Timing Belt Replacement In A Mini Truck – Steps

The process of replacing the timing belt in a minitruck is complex. It can be simple if you first assemble the necessary tools to do this work. Tools such as Socket sets, Torque wrench, Combination wrenches, Screwdrivers, Jack and Jack stands, and a new timing belt are necessary. In most vehicles, timing belts become faulty without issuing a warning. When your minitruck suddenly stops and will not start, the problem is likely to be with the timing belt. If you realize that the timing belt of your mini truck is not functional, check if the valve is in good condition before replacing the timing belt. Check if your service manual indicates that a faulty timing belt can destroy the valve. This guide captures step-by-step timing belt replacement in a mini truck.

Steps To Do Timing Belt Replacement In A Mini Truck

Buy a New Timing Belt

Before buying a new timing belt, ensure you know the year your minitruck was manufactured and its engine size. This information is necessary because many minitrucks have variations with the model year. When buying a new timing belt, ensure you also buy new gaskets and gasket adhesives. Most spare parts dealers will inform you what you need to buy before replacing your timing belt.

Remove the Old Timing Belt

Before removing the timing belt:

  1. Disconnect the negative battery wire.
  2. Locate the old timing belt and remove them.
  3. Assess the damage, and check whether a replacement or service is necessary.

Disconnect the Alternator Belt

There are some minitruck models which has the serpent belt. If yous has it, remove it to access the timing belt. Loosen the nuts holding the alternator, then pull it out. Remove other accessories like the power steering pump, alternator, and air conditioning compressor to access the timing belt easily.

Align the Timing Marks

Use a socket on the crankshaft to rotate the bolt on the engine. Rotating the bolt will align the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley with the zero degrees mark on the timing scale. After aligning the timing belt marks, confirm whether you need to remove the harmonic balancer before removing the timing belt cover then unscrew the screws attaching the timing belt Covers firmly. Removing the screws will make it easier for you to remove the timing cover from the engine.

Use the Service Manual to Loosen all the Mounting Bolts

These mounting bolts hold the belt tensioner in place. When they are loosened, it will be easy for the timing belt to come out. After loosening the belt tensioner, check if the tensioner pulley has any damage. During the check-up, grease the tensioner pulleys, which are dry.

Remove the Old Timing Belt

Remove the old timing belt by sliding it off the sprockets to install the new one. Fix the new belt and reassemble your minitruck.

Conclusion

Installing a new timing belt of a minitruck is not easy. You require a lot of time to do it. It will help if you do it under the guidance of a professional mechanic.

Diagnosing Differential Problems in a Mini Truck

The differential plays the role of ensuring your minitruck is moving in the right direction. It coordinates the front wheels by ensuring that each wheel gets the required power to move in the direction the driver controls. If your differential has a problem, it might be bad news for your mini truck. We will focus on the symptoms and diagnosing differential problems in a mini truck. This will help you keep your mini truck in good working condition.

Causes of Bad Differential

How you drive your mini truck is the main reason your differential goes bad. Your differential is likely to overheat and break down. Your minitruck has a grace period in which it has to be ‘broken in,’ if you do this too soon, either the front or the rear differential will produce unnecessary noise, which will signal a serious issue. If you drive your new minitruck too fast for a long period or you buy it and start towing with it immediately.

Leaving your minitruck to spin occasionally is not harmful to it. But if you do this more often can cause serious issues. For example, leaving the front wheels on the road as the rear ones are spinning out of the road is likely to harm your mini truck. Poor driving styles will break or damage the parts of your mini truck’s differential parts.

Symptoms & Diagnosing Differential Problems in a Mini Truck

You need to know what causes problems to your differential, which will help you practice habits that will make you avoid such problems. It is important to know how your mini truck behaves when the differential is damaged so that you can repair it before it gets worse. Signs of bad differential are sensitive, so you cannot procrastinate about it.

When the differential is bad, it could signal multiple problems to your mini truck. Below are some of the symptoms of a bad differential:

  • When your minitruck goes through oil.
  • When your steering becomes difficult to operate.
  • When your front differential produces loud noise from the gears grinding.
  • When your rear differential produces loud noise, which might result from poor lubrication.
  • When your tires are wearing out very fast.
  • Vibration when your minitruck is in motion, which advances as you accelerate.
  • When the driveshaft is not balanced.

Your minitruck might develop some problems which may not be that serious, but you cannot ignore differential problems because it plays a key role in the steering power of your mini truck. Whenever you feel any of the signs mentioned above, visit your mechanic for a thorough mechanical check-up.

Conclusion

The differential facilitates the front or back motion of your mini truck. In this guide, we have seen some of the causes of bad differentials, such as poor driving habit is the major reason why your differential is likely to break down. And also, we have seen symptoms of bad differential. It is necessary to trust a professional mechanic to handle differential problems. The knowledge of causes and symptoms will aid you in identifying the issues related to differential and repair on time.

Daihatsu Hijet Clutch Replacement

Daihatsu has been in the market for many decades since 1960. The long existence in the market without being kicked off by the market forces is that this minitruck delivers beyond its owner’s expectations. It has earned a good reputation and recommendations. The manual transmission Hijet is common in the market and serves better those who love driving a vehicle with three pedals. Three in this context represent the brake, the accelerator, and the clutch. All manual transmissions have a clutch pedal.

Overview Of The Clutch System

The clutch plays the role of coordinating the driving and the driven shafts. It can cut the power supply to the driven shaft when the engine is on. It also facilitates gear changing. When a driver feels the vehicle is demanding new gear shift. They press the clutch pedal to cut the power supply to the driveshaft for the gear to engage smoothly. The clutch does backbreaking work that exposes it to wear and tear. You must understand how your Hijet behaves when the clutch is worn out. In this guide, we will focus more on what you should be looking out for to do a Daihatsu Hijet clutch replacement.

Sings That You Need To Do Daihatsu Hijet Clutch Replacement

When the clutch becomes faulty, you will see the following signs from your Daihatsu Hijet.

Inverse Proportionality in the Rates at which both the Engine and the Daihatsu Hijet are Moving

You will realize that the engine will move faster, but your mini truck will move slowly. It occurs when the clutch slips and cannot generate enough friction. It is friction that turns the flywheel, and inadequate friction will make the clutch to strain to produce energy, which will result to the feeling of more power in the engine and less power transferred to the wheels. When the pressure plate is damaged, the clutch is likely to slip.

Grinding Noise

You will feel this sound when you step on the clutch pedal, resulting from the problem with the pressure plate or the release mechanism. When you press the clutch pedal, it should be able to release the Clutch. If the pedal cannot remove the Clutch, you will feel the noise because the gears will grind each other as they change. If this happens, you will have to change the entire clutch assembly.

The Daihatsu Hijet is not Able to Pick Up Gears

If you realize that your mini truck cannot pick a new gear whenever you engage, it indicates that the Clutch is developing problems. In this situation, the mini truck will likely retain the previous gear when you try to change or go to neutral whenever you change. It might be a problem if your Clutch works with the hydraulic system. Other causes of this could be the clutch disk or pressure plate.

Conclusion

The clutch is an integral system of a Daihatsu Hijet and any other manual vehicle. It does cumbersome work, which wears and tears out. Listening to any of the above signs of a faulty clutch is necessary. Doing this will help you to save your Clutch from further damage. Never repair the Clutch alone unless you have the experience required. Always involve your mechanic.

Considerations When Making a Mini Truck Clutch Replacement

The mini trucks with manual transmissions are fun to drive because they create a cordial connection between the driver and the vehicle as the driver changes the gears. What brings this connection is that when they demand a new gear, you will feel the sound the engine will produce. As a driver, you should step on the clutch pedal and change the gear using the gear lever. Stepping on the clutch pedal creates a temporary disconnection between the two shafts as the vehicle is in motion. The clutch does a backbreaking function in a mini truck. It is due to this fact that the clutch wears out with time. You will be forced to change a new clutch if yours wears out. When replacing your clutch, you should be aware of the parts that you need to change. Here we go through the considerations when making a mini truck clutch replacement.

5 Considerations When Making a Mini Truck Clutch Replacement

As a mini truck owner, you will have to replace your clutch. Some specific parts work hand in hand with the clutch, which you should consider changing.

Thrust Bearing

The thrust bearing gives the clutch the freedom to spin as you engage the gears. The regular function of the thrust bearing makes it wear out due to rough use, inadequate lubrication, and if the clutch is not adjusted correctly. The thrust bearings should also be changed whenever you change the clutch disk.

Pressure Plates

The role played by the pressure plates can make them develop cracks or even bend. It is always cheaper to replace the clutch disk alone, but it is necessary to fit in new pressure plates when replacing the clutch disks.

Transmission fluid

The manual transmission needs proper lubrication; therefore, whenever you replace the clutch, spend a little cash to buy and refill the transmission fluid. It will help to reduce serious gearbox problems caused by friction.

Clutch Fluid

The worst scenario when driving is when your clutch sticks to the floor when you step on it. It can result from problems with the hydraulic system, primarily in case of corrosion. To prevent this, when changing the clutch disk, your mechanic should drain and refill the clutch fluid between the slave and the master cylinders.

The Slave Cylinder

It is a hydraulic arm that presses the clutch fork. Whenever you press the clutch pedal, it moves in and out. Your daily driving exposes the slave cylinder to a lot of stress, making it wear out and leak. When doing the clutch maintenance, consider replacing the slave cylinder

Conclusion

Most parts of the clutch work hand in hand. The wearing out of a given amount causes another to wear out. As a result, you ought to know which parts wear out simultaneously and replace them when replacing the major parts. Doing this will save you from regularly visiting your mechanic and spending more money to make repairs on damages resulting from these silent ignored parts. This guide has highlighted some parts you can consider replacing when replacing the clutch of your mini truck.

Getting a Pick-Up Truck Loan with a Bad Credit Score

Pick-up trucks are slowly becoming popular on the roads. Such kinds of vehicles have vast advantages as compared to SUVs. The new pick-up trucks have a very beautiful interior giving the occupants a sporty feel. Pick-up trucks are practical and good-looking, and the modern ones are becoming economical and powerful compared to the old ones with big, less powerful engines.

If you want a vehicle that can serve your farm needs and blend well with the urban life, consider buying a pick-up truck. Recently, pick-up trucks’ prices are skyrocketing compared to other standard cars and SUVs. The high prices might raise the bar for you and make it impossible to purchase a pick-up truck. You can get these vehicles on credit. If you are worried about a bad score, you should relax because there are hacks on how you can get a pick-up loan with a bad credit score. High prices should never kill your dreams. Do the following.

Find a Way To Improve Your Credit Score

When planning to take a loan, check your credit scores. Doing this will let you know what a lender will use to evaluate your credit. Check your credit score early enough and make necessary adjustments to your credit scores. Paying your bills in time and debts will improve your credit score.

Know Your Worth

As you plan to buy a pick-up truck on credit, do a personal evaluation of your net worth since the truck will add expenses such as running costs, insurance, and the pick-up loan. Assessing your worth will enable you to settle for that truck you can maintain as it serves you. If you buy an expensive pick-up, you will pay more deposit and monthly installments, and the running cost will be high.

Make a Down payment

You will need to make a down payment when buying a pick-up truck on loan. The amount of money you deposit will determine the monthly installments and how long you will pay the loan. If you deposit more down payment, you will reduce your lender’s risk, pay small monthly installments, and your chances of getting higher loans with lower interest will be high.

Shop for the Best Loan

After determining the loan amount you need, take your time and inquire about what various financial institutions offer. Consider checking on the lenders that give loans to people with low credit scores. Such institutions will approve your loan though at higher interest rates.

In the search for loans with lower interest rates, you might make applications to several lenders. Each lender will check your credit score, which will be recorded if you make applications within two weeks; your inquiries will be considered as one.

Conclusion

Getting a pick-up truck loan is possible if you have a bad credit score. All you need to do is improve your credit score before making any loan application, check on lenders who can give you a loan despite your credit score, and raise your deposit. These are some of the tricks which will make you realize your dreams of owning a pick-up truck despite your financial capacity.

Different Truck Axles and What They Mean

An axle is a key component of your truck that connects to the wheels. It is the axles that transfer the engine power to the wheels. The thermal energy in the engine’s combustion chamber converts to mechanical energy, which reaches the wheel through the shafts. A vehicle must have a shaft for it to operate. If you want to slow down, the shaft will transmit less power, and if you step on the accelerator pedal, the shaft will transmit more power to the wheels.

Different Truck Axles

There are three standard axle types that a truck uses. Let us look at each of them.

Rear Axle

The rear axle delivers the engine’s power to the driving wheels. Such axles have two shafts joined by a differential. The rear axles usually rotate as the wheel rotates. We have three types of rear axles based on mounting and support.

Semi-Floating Axle connects the wheel to the flange on the exterior of the axle shaft and holds it securely. Semi floating axle has two bearings, one offers support to the axle shaft, and another goes to the axle casing. Semi-floating axles are usually larger than other axles, producing a uniform torque. Such kind of axle is common in trucks.

Full-Floating Axle floats in its place and position supported by two bearings. Its primary function is the transmission of driving torque. Heavy-duty trucks such as those with active 4WD use this type of rear axle

Three-Quarter Floating Axle is a complex axle that maintains the wheel alignment and handles the side thrust and driving torque. However, the rear axle is a live axle because it rotates as the wheels rotate.

Front Axle

As the name suggests, such a type of axle is located at the front part of the truck. Its primary function is to help in steering and shock processing as you drive on rugged surfaces. The beam, the swivel pin, the track rod, and the stub are four parts of the front axle. There are two types of front axles.

The dead front axle is stationary and does not move as the wheel moves, and such axle is protected from dirt and water in housing.

The live front axle is responsible for transmitting the driving power from the gearbox to the front wheels.

Stub Axle

The stub axle is at the front wheels. This axle attaches to the front axle with kingpins. We have four types of the stub axle.

Elliot connects to the front axle with the kingpin, a yoke, and a cotter.

Reverse Elliot’s arrangement is opposite to a standard Elliot stub axle.

Lamoine, whose spindle is L-shaped.

Reverse Lamoine has an opposite layout compared to the standard Lamoine stub axle.

Conclusion

We have learned about different types of truck axles and what they mean. The rear axles are made of two shafts, and they are always active since they rotate as the wheels rotate. The front axle is attached to the front wheels and can either be dead or alive.

Converting 2-Wheel to 4-wheel Drive Mini Truck

The Japanese Kei Trucks are available in the market as either 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive. The 4-wheel version is better in terms of performance than the 2-wheel version. It can tackle any terrain. The 4-wheel version is slightly expensive. It is possible converting a 2-wheel to 4-wheel drive. You will only need to buy the 4WD shifter, front driveshaft, front axle, and springs. You will have to change the transmission of your mini truck. There are no differences between the manual or automatic transmission of 2WD and 4WD. Changing the transmission alone does not guarantee that the mini truck will be 4WD. You must change parts such as the steering box and the master cylinder.

Converting 2-Wheel to 4-Wheel Transmission

The 2WD and 4WD transmissions have very many similarities. The difference between the units is that the shaft of the two-wheel is long compared to the four-wheel, and there is a transfer case where the four wheels are connected. 

The Transfer Case

Some 2-wheel drive vehicles have a dummy transfer case. What do I mean by this? The dummy transfer case allows you to transform the transmission of such vehicles to four-wheel drive. In 4-wheel drive mini trucks, you will have the transfer case connected at the rear end of the gearbox. The transfer case plays the role of distributing the torque from the engine to the front and rear axles. It also plays the role of bringing uniformity between the RPM of the front and the rear wheels. The transfer case has sets of low-range gears for highway application.

You will need a transfer case to convert the rear wheel to a four-wheel. The transfer case brings the difference between the four-wheel drive mini truck and the two-wheel drive. It will asymmetrically distribute the torque and transfer most of it to the back axel. It is at this part that the core modification will happen. If it is correctly done, well and good, but if it is poorly done, your mini truck will give you more headaches.

Adding the 4WD Transfer Box to a 2WD

The backbone and main functionality in the 4WD is the Transfer box. If you fix this correctly, you will enjoy your new four-wheel transmission system. When adding the four-wheel transfer box, ensure it fixes well to the two-wheel transmission box. Since this process is tiresome and will give you too much headache, consider getting the entire transmission from a donor. The transfer case connects the front and the rear driveshafts to the rear and the front axles. When fixing it, make sure it is balanced. 

You Have to Upgrade the 2WD Suspension.

The four-wheel drive transmission is slightly heavier compared to the two-wheel drive transmission. You must install a new suspension that can carry your mini truck’s heavy four-wheel drive transmission.

Conclusion

Converting a mini truck from 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive is not complex, but it is essential to do this with a skilled mechanic.

Subaru Sambar Clutch Replacement

The Subaru Sambar is a mini truck manufactured by the Subaru company. This mini truck’s logo is a six-star, distinguishing it from other mini trucks. Subaru is famous for manufacturing sedans, wagons, and mid-size SUVs. This company also produces a reliable mini truck. It is an excellent small truck whose capabilities do not match its physical appearance. Like any other manual vehicle, Subaru sambar has three pedals, the accelerator, clutch, and brake. In this guide, we will go through how to know when to make a Subaru Sambar clutch replacement.

Subaru Sambar Clutch System

The clutch is standard on the manual transmission. It is necessary when you want to change the gear of your mini truck. When shifting the gears, you must step on the clutch pedal, shift the gear lever, and then release the clutch pedal. Why do you have to step on the clutch pedal? The clutch links the transmission with the engine. Pressing the clutch pedal makes the clutch separate the engine from the transmission, making it easier to change the gears. The role played by the clutch exposes it to tear and wear with time. How will you notice that your clutch has started wearing out?

Three Signs That Your Clutch is Wearing Out

In case the clutch of your mini truck fails, you will not be able to change the gears, and driving your manual transmission Subaru Sambar will be difficult. This article discusses the three main signs you will notice when your clutch becomes faulty.

When the Clutch Pedal becomes Sticky

The clutch relies on the hydraulic system to operate. If it fails, the pedal may stick to the floor or become challenging when you press it. Solving this is relatively easy because you will adjust the link between the hydraulics and the clutch. In some instances, this might happen because of hydraulic fluid leakages, reducing the pressure. To solve this, you will have to buy a new clutch plate and install it.

When the Gear Starts to Slip

Suppose you engage in new gear and realize that your Subaru Sambar is disengaging automatically, or it slips back to neutral. In that case, the clutch plate is worn out, and you should replace it as soon as possible. In some instances, oil leakages might make the gears slip because the excess oil will make the clutch plate very slippery.

When You Feel a Burning Smell

At driving school, when you first drove a manual transmission, you experienced a burning smell when you were accelerating. It is normal because you were learning how to drive. After using your Sambar for a while and it starts to develop this burning smell, it indicates that your clutch plate is worn out and you should replace it.

Conclusion

Please pay attention to all the signs that your Subaru Sambar is giving you despite which part produces them. Mini trucks commonly have a manual transmission system, and the clutch eases the process of shifting from one gear to another. These three signs will be commonly given by your Sambar when the clutch becomes faulty. When you feel any of them,   seek mechanical advice as soon as possible.

Mazda Scrum Clutch Replacement

The Mazda Scrum is a minivan and a mini truck produced by Mazda, one of the largest automaker. The target market for its first production was the Japanese market. The popularity of this mini truck grew, and later it started finding its way outside the Japanese market. The appetite for Mazda Scrum grew because of its unimaginable capabilities and fewer demands. It has the basic features of a manual transmission in the driver’s cabin, such as the accelerator, the foot brakes, and the clutch pedals. Besides these, it also has a gear lever. Many Mazda scrum uses the manual transmission system. In this guide, we will go through a guide on when to do Mazda Scrum clutch replacement.

An Overview Of The Clutch

A standard engine is composed of two shafts, the one from the engine and the one that rotates the wheels. The two rotating shafts are what transmit the power to the wheels. A manual transmission has a clutch in between the two shafts. The primary function of the clutch here is to engage and disengage the two shafts as the vehicle moves. When the clutch pedal is pressed, it will disconnect the driving shaft and the driven shaft, but the engine will still be running. The clutch enables drivers to shift from one gear to another as they drive smoothly. As much as the clutch plays an important role, it sometimes malfunctions. 

Signs of a Faulty Clutch 

When the Clutch Pedal becomes Soft

As you drive the Mazda Scrum, your clutch pedal will become soft with time. Never take it for granted if this happens because it signifies the clutch is faulty. How will you know that the clutch pedal is soft? When you press it, it goes to the floor smoothly. Sometimes, the clutch pedal itself might be hard to press. It is also another sign of a bad clutch. 

When your Gear Slips

The inability to hold gears is a sign of a faulty clutch. The gears sometimes might slip, this happens when you change them, but your Mazda Scrum cannot hold and run on the new gear. For example, you shift to gear three and realize that it goes to gear two on its own. It might also move to neutral apart from moving to the next gear.

When you Hear a Grinding Sound when Changing Gears

The metallic components of the clutch that holds gears wear out with time, and this is another cause of the grinding sound when changing gears in your Mazda Scrum. The grinding sound results from the poor timing between the shifting gears and the clutch pedals. If this sound persists, then you should consider checking your clutch.

Sticky Clutch Pedal

The clutch pedal is made so that it automatically goes to its original position when you press and release your foot. If you step on it and it refuses to leave the floor, it indicates that your clutch is faulty, and you should seek a mechanical check-up. 

Conclusion

Always give your Mazda Scrum listening ears. The clutch might be faulty when you hear and feel the above signs. The only solution to a faulty clutch is taking your mini truck to an experienced mechanic to check it up.

Considerations In Replacement Of Mini Truck Wheels and Tires

Some pride comes when your minitruck has the right wheels and tires. You might need new wheels and tires to give your mini truck new looks or change the size of your current shoes. There are many varieties of tires and wheels to choose from. This guide features some of the top considerations in replacement of mini truck wheels and tires.

Considerations Before Replacement Of Mini Truck Wheels and Tires

Driving Conditions

Based on driving conditions, these are some of the wheels available to buy.

The steel wheels are the best when you often drive offroad. Steel wheels are bulky and suitable for driving through snow, mud, or gravel. They are very cheap to acquire and maintain.

Cast Alloy wheels are suitable for street drive because they are light. Cast alloy wheels are the best for minitrucks because of their malleability.

Forged Alloy Wheels are suitable for both street and offroad drive. They are light compared to steel wheels. They last for a long and are resistant to rust.

Tire Size

Before buying wheels for your mini truck, you should know the size of your tires. It is necessary for the diameters of the wheel and the tire to be the same. In case you are getting a new package of tires and wheels, the size tire size should not worry you.

Motive

before buying a new set of wheels, make sure they will meet your personal needs. If you want a wheel to improve the looks of your minitruck, go for a flashy one. If you have moved to areas with rugged terrain, choose a solid wheel to withstand harsh conditions.

Tire Profile

The thickness of the side walls of a tire is referred to as the tire profile. In this category, there are high and low-profile tires. High-profile tires have thick walls that offer more comfort and are good at absorbing shock. High-profile tires are suitable for heavy commercial and offroad vehicles. The low-profile tires have thin walls making them less resistant to road shock. The thin walls give them a short lifespan and better driving. Such kinds of tires are preferred for high-performance sports cars.

The Size of the Tire

Selecting the required tire size for your wheels is essential and will help reduce tire-related accidents. When tires do not fit your minitruck, they are likely to come out when driving or stress the wheels. There are two digits on your tire that shows their size. For example, in p197/40/R22/V, the tire size is R22.

The Pattern of Treads

There are three types of tires based on the pattern of treads.

The symmetrical pattern has treads that form a wave pattern. They offer a quiet driving experience and may not give the best performance on a rainy day.

The directional pattern has wide treads forming a v-shape. These tires are made to rotate only in a single direction. They perform better in rainy weather.

The asymmetrical pattern has treads designed in a way to perform in rainy conditions as well as reduce noise.

Conclusion

It is necessary to consider the above factors when choosing the best tire and wheels for your minitruck. Better tires and wheels increase the performance as well as fuel economy.

Changing A Universal Joint Of a Subaru Sambar

A universal joint is necessary to facilitate the power movement to the rear wheels of your Subaru Sambar. The crucial role it plays exposes it to tear and wear with time. When worn out, you will note signs that the Subaru Sambar will display. Replacing a worn-out universal joint is not complex if you have automotive experience. This guide will simplify changing universal joint of a Subaru Sambar as part of its maintenance. Consider the below procedure to replace your U-Joint.

Inspect the U-Joint of Your Subaru Sambar

Inspect the u-joint by holding and trying to move the driveshaft. If the shaft moves, then the U-joint is worn out, and you should replace it. Check for physical damages on the driveshaft or any impurity clinging on it as such cause imbalance and make your minitruck vibrate when driving.

Remove the driveshaft

After noting that your U-joint is worn out, assemble these materials to remove the driveshaft; Drain pan, Sockets and Ratchets, Glasses and gloves, and Wrench set. Lift your mini truck to access the driveshaft. If you use a jack to lift your vehicle, make sure it’s supported with the jack stands for your safety. Mark the driveshaft to help you install it back in its original position. Locate the bolts holding the driveshaft and loosen them. After successfully removing the bolts, pull out the driveshaft from the transmission.

Check Again the Condition of the U-Joint

After removing the driveshaft, do further inspection of the U-joint by trying to move each joint. If the joints are not moving smoothly, there is a problem with the U-joint that should be addressed.

Replace the U-Joint

You need the following materials for this process to be successful: Hammer, Pliers, Sockets and Ratchets, and the new U-joint.

Remove the snap rings for the bearing caps to come out quickly. To remove the old U-joint, you must apply some force, and the hammer will serve you better. Use the hummer to hit it hard, and it will come out. When installing the new joint, inspect it and ensure it is similar to the old one. The new joint will have new caps, remove them and install them on the yoke. If the new joint is tight, gently hummer it, and it will be free.

Fix Back the Driveshaft

Clean the entire driveshaft using a rag before installing it back. When fixing it on the transmission, ensure the marks you made while removing it are correctly aligned and tightened. At this point, the Subaru Sambar is almost ready to hit the road. Before leaving, check if transmission fluid was lost during the process and take necessary action.

Conclusion

Changing a universal joint of a Subaru Sambar can be a satisfying job if well done, and you can feel the difference. Sometimes poor maintenance and rust might make replacing your U-Joint difficult. You have to be patient because you shall succeed by the end of the day. Make sure you are accompanied by your mechanic when you replace the U-joint.

Considerations When Choosing Timing Belt For Your Mini Truck

All minitrucks except the electric minitrucks use the internal combustion engine. For the combustion engine to operate effectively, it has to have a timing belt. This belt plays the role of synching the rotation between the crankshaft and the camshaft. If the crankshaft and camshaft operate smoothly, other parts like the pistons will effectively function. Like other parts of a minitruck, the timing belt wears out, and you will feel it by how your mini truck will behave. If you experience the following, prepare to buy a new timing belt.

  • Your engine starts to misfire.
  • Your engine starts to make a tickling sound.
  • You realize oil is leaking from the motor.
  • Your minitruck starts to produce abnormal fumes.

Having prior knowledge before purchasing a new timing belt is essential. These are factors when choosing timing belt for your mini truck.

Considerations When Choosing Timing Belt For Your Mini Truck

You should be able to know the type of belt that your Kei truck is using. Knowledge of the belt type is necessary to help you choose the belt compatible with your mini truck. And also will save you from buying either a small or big belt. Some timing belts are imported, so if you import a bad one, the procedure for transporting it back to the manufacturer might be time-consuming and costly.

The Material Used in Its Manufacture

Material is necessary to determine the durability of the timing belt. Timing belts are made of two different materials rubber and plastic. The rubber timing belt is black, while the plastic timing belt is light in color. Plastic timing belts resist abrasion, which lasts longer than rubber timing belts. You will see the difference even before touching it. Choosing that timing belt that will serve you for a very long time is necessary before breaking down.

The Pitch of the Timing Belt

Pitch is the length between the center of the tooth to the pulley. The measurement of the teeth varies depending on the type of teeth. For example, the rounded teeth are measured in mm, and the squared teeth are measured in inches. The knowledge of pitch will enable you to choose the suitable timing belt for your mini truck.

The Width of the Timing Belt

Timing belts have different widths. The new timing belts have the markings of size and the manufacturer. It is necessary to know the timing belt size that fits your mini truck. A small or big timing belt might not properly function in your mini truck.

Conclusion

The timing belt is essential for coordinating the movement of the engine’s parts. It harmonizes how these parts function to produce power transmitted to the wheels of your mini truck. The timing belt’s role exposes it to tear and wear, and you will note this when your minitruck starts to behave weirdly. Such behavior will compel you to buy a new one. There are different types of timing belts in the market. This guide has highlighted what you need to know before purchasing a timing belt for your mini truck.

Electric Fuel Pumps In Mini Trucks & Their Advantages

Modern engines in mini trucks use fuel injection systems. This current sophisticated system relies on an electric fuel pump to function. The electric fuel pumps drive fuel to the injectors at a given pressure. After receiving the fuel, the injectors spray it into the combustion chamber. This is the mechanism under which a petrol direct injection works. 

The electric fuel pump does the role of supplying the engine with the required quantity of fuel despite the temperature of the engine. This kind of pump will automatically switch on once you ignite the engine. This capability makes the electric fuel pump the best to start a mini truck that has stayed for long at the parking yard. Let us have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the electric fuel pump.

Advantages of an Electric Fuel Pumps

These pumps can cover 100,000 miles on service. They will give you a long time of service. Your mini truck’s general health must be good for them to reach this mileage.

The electrical fuel pump is fitted with a safety feature called the inertia switch. This switch is sensitive to body rolls. It automatically switches off the electric fuel pump when it detects an accident. Switching the pump will cut fuel supply to the engine, thereby stopping the combustion process in the combustion chamber.

It has the Electric Management Unit, which controls the activities of the electric fuel pump. This unit can switch on or off the pump when the engine is running and helps to regulate and ensure constant fuel supply into the combustion chambers.

The electric fuel pumps operate nonstop once they are on. They are installed within the fuel tank to cool and protect them from fire. When functioning, the fuel pump is prone to fire or fuel leaks. Inside, the fuel tank is safer from such eventualities.

They supply fuel under high pressure, which modern fuel-injected engines require. The mechanical fuel pumps cannot generate adequate pressure to deliver fuel to the injectors.

Disadvantages of Electric Fuel Pump

Replacing the electric fuel pump mounted inside the fuel tank is very expensive and takes time. If your pump is located in the fuel tank, in case it requires a replacement, be sure to spend more cash and time on replacing it.

The electric fuel pump might fail without giving you a clear warning. In this case, you might keep using the mini truck and end up causing more damage to other engine parts.

If your mini truck develops ECU or electric problems, the electric fuel pump will not function because it depends on the ECU.

Conclusion

The electric pump is all you need for your mini truck to gain more power. The fuel-injected mini truck is robust compared to mini trucks with carburetors. It is because their combustion chamber receives a regulated fuel constantly under high pressure. Despite the few disadvantages of the electric fuel pump, they remain popular in modern cars. Therefore you will not miss the point if you decide to replace your fuel pump.

Common Kei Truck Braking Problems

The brakes are an integral part of any Kei truck. Drivers rely on it for better control. When you are approaching bumps, the brakes will help you to slow down and climb the pumps smoothly. More importantly, the brakes reduce impacts in case of an accident. The brakes will help you park your mini truck after a long day’s work. Here are some of the most common kei truck braking problems that you are likely to experience.

Common Kei Truck Braking Problems

Sideways Pulling When You Apply Brakes

When you realize that your Kei truck pulls towards a particular side when you apply brakes, one of the calipers might be faulty. The calipers generate the pressure which stops your Kei truck. The side pulling indicates that the calipers do not apply pressure evenly. The existence of impurities like dust or water particles might cause your calipers to apply uneven pressure when braking.

Vibration on the Brake Pedals or the Steering When Applying Brakes

It has several causes that relate to damaged rotors. If the front rotors are damaged and become irregular, you will feel this when braking your Kei truck.

If your Kei truck has stayed for a long time at the parking yard, the rotors will start rusting, and you will experience this when you are braking.

Screeching or Ear Damaging Sounds Drum 

If you apply brakes and they produce a loud and sharp sound to your ears, it is a warning of lousy brake pads. The sound warns that the brake pads are worn out, and the metallic parts come into contact with the brake disk. When you hear this sound, consider changing your brake pads as soon as possible.

When the Brake Pedal Becomes Soft

If you step on your Kei truck’s brake pedals and feel they are offering abnormally less resistance is a sign that there is a problem. Sometimes it can go to the floor without stopping your mini truck instantly. If you experience this, stop your mini truck and check the braking system. The leakages from the braking system are the common cause of this problem. When you experience it, check if the master cylinder is leaking.

Brake light Check Warning on the Dashboard

If your Dashboard shows the brake light warning, it alerts you of minor or major problems with your braking system. If it is a minor issue, consider fixing it alone, but if it is a significant issue, visit a mechanic for to help fix the braking issue.

This light comes when you ignite your Kei truck and does not go off until you switch off your engine.

When You Feel a Smell of Something Burning When Braking

This smell is not usually pleasant and can worry. It indicates that the brake is overheating. You can feel the smell when you have just put a new braking system.

Conclusion

The role played by a Kei truck’s braking system stresses it and wears out with time. When they wear out, they will be ineffective, and driving a vehicle with faulty brakes on the roads is dangerous. This guide has addressed some problems associated with a flawed braking system.

Replacing A U-Joint In a Daihatsu Hijet – When TO Do It

A universal joint, popularly known as U joint, is that part of your Daihatsu Hijet that makes it possible for the rotating crankshaft of the engine to transmit the rotating motion to the rear wheels. The U joint offers a flexible connection at the end of the driveshaft, making it possible for it to make an up and down motion at a particular angle to the engine as the Daihatsu Hijet is moving on various road surfaces. Different materials like stainless steel, brass, or any alloy that can withstand the high temperature and torque from the engine, as well as the materials like thermoplastics which can resist rust and corrosion, are used to make the U-joints. In this guide, we will go through some of the things to watch out for and know when to be replacing a u-joint in a Daihatsu Hijet.

Functions of a Universal Joint

The U joint connects two shafts in an inclined position. They rotate the Kei truck’s rear wheels by transmitting the rotation motion from the engine to the rear wheels.

The role of the propeller is to send power to the rear wheels despite the difference in the transmission height and the rear axle. Universal joints are used both at the propeller’s front and back parts.

The universal joints enable power transmission, and the rotary motion as the axel moves up and down because of the irregular driving surfaces.

The crucial role played by the universal joints might make them loose or faulty.

Signs of a Bad U-Joint 

The Daihatsu Hijet will give the following signs when the U-joint is faulty.

Squeaking Sound When Your Minitruck Starts a Forward or Reverse Motion

All bearings of the U-joint are lubricated at the factory. As your Daihatsu Hijet uses them, the grease concentration reduces, and their lifespan reduces. The reduced grease on the bearings makes the U-joint produce a squeaking sound when your mini truck starts to move. This sound is a warning that you should service the U-joint.

The Minitruck Vibrates on Forward Motion

The vibration indicates worn-out bearings, and the driveshaft can no longer move outside the rotational path. The frequency of this vibration is high compared to the vibration due to poor wheel balance. The U-joint can damage other parts like the transmission if it is not solved.

Leakage of Transmission Fluid

You will notice that the transmission fluid leaks from the rear transmission because of a bad U-joint. If you experience the leakage, it shows that you ignored the vibration, and now the transmission output shaft seal is worn out.

Dislocated Driveshaft

You will see trucks parked beside the road with the driveshaft below them. This results from a failed and broken U-joint; therefore, the driveshaft fell on the road. If this happens, the repairs become costly because you will need to replace the entire driveshaft. The dislocated driveshaft is the ultimate end.

Conclusion

Daihatsu Hijet has two parts that aid in transmitting power from the engine to the rear wheels. The engine produces power for moving the Daihatsu Hijet minitruck. The U-joint facilitates the rotation of the driveshaft as it transmits power to the rear wheels. As it works, it wears out with time. This guide has stressed common signs experienced by Daihatsu Hijet when the U-joint is faulty.

Changing the Fuel Pump of a Mitsubishi Minicab

Mitsubishi Minicab is small vehicle in the class of mini trucks. Being small in size might make one undermine its performance. But wait, this tiny beast can work the whole day and night without showing any sign of fatigue. Besides having the might to work, the Mitsubishi minicab has significantly fewer demands. It only requires regular servicing and fuel. However, occasionally this vehicle might experience severe mechanical issues that, if not addressed, might result in significant problems. One of the parts which require agent check-up when having problems is the fuel pump. That is why we have dedicated this guide to changing the fuel pump of a Mitsubishi Minicab.

Th Role Of a Fuel Pump

The fuel pump plays the role of facilitating the movement of fuel from the tank to the fuel injectors. It generates the pressure required for fuel movement because the fuel tank is slightly far from the engine and aligned on the same level. Fuel requires pressure to facilitate its movement. 

The fuel injectors do the role of spraying fuel into the cylinders where it mixes with oxygen and burns. The combustion is what produces energy for the movement of your mini truck. The fuel pump must be in good condition for the Mitsubishi minicab to operate smoothly.

Signs of a Bad Fuel Pump

You are likely to feel it when your fuel pump starts to become faulty. Your Mitsubishi Minicab will start becoming weird when driving, and you will likely experience the following.

  • Your mini truck will produce little energy whenever you accelerate when loaded or going up the hill.
  • Starting your minitruck will be hard to start if you ignite.
  • You will hear noise coming from the fuel tank.

Changing Fuel Pump Of a Mitsubishi Minicab

Keep safe. Fuel is highly flammable! Ensure you have a fire extinguisher and perform this procedure far away from fire. Put on glasses and gloves.

Locate the position of the fuel tank in your mini truck. Lift your it so that you can easily access the fuel tank. After lifting, drain the fuel from the tank in a clean container to avoid fuel contamination.

The clumps on the fill lines firmly hold the fuel tank. Remove these clumps together with the fill lines. While doing this, support the tank so that it does not fall. Gently lower the fuel tank.

After lowering your tank, there are wires and fuel tubes on the upper part. Remove these wires and fuel tubes. Clean the upper part of the tank to remove any impurity that might get into the tank and contaminate fuel. Cleaning will also make the pump retaining ring visible. 

Once you can see the pump retaining ring, detach it. Carefully extract the fuel pump together with all its components. Ensure none of the components gets destroyed because some might be needed when installing the new fuel pump.

Fix the new fuel pump and fix back your tank. Once the tank is in place, put back the fuel and ignite your minitruck. Let the engine run as you inspect any leakage.

Conclusion

Give Mitsubishi Minicab an extended lifespan by regular fuel pump check. Fixing fuel pump issues will save your engine from severe damages that might result from a bad fuel pump.

Subaru Sambar Fuel Pump Conversion

The fuel pump in the Subaru Sambar offers the necessary pressure to move fuel to the fuel injectors or the carburetor. The fuel pump varies the fuel submitted to the engine depending on the load. There are mechanical and electric fuel pumps. Mechanical fuel pumps are on the upper part of the engine, and the camshaft drives them. It uses the vacuum mechanism to deliver fuel into the engine. Subaru Sambar with the carburetor engine commonly uses this fuel pump. The electrical fuel pump has fuel injectors that spray fuel into the engine cylinders. The ECU system controls the electric fuel pump. The reliability of the mechanical fuel pump is low compared to the electric fuel pump. In this guide, we will delve deep into how to go about a Subaru Sambar fuel pump conversion.

Advantages of Electric Fuel Pump

The electric fuel pump has higher mileage as compared to manual one. This fuel pump will serve for up to not more than 100,000 miles. At this point, consider replacing it sooner before it starts to develop issues.

They have a piece of safety equipment called the inertia switch. The inertia switch puts off the fuel pump in case of an accident. When the fuel pump is off, the engine will not receive fuel.

The electric fuel pump has ECU. This computer program can automatically cut or initiate the fuel supply in the cylinders when the vehicle is in motion.

Steps To Subaru Sambar Fuel Pump Conversion

  1. Disconnect the gas cap from the gas tank and the negative battery cable. Doing this reduces the tension in the fuel tubes. Remove further pressure by stepping on the accelerator.
  2. The fuel line connects the mechanical fuel pump to the fuel tank. Thes lines have clamps that hold them to the mechanical fuel pump. Loosen these clamps and also remove the line from the carburetor. Put a clean jar to tap this fuel which will come out. 
  3. Remove the old mechanical fuel pump and install the electric fuel pump. The electric fuel pump has a bracket and sheet metal screw to attach it to the frame of the Subaru Sambar. There is an arrow on the electric pump. It should point to the engine compartment.
  4. The electric pump has a black wire; attach it to the frame of your minitruck. You will remove the bolts, pass them through the ring terminal, and attach them to the bolt. Doing this grounds the electric pump. There is a red wire from the pump. Join it to the #12 wire using masking tape. Connect the joined wires to the ignition fuse. Doing this will turn on your fuel pump upon igniting the vehicle.
  5. Remove the old fuel lines from the tank and attach the new ones. This will connect your electric pump to the fuel tank. Attach the new line to the carburetor or the fuel injectors. Cut the fuel lines in half, then install the universal fuel filters on each cutting.

Conclusion

The conversion of the fuel pump to electric is made simple in this guide. However, it is advisable to do it with a professional mechanic. It might stress you, especially when it is your first time owning a mini truck.

Daihatsu Hijet Fuel Pump Conversion

Daihatsu Hijet is a minitruck with incredible performance despite its small engine. It has either a carburetor or a fuel-injected engine. Both of them receive fuel through a fuel pump. The engine has fuel pumps that feed fuel to it through the injectors or the carburetor. There are two types of the fuel pump in the market- mechanical and electric fuel pumps. In this guide, we will focus on Daihatsu Hijet fuel pump conversion.

A mechanical fuel pump applies a vacuum to transport fuel to the carburetor. From the carburetor, the fuel gets into the combustion chamber. Engines using this mechanism are prone to flooding and other fuel pump-related issues. The electric fuel pump relies on the ECU that controls it as it facilitates fuel movement from the tank to the injectors. The fuel injection system demands fuel under high pressure, and the electric pumps have this capability. Initially, vehicles relied on the mechanical fuel pump, but as technology advanced, automakers invented the electric fuel pumps, which were better.

Advantages of Electric Fuel Pumps

You can install the electric pump in the fuel tank. Submerging it in the fuel cannot destroy but cools it and exposes it less to fire accidents.

The ECU system controlling the electric pump makes them safer as the ECU controls when it should be on or off. In case of an accident, the ECU switches it to cut the fuel supply to the engine.

The electric pumps are durable and can serve you for 100,000 miles.

How to Do Daihatsu Hijet Fuel Pump Conversion

You can acquire and install an electric fuel pump on your Daihatsu Hijet if it uses the mechanical pump. These steps will help you perform the procedure.

  1. Open the battery compartment, remove the negative cable, and disconnect the fuel cap from the tank. Doing this will cut the fuel supply and reduce the pressure in the fuel tubes. You can step on the accelerator to remove further pressure.
  2. The fuel tubes connect the mechanical pump and the tank. Remove the clamps that attach these tubes to the mechanical pump. When doing this, have a clean container to tap the fuel from the tubes. Disconnect the tubes attaching the mechanical pump to the carburetor or the fuel injectors. At this point, you can extract the mechanical pump.
  3. Fix the new electric pump, not exposing it to any damage or heat from the engine. Use the bracket and the sheet screw metal to hold the pump firmly.
  4. The electric pump has a black and red wire. Attach the black one to the screw, which will ground it. Use a masking tape to combine the red and the #12 wires and attach them to the ignition fuse. This will put the electric pump on upon the ignition of the Daihatsu Hijet.
  5. Disconnect the old fuel tubes from the tank and the carburetor or fuel injectors. Connect the new fuel tubes from the electric pump.

Conclusion

The above procedure will help you to install a reliable electric fuel pump. It is necessary to perform this under the guidance of an experienced mechanic.

What are Some Important Truck Maintenance Tips?

Giving your truck good maintenance is a key factor that contributes to its good performance. Always take your truck to a skilled professional for a check-up. Such people will check your trucks and give you a detailed report if they realize any problem with them. Work on fixing minor problems that you may note in your truck. Ignoring such issues will escalate into major issues. Let us look at some of the tips on some important truck maintenance.

Check Your Braking System

The braking system is complex but a life-saver component of your truck. We refer to it as a system because it has various components which work together to stop your truck. It is important to maintain this system because their work exposes them to wear and tear. 

Most truck crashes result from brake failure. The brake parts require regular maintenance because they are exposed to wear and tear. To reduce brake-related crashes, check the braking system regularly and ensure they are in good working condition. Check and replace the brake pads, brake shoes, brake fluid, and brake pedals that work perfectly. Keep changing these parts if you realize they are worn out.

Check the Engine 

A truck’s engine is a system having various parts, and all these parts work in unity to generate the power which rotates the wheels. The engine has parts like belts, cylinders, gaskets, and pistons valves. The engine working begins in the cylinders where combustion takes place. With time the piston rings wear out, so it is necessary to check their condition and change them if worn out. 

Perform regular engine servicing and replace parts like piston rings, gasket heads, and belts prone to wear. Do a general check-up for your engine, clean it if you observe carbon build-up on it, and remove other impurities.

Check the Level of Coolants and the Lubricants

Lubricant and coolant play a significant role in the engine. As the engine functions, it produces heat that, if not cooled, can damage the entire engine. There are parts of the engine in constant motion, making them rub against each other. Coolants and lubricants play the role of maintaining the temperature and lubricating the moving parts. 

Make a regular check-up on the level of the coolants. If you note a decrease in their level, keenly check if there is a leakage in your truck. If your engine receives little lubricant and coolant, it will likely malfunction.

Check Body Problems

Rust and corrosion damage the body of trucks very fast, and salt accumulation and other chemicals expose your truck to rust. If you drive on snow and ice, the chances of it contracting salt are very high and slowly eroding your truck’s body. After driving on such roads, thoroughly wash your truck. Repair and do necessary paintings on the parts which look worn out. Never forget to check the lighting and wiring system.

Conclusion

Keep your truck in good shape and condition to serve you perfectly. Consider doing a regular engine and body check-up and repairing the wearing parts.

Choosing the Best Mini Truck Fuel Pump

Many Kei truck owners find themselves at the crossroad regarding which fuel pump to choose for their minitrucks. Most know that the electric fuel pump is more efficient than the mechanical fuel pump. But this is not enough when choosing a fuel pump. There are some minor details that you have to consider, and failure can lead to serious engine problems. The electric fuel pumps vary depending on the type of engine. For example, the turbocharged engine will use a fuel pump different from the naturally aspirated engines. Choosing the best fuel pump depends on how conversant you are with your engine. This guide focuses on crucial things to consider when choosing the best mini truck fuel pump to get.

Choosing the Best Mini Truck Fuel Pump

Here are the considerations to keep in mind.

Voltage

The electric fuel pump uses electricity to function, and the fuel injectors only need a required amount of voltage to function properly. When purchasing a fuel pump for your mini truck, make sure you buy that one that is compatible with the voltage output of your engine. For example, if your engine output is 14 volts and you buy a fuel pump that works with a 13.5 voltage output engine, there is a high probability of an increase in the fuel being pumped. The voltage difference can make the pump develop issues and also interfere with the fuel pump relay.

The Fuel Volume

When choosing the right fuel pump for your minitruck, it is important to know the fuel volume. You can obtain this value by multiplying your minitruck’s horsepower by BSFC. The amount of fuel required by your vehicle depends on the horsepower. If you are buying an electric fuel pump, ensure you know the horsepower of your minitruck. And if you do not, consult a mechanic with experience. If you make a wrong fuel volume calculation, you will fix a fuel pump incompatible with your engine, which can result in serious mechanical issues.

The Engine Fuel Efficiency(EFE)

EFE is the quantity of fuel required by your engine to generate one horsepower within one hour. Engine fuel efficiency can also be referred to as the Engine’s Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC). Using the BSFC classification, it is worth noting that most engines used by minitrucks fall in the naturally aspirated engine category. The naturally aspirated, turbocharged, and supercharged engines use different fuel pumps. It is necessary to know the type of your engine based on BSFC classification, and you will be able to choose the right fuel pump.

The Fuel Pressure

The various engines require fuel under different pressure depending on the nature of the engine. The high-performance engines used by the sports cars will require fuel under high pressure. The fuel pump does the role of giving the engine fuel as per the required pressure. These pumps vary in the amount of pressure they produce. Before buying one, you must know the exact pressure requirement of your mini truck.

Conclusion

When choosing the best fuel pump for your minitruck, understand the above factors. These factors are derived from your engine, and the correct fuel pump must be compatible with your engine. Choosing an incompatible engine is likely to damage your engine.

Suzuki Carry Fuel Pump Conversion

The legendary Suzuki Carry has a carburetor and fuel-injected engine. The two types of engines receive fuel from the fuel tank with the aid of a fuel pump. There are two types of fuel pumps— the Mechanical and the electric fuel pump. As the name suggests, the mechanical pump relies upon the vacuum mechanism to deliver fuel to the carburetor. The ECU controls the electric fuel pump as it delivers the fuel to the injectors. The computer-controlled electric fuel pump is more stable and reliable. There are a whole lot of advantages of an electric fuel pump. In this guide, we will go through Suzuki carry fuel pump conversion from a mechanical to an electric one.

Importance of Electric Fuel Pump

The electric fuel pumps supply fuel at a relatively higher pressure to the fuel injectors, which makes the combustion chamber have a constant fuel flow.

You can fix the electric fuel in the fuel tank. Submerging it into fuel tank will not damage it. Instead, it protects it from catching fire.

The electric pump will keep the fuel supply in the engine constant because the ECU controls it. Constant fuel supply prevents the formation of vapor in the combustion chambers.

Suzuki Carry Fuel Pump Conversion

The electric fuel pump will be stable in both carburetor and fuel-injected engines. The mechanical fuel pumps are less reliable and prone to break easily. This section focuses on converting mechanical fuel pumps into electric fuel pump.

Locate the battery in your Suzuki carry and remove the negative cable. After doing this, disconnect the gas cap from the gas tank. Doing this will reduce the pressure in the gas tubes. You can step on the fuel pedal to further release the pressure.

Some clamps connect the tubes between the fuel pump and the tank at the end. Removing the clamps will free the mechanical fuel pump. While doing this, have a clean container to tap the fuel in the tubes. Disconnect the fuel tubes between the mechanical fuel pump, carburetor, or fuel injector. At this point, your mechanical fuel pump will be free, and you can remove it.

Unseal the new electric pump, then install it. When installing the electric fuel pump, choose a place that will protect it from external damages as well as fire from the hot parts of the engine. The electric pump has equipment for attaching it firmly to your vehicle’s frame. When attaching it, ensure the pointing arrow is facing the engine components.

The electric pump has a black and red wire. This black wire should be attached to the frame of your Suzuki carry to ground it. Attach the red wire to the #12 wire using masking tape. The two attached wires should be attached to the ignition fuse. The red and the #12 wire will put on the electric pump when you ignite the engine.

Altogether remove the old fuel tubes from the tank and attach the new ones. Attach the new fuel tubes to the carburetor or the fuel injectors. Cut these wires in half, then fix the universal inline fuel filters.

Conclusion

Installing the electric fuel pump will improve the performance of your Suzuki Carry. This procedure is complex, and it is advisable you do it with the help of a specialized mechanic.

MiniTruck Pumps – Comparing Mechanical vs Electric Fuel Pumps

The fuel pump in a minitruck supplies the engine with the fuel. Fuel tanks and engines are purposely engineered in a linear position, so the pressure is required for fuel to move to the engine because of the engine. The fuel pump is specially designed to perform this role. The engine of a minitruck requires a constant supply of fuel to function without stopping. The fuel pump’s role is to feed the engine with fuel. The fuel pumps can either be mechanical or electric. These two have different working principles. This article will focus on comparing mechanical vs electric fuel pumps.

Mechanical vs Electric Fuel Pumps

The major difference between the two fuel pumps is the mode of operation. The mechanical pumps depend on the moving parts to generate the energy to suck fuel from the tank to the engine. On the other hand, the electric pump relies on electricity and the ECU to generate power that delivers fuel to the fuel injectors.

The Generation of the Vehicle

Mechanical fuel pumps are common in old vehicles, which use a carburetor to supply fuel in the combustion chamber. On the other hand, modern vehicles use the electric fuel pump because they have powerful engines that rely on fuel supplied under high pressure. The electrical pump relies on a computer system to control the pressure of fuel supplied in the engine.

Location

The mechanical fuel pump is found at the side of the engine. This pump supplies fuel by sucking it from the bottom of the fuel tank. The diaphragm creates the sucking energy, and valves prevent fuel backflow. The sucked fuel is then transmitted to the carburetor, which dispenses the fuel into the combustion chamber. This pump has an arm that drives it and ensures the fuel supplies at a constant rate when the vehicle is at high speed.

The electrical pump is found on the top of the fuel tank. It is mounted on a bracket in a case in the fuel tank. They can operate when submerged in the fuel tank. It depends on the electricity to stimulate the pump and propel the fuel to the fuel injectors. These electronics determine the rate at which fuel is supplied depending on how it is needed.

Mode of operation

The electric pump produces some sound when working. This sound depends on the size, design, and where and how the motor is installed, while the mechanical pump never produces any audible sound when operating.

The electric pump is the best for vehicles sitting in the parking lot for a long time. The electrical pump is quick and starts pumping fuel as soon as it receives the required power. It gets this power from the ignition switch. The mechanical pump does not easily pick up. Thus it is hard to start vehicles using it after being parked for a long time.

Conclusion

The differences discussed above will aid you in understanding the two types of pumps. You will thus be able to make an appropriate decision on the pump to choose for your minitruck.

Replacing Fuel Pump in a Daihatsu Hijet & When To Do It

One of the most loved mini trucks is the Daihatsu Hijet. This vehicle is popular among the Japanese because of its unbelievable capabilities. Its ability to perform roles similar to a standard-sized pickup truck, yet its small engine capacity, classifies it as a legendary mini truck. Due to its capabilities, the love for Daihatsu Hijet has spread worldwide. Thanks to the Japanese car dealers. This vehicle requires regular check-ups and maintenance for it to serve you better. Monitoring the fuel pump is essential. Here, we will be looking at when you need to be replacing fuel pump in a Daihatsu Hijet mini truck.

The Functioning Of a Fuel Pump In a Vehicle

Have you ever asked yourself how the fuel gets to the engine yet the fuel tank is not in the engine? The fuel pump facilitates fuel movement from the tank to the engine’s combustion chamber. It provides the pressure that pushes fuel to the fuel injectors and ensures a regular fuel flow to the combustion chamber. The fuel pump only works better when it is in good condition. 

Purpose of a Fuel Pump

The fuel pump plays the role of pumping fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel injectors. As they pump, they generate adequate pressure to transmit fuel through the pipes. The engine cannot generate pressure to suck fuel from the tank to the injectors, which is why a fuel pump is required.

The Engine Electronic Control Unit does the role of controlling the modern fuel pumps. The fuel pump is vital as it generates the necessary pressure and wears out with time making it faulty.

Signs of a Faulty Fuel Pump

When you need to be replacing fuel pump in a Daihatsu Hijet mini truck? The Hijet will most likely some signs when the fuel pump malfunctions. This guide looks at some common signs your mini truck will show.

Noise Coming From the Fuel Tank

The fuel pump produces a typical sound that should not worry you. If the noise persists and becomes loud, the Daihatsu Hijet is trying to communicate that there is a problem with the fuel pump. The fuel tank can make noise when the fuel is contaminated or the fuel levels have gone down. 

The Hijet Mini Truck Becomes Hard to Start

When starting your mini truck becomes a nightmare is an indication that there is a problem with the fuel pump. As you try to ignite the mini truck, the ignition process will not be complete because there will be less or no fuel to burn in the combustion chamber.

The Hijet Mini Truck is likely to Stall

When the engine receives little fuel, it will go off unexpectedly while in motion. This might embarrass you when driving on a busy highway. If your Hijet experiences this, there are high chances that the fuel pump is faulty.

The Mini Truck Becomes Less Powerful

If you realize that the engine power of your Daihatsu Hijet goes down when you are going up a hill or carrying a load, it’s an indication that the engine might be receiving less fuel to burn. In this case, check the condition of your fuel pump.

Conclusion

The engine that Daihatsu Hijet uses is very senstive. To make it increase its lifespan, pay attention to the warnings it might be sending. A faulty fuel pump, if ignored, might destroy the entire engine.

Replacing Fuel Pump in a Suzuki Carry

Suzuki Carry is one of the Kei trucks with the most resilient body and engine. Its body is made of steel, making it solid and durable. It has a small yet robust engine capable of handling daily tasks without fatigue or breaking down. The four-wheel-drive version of Suzuki Carry can easily tow heavy loads and tackle rugged terrain. For this mini truck to give you the best services over a long period, you need to take care of it, service it at the right time and be sensitive to signs it gives when its parts are not functioning correctly: for example, the fuel pump. In this guide, we will be looking at replacing fuel pump in a Suzuki Carry mini truck.

How Fuel Pumps Work In a Vehicle

Fuel is essential for any combustion engine to generate energy used in motion. It mixes with oxygen in the combustion chamber, and the mixture burns to produce energy. Most fuel tanks are not within the engine, so there is a need for fuel to flow to the engine in a given uniform proportion. The fuel pump facilitates fuel flow, ensuring the fuel reaches the combustion chamber at the required pressure and quantity.

This function stresses and wears out the pump with time. When the fuel pump of your mini truck is faulty, you will experience signs such as hard starting, stopping unexpectedly while in motion, and less power while going up a hill or carrying a load. In this case, here is what to do to replace your fuel pump.

Replacing Fuel Pump in a Suzuki Carry

Practice safety before replacing the fuel pump of your Suzuki Carry. Put on safety glasses and gloves. Ensure there is no fire close to your working area; always have a fire extinguisher ready. Do the following to replace the faulty fuel pump.

Lift your mini truck and safely remove the fuel tank. You can drain it in a clean container if it has some fuel. Clean the fuel tank. Locate the fill lines and pull the supporting clamps to drop the fuel tank. After removing the supporting clamps, pull the fill lines, and the fuel tank will come out.

You will see all the fuel lines and wire connectors and disconnect them. Clean the upper part of the fuel tank and pull out the pump retaining ring.

Detach the pump assembly. It would help if you had the new pump assembly while doing this. While doing this, remember that some old pump assembly parts will be essential in assembling the new one.

After installing the new fuel pump and the retaining ring, gently raise the fuel pump to reconnect the fuel lines and the wire connectors. Reattach the straps and the fill lines to the tank. Refill the fuel tank and ignite the engine. As the engine is running, inspect any possible leakages.

Conclusion

Safety should be your priority when changing the fuel pump to avoid fuel-related accidents. If you are unsure about yourself, take your Suzuki Carry to the mechanic to help you do this. When installing a new fuel pump, accompany it with new fuel filters.

Changing Mazda Scrum Fuel Pump

It is fantastic to own a Mazda Scrum. The demands of this mini truck are minimal, yet it will offer you the best services. This mini truck consumes significantly less fuel, and the cost of servicing it is lower than a standard pickup truck. Owning this mini truck requires hacks that will help you take care of it. More important is understanding your Mini truck, how it behaves when in good condition, and when it requires a mechanical check-up. Let us focus on the fuel pump and particularly changing Mazda Scrum fuel pump

How Well Do You Know The Fuel Pump?

The engine of a Mazda Scrum has a displacement of 658cc. This small displacement makes it consume significantly less fuel. But how does the fuel reach the engine? Between the fuel tank and the engine are the fuel tubes, the channels fuel follows to move from the fuel tank to the engine fuel injectors. For fuel to travel to the engine injectors, there has to exist some pressure for this. The fuel pump provides the pressure and, apart from this, promotes a continuous flow of fuel to the engine injectors.

Occasionally, the fuel pump might become faulty. You will realize this when your Mazda scrum becomes too weak to go up a hill or to tow loads, when the engine goes off unceremoniously and when you experience difficulty starting the engine. These signs are related to a malfunctioning fuel pump.

Changing Mazda Scrum Fuel Pump

Before you start the procedure, bare in the back of your mind that you are handling fuel. Accidents related to it are fatal. Ensure you are doing this produce in a fire-free place, and have the fire extinguisher just in case of fire. Protect your eyes by wearing glasses, and wear gloves as well. After considering safety, this is how you replace the fuel pump for your Mazda Scrum.

Slightly lift your mini truck so that you can access the fuel tank. Confirm whether there is fuel in the tank. If you find any, drain it in a very clean container.

You will see clamps on the fill lines. Remove these clamps. After doing this, support your fuel tank, so it does not bang the ground. After disconnecting the fuel tank, Clean it using a rug. Cleaning is necessary for the removal of any impurity that might find itself in the tank as you remove the fuel pump.

You will see the fuel lines and the wire connectors. Disconnect them. After doing this, gently clean the upper part of the tank and disconnect the pump retaining ring.

Remove the entire fuel pump and replace it with a new set. As you perform this, you can check the parts of the previous fuel pumps, which can be important when installing the new fuel pump system. 

After successful completion of the installation of the new fuel pump:

  1. Perform the reverse procedure to restore your fuel tank.
  2. Put some fuel in the tank, then ignite your engine.
  3. As the engine runs, perform an inspection of any leakage. 

Conclusion

Strive to give your Mazda Scrum’s engine more power and lifespan by being alert to note a faulty fuel pump in time. If you ignore it, it might evolve into a significant issue.

Installing fuel pump in Nissan Vanette

The Nissan vanette van can serve you as a business, domestic, and as cargo van. This van has a narrow design but offers adequate legroom for those on board. The narrow engine gives adequate legroom. The driver and the codriver’s seat are on top of the engine. This gives adequate space for the comfort of the front occupants. This minivan is available in different engine sizes, and recently the Nissan Company produced a 2.0-liter Nissan Vanette. Nissan Vanette is practical and reliable, especially the models which run on 2.0-liter engines. It will give you the best driving experience, speed, and stability. However, to enjoy its services, you must spend a little cash for its regular servicing and maintenance. This minivan might develop fuel pump issues, though not familiar if you are using genuine parts. Among the most crucial things in any vehicle is the fuel system. And in this guide, we will be focusing on installing fuel pump in Nissan Vanette mini truck.

Fuel Pump Overview

The fuel pump in the Nissan Vanette generates pressure that transmits the fuel to the fuel injectors on the cylinders. The fuel tanks are slightly away from the engine, and the two are in a horizontal arrangement. For this matter, pressure is necessary to push the fuel into the injectors, which spray it into the cylinders.

The fuel pump maintains a constant supply of fuel into the cylinders for constant combustion. If the fuel supply is not constant, the engine will stall, become difficult to start and perform under little power. If you see these signs in your minivan, be assured that the fuel pump is faulty. How do you install a new fuel pump in case of such an event?

Installing fuel pump in Nissan Vanette

Handling fuel is risky, and you need to practice necessary precautions. Perform this procedure away from any fire source, have a fire extinguisher, and put on glasses and gloves. Perform the following to install a new fuel pump in your Nissan Vanette.

Nissan Vanette has the fuel tank beneath. It is necessary to lift the van to access the fuel tank. After lifting the car, clean the fuel tank and drain the fuel in it.

After draining the fuel in the tank, locate and remove all the clamps that support the fuel tank in position. While doing this, hold the fuel tank, so it does not bang or fall. 

After lowering your fuel tank, disconnect all the fuel tubes and wires. Clean the upper part of the tank. Doing this is necessary to remove dirt that may fall into the tank as you extract the fuel pump.

The pump retaining ring will be visible; extract it. Remove all the components of the fuel pump. While doing this, be careful not to damage some components. Some components of the older fuel pump might be necessary when installing the new one.

Install the new fuel pump, and do the reverse removal procedure. After you have fixed your fuel tank into its place, put some fuel in it and start the engine. Leave the engine on as you inspect any fuel leakage.

Conclusion

This hack will help you fix a new fuel pump if you cannot access a mechanic’s services. It is essential to do it with the help of a professional.

Important Tips before Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney

The attorney comes in handy when you are involved in a truck accident or have lost someone dear to you due to negligence. Several lawyers will offer to fight for you to get justice. When choosing a lawyer, it is necessary to choose one with a reputation and experience in handling truck accident cases. Trucks cause most injuries on the road, and trucking companies have a high turnover of truck-related injuries. When you are hiring a truck accident attorney, they will help prove that the victim was legally hired to operate the truck and facilitate the compensation procedure. If you have decided to choose an attorney, consider the following tips. 

Avoid Hiring A Truck Accident Attorney You Meet for the First Time.

It is hard to determine whether the lawyer you meet for the first time is suitable for your case. Do some research about the lawyer first. In your research, find out if they are experienced in handling truck accident cases and their winning rates. 

Several websites contain the profiles of various law firms. Research these sites and check the customer reviews of the firm you are willing to hire. Online will bring you to the top-rated lawyers who have received good feedback and ratings from their clients. 

Consider the Physical Location of the Lawyer

Ensure you hire an attorney with a physical office where you can go anytime as they handle your case. If your lawyer cannot meet you in person, they should provide an alternative means you can use to reach them. Hiring a lawyer with an office promotes the efficiency of the process.

It is necessary to hire that law firm with the attorney and the paralegal working hand in hand to promote efficient communication regarding your cases and facilitate the entire process. 

Receive Recommendations From Friends and Relatives

Consult from a friend or relative who has experience in a truck accident and had a successful case in court. Let them share with you their experiences, the challenges they went through, and the attorney they hired. From this, you will be able to get an experienced lawyer with a good track record. In a truck crash, the victims usually case against big firms with a lot of financial resources. To emerge the victor, you must choose a highly experienced attorney.

Meet Your Potential Lawyer

A physical meeting with the lawyer you wish to hire is important. Take your time to talk to the lawyer, as this will enable you to tell whether they can handle your case. As you plan for a physical meeting, do some online research on whether their offices are near you or far. A lawyer with offices near you is more convenient.

Conclusion

In the event of a truck crash, the victims suffer the most as compared to truck owners. Truck owners are financially stable and if you decide to fight them in court, consider hiring a lawyer who will not disappoint you. Be wise to choose an attorney who knows what to do to fight for your rights in court.

How To Change Subaru Sambar Fuel Pump

The legendary Subaru tops the list in the manufacture of mini trucks. The Japanese who love the six-star logo prefer owning this mini truck to other mini trucks. This truck is the unique vehicle Subaru company has ever made. This is the only Subaru vehicle with the smallest engine size and not running on a boxer engine. Yet this mini truck has proven to be reliable and resilient. As much as Subaru Sambar is a reliable mini truck, it might face common mechanical issues related to any motor vehicle. This guide focuses on the process to change the Subaru Sambar fuel pump, and how you can change it.

Understanding The Fuel Pump

All vehicles with an internal combustion engine run on fuel. They have fuel tanks of various capacities. The Sambar has a fuel tank capable of holding up to 40 liters. The fuel pump performs the role of pumping the fuel from the tank to the fuel injectors located at the engine cylinders. The fuel pump does this at a given pressure to continuously deliver an equal quantity of fuel into the cylinders. The mixture of fuel and oxygen in the cylinder burns to produce energy that rotates the wheels.

The engine cannot generate sucking energy to bring fuel from the tank to the cylinders. There are some automobiles without a fuel pump. As such, the fuel tank is slightly higher than the engine. The fuel uses gravitational pull to reach the cylinders. The fuel pump’s role is vital; the engine cannot start if it misses. 

What if it becomes faulty? Your Sambar mini truck is may fail to start correctly if it lacks the power to go up the hill or carry heavy loads, and it may also go off in the middle of the road. If you see these signs, your fuel pump could be faulty. Here is how you can replace it.

Replacing the Fuel Pump of a Subaru Sambar

It is necessary to be cautious when changing the fuel pump because you will be directly dealing with fuel. Let safety measures be your priority. Perform the following procedures to replace your fuel pump.

Lift your Subaru Sambar slightly higher for you to access the fuel tank. Remove dirt around the fuel tank, and drain all gas from the tank in a clean container that cannot contaminate it. Remove the clamps holding the fuel tank. As you do this, hold it, so it does not drop. 

Detach all the wires and the fuel tubes from the tank, then clean its upper part. After cleaning, locate the fuel pump and extract it with its components. Do not damage the fuel pump because some of the components of the old fuel pump will be necessary to install the new one. 

Install the new system and do the reverse procedure to fix back the fuel tank. Install a new fuel filter when fixing a new fuel pump. After firmly fixing the fuel tank, fill it with fuel and start the engine. As the engine is running, check round in case of any leakage.

Conclusion

Using this guide, you can change the Subaru Sambar fuel pump easily on your own. In case you are not sure, consult a professional mechanic.

How To Set Engine Timing in a Mini Truck

Timing in this context refers to an interval at which two events cause an event. The first event is ignition, the second event is firing, and the caused event is combustion. Timing in a mini truck is the duration between the ignition and the start of combustion in the engine cylinders. When you ignite the engine, the spark plugs receive the signals, which produce a spark to burn the mixture of fuel and oxygen in the combustion chamber. So, how do you go about setting engine timing in a mini truck? Here we delve deeper into that.

The production of sparks should be simultaneous to the compression stroke. If sparks come early or late, your engine is likely to develop complications with time. It is essential to adjust your engine’s timing to increase your mini truck’s horsepower. A mini truck only needs horsepower and good torque to serve you better. Therefore it is a requirement to check the engine timing to achieve this. The best thing to do to your mini truck is to check on the timing. If the need arises to adjust it, purchase the tools available at the auto shops, such as the timing light and a set of wrenches. 

Setting Engine Timing in a Mini Truck

It is essential to practice before handling any engine. Fire and oil spill-related accidents are common while handling car engines. Ensure your engine is off and cool before working on it. Wear the necessary protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and overalls. Consider the following to adjust your engine timing. 

Observe Your Mini Truck if Its Engine Timing Needs to be Adjusted

The new mini trucks have electric ignition. They do not require timing adjustments. If you own an old mini truck, you have to check whether timing adjustment is necessary or not. When observing your mini truck, take note of backfiring and pinging. These are the common signs that your timing requires adjustment. 

Ignite the Engine

Let the engine run for it to achieve the 196-degree temperature. You will be able to know that the temperature is reached by looking at the temperature gauge. After reaching the required temperatures, connect the timing lights to the number one spark plug and the battery. Let the timing light shine in the crankshaft pulley. As this happens, have your manufacturer’s manual compare the readings and what is in the manual.

Make the necessary adjustments

Adjust when you note a difference between the readings and what is on your mini truck manual. Ensure the adjusting bolt is loose to offer space for the rotation of the distributor. You can rotate the distributor as you use the timing light to identify the timing marks on the crankshaft and the timing cover. 

As you rotate the adjusting nuts, the required adjustments will take place. After achieving the idle position timing, consider tightening the adjusting nuts. 

Conclusion

Upon performing the procedure in this guide, you will have set your ignition timing. Your Japanese mini truck will likely show timing symptoms due to overstretched timing belts. When this happens, try to seek a mechanic’s services. 

Troubleshooting Fuel Pump Issues in a Mini Truck

Mini trucks are fantastic small vehicles. They will innocently and loyally serve all your needs. As they serve you, they will only demand a little from you. Proper servicing and little fuel are just enough for them. These vehicles will realize the returns on investment very fast in case you use them to run businesses. In this guide, we will be looking at ways of troubleshooting fuel pump issues in a mini truck.

The mini trucks will likely experience fuel pump problems after a while in use. When you realize your Kei truck is becoming less powerful, it stops while in motion and becomes hard to start. The fuel pump is likely to be faulty. When the fuel pump is faulty, you are supposed to repair or replace it in time for your mini truck not to develop other significant problems.

Troubleshooting Fuel Pump Issues in a Mini Truck

Most engine parts share similar symptoms when faulty. This article will help you identify the issue related to the fuel pump of your mini truck. The below tests will enable you to troubleshoot the problems and fix them.

Perform the Preliminary Checks 

You must perform a general check-up for your mini truck before concluding that the fuel pump is faulty. Check the following.

  • Check if there is Adequate fuel in the tank.
  • Listen to the swishing sound produced by your fuel tank when you turn on the Engine.
  • Check whether the timing belt is in good condition, which is not very loose.
  • Check if the fuel filter is not clogged or not.

After performing the following general checks, you can start the process of troubleshooting. 

  1. If the Engine goes Off After Running for a Short Time

When the Engine of your mini truck runs for a short time and goes off and refuses to start until it cools, do the following.

  • Remove the hoodie and the spark plug wire.
  • For safety, use insulated pliers to hold the spark plug wire.
  • Attach the tip of the wire to any metallic part of the Engine.
  • Ignite the Engine. If it does not spark, then there might be a problem with the ignition coil. In case it sparks, then the fuel pump is faulty. 
  1. Perform the Fuel System Pressure

If the fuel pump is not functioning correctly, perform the fuel system pressure to determine where the problem is. You will require a fuel pressure gauge to do this. Perform the following.

Some system pressure has a test port valve. Cover this valve with a rag to prevent any fuel from spilling. If your system does not have the port valve, remove the fuel pump fuse and the Engine. You can insert the fuel pump fuse if it goes off due to a lack of fuel.

Join the fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve in the test port, put on your Engine, and observe it as it idles. As this happens, compare the fuel pressure from the fuel gauge and that on your manual. 

Conclusion 

It is pretty tricky to diagnose issues related to the fuel pump because they are similar to other engine problems. The guide has provided some common problems you will likely experience with your fuel pump.