Looking for a Scrum + Questions

[MazKid]

Hi, I'm new here. Recently, I came across Kei trucks...I always knew about them, but never thought about them being availible in the US...but they are, and lots of them. So it got me thinking...small but very capable truck, sounds like fun.

After doing some research, I'm confused as to the legality of these things on public roads in Missouri. Just looking on MO mini truck dealer's web sites, some say they aren't legal, others say they are but not on highways. So...are they? I know they can't easily be licensed, which doesn't seem like a big deal to me as I'm a Mazda new car salesman and have a dealer plate I could slap on the thing and drive with atleast a bit of confidence.

I've also read that a lot of these trucks are governed...from what I gather most have a shift blocking plate...is there another way they are governed? Is the shift blocker as simple as it sounds, as it can be removed easily?

Now, onto the truck itself...I'm looking for a Mazda Scrum...yeah yeah, I know it's the same as a Carry, but I'm a Mazda enthusiast so I need the Mazda version. It's just one of those things. From what I gather, the Scrums are pretty rare compared to the Carry.
1. I know some of these are 550CC and some are 660CC...I'd be looking for a 660(Again, driving on the street, I must have as much power as I can so I'd even be looking at mods and possibly turbocharging sometime later). Is there a specific year change from 550 to 660?
2. So some are 4 speeds, some are 5, and some are 6(5 + Extra low)? How common are those 6 speed trucks? I was tracking one on eBay in Arkansas that was the 6 speed but the auction ended "reserve not met".
3. The 4WD system...I've read that some have locking hubs, some have limited slip diffs, some are just 4WD. How can I tell which is which?
4. What is the lug pattern on these trucks? Looking at it they almost look like 4X110(as in 1st gen RX-7 pattern) but others look like the smaller 4X114 like many other Mazdas. Again, using it on the road so it'll have road tires probably bigger diameter than the stock tires for higher top speed(dare I drive it on the highway?).
5. What are the year runs? The trucks I've seen either have a squared dash or round dash, I know the round is newer but how much newer...and the headlights, some are round, some are sqaure, what years?

I think that's it, so far. Can anyone get me a Scrum? To sum it up, I want a 660CC, round headlight style, 4WD 6 speed(or 5 speed), A/C if easily availble.

Anyone?

-Ryan

[Colin]

The limiter is very easily removed - it's usually just a gate box welded around the shifter and a little standoff under the pedal. 'Course you'll be breaking the law by doing so.

Colin

[Cape Ape]

I've got one if you can't find one closer.

[MazKid]

Thanks for the offer. I know I can find one closer, it just comes down to options, price and availability. I guess I need to start calling around here and seeing if I can find one.

[charlie@mandm]

Ryan,

I have been selling these trucks in SE MO for over four years now,if you get caught by the MO HP driving one on the road they will , at the least , ticket you. Whatever you do, DO NOT put a D-tag on the truck. I have customers that used to drive them to town for farm business only and they can't even do that now. I just recently had a guy buy one who owns 600 acres,he called the HP to ask if he could drive it on a state hwy. from property to property, they told him NO. There is a bill in the house right now that if passes will allow them on all raods except interstates in MO. If you have any questions just call your local HP headquarters.


Charlie Mcconnaughay
MandM Tractor
mandmtractor.com
573-354-2422

[MazKid]

Ryan,

I have been selling these trucks in SE MO for over four years now,if you get caught by the MO HP driving one on the road they will , at the least , ticket you. Whatever you do, DO NOT put a D-tag on the truck. I have customers that used to drive them to town for farm business only and they can't even do that now. I just recently had a guy buy one who owns 600 acres,he called the HP to ask if he could drive it on a state hwy. from property to property, they told him NO. There is a bill in the house right now that if passes will allow them on all raods except interstates in MO. If you have any questions just call your local HP headquarters.


Charlie Mcconnaughay
MandM Tractor
mandmtractor.com
573-354-2422

Thanks for the advise...I did see that bill while searching the net for info. I sure hope it passes. I guess it would be a good idea for me to wait until it does(or doesn't) before I really try to buy one.

[iowaminitrucks]

Hello,

I have a 1992 Mazda 77,018 KM 4 spd with Differential and axle lock. check my website for other trucks available www.iowaminitrucks.com

[Colin]

Thanks for the advise...I did see that bill while searching the net for info. I sure hope it passes. I guess it would be a good idea for me to wait until it does(or doesn't) before I really try to buy one.

Good idea - it would be a bummer to sink a bunch of money into a truck that can't leave your property.

I imagine the trucks will still be limited to 25mph as per EPA regulations if/when this law passes in your state. The state can't overstep the feds.

Colin

[MazKid]

Good idea - it would be a bummer to sink a bunch of money into a truck that can't leave your property.

I imagine the trucks will still be limited to 25mph as per EPA regulations if/when this law passes in your state. The state can't overstep the feds.

Colin

Luckily I can overstep the feds and take any limiting devise off of the truck when I buy it.

But yeah...the truck would be stored at my brother's shop, or one of my cars would be and the truck would be here...either way, it would be terrible to buy something I can't drive, especially since it looks like I'll be paying more for one of these than for each of my 3 cars.

I'll hold out unless a steal of a deal comes by me...and then I'll buy it and store it. Looking at the bill, it's still in limbo...atleast it wasn't withdrawn. There's still hope.

[texagswin97]

are there really that many people buying these for road use? Seems like the intended use of off road is where 90% of those purchasing are intending to use these. I don't think I would want to drive this on the road. there are plenty of cars//trucks that get good gas mileage.

[MazKid]

are there really that many people buying these for road use? Seems like the intended use of off road is where 90% of those purchasing are intending to use these. I don't think I would want to drive this on the road. there are plenty of cars//trucks that get good gas mileage.

But I'm a small car/Mazda enthusiast. This truck is the type of thing I like, since importing actual Kei cars isn't going to happen in the US.

I would have a blast driving one of these on the road no matter how slow/ackward it is. That just adds to the fun.

I'd off-road it when I could. Gas mileage means nothing to me...I'm a car salesman at a dealership that gives its sales people a free tank of gas(87 octane) a week - even before I got the gas I didn't really care because I have fun while driving and that burns gas. Pay to play.

So basically I just want the truck to A. Have fun driving such an unusual vehicle. B. 4WD for snow/off-road. C. Haul stuff from time to time.

I don't have a farm, I live on a 1/4 acre in suburbia St. Louis. I'm not going to camo the thing or add a hunting box, I would just get some Mazda wheels for it with decent road tires, rhino-line the bed, and drive the thing.

[Wolfman]

are there really that many people buying these for road use? Seems like the intended use of off road is where 90% of those purchasing are intending to use these. I don't think I would want to drive this on the road. there are plenty of cars//trucks that get good gas mileage.

I still don't understand the fear. I drove a Mitsubishi panel van that was basically identical in cab design as a Kei truck (engine under seat). I was actually hit in it, on the front driver side corner by an inattentive driver making a left turn immediately in front of me. The cab did not collapse into a ball of tin foil, nor did the van explode on impact. I did get a good knot on my head from bumping it on the window frame, and I did have to get out of the passenger side.

I've also ridden motorcycles cross country.

I find I look over passenger car's roofs just fine, and look directly into any full size truck, just like any SUV. Yeah, I know they aren't designed for the U.S. market. I do not however, feel like I'm about to die every time I back it out of my driveway.

[esidesminitrucks]

I have a mazda available check it out on ebay item number : 280146310837

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...146310837&rd=1

[MazKid]

Thanks for the offer but I'm looking for basically a stock one and definately not camo'ed.

[Super Mini Trucks]

Give us a call, always have them in excellant condition