So why are our trucks illegal, yet......

[98 SNAKE EATER]

these are :confused:

http://craziestgadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/bumper-car-car.jpg
http://blog.makezine.com/upload/2008/06/bumperCars061208.jpg

http://craziestgadgets.com/2008/06/17/street-legal-bumper-cars/

[Subaru]

AWESOME-thoose are the sort of things I like to build between oher projects:cool:

[kmoneil]

Cause it looks like they go through some serious testing to make them legal. $50,000 to make them legal is what is show under that one picture.

Quote from the site.

"These cars somehow cost $50,000 to retrofit to make them street legal! That’s a lot of money per pound of car…inch of car… cubic foot of car?? How do you quantify a car? One of life’s great mysteries. Anyway, they do look pretty ridiculous, but probably not any more than anyone driving around a giant yellow Hummer these days."

[jtpc]

I don't care if they do cost $50,000 for cost and testing, I'd rather be in a collision in my mini-truck than crash one of those anyday.
I can't believe that would be safer than a mini-truck.

[kmoneil]

I'm not saying that I wouldn't either. I wouldn't want to be driving/riding in a lot of "legal" vehicles/motor bikes.

But that's the issues.

[chickendumpling]

Circus bumper cars on wheels :eek:

Just crazy...Spock would not find the logic in all of this ;)

[gregw98]

Subaru, I know what you mean about projects. These are a few that I built recently. The barstool racer was build from scratch, the wagon is a standard Radio Flyer with a 6" lift kit and Golf Cart wheels and tires.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/gregw98/Barstool20Racer3.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/gregw98/100_0764.jpg

[bullitt4248]

First of Mini
New law paves the way for Japanese mini-trucks to roam Tulsa streets

BY BRIAN ER


Hip My Ride. "They're like European smart cars, but Okie-style," state Rep. Don Armes told UTW.
ALSO IN CITY, STATE, COUNTY, EDUCATION

More (80)...They're somewhat of an exotic species here in Tulsa, but Japanese mini-trucks might soon be as prevalent in urban and suburban Oklahoma as they are in Asia, thanks to a new state law that passed this year.

"They're like European smart cars, but Okie-style," state Rep. Don Armes told UTW.

The Republican from Faxon is one of the lawmakers responsible for making them street legal, starting in November when his new law takes effect.

They're currently in use as off-road vehicles by an unknown number of ranchers and farmers throughout rural Oklahoma, but some are predicting that mini-trucks' miniscule appetite for gasoline will make them a common sight in Tulsa and other urban areas within the next year or so, once they're legal.

They get between 30-40 miles per gallon, depending on the model.

"I think you're going to see a lot of people using them because of the (gas) mileage. I think the mileage is going to sell them," said Armes.

They max at about 55 mph, though, so they won't be allowed on interstates or turnpikes, but they should be perfect for getting around Tulsa's city streets.

Most Americans are already familiar with the manufacturers that make them, like Mitsubishi, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, etc.

As anyone who's been there knows, they're all over the place in Japan and other parts of Asia, where vehicles are typically small and designed to maneuver in densely populated urban areas with limited space and parking.

A typical mini-truck is about 10 feet long, five feet high, four feet wide, and the bed is about six feet long.

They've also got all the bells and whistles a typical American car has: headlights, blinkers, windshield wipers, seatbelts, an enclosed cab, heaters, AC (sometimes), cushioned seats and the rest.

Many are four-wheel drive, with 35-45 horsepower engines and they typically have a carrying capacity of about 1,200-1,500 lbs.

But, because of their size, they don't meet safety standards for on-road registration in the United States, with the obvious exception of Oklahoma once the new law takes effect.

Tiny Town

A few years ago a number of Oklahomans caught on that they're ideal for use as all-terrain vehicles on farms or ranches.

"These little deals are very efficient," said Armes, who is a rancher when he's not at the state Capitol.

"For me, out in the country, I can feed cattle out of these a whole lot cheaper than I can feed cattle out of my one-ton feed truck that I use with a 454 Chevrolet engine, and I've got about a ten-mile round trip when I go feed all my cows. So, if I get one, I can run around the country a whole lot cheaper than I can in that big pickup," he said.

Along with their efficiency, the lawmaker also said slightly used mini-trucks are readily available from Japanese dealers eager to export them.

"Over in Japan, with their emissions standards, when you get over about 50,000 miles on a vehicle, they tax you very heavily, to give people the incentive to buy newer vehicles that meet the most efficient emissions standards, so they unload them over here with 40,000 or 50,000 miles on them," Armes explained.

"I don't know how long they'll go, but they're very well-built, so I'm going to say, if a guy takes care of one, he'll get a lot of miles out of it," he added.

Armes said he doesn't know how many people have them in Oklahoma right now because they're not registered, so there's currently no way to track them.

There are four or five businesses in Oklahoma that import and sell them, including All-American Mini-Trucks (530-1383) in Pryor.

Tiger Trucks (647-4000) in Poteau also sells them.

They import the parts from China and put them together in Oklahoma.

A used mini-truck imported from Japan with about 50,000 miles on it costs approximately $4,000-$5,000, depending on what equipment comes with it.

"They can put lift-kits on them and they can really jazz them up. A lot of guys are putting camo-wraps on them for hunting vehicles and stuff like that," said Armes.

A brand-new mini-truck like the vehicles assembled by Tiger Trucks, costs $8,000-$10,000.

Attack of the Minis

Armes and others foresee that the state's population of mini-truck dealers and drivers is about to multiply.

"I'm sure a lot more customers are going to spring up," predicted Bill McCown, who owns and operates Texoma Mini Trucks in Sherman, Texas, which is about 10 minutes outside Oklahoma (20 minutes, maybe, if you're driving a mini-truck).

"I think the demand is going to outrun the supply," said Armes.

He filed the bill at the request of many of his constituents, who had rural, agricultural uses in mind, like driving into town to buy parts and cattle feed and other supplies.

Because of rising gas prices, he said there's a lot of excitement about them from urban and suburban Oklahomans.

"There's a lot of interest in this. I did not anticipate the number of people that were interested until we started the bill, and then all of a sudden I'm getting call after call after call about people wanting to know about them, how do they do it, what's the criteria and just the whole deal," said Armes.

"Which has been kind of neat because, you know, when you run a bill out there, you never know who's going to shoot at it if you run it up the flagpole, and this thing ended up growing quite a bit of legs," he added.

"I have a guy in Lawton who's a pool guy, and he's really anxious to get his pool maintenance guys in them because, if they can drive them around town, they can service pools and they can carry all their stuff. A lot of them are four-wheel drive, so he's looking to use them in his pool business, which makes perfect sense. It's that or a Ford Ranger, and you can run these cheaper than a Ford Ranger," Armes related.

He said he and co-author Sen. Mike Schultz, R-Altus, aren't the first to try to make mini-trucks street-legal in Oklahoma, though.

He said Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Dacoma, who tried and failed to get the same legislation passed a few years ago, told him, "I can't believe you're getting this passed."

"Well, it was a perfect storm, as far as fuel prices being where they are and the utility of these little trucks, and we thought it's a good time to do it, and obviously it was," Armes responded.

"Timing has everything to do with the success of a rain dance," he added, quoting humorist and commentator, Baxter Black.

[GASSITT]

I WAS !!! looking to buy a mini truck in Phoenix , guy SAYS he has a Daihatsu , wants $ 5000. CASH for it , says its licensed in AZ and he runs it down the freeway past the cops at 75 MPH , BUT !!! wants me to pay him cash and he will give me a bill of sale while he is waiting for his title to be made in south Dakota before he gets me one in AZ , in Phoenix we need emission test , he says they pass no problem what do you guys think ,

[Mighty Milt]

let me see if i can set the record straight....

yes i'm asking $5k for the daihatsu

no, i never said it was licensed in arizona... it WAS licensed in south dakota

yes, i have cruised past police on hiways marked at 75mph.

yes, cash is the best way for a purchase... it's the check that never bounces & the gift that always fits :D

no, i'm not waiting for a title to be made in south dakota, i'm waiting for my original import doc to be returned to me since they rescinded my title, at which time i will have no problem having arizona issue a proper title for the vehicle.

i went through emissions in phoenix and the truck passed with flying colors. it is OBDII compliant (look it up on the internet, that means the emissions computer links with the truck to say if there are any emission fault codes), and that was when i was having it tested as a road going vehicle when the MVD gave me yet another hoop to jump through.

but, when i finally have it registered here, when south dakota sends me back all my import docs, it will be registered as an ATV and the only emission testing it will need will be an idle test. the truck is equipped with o2 sensors and a catalytic converter which are all in good working order.

Gassitt, please stop trying to make me look like a liar. if you are trying to sling mud, i will continue to rebut your allegations to keep my name in the clear. had you listened a little more carefully to how i answered your questions you would not be searching for other input. there are a lot of mini trucks for sale, i even refered your phone number to a dealer to see if he could be of any help in you obtaining a mini truck.

just before you hung up on me, before the yelling and name calling began, i told you i didn't want to sell YOU my truck, because it seemed like it would be more a pain in the *** than it was worth.

i can only wonder how many other prospective purchases you have ruined with your rudeness.

cheers
milt

[jtpc]

:) Don't worry Milt, those of use who've been on the site awhile know you've got a good reputation.
I'm sure you handled it correctly.

[B Thompson]

Milt is a good man and straight up to deal with.
The Mini truck community is small . I have been talking to Milt on a regular basis and find him to be a helpful with mini truck issues.
Bruce.

[Mighty Milt]

bruce,

this is the guy that i sent you the number for, maybe you can hook him up with a truck?

i just heard back from bill and he said my paperwork is finally headed my way and i should have mine registered maybe next week?

if you can, set this guy up with a truck, he's been looking for one with a title for over a year.

cheers
milt

[chickendumpling]

I WAS !!! looking to buy a mini truck in Phoenix , guy SAYS he has a Daihatsu , wants $ 5000. CASH for it , says its licensed in AZ and he runs it down the freeway past the cops at 75 MPH , BUT !!! wants me to pay him cash and he will give me a bill of sale while he is waiting for his title to be made in south Dakota before he gets me one in AZ , in Phoenix we need emission test , he says they pass no problem what do you guys think ,

I think GASSITT brought this issue up under another thread started by GASSITT. Why bring it up here as its off topic?

Sale didn't happen for whatever reason - seller or buyer. Move on - it happens.

[tmikewww]

Milt, I don't believe that I would be "referring" a person like this to anyone I wanted remain "friends" with, or to anyone I wanted to continue having a "good working" relationship" with. In 39 years in the "automobile" business, I still remember the (2) people I refused to sell a vehicle because of the attitudes they had, just like "GASSITT". The "problems" after the "sale" was not worth any amount of "commissions" that were going to be paid.
"Hang" in there Milt, we all know from being on this "site" that you are "up front, straight forward,and one of the most knowledgeable of people. Don't let some "JERK" "Rattle" your cage!

[GASSITT]

MILT tells me that his Mini WAS !!! licensed in S.D, BUT !!! he is waiting for his original inport paperwork to come back to him so he can give it to me SOOOO after i pay him $ 5000. I !! can go to Phoenix MVD and get a title and registration for miself , WHICH !!! he hasn't been able to do himself , WELL MILT !!! you just keep looking for someone REALLY STUPID !!!

[miniman]

Jesus dude, give it a rest already:frustration:

[GASSITT]

OK Simple question ??? with my $ 5000. to $ 10,000. can i buy a Mini truck that i can legally drive ON THE STREETS of AZ and get emission tested and insured in Phoenix Arizona ?

[tmikewww]

GASSITT, why not get a life and MOVE ON! Your rambling, worthless, meaningless, no one cares, or gives a SH#T, is getting old!

[greg0187]

OK Simple question ??? with my $ 5000. to $ 10,000. can i buy a Mini truck that i can legally drive ON THE STREETS of AZ and get emission tested and insured in Phoenix Arizona ?

Here you go.

http://www.minitrucktalk.com/showthread.php?t=3644

[Mighty Milt]

the reason mine isn't legal right now is becuase i didn't know what to do, neither did MVD. now with them becoming more popular MVD has set up rules for their registration. seeing how chris' is street legal should give you the notion that i'm not crazy for saying it can be street legal. and no, i'm not looking for someone stupid, just a straight shooter trying to sell one of my toys to offset some bills.

[canadian1]

the reason mine isn't legal right now is becuase i didn't know what to do, neither did MVD. now with them becoming more popular MVD has set up rules for their registration. seeing how chris' is street legal should give you the notion that i'm not crazy for saying it can be street legal. and no, i'm not looking for someone stupid, just a straight shooter trying to sell one of my toys to offset some bills.

milt; pls. pass this on to those in command. either shut down this forum or quit using foul language.

[Mighty Milt]

canadian,

:confused: where did i use foul language??

[Acerguy]

I think we're done here.