Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, in one place
44 questions we get asked about Staffordshire Truck Company, the Mitsubishi L200 K74 and what we do to it. Every answer stands on its own. If yours is not here, ring 07957 210002 and it will be answered on the phone.
About Staffordshire Truck Company
- What does Staffordshire Truck Company do?
- Staffordshire Truck Company (STC) rebuilds, refurbishes and customises the Mitsubishi L200 K74 pick-up. It builds six editions from scratch (Heritage, Heritage X, Dakar, Dakar Camper, Dakar Pro and Dakar X), refurbishes customers’ own trucks, rebuilds the 4D56 engine as the STC Red Top, and fabricates wide bodies, roll bars, camper conversions and stainless exhausts in house.
- Where is Staffordshire Truck Company?
- Staffordshire Truck Company is a workshop in Staffordshire, England. Every truck is stripped to a bare chassis and rebuilt on its own bench there, under one roof. The workshop can be reached on 07957 210002 or by WhatsApp on the same number.
- Does STC work on vehicles other than the Mitsubishi L200?
- Staffordshire Truck Company specialises only in the Mitsubishi L200 K74. Narrowing down to one vehicle is what lets the workshop know it properly: where it rusts, what the 4D56 engine needs, and which parts are worth renewing. Ring 07957 210002 if you are unsure whether your truck qualifies.
- Have STC trucks really appeared in films?
- Yes. Staffordshire Truck Company builds have appeared in Hollywood films and on television, and the workshop describes itself as the UK’s finest Mitsubishi L200 builders on that basis. STC also runs the L200 Owners group, a community of around 150,000 people.
- How do I contact Staffordshire Truck Company?
- Ring Staffordshire Truck Company on 07957 210002. That number also works on WhatsApp, and there is an enquiry form on the contact page. Phone is fastest: every build and refurbishment is priced on the phone against your spec.
STC on screen: MobLand
- What pickup truck is in MobLand?
- The black pickup truck in MobLand is a Mitsubishi L200: the Storm Edition built by Staffordshire Truck Company. It appears in series 2, episode 2, “Song 2”, in the garage and the yard at night; pause it at 42:57. Other vehicles appear in the series too; the black L200 is ours. See it frame by frame.
- What Mitsubishi is used in MobLand?
- The Mitsubishi in MobLand is a K74 Mitsubishi L200 pickup, the Storm Edition from Staffordshire Truck Company. It was stripped and rebuilt in the STC workshop in Staffordshire and finished in Raptor Black Finish, with a snorkel up the pillar, a stainless bull bar, chrome mirrors, a rear roll bar and STORM on the door.
- What is the black truck in MobLand series 2, episode 2?
- The black truck in MobLand series 2, episode 2, “Song 2”, is a Mitsubishi L200 K74 in Raptor Black Finish: the Storm Edition built by Staffordshire Truck Company. It is in the garage and yard scenes; pause the episode at 42:57 to see it.
- Who built the Mitsubishi L200 in MobLand?
- Staffordshire Truck Company built it. STC is a Staffordshire workshop that rebuilds only the Mitsubishi L200 K74, and the MobLand truck is its Storm Edition. STC builds L200s like it to order; ring 07957 210002.
- Where can I watch MobLand series 2?
- MobLand is on Paramount+. The Staffordshire Truck Company Storm Edition L200 is in series 2, episode 2, “Song 2”; look for it at 42:57.
Buying an STC truck
- How much does an STC Mitsubishi L200 cost?
- STC editions start from £21,995 for the Heritage, £23,495 for the Heritage X, £24,995 for the Dakar and £26,995 for the Dakar Pro. The wide-body Dakar X is priced per build. Every price includes the full rebuild and the 161 bhp STC Red Top Spec 2 engine.
- Does STC have trucks in stock?
- Staffordshire Truck Company builds to order and sometimes has a finished truck on the yard; when one is available it is listed on AutoTrader and on the edition’s own page. Stock changes, so ring 07957 210002 to check what is available today.
- Can I part-exchange my truck with STC?
- Yes. Staffordshire Truck Company takes part-exchanges against its builds. Use the part-exchange topic on the contact page or ring 07957 210002 with the truck’s details, and the workshop will make you an offer. One customer wrote that STC offered considerably more for his broken L200 than anyone else.
- What checks does an STC truck go through before handover?
- Every Staffordshire Truck Company build is signed off with a multi-point inspection covering the engine, transmission, chassis and electrics, followed by extensive road testing. The rebuild itself is documented stage by stage.
- Does STC look after the truck after I buy it?
- Yes. Staffordshire Truck Company offers servicing, MOT preparation, diagnostics and support for as long as you own the truck, from the people who built it. Ring 07957 210002 to book.
Mitsubishi L200 K74 Buyer’s Guide: Rust, Engine, Prices
- What years is the Mitsubishi L200 K74?
- The Mitsubishi L200 K74 is the third-generation L200, built from 1996 until 2006. In the UK it is almost always a four-door double cab with the 2.5 litre 4D56 turbo-diesel engine. It is the only model Staffordshire Truck Company builds and rebuilds.
- Where does a Mitsubishi L200 K74 rust?
- The rear arches are the first place a Mitsubishi L200 K74 rusts, followed by the sills and then the chassis. Rot often goes through the outer skin into the inner structure while looking minor from a distance. Staffordshire Truck Company cuts it back to clean steel and welds in new sections rather than filling it.
- How much does a rebuilt Mitsubishi L200 K74 cost?
- A fully rebuilt Mitsubishi L200 K74 from Staffordshire Truck Company starts at £21,995 for the Heritage Edition. The Heritage X is from £23,495, the Dakar from £24,995, the Dakar Pro from £26,995 and the wide-body Dakar X is priced per build. Every edition includes the STC Red Top Spec 2 engine.
- Should I buy a used L200 K74 and have it refurbished, or buy a rebuilt one?
- If you already own a Mitsubishi L200 K74 with a sound shell, refurbishing it is often the better route and Staffordshire Truck Company quotes each job per truck. If you are buying from scratch, a rebuilt STC edition is priced for the arch, sill, chassis and engine work already done. Ring 07957 210002 to talk it through.
The STC Red Top Engine Explained
- What is the STC Red Top engine?
- The STC Red Top is Staffordshire Truck Company’s rebuilt Mitsubishi 4D56 2.5 litre turbo-diesel, fitted to every L200 K74 it builds. The engine is removed, stripped, crack and pressure tested, machined and rebuilt to a 25-item schedule. The name comes from the rocker cover, which is finished in heat-proof red paint.
- How much power does the STC Red Top Spec 2 make?
- The STC Red Top Spec 2 produces 161 bhp and returns 30 mpg in a Mitsubishi L200 K74. Spec 2 adds a larger turbo with bigger compressor and exhaust wheels, a wastegate actuator set up to suit, and the STC FUELSAVE remap to the standard Red Top rebuild.
- Can I have an STC Red Top engine fitted to my own L200?
- Yes. Staffordshire Truck Company offers the Red Top rebuild on its own for a Mitsubishi L200 K74 that is otherwise sound. The engine comes out, is rebuilt to the 25-item schedule and goes back in. Ring 07957 210002 with the truck’s details to get it quoted.
- What oil does the STC Red Top 4D56 use?
- The STC Red Top 4D56 is filled with seven litres of 15W/40 mineral oil when it is refitted, along with a new fuel filter and new auxiliary belts. That is line 24 of the workshop’s 25-item schedule.
Which STC L200 Edition Is Right For You?
- What is the difference between the STC Heritage and Dakar editions?
- The STC Heritage Edition is a Mitsubishi L200 K74 rebuilt at standard ride height, from £21,995. The STC Dakar Edition adds a suspension lift, snorkel, roof light bar, side steps and Cooper mud terrains on pro steel wheels, from £24,995. Both have the same full rebuild and the same 161 bhp Red Top Spec 2 engine.
- How much does an STC Dakar X cost?
- The STC Dakar X is priced per build rather than from a list price, because every one is a full wide-body custom with bespoke suspension, wheels, interior and fabrication. Staffordshire Truck Company quotes it after a conversation about what the truck needs to do. Ring 07957 210002 to start one.
- Do all STC editions have the same engine?
- Yes. Every Staffordshire Truck Company edition, Heritage, Heritage X, Dakar, Dakar Camper, Dakar Pro and Dakar X, is fitted with the STC Red Top Spec 2 engine, a rebuilt Mitsubishi 4D56 with a larger turbo and the FUELSAVE remap, producing 161 bhp and 30 mpg.
- Can I choose the colour of an STC L200?
- Yes. Every STC edition is painted to order in any colour, one colour or two-tone; on the Heritage, two-tone is at extra cost. The Dakar X interior and paint are fully bespoke. Colour is agreed on the phone when the build is priced.
L200 Refurbishment: What A Full Rebuild Involves
- How do I get a quote to refurbish my Mitsubishi L200?
- Ring Staffordshire Truck Company on 07957 210002, describe the truck and what you want from it, then send photographs of the arches, sills, underside and engine bay. You receive a written quote priced per truck and broken down by job. Nothing is sold as a package.
- What does an L200 refurbishment at STC include?
- An L200 refurbishment at Staffordshire Truck Company can cover any part or all of the truck: arches, sills and panel repairs welded rather than filled; chassis and underside treated and coated; suspension lifted and geometry set; the Red Top engine rebuild; a retrimmed interior; and redrawn graphics. Each job is quoted separately for your truck.
- Will STC repair a rusty L200 rather than filling it?
- Yes. Staffordshire Truck Company cuts rot on a Mitsubishi L200 right back to clean steel and welds in new sections, rather than filling and hiding it. The rear tub comes off and the truck goes on stands so the chassis, axle and springs can be seen before any metalwork is quoted.
- How long does an L200 refurbishment take?
- It depends on what the Mitsubishi L200 needs, so Staffordshire Truck Company agrees the timescale when the job is booked in. For scale, customers have described a bespoke Dakar X build taking just under four weeks, and two Dakar builds collected a week after the first call. Progress photographs are sent as the work goes on.
Custom Fabrication For The Mitsubishi L200
- Does STC make wide-arch kits for the Mitsubishi L200?
- Staffordshire Truck Company fabricates wide-arch conversions for the Mitsubishi L200 K74 in its own workshop rather than fitting bought-in kits. The Dakar X is a full wide-body conversion, made and fitted in house as part of a build, or quoted separately.
- Can STC build a camper conversion on an L200?
- Yes. Staffordshire Truck Company builds off-grid camper conversions for the Mitsubishi L200 around the truck rather than bolted to it. The Dakar Camper’s body was cut, folded and welded from flat aluminium sheet in the workshop, then trimmed and wired to run off grid. Each conversion is quoted per build.
- Are STC exhausts stainless steel?
- Yes. Every truck Staffordshire Truck Company builds leaves with a hand-made stainless steel exhaust, fabricated in the workshop for that specific Mitsubishi L200 rather than fitted from an off-the-shelf system.
- Will STC make a one-off part for my L200?
- Usually, yes. Staffordshire Truck Company fabricates roll bars, bumpers, load beds, toolboxes, spare-wheel carriers and one-off parts for the Mitsubishi L200 K74 in house. Describe what you want, or send a sketch, and ring 07957 210002 to have it quoted.
Buying A Modified 4x4 Pickup In The UK
- Do I need to tell my insurer about a lifted or modified pickup?
- Yes. In the UK you should tell your insurer about every modification to a pickup before you drive it, including a suspension lift, bigger wheels and tyres, a snorkel, a light bar and an engine remap. An undeclared modification can give an insurer grounds to cut or refuse a claim. Every Staffordshire Truck Company build is modified, so declare its full specification.
- Is there a legal limit on how high a pickup can be lifted in the UK?
- There is no single legal maximum lift height for a pickup in the UK, but a lifted truck still has to pass its MOT on lights, steering, suspension, brakes and tyres, and its lights must sit at heights the lighting rules allow. The Staffordshire Truck Company Dakar sits about 3 inches higher than a standard Mitsubishi L200 K74.
- How much does a modified Mitsubishi L200 cost?
- A lifted, modified Mitsubishi L200 K74 from Staffordshire Truck Company starts at £23,495 for the Heritage X, with a lift, off-road wheels and rock sliders. The Dakar is from £24,995, the Dakar Pro from £26,995 and the wide-body Dakar X is priced per build. Each is rebuilt from the chassis up with the 161 bhp Red Top Spec 2 engine.
- Can STC modify the L200 I already own?
- Yes. Staffordshire Truck Company refurbishes and modifies customers’ own Mitsubishi L200 K74s, quoted per truck. Send photographs of the arches, sills, underside and engine bay, or ring 07957 210002 to talk through what you want the truck to do.
Mitsubishi L200 K74 Common Problems: What Goes Wrong
- What is the most common problem with a Mitsubishi L200 K74?
- Rust is the most common problem with a Mitsubishi L200 K74: the rear arches first, then the sills, then the chassis. The 2.5 litre 4D56 engine is usually still running when the body has reached the point of failing an MOT. Staffordshire Truck Company cuts the rot back to clean steel and welds in new sections rather than filling it.
- What goes wrong with the 4D56 engine in an L200?
- The most common fault on the Mitsubishi 4D56 turbo-diesel is a cylinder head that has stopped sealing, usually after overheating. Tired timing and balance-shaft belts, worn glow plugs, leaking injection pump seals and turbo oil seals are the other usual faults. The Staffordshire Truck Company Red Top rebuild pressure tests the head, crack tests the block and renews all of these in a 25-item rebuild.
- Why is the 4WD light flashing on my L200?
- The 4WD light on a Mitsubishi L200 K74 flashes when four-wheel drive has been selected but the front axle has not engaged. The front axle engages by vacuum, so perished vacuum pipes, a leaking actuator on the front axle, a sticking solenoid or a faulty position switch are the usual causes. Check the pipes first. Staffordshire Truck Company can look at it on 07957 210002.
- How long does a Mitsubishi L200 K74 last?
- A Mitsubishi L200 K74 engine will run for decades if the timing and balance-shaft belts are changed on time and the cooling system is kept sound. What retires a K74 is rust in the arches, sills and chassis, not the engine. Staffordshire Truck Company rebuilds K74s from the bare shell, with the 4D56 rebuilt as the Red Top engine, from £21,995.
- Is the Mitsubishi L200 K74 an interference engine?
- Yes. The 2.5 litre 4D56 in the Mitsubishi L200 K74 is an interference engine, so if the timing belt snaps the pistons hit the valves. The balance-shaft belt can break and take the timing belt with it, which is why Staffordshire Truck Company recommends changing both belts and the tensioner together, and fits new timing gear on every Red Top rebuild.
Ask it out loud
Prices, stock, part-exchange, your own truck. All of it is quicker on the phone than on a page. Ring the workshop.