8 THINGS I WISH I KNEW *BEFORE* BUYING A KEI TRUCK 

You're a good looking guy, but I'd really prefer seeing the trucks for 29 minutes.

Thanks for posting. Own a 91 Sambar. Bought for $900 shipped for $700. It’s not a toy! Mine was bought for Vermont lumber, dump, odds and end runs. Def not for hway use. Mine is in a very rural gravel road area. You bring up practicality; to each his/her own for what kind of duty. Engine wise on mine, good compression, oil and filter was changed before I got it with a mileagekilometerage sticker. Mine ain’t registered and don’t care. There ain’t cops/fire where I’m at. I hear Vermont stopped accepting title apps on them. Anyone wanting one, I’d say just get it. Yolo!

Thanks for making this video! I'm considering buying one since I don't need a full-size or even mid-size truck and actually use a motorcycle for most of my needs but can't put plants or lumbar in my motorcycle. I appreciate the tips!

Thanks for the detail analysis dude, I’m thinking of getting an Acty but was worry about the practicality, but now I’m more aware of it thanks to you! Cheers.

Very good video! You bring up some great points, very informative, looking forward to watching more from your channel!

I got a 96 Sandbar KV3 van coming here to north Texas. I’m learning a lot from your videos. Keep the videos coming, we’re in this together bro.

There's been a ton of these Kei trucks running around Oahu, and I've been curious about getting one. Thanks for making this video! Very in depth and informative!

Thanks so much for taking time to make this really useful video. Have a Sambar on its way through an importer so all your information is relevant, especially hints on purchasing parts. Have enjoyed your previous uploads and look forward to seeing more. Cheers!

regarding states refusing to tag and also pulling tags back on these: what about those tiny cars, supposed to be super economical and eco friendly, micro smart cars. Those are allowed on the interstate... those tiny / slow / dangerous / "sneeze on them they flip" / How is it they are legal, and especially that they are allowed on the interstate? and yet the powers that be have a problem with these trucks? Again, if the Mini - import community gets motivated and organized, a good amount of pressure can be applied to the situation.

I've driven my friend's Carry and enjoyed the hell out of it but owning one as an only vehicle would be hard. Fortunately for me I've got another, reliable vehicle so I've been watching a couple local importers stock lists for a few months and I'm just about ready to jump on one. These things are FUN. They aren't fast, they aren't luxurious, they aren't even really comfortable but if you can drive one without smiling all the time you must be a stick in the mud lol. That being said, I appreciate this video, there are some good tips and solid points that you cover, and your presentation is good, clear and fairly concise.

Thanks for the advice especially how to get parts.🤙

Thank you so much for doing this video - so tremendously helpful to those considering a Kei Truck.

So much great data! Cheers, Mate!

I think you may be able to get a title for a vehicle if it has a VIN and you can mechanic's lien it (if you have or can work with a licensed mechanic shop) or you can say it was abandoned on your (or a friend's) property and you do a storage lien sale.

Thanks for the insight, I'm looking towards purchasing one of these trucks to run around up the mountain and help me around my house (firewood, garden, and just moving stuff from here to there) 4x4 is a must. Great video.

This is by far one of the best you have done and the most informative!! Going out to Paterson tomorrow to talk to Amier. Wish me luck!! I actually caught U up at the bridge plaza with your truck Saturday!

I 💘 the way this little truck look's 😍 I have a project mindset on it .... I can tell you it might be the best looking mini 🚚 🙊

Great content, very practical - thanks.

I'm in the UK and I've had my JDM KEI Super Carry Pick up now 4 years.... hands down best vehicle I've ever bought... its a workhorse - I use it as such.. Creature comforts? nope (longest trip 568miles- yes really- and loaded!....). Fast.?.. fast enough. (had it sat at 55-60mph for several hours at a time- with a 4 speed transmission- wear ear plugs!) Good on fuel? err...its ok but considering it's driven flat out and it's Carb not injection- don't expect miracles! The auto choke does my head in. (if anyone knows of a direct replacement manual choke kit?). Spares from Japan? I agree... anything specific go to Japan.. Otherwise you'll spend a week of googling to save $30 shipping... and still get the wrong part! IMHO...Enjoy them for what they are a fun useful tool... Oh, and they are a great talking point.... everywhere you go!

one of the best videos on this topic. Thanks!!

Buy the sharpest looking one you can, then if you need to rebuild engine, transmission, etc, you will end up with a really nice vehicle you can enjoy.

Great video, and good information thanks! I just got stationed in Japan and I am looking at getting a K truck to drive here and bring home after my tour.

Thank you for a great informative video. 👍

I appreciate your review!

Thank you for the info!

I agree wholeheartedly on the many cons of owning a Kei truck. You want good gas mileage? Get a Prius. - Gets 60MPG - Can drive on the highway without a struggle. (100 to 150HP) No need to put your foot to the floor. - Has a 5 star NHTSA rating. Yes, I've watched Kei truck crash tests... The cab IS the crumple zone. - All insurance companies cover it (for cheaper than most other street legal vehicles, unlike Kei trucks). - Comfortable and spacious (for its size, but it's still smaller than my Camry). Has a nice big trunk along with being able to fit 5 people. - Quiet and reliable (battery replacement is cheap and easy if need be). - Newer models have pre-collision and lane departure detection. Something I haven't heard about in Kei trucks. - The newer ones even comes in AWD. No need to manually shift into 4WD or whatever in the snow.

Super informative video thanks a ton :)

Very helpful video i really appreciate all the info im about to get my truck from Japan in about a week i bought a 1998 Daihatsu hijet 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

“Knowledge” is built on other’s past failures and Experiences! When my Honda activity comes, I too Well buy direct from Japan parts wise! Make life simple and stress-free as possible! 👍

Good points. Thanks for the video.

Thank you for your advice!

Great advice!!!

Very valuable info thanks

Thank for the info.

Thank you for the insight and information. What is holding me back is that there is no dealer locally with inventory. I want to see the truck before buying one. Secondly, it seems like a lot of mechanic know-how is required for these cars to keep them running. While I can learn over time, I think I'd just get frustrated. I don't have a shop where I can take apart a vehicle.

Fab, learned a lot.

We had/ have these little trucks in the UK, let’s be honest what do you guys expect from a small farming utility vehicle, it’s no massive ranger or ram if you buy one be realistic, they are local run around designed for a specific job local , short low speed deliveries

Hmm... this is a very very helpful video! Made me wonder if I should just get a bigger JDM truck like a HiAce or a Delica to avoid some of those problems. I want a grab and go experience

thank you so much, very helpful video

Thanks for all this info. I'm buying myself a Sambar and my concern was on the parts availability. Is there any USDM year make model that you're able to go to an Autozone or O'riellys to get a simple oil filter or brake pads/rotors/shoes ?

Valuable information!

Thankyou looking for one good advices

can you please link to the site where you are getting your parts? thanks!

No one drives 60 on the Garden State Parkway

Thanks brother! How would rate the ease of maintenance on your Subaru? Do you need micro hands with the dexterity of a concert pianist as required by my wife's Kia?

Lots of information, thanks. Could you explain about the "title"? I'm in Australia and I don't know anything about that. Thanks.

Damn!!! Super helpful

Anyone know how to register a Kei in NYS ? I've seen a few, but they have out of state plates, there's one in my neighborhood with Montana plates. Thanks for the tips.

Great info

I'm in CT; CT does not issue titles on ANY vehicle over 25 years old. Period. Now, it has a title when it first came to PA. My Miata is still on it's Alaska title. It has no impact on getting it plated, at least here. I run it on CT 'collector vehicle' plates , which have no restrictions on them. Insurance by American Collectors. At 200$/year, it's much cheaper than out new Miata/BMW. Parts? The problem is, you have a Sanbar. Honda stuff is relatively easy to get. Yokohama Motors is a good source. So is Proline in CA. G&R is overpriced. Honda stuff can be bought locally at cheap discount stores, if you know what to look for. As always, YMMV. BTW, I rarely put more than 10$ gas in my Acty van. BTW, it wouldn't have killed you to do the vid in the Subaru. Cute stickers!

Awesome video!!,

Just an FYI. I normally don't say anything about spelling or punctuation. You said the same word twice and you seem like you're fairly intelligent so I'm going to point this out. Twice you said mute. Mute means not to make any sound. The word that you're looking for is moot, which means that it doesn't really matter. I'm currently researching KEI trucks to replace my full size, Chevy Silverado with a 5.3 engine. I don't really need this truck. In the city it gets around 15 mpg, so a vehicle that gets around 25 mpg is a significant improvement in fuel mileage. I'd even consider an Australian UTE. Have a great day and enjoy your KEI truck.

Purchasing one from Mitsui co at the moment. what is everything i should have done when it arrives? I havent found any good lists yet.

One big issue with insurance: you said you went with Hagerty, but then said you were doing deliveries in NYC. First of all, doing for-profit work in any vehicle means you need commercial insurance. That aside, Hagerty specifically says the car is not supposed to be your daily driver or used for errands and even that it's supposed to be garaged when not in use. You may have an active policy in your name, but if you had an accident best case you'd probably get dropped and worst case they may refuse to pay out due to violating your terms.

For insurance if you can get USAA they will insure ANYTHING and they will do it happily. By far the easiest insurance experience I've ever had

American insurance is amazing! I’m 34 in Canada, with good history. I pay 110 a month on a Jetta. Kei truck will be 125 a month!

In Florida the legal speed for these things is 35. Does law enforcement really even enforce this law for anyone who is a kei truck owner here?

hi, I was wondering I live in Florida, and while I was looking up the laws and it said I can only drive them in 35 miles per hour zones and In new jersey, they are prohibited in public zones is that something I should be worried about or is it classified as a car or is it a suggestion type deal?

The is any way that you can help me to get my part

How hard is it to register this in New Jersey? I live in south Jersey and was looking to buy one of these also from Boeki in Paterson

i'm probably not going to buy one. I just discovered that kei trucks are a thing. i love the looks of these and am hooked on looking at them on youtube. maybe I will eventually buy one, who knows. for now, its videos galore.

Are there no highway capable japanese minitrucks? Im talking 3 hours at 60+mph

@7:23 You can use them as boy-toys but they are actually purpose built vehicles. ;)

I would put stuff in the back or in the bed of the truck , not in the cab so much.

No trouble here in New Zealand, jealous much!!!?

Believe me Japanese farmers included no one does anything for upkeep on vehicles, there is an inspection check that costs 800 dollars a year but its a money grab.

Couple of points regarding fuel type and efficiency. Unleaded vs premium has many myths. What is the difference? Compression & Octane. Engines either require low or high compression. High compression are high HP faster super cars, their engines are high compression and need premium fuel. On the other hand, the economy class car has a low compression engine that uses unlead. Low compression engines do not benefit from high compression fuel and in fact can be suffer gasket/seal damage. The final kicker is which has more ethanol? It’s premium fuel. What ethanol does to fuel is increase the octane since alcohol is higher octane which increases compression. Premium will have upwards of 10% ethanol and unlead will have 5-6%, but it changes with the seasons and the local weather temperatures and ethanol helps keep the engine clean. The problem with modern cars is the exhaust gas recirculating system routes exhausts gases into the intake. This is to burn off unburned fuel,. This causes carbon deposits on the valves, spark plugs, pistons and rings, ultimately resulting in engine wear or malfunctioning valves. The catalytic converter also created exhaust restriction issues that ultimately result in engine wear. Ethanol isn’t bad in fuel. Concerning fuel efficiency. 2WD vs 4WD vs AWD. They have their differences. 2WD is the fuel efficient king, 4WD is most likely the worst or about the same as AWD. If 2WD should get 45 MPG in ideal conditions, I think 27 4WD/AWD sounds about right. I learned something from you about using thicker oil to hide rod knock, that is something I will be look for now.

Which website are best to buy it directly from Japan?

Only eight, really? I'm impressed.

boeky has own grade not japanese in Japan auction impossible to by truck mini Grade 4+ after years auction grade getting worse ! i work with auctions in Japan since 1995

Wish I could SEE IT

You from joisy, I'm from joisy. What exit? Buyers remorse? Unfortunately, you got something not to your expectations. As they say: Buyer be ware. Your point on MPGs and practicality is subjective. As I say, MPGs is strictly based on how you drive, where you drive and what you drive. My new to me (2 wks ago) 1996 Suzuki Carry truck also from Boeki, I'm getting 32 MPGs. That's between Cumberland county and Atlantic county (70 miles daily rnd trip). No I still have my full size truck for when this one doesn't do the job. Either way, thanks for the Hagerty tip. Currently having an huge issue insuring it. Also because mine is a 1996, I'm going through the DEP to get an Inspection Exception. Good luck and thank you. Watch my recent introduction of my kei truck, again thanks. Maybe we'll meet on the Parkway one day in our Kei's doing +80mph :)

Is it possible to buy a entirely new engine?

subscribed

I pay 300$ for insurance so 100dollars or less sounds like a god send

Importing myself, undecided still on a Kei-truck/van/SUV

K truck has only 660cc 64hp, and driver's seat is on the right

Omg I bought a 1989 Subaru sambar but when I got it back home I looked at the engine and it was a 2 cylinder not a 4. So I can’t find a video or any information on these engines at all. Don’t know where to even look to troubleshoot this truck because it’s turning over but not firing up. Thanks for the video and I wish I found it a month ago lol

So much Canadian pins on the car.

Those are made for Japan's cities, not for American fwys. They drive 50 km/h = 31mph. You double it's speed and no wander it shits itself 😂

Hey, just want to point out, its "moo point". Like because a cow, his opinion doesn't matter.

Trust your dealer.

sounds like you got screwed.....wow....

Sounds like you got screwed.

Too much talk but little information

Miles? Gallon? What language is this?

Some... (not much) helpful information. But this video could have relayed the same information in less than 5 minutes... Sorry

Too much face time…..