I (NOT a mechanic) Replace the Springs on my Kei Truck

[@dbcooper7477]

I own a 94 Acty and have done a plethora of work on it. I’m impressed with your tenacity. Not many younger people will tackle the jobs I’ve seen you take on. Especially with basic hand tools and no garage! Fight the good fight! I will keep watching you and give you advice if you want it.

[@JulesMariani]

Thank you!! I'm slowly learning as I go. Trying to do as much as I can myself as a beginner. And I will always welcome advice 😀

[@dbcooper7477]

@@JulesMariani You are doing great, for real. I've been wrenching on anything with nuts and bolts for 40 years. I've made more than a few mistakes along the way! I'm an aircraft mechanic and do 95% of my own car/truck maintenance (Jiffy Lube can do oil changes cheaper than I can, LOL). Anyway, if you're up to the task, I highly recommend you change your timing belt. If you don't already know, the Acty engine will self destruct if the timing belt breaks or jumps from being old and loose. Here on KZbin, RHD_Ron has a good series of videos. He has one showing the timing belt change. I'm too old and stubborn to start making my own videos, otherwise I would make one for you! LOL. It's a tough job no doubt and will take you all day. If you decide to tackle the timing belt, I recommend changing at least the LH engine mount. It fails more often versus the other 2 mounts. You have to remove that mount in order to do the timing belt. Ebay will sell you the mount for less than $100. Also on Ebay are several timing belt kits available. Most kit include gaskets, thermostat and the water pump. Take care and I'll be watching your progress!

[@user-hd5ni7wz8f]

I (NOT an Acty owner) Enjoy this video. Part educational, part boar-hunting, fully entertaining. You remind us of the pixar character Ellie/Jessie. Rooting for you in California. Cheers.

[@AandB1998]

I have to get one of these Kei trucks (there goes my bank account😂). It’s refreshing to see a younger person do their own work. Respect and subscribed.

[@toddtapia8610]

I just bought a 90' ACTY...fricken love this little thing, because its half the size of a normal car, its so easy to work on, parts are like half the size with half the nuts and bolts...just ordered Moog bushings, new wheels, ACTY stickers and other goodies...Keep up the good work, your serious motivation!!

[@TedBuildsStuff]

You're killing it! I just ordered a HA4 SDX and I feel like this content is going to really come in handy. Much appreciated :)

[@andrewgodefroy3271]

As someone that's not mechanically inclined, I appreciate this video. Showing things like where you placed the jack and what jack you're using is super helpful. I think a lot of folks that make these kinds of tutorial videos tend to take those little things for granted and glaze over them. Curious if you have a list of tools that you have, wish you had, and/or that have been helpful. My Acty gets in in a few weeks and I know there will be some work needed. Thanks for the video. Again, super helpful.

[@JulesMariani]

Hi, I try to include those things because as I’ve been leaning I didn’t know them either! Throughout the course of owning the truck I have picked up a lot of new tools. Drill, deep sockets, soldering iron, rolling tool box (good because I don’t have a garage to work in) But in the beginning I got by for a while just using my trusty mini tool set. I got it on Amazon for $20. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07DWC5FPT?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title A recent addition to my arsenal is a ratchet wrench set for some awkward to reach locations. I will probably soon pick up some tire ramps for when I’m feeling lazy and don’t want to jack up the truck. I hope your acty is in great shape and doesn’t need much to get you going!

[@dmohh4660]

I have the parts but haven't attempted it yet, lol. Thanks for the video!

[@woozleboy]

I put a set of Summit Racing 300 poubd springs in and it helped a lot. I too got the chrome, but after just one year ghe chrome is pitted and coming off. In hindsight, I should have gone with painted or powder coated. No need to be on your rump working on the springs. Once the strut is removed, use your truck's bed for a wotkbench. Lastly, look at an exercise / yoga mat. Much nicer to lay on the ground while working under the truck. Keeks you dry, clean, and much warmer.

[@JulesMariani]

You make some excellent points! The next day my back was so sore and realized I should have been using my truck bed as a work surface. Thank you for sharing some great tips!

[@beezowdoodoozoppitybopbopb9488]

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels! Its fun watching smol girl work on smol truck 😂. You've said over and over that youre not a mechanic, but you've already figured out the BIGGEST part of being a mechanic. Not being afraid to jump in with both feet and reading diagrams to figure it out as you go along. You won't be able to say you're not a competent mechanic by the time you're done with your project. Wish you the best!

[@JulesMariani]

Hi, Beezow. When I feel discouraged working on the truck, comments like this make me feel like I can keep going! Thank you for the support!

[@christophercrawford9361]

Nice work

[@bladetheman]

This is awsome, good job

[@JulesMariani]

Thank you!! It was a long day... haha

[@IngmarSolissa]

I did enjoy it, subscribed^^

[@JulesMariani]

Thank you and welcome to the channel!

[@Chadski-22]

Nice work!

[@KDogg-x7l]

Hey, imma have to venture into suspension land as well as far as one of these, keep an eye on the steering linkage, it's an old type kinda consisting of,but not ,., is used as areference point. It was called a watts linkage, no where's necessary the same, but kind the same concept of load leveling. Thank you again.. You're doing absolutely excellent.Give yourself a lot of credit., People have no clue how to , Everybody over thinks it cause it's an import.

[@TooTall0320]

"Lot's of whams..." I completely understand that haha.

[@Park-my-lambo]

Wouldn't have bothered lowering the jack any further then when the weight was transferred to the jack stands. Going to have to lift it back up when you are done anyway and having a third support below never hurts for safety. I ended up putting eibach springs on mine and poly bump cushions in my struts. No way ever can bottom again.

[@Aesulf]

Don’t stand behind the spring like that (or in front of). Better stay clear if anything happens. Anyway, keep up the good work!! Stay safe.😊

[@dreadred92]

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to lift from there for future reference. You're better off using the pinch welds. Also that's a sketchy spot for the jack stands, it could potentially slip off and the center of gravity is very precarious having them placed towards the center of the vehicle like that. If you look below and just behind the doors you'll see two small jack points that will work much better.

[@JulesMariani]

Thank you, Dreadred. Still figuring things out as I go. Been trying to follow other videos, but often things (obvious to others) get omitted. Are the pinch welds a bit further back? I've seen others jack in that front center area. And I will look for the jack points as I thought those were it... 😵

[@dreadred92]

@@JulesMariani Actually after looking in the factory service manual I think you're ok to lift from behind that plastic cover! I'm sorry I was mistaken. But yes, the spots you'd be better off placing your jack stands are just behind the mud flaps for the front wheels. You could alternatively use the two 'c' shaped pinch welds at the front corners behind the front bumper. You can see one of them at the 1:28 mark in the upper middle of the screen.

[@garagespooky8193]

Do not lift any vehicle from the pinch weld, lift from the pumpkin,subframe,cross member. Especially for a vehicle prone to rust like the Honda acty.

[@dreadred92]

@@garagespooky8193 That is not correct, the pinch weld is meant for lifting. And you can tell if it's rusty or not by looking at it. With your eyes. That's wild to bring some misinformation like that, the factory service manual recommends the pinch welds as jack points. Not to mention a simple google search will tell you it is safe to use pinch welds.

[@TurboTurdBurglar]

So did this fix your clunking issue and bottoming out?

[@JulesMariani]

It does ride better, but still CANNOT handle speed bumps what so ever!!

[@TurboTurdBurglar]

@@JulesMariani nature of the beast

[@Park-my-lambo]

Needs the strut bump absorbers to get rid of the clunking. Ordered a pair from summit for around 39 bucks each. Way over priced but worth it to not bottom out. I think I got 2 inch long ones with 18mm holes

[@AAANDN1]

When able , invest in a floor jack. Easier life and release is better. Also take care of that rust by the door sills ( bottom)

[@plaintruth4637]

Why are you standing on the wrench when your impact gun is 6 inches away????

[@JulesMariani]

Hi, my impact wasn’t strong enough. Last time I put them on I used air impact at a shop and put them on too tight.

[@buluidong]

Hows the ride with the new springs? Theyre not flushed are they ok?

[@JulesMariani]

Honestly, it’s hard to tell a difference at the moment. Feels very stiff and still resulting in some whams. More testing is required, but I haven’t been driving the truck much recently since I need to address a coolant leak

[@dlmurray55]

@@JulesMariani I don't know myself for sure but I hear these trucks aren't going to be a smooth ride so it might be normal?

[@dlmurray55]

I feel you about not caring much about vehicles other than the Kei trucks. I was only riding a bicycle everywhere because I didn't have any love for the vehicles in the US. Best to order all the parts you need all in one if you can help it due to the shipping cost. What made you go with Honda on the Kei trucks? I believe I'm going with the Subaru at this point since I'm going to only use it on the road mostly, I've heard that Honda is also a good one on the road. I see a lot of people going Honda more than I would have thought. I haven't decided if I want a Suzuki but now I wonder why people like the Honda so much Let me know why you picked Honda, I would love to know.

[@JulesMariani]

Hi picked Honda because of brand recognition, reliability, engine placement, maintenance, and price. I didn’t want a kei truck with an engine in the cab. I could find the most content and tutorials on the Honda Acty so I felt confident I could take on a majority of the maintenance that would be required. Also, at the time, the Honda was one of the cheapest Kei trucks I could find. If I could go back, I wouldn’t pick the truck I have, but rather a Honda in decent shape or maybe Subaru. But without seeing the truck in person I landed bit of a dud.

[@dlmurray55]

@@JulesMariani yeah I went to a dealer and wanted a Honda but my legs were too long. I felt like my feet were cramped against the pedals so I didn't have room to quickly move them on and off of the pedals, felt pretty unsafe for me. I ended up going with a Suzuki which was actually my second pick after more research. Luckily the Suzuki I picked was hard to turn down, It had only 12,000 mi and barely any scratches or rust. It was practically a brand new vehicle from the looks of it and the way it ran, probably didn't help the Honda that I tried that was a little bit worn out so when switching gears it felt very bad in the Honda and very smooth in the Suzuki. My guess that would have been fixed with changing parts though, in the end I'm happy with what I got just got to wait for it to get ship back to me. I never drove a stick shift before so that was a very new experience, honestly I thought it would be easier hahaha. I got the hang of it enough but I didn't feel safe driving at the back roads 2 hours from there to my house with the little experience I had and by myself

[@dlmurray55]

@@JulesMariani I forgot to ask, how do you like that mirror you got after using it for this long? I was thinking about buying one for when my Suzuki gets here.

[@johnfazekas9711]

keep on wrenching

[@KMV965]

И кто тебя учил ногами гайки откручивать🤔

[@tunizarorodrigo7427]

Amazing independent woman

[@plaintruth4637]

Too painful to watch.

[@AAANDN1]

I admire you and your determination. My kind of girl , car girl. If in commifornia, would like to date you 👍