[TheWalkingFurnace]

Hello all! I have stumbled into a good chunk of free time, and coincidentally have decided to start making videos of numerous projects. Among projects I would like to do would be make a smart of every flavor. Meaning for example I am doing a diesel smart conversion now. I spent to much time watching ostacruiser and his sherp. I would love to make a off road smart with like 36" tires (it couldn't get high centered), bigger engine 1/8th full under carriage skid plate, etc., and iron man style fleet of them based one the suits of note. The Mk I, mostly mechanical body panels of sheet steel, etc., Hulk buster, Cummins turbo diesel, dually, etc., I think the Mk 50 (the nanobot one) Make the cage and structure titanium, body panels carbon fiber, rear steer, and other high tech stuff lol. I am a welder, fabricator, and hobbyist, I have a professional IT, and master welder friends, and I am looking to make a large 3d printer maybe 6'x6'x6' at most 3'x3'x3' to start, and a metal one after that. If it works a body panels wont be an issue haha. Thoughts?

 

[jetfuel]

...knock yourself out...
...your dreams are only as deep as your pocket...

jetfuel...not enough toys 🧸

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

Haha I know right. The most difficult thing will be getting a bunch of cheap smarts. Even wrecked ones would do.

 

[Rambo4]

I've only seen 2 diesel Smarties. One in Koo8 City and one in Minneapolis. The one in KU was a 451 and MN was a 450.

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

I've only seen 2 diesel Smarties. One in Koo8 City and one in Minneapolis. The one in KU was a 451 and MN was a 450.

Huh haven't seen one of those before before. After a quick search they appear to be one of the fancy, car turns off at a stop light, then turns on when you push the gas. At the very least it seems like a good feature for the smart.

 

[1983JZR3W]

Huh haven't seen one of those before before. After a quick search they appear to be one of the fancy, car turns off at a stop light, then turns on when you push the gas. At the very least it seems like a good feature for the smart.

The car you are speaking of is the MHD or MicroHybridDrive. It is not diesel, but a gasser with the stop/restart feature. We never got those in the US to the best of my knowledge.

 

[jwight]

The car you are speaking of is the MHD or MicroHybridDrive. It is not diesel, but a gasser with the stop/restart feature. We never got those in the US to the best of my knowledge.

The mhd version did not come to North America, although way back when there was a report of a new 451 showing up at a US dealership with an "mhd" badge on the tailgate...

 

[Candoman]

You could pick up a bricked ED Smart for cheap. The owners are so disgusted with them, they are ready to give them away so as not to look at them. I would like to see one converted to using maybe a motorcycle engine.

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

You could pick up a bricked ED Smart for cheap. The owners are so disgusted with them, they are ready to give them away so as not to look at them. I would like to see one converted to using maybe a motorcycle engine.

Good thinking! I did want to try a Tesla style motor on all four wheels or one front and back, beef up or add more batteries.

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

Ignore me I shouldnt be here.

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

Ok everyone! I have gotten an 08 Cabrio and need to fix the clutch actuator. I am going to get a diesle smart in a week or two. Both were answers to my request for smarts here, Need smarts as cheap as possible. I think I could easlly double the range of the EVs. After all, the batteries that EVs use are just bricks of 18650 batteries. Now I just need a EV smart. Maybe it would beat the mpg of the diesle when I am done haha.

BREAKING NEWS!

The Smart formerly known as Gunter and slaited for diesle conversion has been seen lifting weights, and hanging out with the 4x4s and pick ups at work. He is transitioning to an offroad Smart Suburban, Grunt the offroad smart.

I bought back our old suburban to part out for a $200 transmition to a van. I aim to put 36" tires, an undetermined suspention lift, and very likely the 5.3L V8 engine, transmition, and 4WD as well.

I aim to record the rebuild. I will keep you updated.

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

Ok, it has been taking forever but I have most of the parts from an 03 suburban. I am only waiting until I can weigh the poor thing before hand and the swap will begin. And I have the new Gunter here and waiting for it's new engine. I FINALLY HAVE MY DIESEL SMART!!!!!

 

[vadsoom]

Where did you get the CDI Smart? They are as scarce as hen’s teeth in the USA!

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

Where did you get the CDI Smart? They are as scarce as hen’s teeth in the USA!

I spent weeks clearing one for import. And they meet all requirements. They are old enough they dont need TPMS either. I am not joking either. They clear ALL requirements, at least the 06 modle run. The national manager of the department of transportation told me so during one of our hour long phone call. No one would give me the signed document saying so, even her. And they are $700 right across the border, 50k miles, but the border is closed. So I bought one from a Canadian who moved here with his car hehe. It also had the engine removed ( i already had an engine) and the trans out. So technically it was just for parts as well.

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

Apparently they won't even let me register it. The signed title from the Canadian who sold it to the NY guy for parts doesn't count as a bill of sale, even though I have a bill of sale from NY guy. And because they dont understand (there words not mine) why you would register a a vehicle without an engine or transmission ( legally not a car) they won't do that either. AND if I start with parts and make it a car it has to have all the mandatory features like TPMS which will cost about $2000 to install. If I own an 06 that didn't have them it doesn't need them, grandfathered in. DOT rules not mine.YAY. Now to track down the Arab or Indian who sold it first.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Apparently they won't even let me register it. The signed title from the Canadian who sold it to the NY guy for parts doesn't count as a bill of sale, even though I have a bill of sale from NY guy. And because they dont understand (there words not mine) why you would register a a vehicle without an engine or transmission ( legally not a car) they won't do that either. AND if I start with parts and make it a car it has to have all the mandatory features like TPMS which will cost about $2000 to install. If I own an 06 that didn't have them it doesn't need them, grandfathered in. DOT rules not mine.YAY. Now to track down the Arab or Indian who sold it first.

I have an easy workaround for this! Try registering it to the state of Vermont. They'll register just about anything (except for kei trucks) so long as you have a minimum level proof of ownership (bill of sale or title) and can pay the small pittance in taxes. They'll mail the registration to wherever you live in the US. You can then bring it to your local DMV to register to your state. Or just keep it registered to Vermont and send them money every year or two for renewal.

Google "Vermont car registration" then have fun! Some states frown upon the practice (because they want the money) but it's not illegal to do this. Of course, running around with out of state plates for too long may be illegal in some places so your mileage may vary.

I've done it numerous times for barn find motorcycles and most recently a school bus I'm converting into an RV.

 

[vadsoom]

MissMercedes,

Does Vermont allow an owner to register in another state, or is a Vermont address required?

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

I have an easy workaround for this! Try registering it to the state of Vermont. They'll register just about anything (except for kei trucks) so long as you have a minimum level proof of ownership (bill of sale or title) and can pay the small pittance in taxes. They'll mail the registration to wherever you live in the US. You can then bring it to your local DMV to register to your state. Or just keep it registered to Vermont and send them money every year or two for renewal.

Google "Vermont car registration" then have fun! Some states frown upon the practice (because they want the money) but it's not illegal to do this. Of course, running around with out of state plates for too long may be illegal in some places so your mileage may vary.

I've done it numerous times for barn find motorcycles and most recently a school bus I'm converting into an RV.

Yes, interesting. I will certainly look into that. VT is only a couple hours away at most as well. I will have to remember VT for my conversion once it is done.

 

[TheWalkingFurnace]

MissMercedes,

Does Vermont allow an owner to register in another state, or is a Vermont address required?

Their site says they still need a full chain of ownership but you can register a vehicle from any state.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

And to meet their "full chain of ownership" requirement, you really only need at minimum:

Vehicles 15 years and newer - Title. Send original if you want a VT title sent back with the registration. Send copy if you just want the registration.
Vehicles older than 15 years - Bill of Sale and VIN verification from Insurance or Police.

I've used this process numerous times on barn find motorcycles, a Toyota Camry, and now my big giant school bus.

The school bus part is interesting. Many states require you to go through an absolute labyrinth to legally convert a bus or truck registration to an RV registration. Vermont? Just check a box on the application papers. Then keep said bus registered to VT or take the RV registration to your local DMV to get a new title.