40MPG 1/2 Ton Pick Up: Proton Arena/ Jumbuck

[freebeard]

oldtamiyaphile
Master EcoModder
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Last Activity: 05-31-2023 09:17 PM

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[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JacobLeSann

I’m late.

You're Canadian, which makes it much easier for you to get a grey-import if you manage to find one and arrange shipping. Not exactly implying that you should do it, but why not trying???

[JacobLeSann]

This is why. I have a problem.

However, I spoke with my insurance provider while getting coverage for my hatchback, and she helped with some of my questions. Looks like a Civic UTE is very possible.

P.S. seen a dodge rampage near me. $2000 CAD.

[freebeard]

P.S. seen a dodge rampage near me. $2000 CAD

:thumup:

A second sixth vehicle for the cost of the conversion. Is it gone yet?

[JacobLeSann]

Still there, but the owner doesn’t seem to know much about it. So far I’ve seen/heard of two rampages for sale. With both, the owner had passed away and their grandchild becomes the seller, who in turn knows very little. In other words, I’d have to check it out.

I’ve also been eyeing up a Fiero. The ‘88s are best, but the older gens cheaper. Aside from the spontaneous combustion, it’s actually one of the safest cars without airbags. I like the space frame construction, which makes it a perfect base for a aero makeover. However, the 1st gens have alot of the worst 80’s Chevy parts and they’re relatively heavy too. The Iron Duke makes like 90 HP while weighing 375lbs, so swapping in a Honda D16Y8 could drop weight by maybe 50-60lbs and bump it up to 120 HP, with a sportier gear ratio. I’ve noticed pretty much all the 84-87 Fieros are dirt cheap anywhere.


…..Then again, I have 6 cars. Hmm.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

In contrast to your weight-saving approach for a Fiero, I actually enjoy some American boat anchors such as the Iron Duke, the Chevrolet 153 and the Brazilian Chevrolet 151 engines... Sometimes I even lurk about attempts to modernize a random flathead 4-pot to shoehorn into a random econobox just for the sake of it...

[freebeard]

Solar-electric at the Amity, OR Pancake Breakfast 2017



I failed to get a picture of the engine compartment.

A Fiero would make for a comical pickup truck. The later generation had a five speed option.

[JacobLeSann]

I mean hey, the Chevy 4s seem to go and go. I know my parents owned a Chevette and they would string it out as far as it could. Transmission, A/C, electrical and all that would crap out, but the engines would still keep ticking. The newer 2.2 litre Ecotec from the J-body and S10 platforms seemed to last forever. I had one in my first car (2001 Cavalier) but I could never get more than 25 MPG out of it no matter what. Car never died or failed to work, though. Thoroughly abused in every way. The last owner put used motor oil in the power steering reservoir

freebeard, definitely not a pickup truck, haha! I have a fascination with the opposite of practicality, which would be a lightweight and mid-engined sporty runabout. Toyota MR2s are ovepriced and rusted out. A Fiero takes the cake in that regard. The Iron Duke had a shortened oilpan (different clearances in the Fiero) which led to innacurate dipstick readouts, which led to the popular burst-into-flames-trick! That’s why I’d swap the engine.

Then again, I’m just thinking out loud. I have a water-cooled rear engine China buggy in my yard. I should mess around with that instead.

[freebeard]

Put a fifth-wheel hitch on the rollbar and you could have a sporty runabout with a trailerable (caravan? garage? sauna?)

[JacobLeSann]

Close enough? Comes with horse



Here’s the aforementioned China buggy. Upside down because I believe in neck mobility. Lots of 30 MPH fun until you run out of gas in like 10 minutes. The tank is as small as my scooter’s while the engine is likely 150-175cc. It’s a solid axle rear with a big Chinese scooter engine mounted to a china drive R/N/D gearbox. It must be a 4 stroke as it’s pretty weak. Only vehicle to date that I have ran out of gas in. It’s been parked since it did this cool trick where the CVT belt fell apart after starting it.

It’s not very heavy, as I can lift either end easily. The frame is pretty poorly designed and some of the running gear just makes no sense.

I still have several Nissan LEAF battery cells that I never used, maybe this could be a nice electric project. Got it for free. Maybe I’ll make a thread someday on it.

Mini Ford RS200 Cosworth?