Love my 1999 (second half of 1999 body style) as it has more cab room for us big guys! I still like the Suzuki Carry as well. There's a reason to want any of these and the Sambar is as good as any. A $6500-$8500 mini truck sure beats a $15k - $20k side by side without a windshield, hard doors no heat, etc. I do agree with the video as far as the engine placement. I enjoy any of them as I live way north an it's plenty cool enough to run a mid engine 365 but if I lived in Texas, I'd either need A/C which I'm 100% sure would be a must down there but if I couldn't get A/C, I'd go Sambar. Tip, get a long funnel for your engine oil because it's a pain to try not spilling with the big 5 quart container and be sure the previous owner gives you the key for the engine bay! I had to access mine via top (4 screw) entrance and loosen rear of lock to gain access. It's not as good but works any way. In the end Get one! You'll use the crap out of it! Any mini is better than no mini! Sambar great for street driving, Carry has more parts available and way more available for sale, Acty has a car like frame and is solid, HiJet is a mix of all of them and made by Toyota, Mitsubishi, Autozam, Mazda, etc are all good. I prefer the 5sp, Most dump beds only come in 4 sp so keep that in mpg. 50k miles isn't a lot, it all about condition! These things will go 200k plus km on a single drivetrain so think of them as more like a real car than a side by side that's done at 8k miles ish. Hope this helps someone.
I've been looking at those newer body style ones, mind if I ask how tall you are/how much room you have driving it? I'm ~6'4" - 6'5" depending on how straight I'm standing, with pretty long legs. I've heard the sambar already had the most legroom and the newer body style extended it even further.
@@SaxaphoneMan42 I'm 6" 0" and 260 lbs and it was kind of roomy for me. You could be a little cramped at 6'4 and longer legs but hey, it is a Mini Truck by definition. I would mote that you probably will want to engineer something for the gas peddle as I find that the part above and in front of my foot connecting my foot to leg starts to get painful because of the angle the accelerator is. It really does need to be further back but it seams to me that something could be done about that without a whole lot of engineering. I have since sold mine as I wasn't using it for around town as much as I was out on goofy trails and they just can't compare to a side by side off road. Though I wish they would because they last so much longer, have a very useful bed and get way better gas mileage than a side by side. Hope this helps.
I ordered one which will arrive in August from Japan. Very excited, can’t wait. I have just subscribed to you. Thanks for posting this video. Subaru Sambar 1998.
I have a 1996 Daihatsu Hijet for the same reasons you mentioned. They're tough little practical go-anywhere trucks. My Hijet is configured the same as your Sambar - 5 speed manual transmission, 4WD, HI-LO transfer case, no A/C, no locking differential. I would have liked to have A/C and locking diff, but I got a good buy on the Hijet because it needed a clutch. It's been my daily driver for a year and I like it better than the Tacoma that I bought new that rusted in half from a manufacturer's defect that Toyota did nothing to make right. I can haul more in the little Hijet than I'd carry in the Tacoma when it was new, before the frame rusted. I carried four loads of very wet and dense freshly cut water maple firewood, heaped as full as I could fit in the bed, and each load went 25 miles to a friend's farm. I backed the Hijet through the narrow clearance and down the very steep side yard into my back yard. I piled limbs onto the truck until they were (not an exaggeration) ten feet above the bed. I tossed nylon straps over the top and cinched them down until the limbs were even with the top of the cab. The limbs hung eight feet out the back so I tossed a strap around the bundle and cinched it to keep the limbs off the road and tied a red flag to the end to make it street legal and I drove the limbs to the compost pad at the local dump, 22 miles away. The Hijet crawled up my very steep side yard with that big load, in 4WD, in first gear without even needing the low range, and it still has the worn street tires from Japan. I bought Yokohama Geolander mud & snow tires but haven't installed them yet. I painted the entire outside of the truck last month with gray Monstaliner polyurethane bed liner. I have a lot of little mini truck projects to upgrade the Hijet for its second life in the US. I agree that the engine under the seats does contribute some to the cabin noise at higher speed, but I haven't noticed that the cab is any warmer from sitting on top of the engine. That must be true for the Suzuki Carry, because I keep hearing this complaint, but I haven't noticed it in the Hijet.
Great I love to hear those stories. We need the law changed so we can buy them new. I just got another 95 sambar dump that needs engine rebuild. Couldn't resist the deal. My little bro wanted 1 so 98 going to be his workhorse. Going post some more diy stuff on exhaust and rear shocks that might help someone. Enjoy little 🐘
@@meanttobe100 - I'm very happy with my Hijet, but can't help looking on Japanese auto auctions for more cool JDM vehicles. I *really* want a 4WD kei van. I can't justify it, but find myself contemplating the sale of my 4Runner to make room for a 4WD kei van. It's a sickness. The worst part is, I'm not even halfway finished with the Hijet mini truck upgrades and I'm looking for a van.
@@meanttobe100- Some of those Japanese RVs are very clever. I've been watched Olympic Overland and Mike Festiva videos and now I want to build a 7 foot long foamie drop in camper for the bed of my Hijet so I can quickly convert it into a SHTF RV.
Thanks for the great info. I’ve been kicking around picking one up. I really like the rear engine setup something I didn’t know , it should help with traction & stability . How available are part’s in the US ? Time to get serious about getting one.
You can pretty much find anything online. Basic things are available locally. I use PL10610 oil filter that works on pretty much anything honds, lawnmowers, outboards.
the sambar is what i have plans on getting soon and the only reason is its 100% better than all the others hands down. i dont plan on going to much taller tires maybe 23's and from what i have seen is dont need a lift with them. but i do have to have A/C without A/C my old but will die. i like the 70 plus mph just incase i have to hit the big road. but i will say 99% of the time i wont get over 60 where i live.
I want to thank you for the web address to Tokyo Motors. I talked to Mo and I have an appointment this Wednesday (1-23-2024) to see his inventory. I am only 6 miles from him. I told him you are the reason I am looking at his vehicles...........you need 10% discount on your next truck.....Ha! Ha!
Can you please link to the wheels and tires you have on this. I have one that is not lifted and want a smoother ride with more contact with the ground. I have a 1993 KS4
If he's doing 80mph more than a few seconds at a time, he's going to blow a rod. I've got a supercharged KS4 and I wouldn't run it at 70mph continuously for more than a few minutes. I'll comfortably cruise at 60mph.
![4X4 Adventure in a Sierra Jimny & JDM Kei Truck [OFF ROAD FEATURE FILM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7tfSBS3HyTc/mqdefault.jpg)
So simple, so durable, so practical. .........
Rear Engine is the best, for balance........
Love my 1999 (second half of 1999 body style) as it has more cab room for us big guys! I still like the Suzuki Carry as well. There's a reason to want any of these and the Sambar is as good as any. A $6500-$8500 mini truck sure beats a $15k - $20k side by side without a windshield, hard doors no heat, etc. I do agree with the video as far as the engine placement. I enjoy any of them as I live way north an it's plenty cool enough to run a mid engine 365 but if I lived in Texas, I'd either need A/C which I'm 100% sure would be a must down there but if I couldn't get A/C, I'd go Sambar. Tip, get a long funnel for your engine oil because it's a pain to try not spilling with the big 5 quart container and be sure the previous owner gives you the key for the engine bay! I had to access mine via top (4 screw) entrance and loosen rear of lock to gain access. It's not as good but works any way. In the end Get one! You'll use the crap out of it! Any mini is better than no mini! Sambar great for street driving, Carry has more parts available and way more available for sale, Acty has a car like frame and is solid, HiJet is a mix of all of them and made by Toyota, Mitsubishi, Autozam, Mazda, etc are all good. I prefer the 5sp, Most dump beds only come in 4 sp so keep that in mpg. 50k miles isn't a lot, it all about condition! These things will go 200k plus km on a single drivetrain so think of them as more like a real car than a side by side that's done at 8k miles ish. Hope this helps someone.
Use can use flat 🪛 driver to open rear hatch don't have to have key
@@meanttobe100 Tried. It's locked, locked, as in stuck. I'll probably buy a new cylinder. 😁
I've been looking at those newer body style ones, mind if I ask how tall you are/how much room you have driving it? I'm ~6'4" - 6'5" depending on how straight I'm standing, with pretty long legs. I've heard the sambar already had the most legroom and the newer body style extended it even further.
@@SaxaphoneMan42 I'm 6" 0" and 260 lbs and it was kind of roomy for me. You could be a little cramped at 6'4 and longer legs but hey, it is a Mini Truck by definition. I would mote that you probably will want to engineer something for the gas peddle as I find that the part above and in front of my foot connecting my foot to leg starts to get painful because of the angle the accelerator is. It really does need to be further back but it seams to me that something could be done about that without a whole lot of engineering. I have since sold mine as I wasn't using it for around town as much as I was out on goofy trails and they just can't compare to a side by side off road. Though I wish they would because they last so much longer, have a very useful bed and get way better gas mileage than a side by side. Hope this helps.
@@generalcaeser9176 that does, moving pedals around seems like it could be pretty simple, thanks!
I ordered one which will arrive in August from Japan. Very excited, can’t wait. I have just subscribed to you. Thanks for posting this video. Subaru Sambar 1998.
Thanks for the vid! importing 2 sambars currently, excited. Had a 93 mitsubishi minicab but it was only a 4 spd, topped out around 50-55.
I have a 1996 Daihatsu Hijet for the same reasons you mentioned. They're tough little practical go-anywhere trucks. My Hijet is configured the same as your Sambar - 5 speed manual transmission, 4WD, HI-LO transfer case, no A/C, no locking differential. I would have liked to have A/C and locking diff, but I got a good buy on the Hijet because it needed a clutch. It's been my daily driver for a year and I like it better than the Tacoma that I bought new that rusted in half from a manufacturer's defect that Toyota did nothing to make right. I can haul more in the little Hijet than I'd carry in the Tacoma when it was new, before the frame rusted. I carried four loads of very wet and dense freshly cut water maple firewood, heaped as full as I could fit in the bed, and each load went 25 miles to a friend's farm. I backed the Hijet through the narrow clearance and down the very steep side yard into my back yard. I piled limbs onto the truck until they were (not an exaggeration) ten feet above the bed. I tossed nylon straps over the top and cinched them down until the limbs were even with the top of the cab. The limbs hung eight feet out the back so I tossed a strap around the bundle and cinched it to keep the limbs off the road and tied a red flag to the end to make it street legal and I drove the limbs to the compost pad at the local dump, 22 miles away. The Hijet crawled up my very steep side yard with that big load, in 4WD, in first gear without even needing the low range, and it still has the worn street tires from Japan. I bought Yokohama Geolander mud & snow tires but haven't installed them yet. I painted the entire outside of the truck last month with gray Monstaliner polyurethane bed liner. I have a lot of little mini truck projects to upgrade the Hijet for its second life in the US.
I agree that the engine under the seats does contribute some to the cabin noise at higher speed, but I haven't noticed that the cab is any warmer from sitting on top of the engine. That must be true for the Suzuki Carry, because I keep hearing this complaint, but I haven't noticed it in the Hijet.
Great I love to hear those stories. We need the law changed so we can buy them new. I just got another 95 sambar dump that needs engine rebuild. Couldn't resist the deal. My little bro wanted 1 so 98 going to be his workhorse. Going post some more diy stuff on exhaust and rear shocks that might help someone. Enjoy little 🐘
@@meanttobe100 - I'm very happy with my Hijet, but can't help looking on Japanese auto auctions for more cool JDM vehicles. I *really* want a 4WD kei van. I can't justify it, but find myself contemplating the sale of my 4Runner to make room for a 4WD kei van. It's a sickness. The worst part is, I'm not even halfway finished with the Hijet mini truck upgrades and I'm looking for a van.
@@Liberty4Ever lol I been eyeing RV with pop top.
@@meanttobe100- Some of those Japanese RVs are very clever. I've been watched Olympic Overland and Mike Festiva videos and now I want to build a 7 foot long foamie drop in camper for the bed of my Hijet so I can quickly convert it into a SHTF RV.
Great video! Very informative. Thank you for your business.
I'm in the process of importing a '98 Sambar from Japan, ahould be here in June. Picked the Sambar for pretty much the same reasons you did.
Thanks for the great info. I’ve been kicking around picking one up. I really like the rear engine setup something I didn’t know , it should help with traction & stability . How available are part’s in the US ?
Time to get serious about getting one.
You can pretty much find anything online. Basic things are available locally. I use PL10610 oil filter that works on pretty much anything honds, lawnmowers, outboards.
Oh, I need to pick up one of those
I would get 99 thy are fuel injected. But also look for supercharged 1 they are a bit more fun.
@@meanttobe100 thank you I’ll keep an eye out for one
the sambar is what i have plans on getting soon and the only reason is its 100% better than all the others hands down. i dont plan on going to much taller tires maybe 23's and from what i have seen is dont need a lift with them. but i do have to have A/C without A/C my old but will die. i like the 70 plus mph just incase i have to hit the big road. but i will say 99% of the time i wont get over 60 where i live.
Happy Sunday. Where would you recommend purchasing one?
facebook.com/tokyomotorsdc?mibextid=ZbWKwL he's good guy that's where I got mine
Where are you located ? What price range should I look to pay ?
Hey man great sambar, any info on that drivers seat cover? I'd love one for mine. Is it custom? thanks
It's not custom. I had ford seat sitting around I just took the bottom cussing of and just attached it to sambar base.
Are you located in Maryland (495 & 95) you started in your video? Thanks great information, I am looking at one now.
Yes Southern Maryland
I want to thank you for the web address to Tokyo Motors. I talked to Mo and I have an appointment this Wednesday (1-23-2024) to see his inventory. I am only 6 miles from him. I told him you are the reason I am looking at his vehicles...........you need 10% discount on your next truck.....Ha! Ha!
What about parts availability? On any of the import trucks?
@@clydefilas-mortensen1094 I haven't had any issues finding anything. Sometimes just have wait most parts comes for Japan.
Hi, nice vid. Where did you buy it?
Thanks local guy I know who imports them
@@meanttobe100 any website or contact info?
Can you please link to the wheels and tires you have on this. I have one that is not lifted and want a smoother ride with more contact with the ground. I have a 1993 KS4
Armstrong SKI-Trac PC Winter 175/65R14 82T
Drag DR-3314 X5.5 4-100.00/114.30 35 BKGLXX
Amazing 🛞🔥
Did you say you can get Kei trucks with left hand drive??
only low speed for driving around off-road or low speed.
what exhaust set up do you have on it now?
You didn't mention the wheel and tire size. They are not stock wheels.
@@richardbedard1245 Armstrong SKI-Trac PC Winter 175/65R14 82T whee size link in comments also
I'm assuming when you say top speed is 75-80 you're referring to KPH?
It's MPH not kph at 100kph my gps speedometer reads 65mph
If he's doing 80mph more than a few seconds at a time, he's going to blow a rod. I've got a supercharged KS4 and I wouldn't run it at 70mph continuously for more than a few minutes. I'll comfortably cruise at 60mph.
Supercharged models produce masses of heat
1800 pounds max with no problems