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

Here's a riddle for our American friends: What pick up truck has a 1/2 ton payload capacity, is big enough to carry 4x8 sheet material, and is capable of 40MPG from it's petrol engine?


The answer is the Proton Arena/Jumbuck:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1490623988

It's basically a Mitsubishi Lancer (think EVOI-III), built under license as a pick up. Standard with a 1.5 SOHC and 5 speed manual only. Rated for 33MPG city, but no doubt capable of much better.

In many ways it reminds me of the Swift/Metro, anyone who's familiar with those would be instantly at home. Good fun to drive with the typical go-kart handling you'd expect of a low (by modern standards) and light (1050kg) vehicle. It even has a 1 ton tow rating :)

Mine's the luxury GLSi which added things like wheel flares, cloth seats and power windows.

It's a 2010 with 30,000km on the clock, two owner, cost me all of $3k. That's seriously cheap motoring. Mitsubishi parts are dirt cheap too.

Best thing is it's firmly an 'ecomodder' vehicle, all those tried and tested tricks will work on it, it's not too expensive to mess with, nor is it complicated or already optimised from the factory.

I already have a stack of parts sitting in the workshop that for one reason or another, didn't make get fitted to other vehicles.

Not saying anything, but:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1490624972

Believe it or not that was a factory option:
http://autoworld.com.my/news/wp-cont...3F15232540.jpg

Part #1-453-FUGLY

This reminds me of the old Chrysler Rampage back in the 80's.

That's too cool! :thumbup:

New Pacifica hybrid beats that. 4'x8' check, 1000 pounds payload, and then some, better than 33mpg, even without the plug in hybrid charged.

Yeah, but I highly doubt he paid $42,000 (Pacifica hybrid starting price) for his though.

I'm not sure why, but that seems like a ton to pay for a mini-van. Yet, thats about what the Volt started at when it first came out and that didn't seem insanely outrageous... I find my own perspective weird. :)

At least it is eligible (as a plug in hybrid) for the max fed tax credit assuming one pays income taxes.

Everything new for sale seems to expensive to me but I assume that's just a sure sign I'm getting old.

At some point the new van will be available in basic trim with some discounts. One dealer here had the old vans brand new around $18,000 two years ago. That puts them on the low end of new car cost. Not bad for 285hp, 6 speed auto, PW, PL, A/C cruise and tilt, 7 passenger, long warranty, and all the features listed by the OP above except more like 30 mpg tops.

Used vehicle prices are terrible as well, not sure when $15000 usedbecame a steal,it's not

Had Toyota released a similar model based in the Corolla, it would have probably led the stereotypical Australian ute to extinction earlier.

Toyota can do no wrong on the Oz market, if they built something similar, they'd still be a top seller. I mean they can still get away with selling four speed autos here :rolleyes:

Back here the only Toyota still available with a 4-speed automatic transmission is the Etios, but it's actually not so bad at all. At least it's not so troublesome as some automated-manuals from other manufacturers have been.

First tank data is in.

Just shy of 40mpg, which includes some 60miles of tail out handling testing :thumbup: First FWD I've had that will oversteer to any extent, Lotus tuned suspension and all that :)

The current wheels are 205's vs 175's stock and a smaller diameter too :( I can't find the exact ones online but they seem to be C rated on the Euro label, so there's room to improve there.

Right now, I'm chasing a cold idle problem. Starts fine, but stumbles when revved, sometimes stalls, but drives fine after ~3 restarts. Last time I drove it, it revved between ~1500-2000 on it's own until I keyed off and restarted. No ECL or obvious issues otherwise.

Unfortunately it's not OBDII so I'm trouble shooting the old fashioned way (I don't know if/how to read codes using the old flashing light method, I've more or less rulled out the fuel pump, water temp sensor and IAT. I'll try to test the MAP today.

Suggestions appreciated.

Funnily enough, this could have been the new Dodge Rampage as the Lancer was sold as a Dodge Colt, and this is a pick up version of that.

I'm thinking of putting Dodge badges on it. It's funny how four of my cars are now sort of Fiats. Jeep (now under Fiat), Fiat 500, Renault Trafic (also sold as a Fiat) and the Proton...and Mitsubishi currently supply the pick up sold as the Fiat Fullback.

The Proton's been running around for a while now collecting 'baseline' numbers.

It sure is great having a car like this. I love my big van but it sure is great having a little 'truck' like this for the quick trip to the hardware store etc. Same length/ width as a G2 Prius, cheap to buy, cheap to run, easy to work on, not too worried about car park dings etc. Shame they don't make them like this anymore.

Anyway, onto what I've been doing. Buying a car from a mechanic might seem like a solid investment, but chances are the interior will be full of grease! The interior is pretty much mint, hardly a scratch to be found, but it sure was dirty!

I'm thinking the guy was a heavy diesel mech, as the interior is full of nasty grey dust, and the seat belt left you smelling of grease every time you drove it. I've now managed to get it clean enough, but I still plan on pulling the interior completely when the weather warms up a bit.

The second owner was a painter, so while the interior was full of grease, the exterior was covered in paint :rolleyes: Even the wipers were sticking to the glass as it hadn't had a decent clean in years.

De ionizing snow foam followed by clay bar:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503798828

Still needs further attention but looking OK:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503799491

V-LEDS adjustable LED flasher. I put a China flasher in my Jeep and of course, wasn't happy with the flash rate. I was able to tune the flash rate by physically replacing the timer cap, but I couldn't tune the 'on' time at all.

V-LEDs is much easier :)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503799552

These are VLED's direct replacement globes (not Tritons - I bought some Tritons too but they're expensive, heavy and won't fit the majority of cars easily).

They look many times brighter, but surprisingly, at least in the day time, they're not dazzling at all. Just giving solid light, with the proper flash that LEDs do, rather than the fade in, fade out that fillament bulbs are known for.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503799724

I'm waiting on the rear (brake and turn) which will again be VLED direct replacements.

Air dam time :)

I cut my brackets from Alu paver edging. It's light and sturdy, rust free, easy to work, is already broken up into segments and half the brackets are even pre-drilled.

I cut it with a regular wood working blade. I've used fancy TCT blades in the past but don't think they're worth the expense and hassle of swapping blades.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...0&d=1503802596

I used bolts, washers and lock nuts to secure these to factory holes in the bottom of my bumper cover (the holes are there for a factory option body kit).

The air dam itself is 75mm (?) plastic lawn edging that I recycled off my old previous Renault. Attached to the brackets with galvanized, self drilling 'stitching' screws.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503802854
http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503802934

This car is essentially a sedan with a 1" suspension lift, so there's plenty of air getting under the car. The airdam has had a noticeable effect on coast distances and noise. Really makes you wonder why the OEM's didn't do something so simple in those days.

What do you dove tail an air dam install with? An MPGuino :)

My 'Guino had been sitting in a box for 4 years, waiting for a non-OBD car to come back into the collection. I will later be fitting the more sophisticated UTComp, but I plan on pre-wiring in all the sensors otherwise the 'Guino is just as good.


I bought a spare used clock that I gutted almost completely in the end, the new fascia is 3mm polycarbonate. I bought some nice big 'tactile' switches to fit to the new fascia.

Before, boring LCD clock (with a resistor that takes quite a bit of power):

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503803968

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503804333

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1503804770

So far I'm only running a butt-dyno calibration, but either way the fuel gauge is suggesting a record tank :thumbup:

Oh, when I get my hands REALLY dirty and some sheet steel welded I'm totes going to do a rebody of an old Ford Ranger inspired by this... but it will have drivetrainery inspired by a Centurion... so idk

That thing rocks! I'm jealous. I'd love to have a 40mpg "cruck"! And it's wide open for some amazing aero mods, with a low frontal area you'd never find on a truck.

The factory option lips that came on 1-3 shape lancers? You could go all out and install a GSR/EVO kit. Might help looks while allowing for a flatter undertray.

And an AWD 1.8 turbo from a Libero GT, but that would destroy fuel economy.

Maybe trying lean-burn like the owner of that black Eagle Talon did?

Lancers panels are actually quite different. I suspect there was a lower lip for some grade of Wira/Satria. The Satria GTi had a different bumper cover though.

The Jumbuck GLSi already has side skirts, and yes, possibly a good attachment point for an undertray. Particularly if I can find a spare set to drill into.

I'd love the old 1.6 MIVEC, plenty of power without hopefully ruining the economy too much. Problem with trying to use Lancer parts is that my car is seven years old with 40K on it, while lancers are closer to 30 years old.

Aero modding continues. From the Wiki we know that a tonneau and cab deflector is 80% as good as a full aero shell. I already have a van so I want to retain the open load bay.

I have factory inserts under the roof, which would be either for the factory full shell or sports bar:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1505619257

I found some ally strip in my recycle bin. It had previously been bent for a solar panel install so they are a bit wavy, but they were free:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1505619368

Tip: if you want square bends using a vice, use a set square to make sure you've clamped your stock perfectly vertical I also used pipe bending pliers to help with the curves.

I don't know why people are so stuck on coroplast, when the other aeromodding staple, lawn edging can be use to make long lasting and good looking deflectors, spats etc etc.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1505619487

I used electrical tape to help hide the supports:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1505619698

Road Test.

While I have no ABA test, high speed shows that the soft tonneau doesn't balloon any thing like it did before.

It also helps shade the interior and add a little privacy, which are both side benefits.

This was a quicky install using what I had at hand. I now have some shiney new alloy strips and I bought some 6" edging to replace the 3" that I have at the moment.

The 6" edging will also make great tyre spats.

The pre-existing mounting holes are a nice feature. Overall, a nifty little truck.

Nifty. Agreed.

How many passengers? And then cargo capacity afterwards?

What's the ton-mile calculation fully loaded?

Truth is that it really can't do much compared to a regular pickup, correct?

And that's before we add a suitably aero trailer. Where almost any car will kill it on ton-mile calcs. And a regular pickup leaps ahead again

So it's spec is really so narrow as to optimal use it's neither he nor she.

.

Let's be honest slowmover, 99% of full size pick ups spend 99% of their time moving nothing more than themselves and a driver.

I've got a 2.5t GCM. I still beat NEDC with a full load. Just on the weekend I had about 800lbs of pavers in the back followed by 15 bags on concrete on Monday.

I also have a big van, but it's so long that I struggle to tow with it. It's around 30' long with a 10' trailer, so I deliberately wanted something small and maneuverable so I could get into narrow inner city driveways. One time I had to park two city blocks away as the van wasn't even close to a fit in the under ground parking.

This was a great combo, can't think of anything more practical. Still miss my little Kangoo: 2.4 tons as pictured (3.0t GCM) - roughly 30mpg city 16mph avg speed:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1505969947

The only annoyance was there was no really good way to transport 4x8 sheets. They were a bit heavy for me to get on the roof solo.

Two loader scoops of sand/gravel etc fit in the back of that trailer, same as a regular 6x4 garden trailer. I still use the trailer with the Proton now (no pics yet) and I've used it to tow a 10' trailer to pick up my 8' long tool box.

Not everybody needs to tow light plant on a regular basis. At the end of the day even if you have a Kenworth, there will be times when it's not big enough to transport something. Overall you're better off just paying the occasional delivery fee.

The popularity of trucks, SUVs and the so-called "crossovers" in the U.S.A. is more of a downside of the tax benefits and the easier emission and fuel-efficiency regulations for them than anything else. Had the common-sense prevailed, it wouldn't be surprising to see more of the good old-school station wagons and minivans, and maybe even some forward-control vans for commercial operators.

A trailer behind a family sedan covers most contingencies. 7-8k pounds if set up correctly.

And, agreed about paying delivery fee. Time, if for no other reason.

FE is first about family fuel budget. One vehicle to do it all, not several. Thus one minivan or V8 sedan can be cheaper.

What a business does may be different, and, as above, is different according to taxes, insurance, etc.

.

Gotta like minivans more than a sedan due to their increased versatility, and an eventual ability to haul some occasional cargo instead of having to pay for delivery.

It's worth to remind once again this Venezuelan ad for the early Fiat Fiorino:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzZOWhEMUmk


Sometimes a small business owner or a freelancer may rely on a single vehicle for both work and family.

I’m late. Any updates on this Ute? I quite like it and would love to hear more.

.

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???

https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...1&d=1695942057

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. ;)

:thumup:

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

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.

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...

Solar-electric at the Amity, OR Pancake Breakfast 2017

https://ecomodder.com/forum/member-f...5-100-1162.jpg

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.

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.

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

https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...1&d=1696026787

Close enough? Comes with horse :thumbup:

https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...1&d=1696026822

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? :)