What have I gotten myself into?

[oldfart]

I just recently bought a 1993 Mitsubishi Minicab w/dump bed at an auction. I thought I was buying scrap metal actually, but when I went to pick it up, the warehouse guy told me the auctioneer made a mistake and the one I bought for $25 actually works. I charged the battery, replaced a blown tire and I've driven it a few times now. Runs great, dump bed works fine and I'm VERY happy with it. I'm definitely keeping it!

These trucks are all new to me though, and I've got a few questions I hope someone can answer. From what I can gather, based on model numbers, I've got a 550cc engine. This unit has a 3 speed tranny, yet I can't find any reference to this anywhere. Could this be right or is this some kind of restrictor? Do 3 speeds even exist on these? It obviously has a governer as 25 is tops and a little light even comes on to tell me so. It needs a windshield, it has a plexiglass one now and it's quite weathered, is this something a local glass house might carry? The passenger window is plexiglass too so the same question applies there as well?

That oughta cover it for now, any help would sure be appreciated.

Thanks

[chadhite]

Hey Old Fart,

It sounds like you have a ealry to mid 80's Mits, judging by the 3 speed and 550cc. Here how you tell, look on the driver side seat belt, at the bottom of the belt there will be a tag and it should tell you the year and Make. Now for the model #, check the driver side fender well, inside the cab, and there should be a number stamped into the fender, similar to U12T, U14T, U15T ect.

If you have a 550cc it is at least a 90 or older model.

Any more questions let me know.

[Wolfman]

You did mean 660cc for the 90 or later model right?

[chadhite]

Some 90 models will have 550cc in them, it is rare.

[jliltd]

I just recently bought a 1993 Mitsubishi Minicab w/dump bed at an auction. I thought I was buying scrap metal actually, but when I went to pick it up, the warehouse guy told me the auctioneer made a mistake and the one I bought for $25 actually works. I charged the battery, replaced a blown tire and I've driven it a few times now. Runs great, dump bed works fine and I'm VERY happy with it. I'm definitely keeping it!

These trucks are all new to me though, and I've got a few questions I hope someone can answer. From what I can gather, based on model numbers, I've got a 550cc engine. This unit has a 3 speed tranny, yet I can't find any reference to this anywhere. Could this be right or is this some kind of restrictor? Do 3 speeds even exist on these? It obviously has a governer as 25 is tops and a little light even comes on to tell me so. It needs a windshield, it has a plexiglass one now and it's quite weathered, is this something a local glass house might carry? The passenger window is plexiglass too so the same question applies there as well?

That oughta cover it for now, any help would sure be appreciated.

Thanks

Old Fart:

I think you may well in fact have a 1993 with 550cc. Let me guess. Your truck is 2WD and has the steering wheel on the standard left side like American vehicles. The wheels are 10".

In the early 1990's there were quite a few new Mitsubishi "Might Mitsy" imported into the US specifically configured to meet US regulations. These trucks built for the USA market in were 550cc despite the fact that their domestic Japanese market trucks had transitioned into the 660cc models in 1990. They were not road legal, they had 3-speed transmissions with governors that restricted their speed to 25mph. They had placards all over them stating they were not for highway use. Most were "high tops" meaning the Japanese designers watched a lot of John Wayne movies and figured their little trucks had to accommodate the 10-gallon hats all us Americans wear. Here is a high-top US-model Mighty Mitsy:
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t238/jliltd/HighTop.jpg
Now I may be all wrong on my assumptions (that happens a lot) and you may in fact have a 4WD Japanese-market truck.

As for windshield and door glass. They are in fact very model specific and I doubt your local glass shop would be able to find them. That's probably why the previous owner of your truck went with plexiglass. You can in fact get replacement glass but it can be a hassle. There are US importers, parts supply houses and junk yards that have glass. Most will not ship glass, no matter the pleas. I guess I can't blame them as about 9 out of 10 windshields are broken by UPS, FedEx or motor freight. Just cannot be done. You have to pick up your glass in person. The cost of the glass could be negligible compared to the trip you'd have to make to get it unless you are lucky enough to live near a place like G&R Imports or other glass seller. Since you are into your truck for basically nothing maybe you could afford the cost of getting the glass since your truck will still have a higher market value than what you'll have into it.

[oldfart]

Old Fart:

I think you may well in fact have a 1993 with 550cc. Let me guess. Your truck is 2WD and has the steering wheel on the standard left side like American vehicles. The wheels are 10".

In the early 1990's there were quite a few new Mitsubishi "Might Mitsy" imported into the US specifically configured to meet US regulations. These trucks built for the USA market in were 550cc despite the fact that their domestic Japanese market trucks had transitioned into the 660cc models in 1990. They were not road legal, they had 3-speed transmissions with governors that restricted their speed to 25mph. They had placards all over them stating they were not for highway use. Most were "high tops" meaning the Japanese designers watched a lot of John Wayne movies and figured their little trucks had to accommodate the 10-gallon hats all us Americans wear. Here is a high-top US-model Mighty Mitsy:
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t238/jliltd/HighTop.jpg
Now I may be all wrong on my assumptions (that happens a lot) and you may in fact have a 4WD Japanese-market truck.

As for windshield and door glass. They are in fact very model specific and I doubt your local glass shop would be able to find them. That's probably why the previous owner of your truck went with plexiglass. You can in fact get replacement glass but it can be a hassle. There are US importers, parts supply houses and junk yards that have glass. Most will not ship glass, no matter the pleas. I guess I can't blame them as about 9 out of 10 windshields are broken by UPS, FedEx or motor freight. Just cannot be done. You have to pick up your glass in person. The cost of the glass could be negligible compared to the trip you'd have to make to get it unless you are lucky enough to live near a place like G&R Imports or other glass seller. Since you are into your truck for basically nothing maybe you could afford the cost of getting the glass since your truck will still have a higher market value than what you'll have into it.

Thanks Jliltd. It does look just like that pic, a high top, only no sides on the bed. It is definitely four wheel drive though and the steering wheel is on the left. It also has 12" wheels. My buddy showed me how to clean up the plexiglass with 200 grit sandpaper and rubbing compound, looks great now actually. I'm guessing you're spot on about the made for America thing as this came from the Mirage casino here in Vegas and would have been purchased new I suspect. It has 32,000 miles on it and the gauges are not in kilometers but rather in standard miles.

The more I drive it the more I love it. My son races motocross and we're gonna turn it into the wazoo pit cruiser with lift kit, wheels and tires, radio, paint, diamond plate on the bed, etc. Should be pretty nice some day.

[jliltd]

Sounds like a nice and unusual truck. Since it's 4WD, a US-Import, and has a dump bed it will have a higher value than most other US-Imported trucks.

There is a great product for Plexiglass called "Micro Mesh" that will restore it to new status. It is a mechanical process like the 220 grit sandpaper your buddy showed you. I think it comes with a wheel to put on your drill. There is a chance your windows could be Lexan (polycarbonate) sheet instead of Plexiglass (acrylic sheet and called Perspex by the British). In the case it's Lexan (bullet-proof by nature) it will be much softer and more prone to scratching and fuel will craze the plastic. If it's Plexiglass then it is much harder (but not bullet-proof) and will hold up better as a window and fuel spills won't affect it. If you truck doesn't have AC then the side windows will probably be rolled down most of the time in the Nevada desert.

Our US-Import High Top didn't have side or rear tailgates either. I installed some from a 1993 Japanese Minicab and they worked fine after welding on a couple of extra hinges. Normally wouldn't say it's a big deal for you except you have a dump bed which may beg for some sort of sides to keep loose material inside before you dump it.

[kmoneil]

we're gonna turn it into the wazoo pit cruiser with lift kit, wheels and tires, radio, paint, diamond plate on the bed, etc. Should be pretty nice some day.

Sounds like you got yourself a pretty good deal and I would like to see it when its done!

[unclejemima]

Wow, oldfart, you are a lucky man! Nice snag.
Good thread guys, i never new such a thing existed!? I thought ALL minitrucks were JDM only.
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