Ok here is my mockup solution:
NOTE: This is not the final solution as I still have one last major bug to figure out.
Here is what we do:
Dump the contents of both Shenmue Retail NTSC and the Shendream Shenmue Beta Release to get access to the game data files.
Do this on both games:
Open up HxD or any other hex editor and look at the Hex code for mapinfo.bin for Dobuita
SCENE03/D000/mapinfo.bin
Do a search for the String ECAM.
Then copy ALL of the hex code (thousands of lines possibly) all the way up to where ECAM starts, DO NOT COPY ECAM ITSELF, STOP BEFORE IT.
Now open up the mapinfo for the harbour maps.
Example we will use is MSFY, which is the free roam harbour map.
SCENE03/MSFY/mapinfo.bin
Search that map info for ECAM and replace all of the code before it with the code that you copied from the other mapinfo.
Once that copy is complete, now copy every other file from D000's folder into MSFY, without replacing the mapinfo file.
Now that that is done, test the map, you should see that the map is now switched to Dobuita.
If all checks out: use bootmake to compile the cdi, using a shenmue ip.bin customized with binhack32. Burn/Emulate to test.
FROM HERE:
Play another vanilla copy of shenmue up until you get to drive the forklift.
Using the beta shenmue, plug a controller into slot 2 and use the sub debug menu to make a legit save file for either when you are driving the forklift or right before you do so while on Lunch break.
Now load this file into the hacked shenmue game and test. You should have a forklift in a different area.
PROBLEMS:
When in dobuita, you are bound to the clipping of the harbour. During my testing, i see that the map loads u into out of bounds coordinates. I am looking into how to pivot the maps to see if I can sit dobuita right on top of where you load. Right now, you can only drive the forklift down 1/8th of the back road in dobuita over by Ono-san's Motorcycle Shop.
I will have more updates and photos possibly during the weekend.
But if you want to also try, test these methods.
Thanks,
James