Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 I dunno what kind of system it has. It has an "axel lock" button on the dash and a "4WD" button on the shifter. Any clues as to how to tell. This is my first 4WD/AWD vehicle, I've always driven RWD until this beast .... Anyone know where I can score some inexpensive "moon eye" chromie style hub caps for a 13" rim? I think it'd look even more rediculous with those on! Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 (edited) Have you looked to see if it has auto lock hubs? Does it have high/low range on the buttons? Where is the motor in it?Cant really tell from pics. Edited October 20, 2009 by 510freak Quote Link to comment
Jason Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 There is no hi/low range on the buttons Lou. The engine is in the rear under a hatch in the cargo compartment behind the rear bench seat. Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Hmm,Wonder if it had electric diff lockers? Really the motor is under the cargo area:blink: Quote Link to comment
Jason Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Yup, it's in the back. The oil dipstick is in the right rear wheel well. The oil fill is in a hatch under the passenger bench, battery is under the passenger bench etc ... Lots of goofy stuff with this van, that's for sure. Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Yup, it's in the back. The oil dipstick is in the right rear wheel well. The oil fill is in a hatch under the passenger bench, battery is under the passenger bench etc ... Lots of goofy stuff with this van, that's for sure. Pics Jason:D So you go in the wheel well to check the oil :blink: Quote Link to comment
Jason Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 I'll take some more pics for you later Lou, I'm eating supper now and I'm not going back outside, it's bloody cold tonight! Yup, took 2 mechanics and Cam and I 5 minutes to find the bloody thing too! I still haven't figured out how to flush the radiator yet, hell, I haven't found the rad yet! The brake master is in the dash behind the instrument cluster/steering wheel! Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 I'll take some more pics for you later Lou, I'm eating supper now and I'm not going back outside, it's bloody cold tonight! Yup, took 2 mechanics and Cam and I 5 minutes to find the bloody thing too! I still haven't figured out how to flush the radiator yet, hell, I haven't found the rad yet! The brake master is in the dash behind the instrument cluster/steering wheel! No rush but I have to see this Jason!! Wonders where rad is:lol: Is there a remote filler for the master? Quote Link to comment
Jason Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Nah, if you look at the picture of the drivers side the hatch is missing on the side of the dash and you can see the master cylinder right there! I can't find the clutch master though! I'm going to buy the english translation of the shop manual tomorrow and see what it says. It's $89.95! Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Nah, if you look at the picture of the drivers side the hatch is missing on the side of the dash and you can see the master cylinder right there! I can't find the clutch master though! I'm going to buy the english translation of the shop manual tomorrow and see what it says. It's $89.95! Ah yes I see it now, 90 bucks for a manual !! Better be a very well detailed one :blink: Is it hydraulic clutch?Or cable?:mellow: Quote Link to comment
Jason Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Yah know, it feels like a cable so there shouldn't be clutch master I'm thinkin'. The shifter linkage is super sloppy though and I can't find a place to put my cofee holder! Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Put the coffee cup between the seat and the ebrake lever:lol: Quote Link to comment
Guest 510kamikazifreak Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 What is that white plastic thing under the far right(drivers side)pedal? A governor ? Quote Link to comment
Jason Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Well, it's a governor of sorts I think. I believe it's a throttle stop. Dang, I need to get a tach into this thing, I'm winding it up through the gears like a racing 510 L motor and traffic just pulls away from me until I get it into 4th! It's hilarious, isn't anyone wants to stay behind me, but, so far no one gets mad, they just stare or smile as they pass me! Quote Link to comment
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