Mini truck

Ok so Minitrucks, who's into them? Since I sold the GTI, which was a mistake but now selling the Corolla, I was thinking a truck. I have always loved trucks both 4WD and mini trucks Cousin was into them, friends are into them. With me though, along with cars i'm into them for what they are, not just for the scene. I was wondering if anybody knows or did autocross or track a pickup? That's my GRM side and I don't see any others in mini trucks that's like me in the sense of, I love the bagged look but you'll see me tear up a track.

Basically, since I don't really know much about the workings of them what would be the best setup to get low for shows but at the same time handle? I was thinking bagged I was looking at a T100 to start with.

I know i'm kind of asking the wrong forum LOL

I'd like a Mini pick up as well, but more like this one.

i tracked a first gen S10 and autocrossed it for the last few years.

had a hell of a lot of funn with it. but at the end of the day, i sold it to build a fullsize daily.

Michael

Mini trucks you say? Like this?

Bagged is going to be your best bet, though your tanks are going to weigh a ton. There was some experimentation/limited release of a performance bag setup in the Subaru market some years ago, designed to replace coilovers. Given that nearly everyone is STILL on coilovers, I don't think it worked too well. What would worry me is the lateral forces applied to bags, with the possibility of ripping them.... though I imagine a good bag kit would be strong enough. Other than that, it really depends on how low you want to get. If you're looking to drag frame, you're talking a c-notch, a body drop, custom spindles, bagged cut bed, the works. NOT something you're gonna want to autocross. Now if you're looking for a wicked stance, a modified Nissan hardbody with a boosted KA on some drop coils and revalved shocks would be pretty wicked, or a Toyota Tacoma..... whatever you do, use a 2wd truck Transfer cases DO NOT LIKE being required to work with u-joints that are at awkward angles.

Dusterbd13 wrote: i tracked a first gen S10 and autocrossed it for the last few years. had a hell of a lot of funn with it. but at the end of the day, i sold it to build a fullsize daily. Michael

got more info on that s10?... what kind of stuff did you do to it?... i've come into an '88 2.5l s10 that doesn't run... I need ideas lol

Yes like that haha which is NASTY See that's the thing, i'm just wondering HOW MUCH I will actually run and I mean come on, layin frame....yes So yeah I was thinking that, I always wanted a boosted 4.7 in a 80's 90's Toyota, but not sure how performance oriented it would be but at the same time, not a full laying frame show truck. I just want to have fun haha

I saw some tanks that boost out crazy air that don't weigh much but the tank will give some needed wieght to the bed? And as far as the abuse, I mean if these muscle cars can handle with em, I don't see what a mini truck will do differently. Convince me, go full out laying frame or still low to be built for handling?

and I always thought the rule was.....2WD: slam it, 4WD: lift it

T.J. wrote: I'd like a Mini pick up as well, but more like this one.

you and me both! airbags on that puppy!

In reply to NickF40:

Laying frame is going to make the truck almost unusable from a performance perspective. Think of it this way- not even the best road cars in the world lay frame. They have the corresponding wheel arches and all of that. Not to mention, your suspension geometry is going to be so far out of whack, that thing may well blow off the front subframe with the first pebble. I'm sure one could be built, but you're looking at silly time and money. Might as well build a tube chassis stuffed full of 2jz and get some old craftsman truck panels if you're going to go that route.

urgh I don't know what to do, I don't have tons of money too and I really don't see myself autocrossing this thing a whole lot.

Define "tons" of money. IF you've got the skill, you can skrape for a few $$$, just have to notch it, and get creative with the spindles etc. Throw a couple K there, get another couple K and toss into miata. That way you get both! Otherwise, see my previous statement. Find you a Nissan hardbody with a KA, find some neglected pre-bag/hydro lowlow and hork the suspension bits for the drop, scavenge a turbo kit off a sneezed dorifto machine, stuff it in the previously mentioned hardbody, buy up some used diamond racings, paint em some obnoxious color, stick fat meats on em... and go party it up. You'll have WAY more fun in a hoon monster like that than showing people your key fob doesn't fit under your rocker. Trust.

hahahahaha JDMDriftYO it out! Yeah the drift Hardbody would be my direction but not tons of money means I don't have 5 grand to put in it lol I like the "different" aspect of it for sure though

I was thinking of doing that, the throwing a few K in a Miata or something haha have some real fun!

Yeah i'll most likely just go with the "pickup" but the thing that sucks is theres a nice cheap Miataaround me too.....and I can only afford one

Fun hells yeah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzO7OfyqSTY

Yeah that cracks me up everytime I see it haha and that thing is NASTY sounding

donalson wrote:

Dusterbd13 wrote: i tracked a first gen S10 and autocrossed it for the last few years. had a hell of a lot of funn with it. but at the end of the day, i sold it to build a fullsize daily. Michael

got more info on that s10?... what kind of stuff did you do to it?... i've come into an '88 2.5l s10 that doesn't run... I need ideas lol

http://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?43374-project-drivabeater

hows that for all the info you could ever want? have a good read. its fairly entertaining.

Oh cool, your at Pro Touring! Yeah that sites a bad influence. I'm going to wait until I have a garage and more money for that haha

bags can be made to handle if they are plumbed right.

best sugestion i can make is that you pick a set ride height that is in the sweet spot of the geometry that you are working with. eneral rule fo thumb on double a-arm suspensions is to have the LCA about parallel with the ground. use this as your ride height setting for autocross, as well as alignment. may not be the best for street, or looks, but for a dual purpiose machine.

also, when doing the bagging, make sure you design it right. use taller spindles if you can, set it up to retain sway bars, build in strength, etc.

and if you ask me, a good c-notch, with dang near laing frame, but not "cut a huge frigging hole in the bed, tub the cab, etc" build is much more practical. not as cool or low, but more usable. (granted i amy be the oly guy thats debating bagging his daily truck to make it ride better, not lay put)

michael

Thanks for the info. and do it my good sir! I wouldn't see why not

haha I mean, I wouldn't go in no means extreme but i'll do some minor touches and yeah I want it low but you you know, you have to sacrifice laying frame and throwing sparks I guess for practical and dual purpose yeah pretty much want that!

I want his setup!