Hello guys! In japan this is the most truck(key truck) popular used ! I have Daihatsu hijet 2014 buying direct from japan and ship to turks and Caicos! This one have a power stering/ air conditioning . I buying 4 years ago and the regulation of japan is nothing to compare usa and canada. Every 2 years the japan security transportation need to have full inspection et fixeveeverything form bumper to bumper , in my case the kei truck arrive in new condition at 60 k miles . And the only things a need to do is change the oil motor with synthétique one that s it And i use everyday and put some 20$ every 3-4 weeks .. at the end of the day ! I m not in accordance with the guy he post the fist video on youtube If you have any questions about my kei truck please let me know!
I think I’ve seen them in Italy and was shocked at the trucks being so small yet resourceful. I feel like I’m the us you’d see way more big pickup trucks or dump trucks doing the work
Do you have to register your vehicles if they don't get driven on the road? Here in the UK you don't, you can drive anything all day on private land. These are mainly farm and parkland vehicles.
Used these in Afghanistan, you forgot the most or one of the most important reasons and that is power. It was severely underpowered, it is like the old VW buses and hills, but we loved the hilux over there.
Um, am I missing something? His FIRST point in the video is about the lack of power. Why does your comment have 100 likes? Seriously am I having a stroke?
@@zxcvbnmjfjftop speed =/= power. Top speed is dependent on the gearing so technically a car with a low top speed might have a lot of power. Although it is not very likely it is possible
Similar small trucks are used to haul goods, tools and similar around in cities too. If you're a gardener and you need to bring 400 potted plants along, it works great. It's all bed and no cabin.
I just worry about saftey. But in a small town going slow speeds it isnt that bad. Problem is im an american male so a japanese sized vehicle is pretty small. Im lucky to fit on many of their motorcycles. If i rear end someone last thing i want is to be crammed in the cab with not even an inch of crumple zone. But I mean, goingnto corner store and back, or running around the neighborhood, the farm, i can see why people like them
@@TheAnnoyingBoss I'm 6'4" so I don't even like American trucks without an extended cab, where I can put the seat all the way back and adjust the backrest. Those little trucks are cute but that's about it.
In heavily built up areas, you don’t need to go at 100 mph. You also don’t need leather and wood and apple carplay on the dash. These trucks are designed for a specific purpose and they’re damn good at it.
& Check your Heater Demister regularly, in these small Vehicles there is usually a Shutoff Valve for Heater system, If leave it on in Summer, it's internal "Radiator" stills has hot water running thru it, heats cab, then the second issue happens, when you have it shut for 9 Months, and the Internal "radiator" in Heater has rusted out, & you got major coolant leak issues..
my father had hijet in Indonesia back in the day. with 1000cc engine and 56 hp, it can fit 7 people. fit more ladies than most SUVs today. It's so slow, barely reaches 70mph, and barely conquers the hill at 24mph in 1st gear with full load.
This is perfect for me and w my mom hauling her flowers, I’d use it on weekends when I don’t need to drive to work. I’m also considering getting the Kei Van.
Had a 97 Honda Acty for a few years here in Canada. Had AC, good heat and 4wd was great in the snow. Id take out the drive shaft in the summer months which increased the top speed! Maxed at 120km/h. Was a good truck. Hope to get another in the future.
Every reason he gave is why I want one. 1. The low top speed would keep me from killing myself with it to fast. 2. Less options = less to go wrong 3. I am over 6'2 and don't care about room. I've had 4 fieros and festivas. 4. The drama that is instilled while driving next to completely normal things is great! WAKEUP! 5. If only certain states can register them then not everyone is looking for them.
@battles.digital not a suprise at all. My 91 festiva was made for fat 90s Americans. My legs would cramp a little but, if I can fit into a honda beat (I do) I would do just fine.
The only thing that would bother me is the top speed. I obey the speed limit, which is 100 km/h, but I can't afford to go lower than that, everyone else is so aggressive it would get very dangerous. I'd need to be guaranteed that it would be able to reach that speed, and without redlining the engine. I wonder if it would be possible to change the final drive ratio.
That is because its not ment to go that fast. Like its built for relative short trips and as in the video a work vehicle for farms or in the middle of cities
I had one of these for several years, used it on my acres, hauls a lot more than a utv, doesn't drive as well, off-road, if your not in a hurry it's great.
There's a house I drive past on my way to work that has 3 of those babies. I've always thought they look cool, but the fact they might not have A/C in Puerto Rican climate makes me feel sorry for whoever has to drive those
These make w lot more sense in europe. Pick up trucks are uncommon around so the used and new prices are absurdly high. Also since pick up trucks are heavy and have larger engines taxes on them even more crazy. Getting one of these would be cheap to buy ans taxes would a be loooot lower thanks to the low weight and engine size and carry capacity. But still would be able to get a ton of work done.
@@retiredbore378 In Italy we got the Suzuki Carry kei truck rebadged as the italian Piaggio Porter! Even as new (and also electric) models have arrived you can still see these around both as dump trucks or used by farmers... same with the even smaller Apecar from Piaggio as well!
I'm not familiar with that, but isn't there restrictions on where farm equipment can be driven depending osn time of day since farm tractors cause traffic jams.. 😅😅😅
@@wildfirephoenix2262 nope. Tractors drive on the highways and freeway all day in my area. It just can't drive more that about 3-5 miles distance, otherwise you have to trailer them
The first 3 points are null and void because its a work truck, thats the point. If you want high speed, get a sport car. If you want space, get a minivan (plus its made for the average japanese not american), third get a sedan then as its meant for work and having a touchscreen entertainment center would drive up cost and be another thing to repair, fourth everything thats not a commercial truck feels small beside a 18 wheeler, fifth is corruption from truck lobbyist to prevent giving people the trucks they want/need.
These small trucks & Vans were & Still are available here in Australia, I have owned Several Suzuki Models, the First being a ST-10V a 2 Stroke 3 Cylinder, Which I drove 1300 Miles in 12 Hours once, for $30 of Gas $15 of Stroke oil. Trucks like to play with these Small Trucks on Hills where I slowed down more than them, when you have a Semi Behind you, 1 in Front, another keeping Pace in outside lane, it can get tense .. The Upside of Suzuki 2 Stroke motor, that was in it, Converted water-bottle bike engine, so parts could be swapped around..
I have a Sambar Super Deluxe, it has way too much head room, push button 4WD, 6 forward speeds (Extra low +5), and AC. Sadly it barely does 80kmh/50mph, and if you run the AC you’re limited to 70kmh/42mph. But with the extra low gear gotta say its all to happy to go anywhere I take it, albeit just slowly. Also as a 6’1 individual, I fit pretty fine in it, though after driving for 4+ hours my legs do get a bit stiff.
In japan theyre usually used for small hauls and I've seen them used for b2b deliveries like supplies and baked goods or smaller machine parts. Ive also seen them hauling vending machine goods to refill the machines in the early morning but in smaller towns. Usually done by huge box trucks operators in bigger cities. Mostly rural areas I've seen them being used to deliver large quantities of rice sacks to restaurants. Seems like a great truck if you have good roads that dont require higher speeds than 55 mph.
i drove one for years at my summer job in high school. i am 6 foot 6! they always had a ton of head room, my head wasn’t even close to the roof. but they do lack in the leg room department! lol
If you're over 6 foot tall like me and you want this truck, just get an 89 to 93 to pick up. It's the big boy version. Oh and goes 10-20 miles an hour faster and is way better at climbing!
there are several US based kei-parts shipping warehouses, and they're reasonable! it generally still costs less for parts when you compare what that same part would cost for an average american car, and the insides are so simple too that any mechanic worth their salt will work on one. the guys in the shop fight over who gets to drive it in to the bay lmao
Seen a guy driving one around town here locally out here in California. Strange too because I came across another video of a guy talking about these very same trucks just a couple days before I ever seen that specific truck.
Even if they're not allowed for public road use, they've been imported for private use on farms and such even before they're 25 years old. They typically have to be modified to not be able to exceed 25MPH and of course they don't get tags for normal road use. I recommend getting one with 4WD, power takeoffs, and/or a dump bed if you're going the ag route. Definitely skip the automatics, unless you know you're getting a conventional type (CVTs will not hold up to heavy off-road use for long).
Pallet of blocks its done. Youll have to sup it up with better suspension and a bigger engine in order to actually tow more weight enough to actually do anything with lol. You use this to carry some water here and there maybe a few bales of hey or something other things that dont weight alot. In order to do anything bigger you'll just have to use your normal giant truck might as well because this doesn't have electric motor some may uave electric but these are usually just a tiny gas engine like a 3 cylinder. They're a novelty! A funny one 😂
Well one major deterrend is theres like maybe 6in of bullshit plastic and a layer of shetmetal between you and anything you hit with the weight of the small truck pushing when u hit. Im still getting one lol. Gotta haveAC
These thingies are incredibly popular in the Philippines, especially the 4WD version. They often have a seat bench, facing backwards, attached to the back of the cab, with a fibre glass composite roof over it.
My hijet 2014 , 5 speed … 60 m/ h , and yes in japan is a city truck and country truck . But for me i used on highway with no problem! At the end of the day you like or not this truck, but for me another one coming soon direct from japan ( fat hijet cab this time.. 👋
Yeah, if you want the more america-friendly kei, you gotta go with the van body. Most of those are built more like a micro SUV on the inside, so they tend to have the bonus features in them too. it's significantly easier to register a van body too, as they can't be beeped by the laws in states like PA that ban micro*trucks*.
i've seen my 6' 6" brother drive my kei, and it's got headroom for days, but his knees are in the steering wheel even if he's the passenger, but he never says no if i ask him if he wants to drive hahaha
I’m sure I feel safer in a Kei Truck next to a semi than I am on a Ninja 250 next to the same semi. You get used out of being pushed around and learn to adapt.
All those reasons are exactly why they're perfect for where I live. Example: the speed limit is 45km/hr (28mph not kidding), most of these trucks are right hand drive so that's us. Being the smallest(and isolated)island nation in the world means we have probably the most expensive shipping freight charges in the world. So the smaller the car(and engine)the better, fuel economy, cheaper tyres, parts etc.
What? These trucks actually could be bought with a automatic transmission? With your very blatant preference for manual transmissions, I seriously thought the 'Kei' truck was only available with manual transmissions.
Here’s the thing. I don’t have a preference for manuals. Matter of fact, I’ve only been driving manual for a little over a year. None of my daily drivers are manual. These are just *so hard* to come by with automatics. They were not optioned frequently. That’s why you hardly see them. They’re rare.
Dont buy one from a guy like this. These go for $400-1000 in Japan and you can fly there, buy one, arrange shipping and fly back for less than these guys sell them for. I had one in Japan for $600, and didn't bring it back because of US restrictions. Your state will usually allow you to register but then revoke the registration when they find out it's a kei truck. These have to be registered as an "underspeed vehicle", restricted to 35MPH and no highway or state road use.
Yeah Im 6'5, I wouldnt be able to fit in that thing. I dont like driving cars where my knees touch the steering wheel, I also need enough room to periodically stretch out my left leg. If I cant get my knee to pop, then it starts to cramp up and becomes incredibly uncomfortable
The number one reason not to buy a kei anything, is that you are totally inexperienced, at working on mechanical devices and cars. There are very few mechanics who know how to work on them, and they are strange little beasts with complex vacuum driven emmissions systems. If you don’t know how to gap a spark plug, or check your timing, stay away. Because you will need to work on it yourself. And they are not simple to figure out.
10 grand is the upper end of a Kei, whereas a new Maverick (one of, if not the cheapest trucks currently by a large margin) has an MSRP starting at 22.5K. Assuming you're lucky enough to find a Mav near MSRP, you're spending over double. But that's compared to the upper end of the Kei market. Many go for 7-8K, so 3 times the price of a Kei. Entry level Keis go for around 3K, so one could buy 7 kei trucks and still have enough left over for a nice dinner for what Ford thinks their not so mini truck is worth.
@@reaperreaper5098 counterpoint - you get hit by one of these millions of lunatics behind the wheel of a suburban or super duty. Assuming you survive the accident, insurance will laugh at your insurance claim because you have a 30 year old kei car. If they crash into your Maverick, you will get compensation to have it repaired, not to mention Ford still makes these, so even if the damage is unfixable, they can always get you a new one.
@@LuwiigiMaster You get hit in anything larger than the Maverick, your odds aren't great either. Your insurance claim argument also doesn't really hold up great. First, it's their job to try to pay you as little as possible, age is irrelevant. Second, insurers base pay out on value of the car/truck. After a few short years, a new car's value drops like a rock. The value of a Kei doesn't really fall, since they're already comparatively cheap. It's far more feasible to not got royally screwed on insurance with an old Kei than it is a new car. Plus, while some parts are not easy to source (a problem you'll face with most new vehicles, btw), the the common failure points have a strong aftermarket. It's also significantly easier to work on a Kei than a new vehicle. Your counterpoint only works in a perfect world. In reality, the "pros" of a new vehicle from an accident or insurance perspective don't really hold up that well. Also, I only picked the Maverick as the new truck representative because it's cheap compared to everything else. It's not overly capable, beating out the typical Kei in top speed, acceleration, and towing capacity (neither are good options for towing). Keis however, can hit payload capacities of 1800-1900lbs, as opposed to the Maverick's 1500. The Maverick's best MPG rating is 30, a Kei in its stock config will be somewhere in the 30-45 range when maintained. This is ignoring that your initial argument of price was just flat out wrong. A Kei is substancially cheaper than even the cheapest new truck, and if you're actually concerned about accidents (or the other negatives listed in the short), there's another (better) alternative to a Kei: buy an older truck that fits your needs.
@@reaperreaper5098yeah no I can tell you haven’t hauled or carried anything heavy in your life 😂 construction owners or any construction companies hauls heavy machinery requires American trucks or some other brands like Hino to haul them because no other companies make capable enough vehicles to haul or carry what construction work requires, the machine I haul is a NLB 40,000 psi hydro blaster that alone weights anywhere between 8,500 lbs to 9,200 pounds that requires a 2500 truck like a 5.9 or 6.7 Cummins and a 5.9 Cummins stick shift gets better mileage than some newer smaller trucks 😂
Tbf these do seem like some badass lil work trucks for farming or for big ranches hell even jus big complexes where u need to get around somewhat fast I think it’s cool and would love to have one
I just wouldn’t feel safe in such a tiny car with the drivers seat so close to the front. If you got into an accident you wouldn’t have all that space between you and the other car (assuming it’s head on)
These tiny boys are typically owned by farmers and small businesses and are pretty much intended to run around the town hauling stuff.
And occasionally get converted into an adorable micro camper.
@@DeisFortunaor a drift one I've seen a few of those
I saw someone crazy enough to build one to do drag race
Hello guys!
In japan this is the most truck(key truck) popular used ! I have Daihatsu hijet 2014 buying direct from japan and ship to turks and Caicos! This one have a power stering/ air conditioning . I buying 4 years ago and the regulation of japan is nothing to compare usa and canada. Every 2 years the japan security transportation need to
have full inspection et fixeveeverything form bumper to bumper , in my case the kei truck arrive in new condition at 60 k miles . And the only things a need to do is change the oil motor with synthétique one that s it
And i use everyday and put some 20$ every 3-4 weeks .. at the end of the day ! I m not in accordance with the guy he post the fist video on youtube
If you have any questions about my kei truck please let me know!
I think I’ve seen them in Italy and was shocked at the trucks being so small yet resourceful. I feel like I’m the us you’d see way more big pickup trucks or dump trucks doing the work
"You might not be able to register it."
"But if you're willing to ignore it"
WE MAKING IT TO JAIL WITH THAT💀💀💀💀
Jail
Fuck registration. It's not like I'm speeding or running red lights.
Do you have to register your vehicles if they don't get driven on the road?
Here in the UK you don't, you can drive anything all day on private land.
These are mainly farm and parkland vehicles.
@@itsJayden461 we busting out of jail with that I shit I'm back in their cus it wasn't registered 😂
It's ironic that a small, economical truck doesn't meet regulations but the big, rolling coal does. Only in USA
Cope harder
@@headshotmaster138?
@@klevz3207 problem?
@@headshotmaster138 yes
@@klevz3207 too bad zoomer
Here in the Philippines, these trucks are converted to public vehicles known as jeepneys.
I can confirm that is false.
Jeepneys are made from ww2 jeeps
Kei trucks in the Philippines are given a roofed back in place of it's cargo bed
@@Vien1275nah he is referring to old Kei vans converted to jeepneys that are currently under operation at Baclaran/MOA
If I had the money I’d see if I could get a trisikad or even a motorela preferably registered in America.
This is just a multicab diba
I thought it will "Transform" into Multicab :3
Driving around 18 wheelers can seem intimidating
Meanwhile me in my low ass sedan 😂
Based
My Ford Focus driving butt being bullied by soccer moms in Audi and BMW SUVs and 18 wheelers
Meanwhile on my motorcycle…
Ever drive a 1990 Miata (90hp) with the top down on the highway with semi's on both sides of ya? 😅
@@fonz-ys6xu how about a peel p50
Used these in Afghanistan, you forgot the most or one of the most important reasons and that is power. It was severely underpowered, it is like the old VW buses and hills, but we loved the hilux over there.
the terrorists did too
Even the Hilux is borderline underpowered
Um, am I missing something? His FIRST point in the video is about the lack of power. Why does your comment have 100 likes? Seriously am I having a stroke?
I assume it's even worse at going uphill when loaded with ammunition.
@@zxcvbnmjfjftop speed =/= power. Top speed is dependent on the gearing so technically a car with a low top speed might have a lot of power. Although it is not very likely it is possible
Similar small trucks are used to haul goods, tools and similar around in cities too. If you're a gardener and you need to bring 400 potted plants along, it works great. It's all bed and no cabin.
Many states won’t let these on the highway, but they can be useful around the factory or farm…as intended.
They most definitely are useful!
Why use this when you can use a utv
@@gabegerdes298depending on the state that someone's in ATVs and UTVs are not street legal either 😅😅😅
I watched a video of a Japanese guy building a camper onto one. It was awesome.
I just worry about saftey. But in a small town going slow speeds it isnt that bad. Problem is im an american male so a japanese sized vehicle is pretty small. Im lucky to fit on many of their motorcycles. If i rear end someone last thing i want is to be crammed in the cab with not even an inch of crumple zone. But I mean, goingnto corner store and back, or running around the neighborhood, the farm, i can see why people like them
@@TheAnnoyingBoss I'm 6'4" so I don't even like American trucks without an extended cab, where I can put the seat all the way back and adjust the backrest. Those little trucks are cute but that's about it.
Tai-Bei… I love his videos
video please?
I was thinking about the same thing! Making a mini bugout vehicle. I live on a rural road that runs straight into a National Forest.
In heavily built up areas, you don’t need to go at 100 mph. You also don’t need leather and wood and apple carplay on the dash. These trucks are designed for a specific purpose and they’re damn good at it.
Okay, so just don’t drive it on the highway and open the window when you get warm. Gotcha
& Check your Heater Demister regularly, in these small Vehicles there is usually a Shutoff Valve for Heater system, If leave it on in Summer, it's internal "Radiator" stills has hot water running thru it, heats cab, then the second issue happens, when you have it shut for 9 Months, and the Internal "radiator" in Heater has rusted out, & you got major coolant leak issues..
I have a acty honda one , does it also have that valve lol @@James_T_Quirk
how are you gonna get warmer if it’s 40 celcius
@@PanzerkampfwagenVITigerIAusfE what?
@@JustinShepard00 im stupid, sorry
my father had hijet in Indonesia back in the day. with 1000cc engine and 56 hp, it can fit 7 people. fit more ladies than most SUVs today. It's so slow, barely reaches 70mph, and barely conquers the hill at 24mph in 1st gear with full load.
This is perfect for me and w my mom hauling her flowers, I’d use it on weekends when I don’t need to drive to work. I’m also considering getting the Kei Van.
Had a 97 Honda Acty for a few years here in Canada. Had AC, good heat and 4wd was great in the snow. Id take out the drive shaft in the summer months which increased the top speed! Maxed at 120km/h. Was a good truck. Hope to get another in the future.
Honda what? ACTY?
This thing sounds great for running around the city or town. Small, cheap, and has a good amount of space and power for such a small thing.
So not much trouble for me as a short guy with no need for speed
Souds perfect!
Ifkrrrrrrr
Good thing I'm a 5'8 dude in the country tryna haul trash with this
OMG!!! this bare bones work truck is bare bones and has no comfort features!!!! How's that possible!?!?!
I miss our old S10. Around 20-25 years ago my older brother totaled it while he was in high school.
Every reason he gave is why I want one.
1. The low top speed would keep me from killing myself with it to fast.
2. Less options = less to go wrong
3. I am over 6'2 and don't care about room. I've had 4 fieros and festivas.
4. The drama that is instilled while driving next to completely normal things is great! WAKEUP!
5. If only certain states can register them then not everyone is looking for them.
Would it surprise you if I told you a Festiva has more leg room and width? But less headroom.
@battles.digital not a suprise at all. My 91 festiva was made for fat 90s Americans. My legs would cramp a little but, if I can fit into a honda beat (I do) I would do just fine.
The only thing that would bother me is the top speed. I obey the speed limit, which is 100 km/h, but I can't afford to go lower than that, everyone else is so aggressive it would get very dangerous. I'd need to be guaranteed that it would be able to reach that speed, and without redlining the engine. I wonder if it would be possible to change the final drive ratio.
I'm pretty sure the engine is only 660cc. I doubt it'd have the torque to drive a higher final drive, especially if loaded up.
That is because its not ment to go that fast. Like its built for relative short trips and as in the video a work vehicle for farms or in the middle of cities
Most states that allow these on public roads (not all states do) dont allow them to go that fast. 35-40 mph (56-64 kph) maybe.
Yea they're not really meant for the highway
Try driving on i75 in Tennessee people will demolish you if you’re not driving over 80 miles per hour
I had one of these for several years, used it on my acres, hauls a lot more than a utv, doesn't drive as well, off-road, if your not in a hurry it's great.
None of my cars have had working AC 😂
Brag!.... 🤣🤣
I had a corsa once it had the best ac out of all my cars,I could see my breath
@@CurtF94 Corsa B or Corsa C?
@@sanpepsiman1277 c mate
Years ago I worked for a small telephone company in Florida, the first thing they did when getting new vans was to remove the AC and radio,...
There's a house I drive past on my way to work that has 3 of those babies. I've always thought they look cool, but the fact they might not have A/C in Puerto Rican climate makes me feel sorry for whoever has to drive those
Do you live in Georgia?
@@3longatedMuskr4t uh, no?
they have some that have A/C as well, i was looking to purchase one for Puerto Rico LOL@@onyxdragon1179
some have A/C and some don't. depends on how much a business is willing to spend on those
I can't believe the couple of hateful comments here. I LOVE my 1996 4WD Hijet, which looks just like the Hijet in this video. It's great!
I would bet the Venn diagram of haters and people who have operated them has no overlap in the circles.
It has bigger bed than f-150
yes
But it can't tow more than a F-150.
F150 flat beds are huge….
These are actually used for working, f150s are used for pretending you work
@@effigy42 ...ly undersized from what they used to be. get an old f150 and compare that to a modern f150 monstrosity.
We need a Sambar 4WD for work around our property.
It doesn’t need to go fast, it just needs to get the job done
These make w lot more sense in europe. Pick up trucks are uncommon around so the used and new prices are absurdly high.
Also since pick up trucks are heavy and have larger engines taxes on them even more crazy.
Getting one of these would be cheap to buy ans taxes would a be loooot lower thanks to the low weight and engine size and carry capacity. But still would be able to get a ton of work done.
@@retiredbore378 In Italy we got the Suzuki Carry kei truck rebadged as the italian Piaggio Porter! Even as new (and also electric) models have arrived you can still see these around both as dump trucks or used by farmers... same with the even smaller Apecar from Piaggio as well!
On the farm and local hardware stores ONLY.
And it’s the best at it!
these should be legal in all 50 states because they are so cute
Only wish they would sell modern trucks that were small again
Dont have to register it if you slap an orange triangle on it. Farm equipment loopholes, baby
I'm not familiar with that, but isn't there restrictions on where farm equipment can be driven depending osn time of day since farm tractors cause traffic jams.. 😅😅😅
@@wildfirephoenix2262 nope. Tractors drive on the highways and freeway all day in my area. It just can't drive more that about 3-5 miles distance, otherwise you have to trailer them
In Cambodia they change the gears on them for higher speed and sometimes put high HP motor cycle engines in them
The first 3 points are null and void because its a work truck, thats the point. If you want high speed, get a sport car. If you want space, get a minivan (plus its made for the average japanese not american), third get a sedan then as its meant for work and having a touchscreen entertainment center would drive up cost and be another thing to repair, fourth everything thats not a commercial truck feels small beside a 18 wheeler, fifth is corruption from truck lobbyist to prevent giving people the trucks they want/need.
These small trucks & Vans were & Still are available here in Australia, I have owned Several Suzuki Models, the First being a ST-10V a 2 Stroke 3 Cylinder, Which I drove 1300 Miles in 12 Hours once, for $30 of Gas $15 of Stroke oil. Trucks like to play with these Small Trucks on Hills where I slowed down more than them, when you have a Semi Behind you, 1 in Front, another keeping Pace in outside lane, it can get tense .. The Upside of Suzuki 2 Stroke motor, that was in it, Converted water-bottle bike engine, so parts could be swapped around..
I have a Sambar Super Deluxe, it has way too much head room, push button 4WD, 6 forward speeds (Extra low +5), and AC. Sadly it barely does 80kmh/50mph, and if you run the AC you’re limited to 70kmh/42mph. But with the extra low gear gotta say its all to happy to go anywhere I take it, albeit just slowly. Also as a 6’1 individual, I fit pretty fine in it, though after driving for 4+ hours my legs do get a bit stiff.
In japan theyre usually used for small hauls and I've seen them used for b2b deliveries like supplies and baked goods or smaller machine parts.
Ive also seen them hauling vending machine goods to refill the machines in the early morning but in smaller towns. Usually done by huge box trucks operators in bigger cities.
Mostly rural areas I've seen them being used to deliver large quantities of rice sacks to restaurants.
Seems like a great truck if you have good roads that dont require higher speeds than 55 mph.
This thing would make a good farm truck.
An excellent one!
i drove one for years at my summer job in high school. i am 6 foot 6! they always had a ton of head room, my head wasn’t even close to the roof. but they do lack in the leg room department! lol
Hahaha as a 6’2” fellow, I know the pain! All the headroom but NO legroom
If you're over 6 foot tall like me and you want this truck, just get an 89 to 93 to pick up. It's the big boy version. Oh and goes 10-20 miles an hour faster and is way better at climbing!
My reasoning was always that I was concerned of the maintenance costs in America. Would parts have to be imported if something breaks down?
there are several US based kei-parts shipping warehouses, and they're reasonable! it generally still costs less for parts when you compare what that same part would cost for an average american car, and the insides are so simple too that any mechanic worth their salt will work on one. the guys in the shop fight over who gets to drive it in to the bay lmao
@@lilrawk Oh damn. Maybe I’ll need to look into getting one then
I assume a lot of the parts are super simple and thus aren't very expensive, and since it's a work horse it's probably easy to repair.
そもそも日本車は車検があるからめったなことじゃなきゃ壊れないように組んであるから、日常点検をきちんとすれば10年は消耗品以外無交換で持つと思う
in hawaii its actually encouraged to have these
In San Diego i think we can’t use them in the freeways. Just along the country side because the truck is too small and it doesn’t go fast enough.
In Michigan there is a kei truck with tracks. On all sides to, no wheeled just tracks
There is a couple of them in the U.P, both of them had plows too.
One of the "Bering sea gold" guys had one with tracks, its shown during the credits.
Seen a guy driving one around town here locally out here in California. Strange too because I came across another video of a guy talking about these very same trucks just a couple days before I ever seen that specific truck.
Where I live these are popular you can't go over 50mph legally here anyways. we have no interstate. Good vehicles.
If you get into an accident, there is no crunch zone or front mounted engine that can protect you.
I have a kei electric van. Superb urban runabout.
There is a size of truck just larger than that but smaller than the 2.5 or 5 ton cabovers. The Toyoace for instance.
Even if they're not allowed for public road use, they've been imported for private use on farms and such even before they're 25 years old. They typically have to be modified to not be able to exceed 25MPH and of course they don't get tags for normal road use. I recommend getting one with 4WD, power takeoffs, and/or a dump bed if you're going the ag route. Definitely skip the automatics, unless you know you're getting a conventional type (CVTs will not hold up to heavy off-road use for long).
I would love one. I've seen one around where I live with a plow... I haven't seen it on the road yet.
These were designed to carry cargo within small towns
60mph is just good for me that would be just fine since it would only be a local work truck just for around a 50 mile radius if the money is fight.
These gently sip fuel for sure!
Pallet of blocks its done. Youll have to sup it up with better suspension and a bigger engine in order to actually tow more weight enough to actually do anything with lol. You use this to carry some water here and there maybe a few bales of hey or something other things that dont weight alot. In order to do anything bigger you'll just have to use your normal giant truck might as well because this doesn't have electric motor some may uave electric but these are usually just a tiny gas engine like a 3 cylinder. They're a novelty! A funny one 😂
Well one major deterrend is theres like maybe 6in of bullshit plastic and a layer of shetmetal between you and anything you hit with the weight of the small truck pushing when u hit. Im still getting one lol. Gotta haveAC
I already drive a mini cooper I think I’m ready to get a truck
I like the no options. They arent for highway traveling. They are local work trucks and simplicity makes reliability.
These thingies are incredibly popular in the Philippines, especially the 4WD version. They often have a seat bench, facing backwards, attached to the back of the cab, with a fibre glass composite roof over it.
My hijet 2014 , 5 speed … 60 m/ h , and yes in japan is a city truck and country truck . But for me i used on highway with no problem! At the end of the day you like or not this truck, but for me another one coming soon direct from japan ( fat hijet cab this time.. 👋
Its awesome but I wouldnt want to get in a wreck in that thing though...
To be fair, I wouldn’t want to get into a wreck in any vehicle though.
Yeah, if you want the more america-friendly kei, you gotta go with the van body. Most of those are built more like a micro SUV on the inside, so they tend to have the bonus features in them too. it's significantly easier to register a van body too, as they can't be beeped by the laws in states like PA that ban micro*trucks*.
None of these were reasons not to buy. First 3 were honestly reasons to buy for me. Slow, simple, small, fun.
As any truck has its good and bad points but in terms of useful space for loading and price is the best
#6 they are basically only good for farm use considering they are absolutely useless for hauling anything more than what a Subaru outback can haul.
I think they are great.
If you can register it, they are generally restricted by law to roads up to 25/35 mph!
In some states they are able to be registered for highway use!
Bro, driving anything less than an 18-wheeler itself next to an 18-wheeler is intimidating as hell
"Incredibly cramped, especially if you're over six feet tall"
I'm 6'7", I'm not squeezing into that sardine can
i've seen my 6' 6" brother drive my kei, and it's got headroom for days, but his knees are in the steering wheel even if he's the passenger, but he never says no if i ask him if he wants to drive hahaha
I actually hate imports
@@lilrawknah we’re good Thankgod for American trucks😂
They are bigger than a smart car, and you have no problem registering those little ass cars.🚗
I wouldn't mind having one of those as a second vehicle.
I’m sure I feel safer in a Kei Truck next to a semi than I am on a Ninja 250 next to the same semi. You get used out of being pushed around and learn to adapt.
All those reasons are exactly why they're perfect for where I live. Example: the speed limit is 45km/hr (28mph not kidding), most of these trucks are right hand drive so that's us. Being the smallest(and isolated)island nation in the world means we have probably the most expensive shipping freight charges in the world. So the smaller the car(and engine)the better, fuel economy, cheaper tyres, parts etc.
What? These trucks actually could be bought with a automatic transmission? With your very blatant preference for manual transmissions, I seriously thought the 'Kei' truck was only available with manual transmissions.
Here’s the thing. I don’t have a preference for manuals. Matter of fact, I’ve only been driving manual for a little over a year. None of my daily drivers are manual. These are just *so hard* to come by with automatics. They were not optioned frequently. That’s why you hardly see them. They’re rare.
Cramped, yes especially if you're an American or European, but we (Indonesia) kinda used to it
Dont buy one from a guy like this. These go for $400-1000 in Japan and you can fly there, buy one, arrange shipping and fly back for less than these guys sell them for. I had one in Japan for $600, and didn't bring it back because of US restrictions. Your state will usually allow you to register but then revoke the registration when they find out it's a kei truck. These have to be registered as an "underspeed vehicle", restricted to 35MPH and no highway or state road use.
Why not use then a Volkwagen 2 (Kombi), the cargo version? It has a larger interior and bigger bed.
Yeah Im 6'5, I wouldnt be able to fit in that thing. I dont like driving cars where my knees touch the steering wheel, I also need enough room to periodically stretch out my left leg. If I cant get my knee to pop, then it starts to cramp up and becomes incredibly uncomfortable
I recommend trying out the suzuki carry or the everywagon, they are everywhere here in the phillipines
I would say the Carry is the most common in the US with HiJet being second followed by Minicab. Sambar and Acty not common enough to really count.
It's right-hand drive so it can be dangerous passing on two lane roads. Like you'd ever have to pass anyone. 😂
I still purchased one 💪
The number one reason not to buy a kei anything, is that you are totally inexperienced, at working on mechanical devices and cars. There are very few mechanics who know how to work on them, and they are strange little beasts with complex vacuum driven emmissions systems. If you don’t know how to gap a spark plug, or check your timing, stay away. Because you will need to work on it yourself. And they are not simple to figure out.
All of that, yes, but why not for city delivery vehicles?
Pop, lock, LS Swap. Can't really slam one but that's alright. Lil mods and it'll be aight.
Love your work, emphasising the negatives, a bit like a LOTUS salesman!
They’re perfect for apartment complex maintenance, and landscaping
As far as the 18 wheeler thing goes, ive been overtaken by them while driving a smart car, i think i can cope 😂
well, it's city/farm truck
btw 60mph = 95kph, consider very fast in Asian so yeah
Number 6 - not many are willing to split with 15 grand for a 30 year old vehicle when you can get a brand new one for the same price.
Where do you live cause I need a new car and the cheapest shitbox is 25k
10 grand is the upper end of a Kei, whereas a new Maverick (one of, if not the cheapest trucks currently by a large margin) has an MSRP starting at 22.5K.
Assuming you're lucky enough to find a Mav near MSRP, you're spending over double. But that's compared to the upper end of the Kei market. Many go for 7-8K, so 3 times the price of a Kei. Entry level Keis go for around 3K, so one could buy 7 kei trucks and still have enough left over for a nice dinner for what Ford thinks their not so mini truck is worth.
@@reaperreaper5098 counterpoint - you get hit by one of these millions of lunatics behind the wheel of a suburban or super duty. Assuming you survive the accident, insurance will laugh at your insurance claim because you have a 30 year old kei car. If they crash into your Maverick, you will get compensation to have it repaired, not to mention Ford still makes these, so even if the damage is unfixable, they can always get you a new one.
@@LuwiigiMaster You get hit in anything larger than the Maverick, your odds aren't great either.
Your insurance claim argument also doesn't really hold up great. First, it's their job to try to pay you as little as possible, age is irrelevant. Second, insurers base pay out on value of the car/truck. After a few short years, a new car's value drops like a rock. The value of a Kei doesn't really fall, since they're already comparatively cheap. It's far more feasible to not got royally screwed on insurance with an old Kei than it is a new car. Plus, while some parts are not easy to source (a problem you'll face with most new vehicles, btw), the the common failure points have a strong aftermarket. It's also significantly easier to work on a Kei than a new vehicle.
Your counterpoint only works in a perfect world. In reality, the "pros" of a new vehicle from an accident or insurance perspective don't really hold up that well.
Also, I only picked the Maverick as the new truck representative because it's cheap compared to everything else. It's not overly capable, beating out the typical Kei in top speed, acceleration, and towing capacity (neither are good options for towing). Keis however, can hit payload capacities of 1800-1900lbs, as opposed to the Maverick's 1500. The Maverick's best MPG rating is 30, a Kei in its stock config will be somewhere in the 30-45 range when maintained.
This is ignoring that your initial argument of price was just flat out wrong. A Kei is substancially cheaper than even the cheapest new truck, and if you're actually concerned about accidents (or the other negatives listed in the short), there's another (better) alternative to a Kei: buy an older truck that fits your needs.
@@reaperreaper5098yeah no I can tell you haven’t hauled or carried anything heavy in your life 😂 construction owners or any construction companies hauls heavy machinery requires American trucks or some other brands like Hino to haul them because no other companies make capable enough vehicles to haul or carry what construction work requires, the machine I haul is a NLB 40,000 psi hydro blaster that alone weights anywhere between 8,500 lbs to 9,200 pounds that requires a 2500 truck like a 5.9 or 6.7 Cummins and a 5.9 Cummins stick shift gets better mileage than some newer smaller trucks 😂
Zero out of five. I'm getting one!!!
Go get one!
Kei trucks: uncomfy to drive near a semi
My Kia forte: she understands!
I would love to have this, getting my wife to understand is another story…
Tbf these do seem like some badass lil work trucks for farming or for big ranches hell even jus big complexes where u need to get around somewhat fast I think it’s cool and would love to have one
I just wouldn’t feel safe in such a tiny car with the drivers seat so close to the front. If you got into an accident you wouldn’t have all that space between you and the other car (assuming it’s head on)
your are the crumple zone
Being the speed is so low, they would be dangerous to try getting on the highways in my area
my minds only set on hot hatches coups suvs doge ram, and this beast kei truck
I would still get it 😀
A lot of folks say that lol
These are very common in the phillipinnes
Look up the Kia trucks as well
"these things don't have a super high top speed"
Some crazy ass tuner japanese guy with rb26 on kei truck:
Nani?
Im 6'6 and i will find a kei truck with appropriate leg room