This is a great video for anyone considering a kei truck. I concur with all of the pros and cons, and also the closing sentiment that the pros outweigh the cons and kei trucks are awesome. To be so tiny and fun, they are surprisingly practical. The bed on my Hijet is slightly larger than the Tacoma it replaced after the Tacoma frame rusted in half at 137,000 miles from a manufacturer's defect (that Toyota did nothing to remedy in my case). As mentioned, the bed sides easily fold down to make a flat bed, or three screws can be removed to remove all three bed sides. Not mentioned: Unlike larger pickup trucks in the western world, there are no large wheel wells protruding into the bed. I can carry drywall sheets flat on the bed without them cracking in the middle, and I have a lot more space in the bed. I was fairly sure I'd enjoy driving my kei truck because it's fun to drive, but I didn't realize that I'd also enjoy driving it because other people enjoy seeing me driving it. I was surprised to find that I was bringing a little bit of happiness into many people's lives by doing nothing but driving my fun little mini truck. There are no kei trucks in my town of 350,000 and I get a lot of smiles, waves and thumbs up. I occasionally get a crazy guy hanging out his window shouting, "I LOVE YOUR TRUCK!" I'm hoping that painting the entire truck, including inside the cab, with two coats of Monstaliner polyurethane bed liner will attenuate most of the tin can sound.
I think instead of 2 coats of bedliner inside I would opt for sound deadening material. Also, that would eliminate the need for 2 coats on the outside of the cab. On the Hijet or Carry the sound deadening would reduce the heat from the engine, also. The Honda and Subaru have the engine in the rear so no heat into the cab from there.
@@usedcarsokinawa - People think there's a lot of heat or noise from the engine under the seats in the Hijet but that's not the case. The tin can noise I mentioned was just the single sheet of steel for the roof of the cab, and the doors without any sound deadening. I think polyurethane on both sides will very thoroughly deaden the tinny sound. It doesn't bother me, but it'll be deluxe when quieter.
1. EN07Y pistons fit the EN07C & EN07F engines (lower compression for supercharger) VZ21 Turbo + jetski water to air intercooler + Dyno jet fuel controller (1000cc bike ones) 63 @ 10 psi proven by dyno video (23hp gain) 2. Welding shop for pedals 3. Arduino Uno + a rack and pinion motor + standard servo + 3d Printer + Solidworks hobby edition. 4. Oh Kei Garage makes headers for the EN07Y/C/F + earplugs I guess lol 5. Can't help you there...
Seems like a really good economical option as a second car for a couple or family. Realistically, many people probably only need one car that can go for long stretches of highway, but are likely to need a second car so that that the other person isn’t stuck at home while the first one is out and about. Not that it would be perfect for everyone everywhere, but it seems like it’s got a lot to offer. I know that kind of truck bed could have saved me a lot of headache in the past, that’s for sure
I'm considering getting one for that reason. Single person I live alone with one vehicle. I've wanted a utiltiy vehicle for getting mulch and garden supplies. Moving the odd piece of furniture. I don't need to haul or tow anything, so big trucks and SUVs are overkill and way too expensive. Would be nice to have a secondary vehicle that could take me to work or grocery store if my daily driver is out of commission for some reason that also provides some utility. Also would be nice to have 4x4 on the rare snowy and icy days we get here. These trucks tick all of these boxes... so I'm really thinking of importing one. Thing I'm worried about is that they have to be 25 years old. I'm worried of importing a piece of junk maintenance nightmore. It's about $5K to get one imported. I don't want to end up putting another $5k - $10k into it then I could have easily bought a full size seconhand pickup.
Im planning on getting one myself, an acty 4wd, im calling an importer tomorrow and see what the process is like. If all goes well itll be on order before the sun sets tomorrow.
I wish I could have found one, but this one is still great for me. Maybe my next one will be supercharged or I will make it a project to supercharge one!
@@OffbeatMechanics - MotoCheez supercharged his Hijet and watching his several videos that mention the project could avoid a lot of the pitfalls. It didn't look too bad, particularly if you could avoid his problems.
@@OffbeatMechanics - I hadn't seen the Mighty Car Mods turbo'd Hijet. Thanks! I just watched the nine minute overview, less of a How To than a video montage of the work, but very artistically produced. Nice! Now I need to watch the hour long description of how they did it and their 23 minute turbo Hijet tuning video. But first, I need to go outside and fabricate a Hijet battery cover to finish the new battery installation. It's finally spring here and I'm wasting this warm weather.
I recognize your city, I'm from Hope :-) We're working on getting a 2008 Sambar in from Japan; we've found a really rare one that has power windows, power lock and a supercharger -- that should take care of your negatives #1 and #3. Would you mind sharing where you brought it in for inspection? It looks like you don't have rear side markers, no 3rd brake light... so what did you do to make it street legal, just the front side markers and daytime running lights?
I am sure with enough effort anything is possible. I personally like to cross reference the parts and see if they are available locally, and if not, order them in.
@@OffbeatMechanics I would have 2 filters (oil and fuel), 2 sets of brake pads/rotors and maybe even bearings on hand. Never a bad idea if you rely on your ktruck for heavy use. I hate waiting for parts. Maybe need some other parts like belts, use your imagination.
This is a great video for anyone considering a kei truck. I concur with all of the pros and cons, and also the closing sentiment that the pros outweigh the cons and kei trucks are awesome. To be so tiny and fun, they are surprisingly practical. The bed on my Hijet is slightly larger than the Tacoma it replaced after the Tacoma frame rusted in half at 137,000 miles from a manufacturer's defect (that Toyota did nothing to remedy in my case). As mentioned, the bed sides easily fold down to make a flat bed, or three screws can be removed to remove all three bed sides. Not mentioned: Unlike larger pickup trucks in the western world, there are no large wheel wells protruding into the bed. I can carry drywall sheets flat on the bed without them cracking in the middle, and I have a lot more space in the bed.
I was fairly sure I'd enjoy driving my kei truck because it's fun to drive, but I didn't realize that I'd also enjoy driving it because other people enjoy seeing me driving it. I was surprised to find that I was bringing a little bit of happiness into many people's lives by doing nothing but driving my fun little mini truck. There are no kei trucks in my town of 350,000 and I get a lot of smiles, waves and thumbs up. I occasionally get a crazy guy hanging out his window shouting, "I LOVE YOUR TRUCK!"
I'm hoping that painting the entire truck, including inside the cab, with two coats of Monstaliner polyurethane bed liner will attenuate most of the tin can sound.
look at the documentaries about them their great cars but not for the bloody highway duh :3
I think instead of 2 coats of bedliner inside I would opt for sound deadening material. Also, that would eliminate the need for 2 coats on the outside of the cab. On the Hijet or Carry the sound deadening would reduce the heat from the engine, also. The Honda and Subaru have the engine in the rear so no heat into the cab from there.
@@usedcarsokinawa - People think there's a lot of heat or noise from the engine under the seats in the Hijet but that's not the case. The tin can noise I mentioned was just the single sheet of steel for the roof of the cab, and the doors without any sound deadening. I think polyurethane on both sides will very thoroughly deaden the tinny sound. It doesn't bother me, but it'll be deluxe when quieter.
@@senritsujumpsuit6021 kei cars were designed for in-village use, they were never meant for the highway.
One of the things I love about my 2000 Toyota Tacoma is all the manual stuff. Windows, door locks, and mirrors.
1. EN07Y pistons fit the EN07C & EN07F engines (lower compression for supercharger) VZ21 Turbo + jetski water to air intercooler + Dyno jet fuel controller (1000cc bike ones) 63 @ 10 psi proven by dyno video (23hp gain)
2. Welding shop for pedals
3. Arduino Uno + a rack and pinion motor + standard servo + 3d Printer + Solidworks hobby edition.
4. Oh Kei Garage makes headers for the EN07Y/C/F + earplugs I guess lol
5. Can't help you there...
This is a super useful video for prospective buyers. Thank you.
Seems like a really good economical option as a second car for a couple or family. Realistically, many people probably only need one car that can go for long stretches of highway, but are likely to need a second car so that that the other person isn’t stuck at home while the first one is out and about. Not that it would be perfect for everyone everywhere, but it seems like it’s got a lot to offer. I know that kind of truck bed could have saved me a lot of headache in the past, that’s for sure
I'm considering getting one for that reason. Single person I live alone with one vehicle. I've wanted a utiltiy vehicle for getting mulch and garden supplies. Moving the odd piece of furniture. I don't need to haul or tow anything, so big trucks and SUVs are overkill and way too expensive. Would be nice to have a secondary vehicle that could take me to work or grocery store if my daily driver is out of commission for some reason that also provides some utility. Also would be nice to have 4x4 on the rare snowy and icy days we get here. These trucks tick all of these boxes... so I'm really thinking of importing one.
Thing I'm worried about is that they have to be 25 years old. I'm worried of importing a piece of junk maintenance nightmore. It's about $5K to get one imported. I don't want to end up putting another $5k - $10k into it then I could have easily bought a full size seconhand pickup.
Im planning on getting one myself, an acty 4wd, im calling an importer tomorrow and see what the process is like. If all goes well itll be on order before the sun sets tomorrow.
In the UK,and being driving Kei trucks/vans (Honda TN550 Acty) for almost forty years.Now driving Piaggio Porter diesel truck and Daihatsu Copen car.
My 1998 Subary Sambar truck arrives from Japan this coming Tuesday, I can’t wait. I have just subscribed so we can stay connected.
My friend just bought a 1999 sambar, and we live accross the river from you.
We may try picking your brain sometime
The Supercharged version has more giddy up and helps with acceleration.
I wish I could have found one, but this one is still great for me. Maybe my next one will be supercharged or I will make it a project to supercharge one!
@@OffbeatMechanics - MotoCheez supercharged his Hijet and watching his several videos that mention the project could avoid a lot of the pitfalls. It didn't look too bad, particularly if you could avoid his problems.
I like Mighty Car Mods turbocharged daihatsu as well.
@@OffbeatMechanics - I hadn't seen the Mighty Car Mods turbo'd Hijet. Thanks! I just watched the nine minute overview, less of a How To than a video montage of the work, but very artistically produced. Nice! Now I need to watch the hour long description of how they did it and their 23 minute turbo Hijet tuning video. But first, I need to go outside and fabricate a Hijet battery cover to finish the new battery installation. It's finally spring here and I'm wasting this warm weather.
I recognize your city, I'm from Hope :-) We're working on getting a 2008 Sambar in from Japan; we've found a really rare one that has power windows, power lock and a supercharger -- that should take care of your negatives #1 and #3. Would you mind sharing where you brought it in for inspection? It looks like you don't have rear side markers, no 3rd brake light... so what did you do to make it street legal, just the front side markers and daytime running lights?
what model and size wheels are those? I love their look!
They are 14 inch from a 1989-1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata. They are “daisy” wheels without the center caps. I love the fitment of these wheels on this truck.
Is the fuel economy a combined measurement? (City and highway)
Yes. That is what I have been getting mixed roughly 80% city 20% highway.
@@OffbeatMechanics that's amazing. Most other youtubers get much less mileage.
Being a machanic can't you retro fit parts from other vehicles? To work with this vehicle?
I am sure with enough effort anything is possible. I personally like to cross reference the parts and see if they are available locally, and if not, order them in.
@@OffbeatMechanics I would have 2 filters (oil and fuel), 2 sets of brake pads/rotors and maybe even bearings on hand. Never a bad idea if you rely on your ktruck for heavy use. I hate waiting for parts. Maybe need some other parts like belts, use your imagination.
Did they bug you in BC about getting DOT headlights?
I had no issues. The shop that inspected it said that OEM was fine.
I'm surprised you're driving your Subaru on a Washington State freeway !
I’m actually in BC! I haven’t had a chance to drive it down south of our border yet though. I was thinking about making a harbor freight run in it.
@Offbeat Mechanics Well welcome to the club of Mini truck owners! Mines a 95 Honda SDX 4x4 5speed! Have tons of FUN 👍