New toy

[Mark Williams]

Figured I could use a new project to keep my mind busy while my back hopefully heals up after surgery next month. I've always wanted a small 4x4 to play around with. This was just too good a deal to pass up. It will just be a farm/woods runner.

 

[ishiyumisan]

I like the dog better. nice car:thumbup:

 

[Mark Williams]

That is "Squirt" He is a Chihuahua Pekingese mix or Chipeke. He's quite a lot of dog in a small package.

 

[blgoode]

oh hell............how does she run right now? Looks like a good beather to me!!

 

[Mark Williams]

Not running at the moment. Some sorry-ass MF stole the carb. I'll get it going though. They are really easy to work on, and you can put a variety of different engines in them with ease. Might end up with a 2 liter diesel.

 

[fitzo]

Didn't those things lose popularity because of the rollover hazard? Cute 'lil thang, though!

 

[Steve Hayden]

The Squirt sort of looks like a riceburner version of a Mack truck hood ornament...

 

[Fred.Rowe]

It looks like it should get along well in the woods, with the narrow frame and good ground clearance. Do you have some property to run it on? :thumbup:Fred

 

[jhiggins]

Hey Mark, I have been looking around for a deal on one of those! They are great little buggies for the woods. The hot setup I have read is a Toyota 22R motor, tranny and rear end. Advance Adapters sells kits to install it, along with radiators and the whole setup. :thumbup:

Man, I like yer pooch too!

 

[Matt Shade]

Looks like a fun project
I'm really jealous! Not all that interested in a suzuki, but just that you've got a project like that going. I've got about a month and half of work in helping a buddy fix up his cherokee. Put a 6.5" rock krawler lift on, new rear drive shaft from high angle driveline, new rear output shaft in the transfer case, cut out and welded in a new floor(front to back and side to side its all new), Herculined the inside, reinforced the frame, and have been patching up some of the body panels. Still have a fair amount of work to do on it
Got to try alot of new stuff and gained some confidence. Its got me thinking that it wouldn't really be that hard or expensive to get an old 70's ford pickup and fix up a decent rig for myself......but time and money aren't cooperating:grumpy:

Keep us updated on how it comes together. I love projects like this. Looks like it came with a lot of the expensive add ons already, appears to have decent tires on it, and is that a winch on the front under that cover?

 

[Mark Williams]

I've been looking it over real good. It's a pretty cool little piece of engineering. I figure it will be a cheap alternative to a 4-wheeler. Most well used 4's go for 2 grand around here. I've only spent $400 so far.

It has a lot of character already. A bladesmith ought to be able to come up with some good ideas for some custom add-ons.

Higgy. I've read about a engine swap using 2L VW engine. A lotta torque would be fun.

Fred, read the last page of the "i'm a happy dingus" thread.

Yep old Squirt is a hoot. Ya ought to see him sing to the "sanford and son" theme. Does it every time and I laugh just as much. He's good for our spirit.

 

[Mark Williams]

Matt, If I had time and a LOT of money, and a new lower back. I'd love to restore and old Ford stepside shortbed 4 x 4.

The previous owner already did the axle flip and 31" BFG's. Yes that is a wench on the front. Tiny little thing, kinda curious if it will pull anything.

 

[kricket]

Don't forget to put a nice comfy spot for Squirt to ride along when you go
4 wheeling. Dogs love trucks ! I have a bullmastiff that wants to ride all the time. I had a jeep CJ7 with a dog bed in the place of a back seat.
I like your new ride, got lots of personality.....that's important!!!

 

[Matt Shade]

Matt, If I had time and a LOT of money, and a new lower back. I'd love to restore and old Ford stepside shortbed 4 x 4.

The previous owner already did the axle flip and 31" BFG's. Yes that is a wench on the front. Tiny little thing, kinda curious if it will pull anything.

Yeah a restoration would be sweet. I'm into welding as much as making knives though....so I doubt I could stick with anything original. I've got a lot of ideas rolling around my head on custom bumpers, bull bars and hitches .
I kept looking at all the lift components from that jeep and thinking "I could make this...". I know in the end I'd end up with the most redneck truck on the road....but I'm still going to have to give it a try one of these days.

 

[J.Marsillo]

thats a sweet little toy mark :thumbup: a friend of mine had one like that it took some serious abuse.It almost kept up with my subaru

Best of luck with the truck and the healing.