Subaru Sambar DAMAGED ENGINE

[@travishall67]

So far, so good with our Sambar we bought from you and Stephanie. First thing I did to it is add a tach. I'm keeping revs at or below 5K. We also repainted the roll-bar, put new rear shocks on it, put bedliner on the entire bed, installed a new stereo and speakers, did a little deep-cleaning on it. Got a lot done since you delivered it to us in Randleman 5/26/23. Fun truck! 🍻

[@minitrucks]

Hi Travis, So glad that you are enjoying the truck:) Especially the part about you being vigilant. Tony/MMT

[@DaihatsuMiraWalk-Through]

This video is what I would classify as being transparent and honest. Some times it may not be popular to to be transparent and honest, but at the end of the day it's the right way to be. My biggest problem with importing a 25 + year old vehicle (which I've done) is the fact that they have a mechanical odometer and once they hit 100K, they go back to 0 and start over again. I am sure you have run into this being in the business for over 10 years and having imported so many.

[@minitrucks]

Thanks, yes I've probably had a rollover truck three times...the thing is you know it when you get one!

[@robbartucci5928]

Your knowledge and advice is well appreciated in the community. Glad we talked before I bought the Subaru and can’t wait to get a truck soon.

[@minitrucks]

Hi Rob, I’m glad to be of help!

[@SpecialKeiz]

Come on Tony they are 25 years old ...Gonna have good and bad ones of all makes every boatload.....

[@minitrucks]

Not necessarily...The Soobies really do suck more than their fair share of oxygen out of the room. I've had seven KEI trucks with wasted engines out of the five or six thousand KEI trucks that I've owned. Two of the seven were because of a seized water pump and all seven of them have been Subaru's. In my experience, this is beyond coincidental.

[@stephenhoffman454]

I enjoyed watching this video. And I appreciate seeing your true feelings and emotions displayed. I bought my mini truck from you recently. I did have a biased opinion about Subarus coming in to shop. But I told you my needs for the truck as I intended to use it. And I promised to be open minded. And instead of a Subaru or a Honda, I’m thrilled with my Daihatsu! And it does exactly what I needed it to do. So thankful that we got to spend time, gain knowledge and purchase our truck from you and Stephanie. Probably going to buy a second one next year.

[@minitrucks]

Hi Steve, thank you for your feedback…you can’t win them all :-)

[@dailydouble2286]

This was hard to watch. Like a kick in the gut. I was dead set on a Sambar. Because of the engine location for weight balance and ease of access. But I have now seen quite a few Sambar owners talking about rod bearing issues.

[@therealrealshocker]

Wow, I'm glad I saw this video. I have been thinking about the Subaru Sambar. Thank you for being honest and genuine about it. Thanks for sharing!

[@minitrucks]

Glad it was helpful...bummer on the engine but that's the way it goes!

[@jamesowens2781]

Enjoyed my purchase recently through you guys .

[@minitrucks]

Thank you for saying so! We appreciate your feedback...

[@richardharris492]

You mean a thermometer? A measuring device to take into cab for reliable info? You're trying to hard and any engine can blow up. What kind of service did it many miles are on it and it sounds like topend noise not rod or main bearings. They all have Rev limiter from factory so there's 0 chance to over Rev any of them

[@kirkolmsted]

We spoke about you making this video and I am so glad you did!

[@minitrucks]

You're welcome Kirk, glad that you appreciate it...

[@kirkolmsted]

@@minitrucks a video on each model, and its strong and weak points might be educational.

[@grayfox7306]

Good Job. Honest and truth will win out every time. Well done.

[@minitrucks]

Thank you for the encouraging words...can't win them all:)

[@dalemettee1147]

Tony, that tapping sounded more like a valve lifter that a "thrown Rod" because a thrown rod had a deeper sound. I know because i've done that! Not a good sound. Yes a tach is a good idea, just make sure that it will operate with a four cyl. engine.

[@minitrucks]

Hi Dale, I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks! The tapping always starts out like this. Lightish tap tap and then it get's worse. Kind of like a sore throat when you just know you're coming down with something...same feeling:(

[@adolfadolfovich7297]

Thanks Tony, good luck 😃

[@minitrucks]

Thank you too Adolf

[@dnafreq]

Thanks for the information, very much appreciated! Thought you were going on vacation starting today?

[@minitrucks]

You bet, almost ready...we've got a guy staying here so we have to get some things in order still:)

[@dnafreq]

@@minitrucks enJOY!

[@kennethlane1220]

Thank you for your honesty, when buying used equipment you have to do your homework. It's a pretty good investment and risk. I had good luck with a few imported Japanese tractors . But you have to do your homework. Looking forward to buying one of your trucks in the future.

[@minitrucks]

I agree:)

[@kittycatnet]

Tony- You know what you have to do for next video. Think about what WhistlinDiesel would do. Not building it up but giving it proper tests like driving it in a swimming pool and jumping it off a cliff! I'm sorry you got a dud. Thanks for the video.

[@kittycatnet]

Time to get an electric motor and some batteries!

[@minitrucks]

:)

[@karlplitt5287]

Sooo aftermarket tachometer and/or drag style shift light?

[@minitrucks]

Sure wouldn't be a bad idea:)

[@mitch9521]

Whats your opinion on the 3G83 12 valve Mitsubishis reliability wise?

[@minitrucks]

That engine is a legend...very reliable!

[@MrStratbat]

Can you buy a rebuild kit? rings,bearings,seals etc..how much ?

[@minitrucks]

Around 4k

[@Jamie-z33]

Hello Tony, does a governor or rev limiter on a Sambar not protect the engine from over revving? And if a bearing on the crankshaft or a connecting rod is a problem, is that not replaceable to fix a mini truck? Thanks

[@minitrucks]

Hi Jamie, they do not have a rev, limiter and regrettably the mini truck engine does not rebuild well…

[@ericjohnson9080]

What is the price on a new Subaru motor from japan?

[@minitrucks]

Around 4K

[@ericjohnson9080]

@@minitrucks just for the motor? Not including labor?

[@SpecialKeiz]

@@ericjohnson9080 3k sitting on your porch. yokohama motors

[@ilik3pie]

A factory rebuilt one from yokohamamotors is $2800 shipped to anywhere in the continental US.

[@user-vs8eq2pv4m]

When are you going to show the Suzuki carry scissor trucks

[@minitrucks]

You can count on that video going up the moment they get here!

[@user-vs8eq2pv4m]

@@minitrucks thanks