Mini v. ATV: your opinions are appreciated!

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DirtyLittleSecret

DirtyLittleSecret

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Hey gang. Searched for a possible discussion of Toyota Mini's v. ATV's for farm/chores. I recently got rid of my Grizzly 700, and am finding that a small utility rig is a big help. Looked at the Rhino's, and quite frankly was thinking a Mini might be a stronger more utilitarian off/on road rig. Probably less expensive and longer lasting as well.
Any advise would be appreciated!
 
I think a mini would be more useful only for the reason that you can haul a lot more stuff with a truck than a quad. Dump runs, soil, firewood, gravel, rocks whatever is easily transported and in large quantities compared to what a quad with a trailer can do. plus you cant take a quad 20 miles to the local dump. If you have really tight property a quad might be more useful but to me I would rather have a truck. if i had a lot of acreage with tight trails and terrain that would only be accessible by a quad yes. but I only have 2 acres and my truck can get anywhere on my property. I thought about getting a quad once but they are a pricey investment and I could see myself playing with the quad far more than actually working with it around the property.

I think it all comes down to what you need personally. my needs are going to be different than yours. You mention farming, I would see a truck more useful there. I don't know what your chores consist of but if they are more dependent on quick transportation over hauling needs then a quad might be better. just some ideas that came to mind.
 
I was hunting one time and my cousin came up on his 4Trax 300. He parked it beside my 91 regular cab 4x, the difference in wheel base was crazy. Not really all that much. Only I could use my Hilux, 5foot bed and all...And I prolly paid less for it to.


Also, the Toyota is/ was street legal....
 
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Is there anything particularly important if one were to be building a Mini into a road legal atv? Plenty of mini's for around $1500, and figure spending around $5000 total with upgrades.
 
traction.

I bolted on BFG ATs and got stuck, everywhere!

You can get traction and a less aggressive tire and go in more places than if you just had aggressive tires.

traction, traction, traction









Or are you talking about those little cab-overs? :confused:
 
Toyota would be way less expensive. You could fine a reliable beater for $1500 or less. You're not gonna touch a rhino for anywhere near that. Also the truck would have a heater for wintertime chores.
 
2ndGenToyotaFan said:
Mini. Any other questions? :D

Have you seen this video? Hehehehe

YouTube - Top Gear: Killing a Toyota Part 1
Click to expand...

Thats just crazy!

If its anything to you, We have over 1200 acres, my grandfather bought a 400 2x4 Polaris and Ill admit its fun, more fuel efficient, but when it breaks you cant make a trip to Oriellys for parts. One axle seal costs over 210.00, compared to that I could completely redo my Rear Axle, Brakes and all even using Synthetic.

And Im constantly trying to manuever the 4wheeler trails to pull my grandpa and lil brother out of stuff.


Mini>ATV anyday
 
I have 2 Bombardier ATVs (both 4X4), 1 Honda 300 4X4, and 1 Honda 250 2wd. I also have the mini truck. My wife loves to run to the dump with our ATVs and trailer. I like to take either, depending on how much garbage we have. I'd rather take the mini wheeling, but theres someplaces that ATVs are allowed and trucks and UTVs (>50" wide) are not. Get them both! :grinpimp:
 
Thanks for the replies. Is there any particular year that's better than others that I ought to know about? I understand the solid axle deal, but what years were those?
Figured a few grand spent at Marlin would get me a long way, longfields, PP rear axles, 4.88's, Aussies front/rear, and would be shooting for 33's or 35's. Barely road legal is the ideal. What size lift do would you guys recommend?
Pretty certain about a mini after taking a Rhino out...
 
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DirtyLittleSecret said:
Thanks for the replies. Is there any particular year that's better than others that I ought to know about? I understand the solid axle deal, but what years were those?
Figured a few grand spent at Marlin would get me a long way, longfields, PP rear axles, 4.88's, Aussies front/rear, and would be shooting for 33's or 35's. Barely road legal is the ideal. What size lift do would you guys recommend?
Pretty certain about a mini after taking a Rhino out...
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hahahaha
:flipoff2:
These topics have been covered a dozen times. Its not like you are the only one who thinks of this :rolleyes:

do a search and find lots of info.

the cliff notes as follows, In my MOST humble opinion:

1985 22RE Solid axle extra cab, w/ PS

in YOUR case 4.88 otherwise run 5.29

4" spring lift MAX. NO blocks. No body.

Confederate flag on the roof.

Anything marlin is worth every penny. Hysteer is the best thing since sliced bread
 
WristPin said:
hahahaha
:flipoff2:
These topics have been covered a dozen times. Its not like you are the only one who thinks of this :rolleyes:

do a search and find lots of info.

the cliff notes as follows, In my MOST humble opinion:

1985 22RE Solid axle extra cab, w/ PS

in YOUR case 4.88 otherwise run 5.29

4" spring lift MAX. NO blocks. No body.

Confederate flag on the roof.

Anything marlin is worth every penny. Hysteer is the best thing since sliced bread
Click to expand...

:clap:

I would add an aussie locker in the rear for some extra traction. And Marlin Crawler is the s***. Whatever you do go with the man Marlin, not the walmart.
 
Whaoooo first off, this is a farm truck right? A 4 inch lift is going to make it less useful! Find a decent shape stocker with a 4 banger and a 5 speed, my preference would be 84-95, EFI would be nice, but there's no need.... Keep the tires small, get a rear locker, and marlin 4.7 gears for the T-case. Then go use it. End of story. My IFS has 304k on it.... Guess what? It could probably use an alignment.... The 86-95 IFS is one of the toughest out there. People get too crazy with mods, and it stops being a truck, and starts being a never ending project that gets less and less useful as a truck....
 
2ndGenToyotaFan said:
Whaoooo first off, this is a farm truck right? A 4 inch lift is going to make it less useful! Find a decent shape stocker with a 4 banger and a 5 speed, my preference would be 84-95, EFI would be nice, but there's no need.... Keep the tires small, get a rear locker, and marlin 4.7 gears for the T-case. Then go use it. End of story. My IFS has 304k on it.... Guess what? It could probably use an alignment.... The 86-95 IFS is one of the toughest out there. People get too crazy with mods, and it stops being a truck, and starts being a never ending project that gets less and less useful as a truck....
Click to expand...


Good point. So easy to get carried away with these things...Where my property is there's a good deal of spots to get high centered (like my Grizzly ATV did). Have had great success with the Aussies in my Cruiser, but keep waiting for the rear axle to give up.
 
DirtyLittleSecret said:
Good point. So easy to get carried away with these things...Where my property is there's a good deal of spots to get high centered (like my Grizzly ATV did). Have had great success with the Aussies in my Cruiser, but keep waiting for the rear axle to give up.
Click to expand...

True. However, if you are going to lift it, I've heard good things about the All Pro Offroad Extreme Kit for a package deal

All Pro Off Road

OR, you can go the cheap route and put 63" chevy springs in the back and move the rear springs up front or put j33p waggy springs in front. Myself, I'm going the chevy and rears to the front eventually. :cheers:

For good info on most anything, spend a while in the FAQ for this section. :cheers:
 
Here's how I would look at modding the truck:


Compare its ground clearance with that of the 4wheelers.

Compare its on-road handling and legality.

Compare its track width.



Take all that into consideration. Then don't look at the truck as "how can I mod it?" Look at it as "how much more do I get from it now, than I would the 4wheeler?"

there is no end to modding a truck, however there is an end to modding a 4wheeler. If you look at it as a 4wheeler than with just a few minor mods, it would be a fully modded/ killer 4wheeler.

It is really easy to get away from what you need here. Tires and lift, and you'll have an off roader, not a usable truck. When what you have now is a whole lot better than a 4wheeler anyway. And can almost fit in anyplace a 4wheeler can go. Get it wider and taller and IMO you're defeating your purpose.




this was $500. And all I have to do is have traction, and I'll be happy. Traction gets you further off road, the rest of the mods help allot, but IMO not as much as traction.
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Hilux said:
Here's how I would look at modding the truck:


Compare its ground clearance with that of the 4wheelers.

Compare its on-road handling and legality.

Compare its track width.



Take all that into consideration. Then don't look at the truck as "how can I mod it?" Look at it as "how much more do I get from it now, than I would the 4wheeler?"

there is no end to modding a truck, however there is an end to modding a 4wheeler. If you look at it as a 4wheeler than with just a few minor mods, it would be a fully modded/ killer 4wheeler.

It is really easy to get away from what you need here. Tires and lift, and you'll have an off roader, not a usable truck. When what you have now is a whole lot better than a 4wheeler anyway. And can almost fit in anyplace a 4wheeler can go. Get it wider and taller and IMO you're defeating your purpose.




this was $500. And all I have to do is have traction, and I'll be happy. Traction gets you further off road, the rest of the mods help allot, but IMO not as much as traction.
Click to expand...


aahhhhh. aint he a cute lil feller?! :flipoff2:
 
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