Jap Drift Trucks - A new craze?

[olstar]

Cheap?....Check

FR drivetrain ?....Check

Plentiful?....Check

Light weight?....Check

Simple and reliable?....Check

Variety of engine swap choices?....Check

All of the above are characteristics of an ideal drift car, except in this case I'm not talking about cars at all. In the 80's and 90's Japanese auto companies sold thousands upon thousands of mini-trucks in the US (and all over the world) and when you look at it, they offer a ton of potential as drift machines. The popularity of drifting in the US has lead to sky-high prices for traditional drifting platforms like the 240SX and the AE86. Besides the high prices, one look at your local Craigslist will show the large number of molested, poorly modified examples of these cars. While a pick-up truck may not seem like the best choice for drifting, the July issue of Drift Tengoku showed a couple Nissan mini-trucks that have been transformed into full fledged drift machines, and manage to look damn cool while doing it.



The Red truck is a '92 D21 long bed (Hardbody in the US) and is powered by an SR20DET with an AXB60 turbine. It is has massive suspension/chassis work as well, including a narrowed rear end, and S13 Silvia steering components. The ultra-low ride height and 18x9J and 10J Work Meisters complete give it an aggressive look on the outside.



The white truck, an '85 Datsun/Nissan 720 is even more extreme. It is powered by an RB26DETT from a Skyline GTR, and as if that wasn't enough the turbine is a single RX6. The factory live axle+leaf spring rear suspension was ditched for that of an S13 and the brakes are from a Lancer Evolution. The radiator is mounted in the bed, along with a fuel cell and roll bar. The wheels are Work Emotion CR Kai. I won't go too far into the technical stuff, but if you want to learn more try to get a hold of the July issue of dori-ten.

Even though these examples are from Japan, mini-trucks were not big sellers there, as people generally prefer tiny kei-trucks or vans. The US however, is full of used mini-trucks that can be picked up for next to nothing, so I wonder if more people will consider these pickups as potential drift machines. Although they do not have the aftermarket support of something like an S13, they do have their advantages including the ability to carry a ton of tires to the track, low price and high availability, and if you can find a diesel model you will not have to worry about smog testing in California. I know there was one guy drifting an orange Mitsubishi pickup in the US, but other than that I don't recall seeing anything else.
Who knows, maybe someday when all the AE86's and S13's are either wrecked or have become collector's items, drift events will be filled with SR and RB powered Hardbodies and 1JZ powered Toyota trucks. If anyone is in need inspiration,the Garage Miniz shows just how cool drift trucks can be.


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Found this while disco stu was at my house - he started mentioning my caddy and angle grinders and stuff

i think he may be on to something :boogy:

[screech]

awsome

[mike]

q.u.a.l.i.t.y

[nez]

I Want A Truck !!!! I Want A Truck !!!!

[olly]

there cool aswell was looking on youtube other week and they make the 200sx into pick ups for drifting and they look cool

[olstar]

wonder what i'd need to convert the caddy..

probably something like an old 2.5ltr E30 bmw.. angle grinder and a welder

and a million people helping me

[nez]

i know were there is a E30 ......

[wrdevelopments]

i know where there is a grinder and a welder

[OllieWestwood]

i know where there is a million people

[wrdevelopments]

that means ......

do it!