Living with a Kei Truck : 10 pros and 10 cons 

Hahah, yeah it's pretty crazy, not the worst problems I guess. I've had to walk quite a few people through the process in parking lots 😁

Make business cards with FAQs so you don't have to talk with people too long if that's what you have the most trouble with. That's probably what I would do if I owned one of these.

@@mikekazz5353 ha, right that's the way to do it!

Thanks for noticing. I thought it'd be a fun way to break up the video and kill two birds with one stone..

Nice, I've been eyeballing an acty for my next purchase! So awesome around town

Yeah, there are a few guys around here too.. I guess it's just a matter of is it worth the headache and time to do it yourself or just buy one here already

The tracks are badass! If I had more property I'd be all over them. 🤔

I don't think the heat & AC on Polaris is very good 😂 How much does the windshield wiper on Northstar cost?

Thanks appreciate you! Japan is pretty damn mountainous and these little sukers are torquey, so you should be fine! lol f-25 that's awesome.. more like f-2.5 hahh

​@@inkandpistonsF2.5 is exactly what I was going to reply with, but you beat me to it. Obviously, I guess.

@@robertroberts5218 haha.. gotta be fast

Lol.. yup 😅

awesome! glad i could help! They are pretty damn awesome.. i am working on a new vidoe on the import process. there were a few things i missed in the first video and a few surprises the second vehicle i imported. I'll get it posted soon!

Thanks 👍 current arrival date is supposed to be the 6th of June. We'll see how close they get!

Thanks!

They are pretty awesome they would be great for farm work!

Thanks you! And thanks for watching 😎

Thanks, yeah they are really fun and easy to work on

Nice.. I dig those wheels they look great

Ha, its like a good ant bite! 😂

Lol. I think my wife has a panic attack every time I drive it cuz we're so tiny..

Thanks so much. I appreciate it! 😁

Yeah.. I think because the yen is week some of the resellers are artificially push up the USD price to offset what they would typically get ..

Thanks appreciate it!

ha, yeah. It turned out the mic I had wasn't working. live and learn still trying to figure out all the little tech issues for these videos. Man you are real putting some upgrades into that Hijet! I'm kinda curious what 6-8k buys you! I just picked up the new Every Van, i'm going to do an update video on that soon had a couple of new discoveries in the process with that one! Thanks for watching

What auction house or website did you use to purchase? Did they do the shipping arrangements as well?

About how you would expect. it feels a lot more stable and handles a lot better around corners, you feel less wobbly than with the tiny little tires that were on it. It definitely creates a much bumpier ride. I would prefer to find a tire with a little bit more meat on it. They are just really limited sizes since I would have to go down to a 13 or 14-in rim.. but most importantly it looks cool 😎

I just got back from Japan and was spotting little dually isuzus and Toyotas everywhere now I want one of those too! Lol. Maybe that'll be next.. Thanks for watching!

Yeah big difference in power on my 95 turbo every. Better mid to high speed.. truck is better if the line but that's it.

Thanks for watching. No I don't really notice any difference. It still feels pretty torquey.. my speedo is still just about right. Going slightly faster than shown speed.. .. the wait for the VIN verification was because during COVID they were doing appointment only and only at one location in my county.. and it took a month to get the appointment.. I just did it again recently and they got rid of the appointment process so I just walked in and did it same day this time.

@@inkandpistons Thanks so much for the prompt response. I appreciate your attention to detail. I hope no more registration and insurance issues occur. Enjoy your awesome Kei Truck. They are truly cool.

@@mztokyo7630 yeah I hope all the problems are sorted out now too! 😉

Thanks! I made a previous video on the basic process.. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-H7SGKglbTQs.html

Sweet. Those are pretty tough little trucks. Good luck !

@@inkandpistons its primary purpose is going to be hauling dirt bikes in and out of my local forest trails. Seems like the best choice for the job!

@@TheMotoShaman that should be a perfect dirt bike caddy.. awesome

Thanks for watching! Grabbed them on eBay. The stock tires are only a 12 inner diameter and these are 15 so they won't stretch to fit.. but tires can be bought pretty inexpensively . Between 250 and 350 for tires.. rims cost about 450-550

Thanks appreciate you watching and commenting!

Thanks! Oddly no, I don't really notice much of any heat transfer. When I reupholstered the seat I added some dynomat which quiets it a bit and adds just a slight bit of insulation.. but even before I did that I never really noticed any extra heat.. plus it's more under the bed and closer to the passenger side. The wife has never complained. And she definitely would 😁. I'm going to have to do a big z road trip one day. Love driving that car!

I don't know why people say the kei truck engine makes the seat hot. It seems like it might, but it doesn't in my Hijet. It's just not an issue. It's a kei truck internet rumor that won't die because people who have no practical experience keep repeating the ignorant nonsense.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm currently using State farm for my kei truck and kei van

Definitely. The utility of the bed far outweighs any negatives. Thanks for watching!

Probably never get a 6 speed but a 5 would probably make a world of difference which are available.. also the automatic van I just got seems to have much better gearing ratios.

Just put bigger wheels.

Yeah sucks these insurance companies keep cancelling people. So far state farm has been good and fairly cheap. I hear progressive will do it too. But didn't look into it myself. I agree with the traction thing. My van also has rear engine. I did mount an under mount box. Still not a bunch of room out of it but better than nothing. Push bar probably coming soon.. haven't had a chance to jump on it yet..

That's awesome. Yeah there are some beefier models. I saw a bunch of "dully" ones with the last trip I really wan5 one of those they were only slightly bigger but I assume on Japan they are not true "kei"cars they probably have a bigger than 660 motor. Thanks

Thank you so much for the kind reply. I think they would be great to use in the countryside economical and useful. Thanks for watching!

I got state farm for the 2 Suzuki's..so far no problem . Agreed value. No driving restrictions..

Thanks. Plenty of head room legs not as much.. I'm 5'8"

They are little workhorses! I imagine they fit in great there, between the cost of petrol and not every car in the road being a full size f150! Do you have problems finding parts?

That's actually one of the things I plan to do to the van when it gets here and I've already been trying to track down the parts needed. I've read that it is not possible. But I'm sure I can figure something out that will work. I like the round lights much better. Thanks for watching. 😁

@@inkandpistons wow I have fully clear square lights on my suzuki dc51t and want some circle ones but after searching every Facebook group and all the internet I haven't found anyone whos even talked about it let alone tried it, that and its impossible to find the parts to do the swap as you would need the full front of the car ):

@@johnbaker3331 yeah I'm not looking forward to finding all the parts.. I'm traveling to Japan in December so maybe I can hit some junk yards! My carry on will look pretty funny

I think Tacoma is the closest port you can import then to. Out check Facebook market place for one already here.

I had a title company do the dmv stuff . I did have to make an appt to do the vin verification myself though.. I have a video with the cost breakdown at the end as well as the process. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-H7SGKglbTQs.html

My county clerk's office is a bureaucratic pain, so I went to the rural county east of me to title and register my mini truck. There was a $15 sheriff's inspection which was apparently to determine that the chassis number matched the paperwork and it wasn't a stolen vehicle. The title and registration paperwork was more tedious than usual, but no trip to the DMV is pleasant. They needed to convert the paperwork (commercial invoice, DOT and EPA forms, IRS gas guzzler form, etc.) into a new title so I could register it. On the plus side, the state and local taxes were based on the sale price. I paid $265 for the truck, and they didn't calculate the taxes based on the $1935 in shipping. Inspection, taxes, license plate and registration for a year and a half was under $60. All of this varies greatly by state, with many states refusing to license kei trucks for on road use, so make sure you can register a kei truck before buying one.

Yeah, I'm sure that definitely makes a difference. My suzi van is rear engine as well no traction problems there. But I'm pretty surprised they made a whole different drive line setup just for the vans..

im not sure what a diahatsu "naked" is but sounds good to me LOL. I think that the elements are pretty cool and you have the advantage of findable parts in the states.. but something about a odd car no one else has.. naked or not.. :)

I am on the shorter side 5'8' 62 might be tight. But if you get the van you can move your seat back.. I think the Honda acti also has a movable seat, but you're probably not getting much out of it

Me too they are little but mighty!

I used state farm they had a pretty reasonable rate

Yes I agree it's all about weight and partially those skinny tires. but the new, to me, Suzuki every van I just got stuck it between the rear tires so it's much better, so I guess the weight is better distributed on that

Yeah here is a link to the video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BS_scBZ_HOY.html

I love it. But I've had them about 20 years this point it's very low maintenance and it's hard for me to do anything else. But I'm seriously contemplating cutting it.. I had it for 3 years back in the 90s then shaved it all off in '01 then began immediately growing it back I locked them back up in 2005 once my hair got shoulder length.. think of all the money I've saved in hair product and haircuts. lol

Very true, although I suppose you could probably install a crash bar up in the front if you really wanted to. Also guess it depends on what city you live in. You see him all around Tokyo but nobody's really doing more than 35 mph anyway and generally pretty good drivers

Haha, me as well. You could not be more right.

No, it does. just easier than reaching across the truck to deal with the drive up window. And kind of hilarious, to me , seeing the confused clerks

Sold!!! (Actually soon to purchase) I deliver pizzas, and this would be perfect!!! (Detroit,MI) it just would require a delivery box, and I just so happen to be very HaNdY😂... Great video

@@pheelphine nice that would be a perfect use of it! Lol good luck 😁 thanks for watching.

It does. I enjoy backing thru tho. A drive thru worker told me someone else has a rhd and uses one of the reachy claw cane things to hand over the money and take the bag. The REALL princely act is parallel parking (like for take out) and stepping onto the sidewalk instead of into the street. No wonder the mail trucks are rhd and UPS has the big open stair door with practically no access via the left.

I have a whole playlist on it. It got in a little fender bender last year so there will be an update on that soon. As it's taken that long to get all the parts ru-vid.com/group/PLIAMEAMIBkQR-c5Fs_-sCcHx76RhELf9c&si=647CO8IlMfx6KOAe

I do almost everything myself it's all relatively easy stuff. I did have a shop help me on my mini van when we were trying to trouble shoot the stalling that was happening.. (next video) and I just did a coil over install myself. It's all pretty easy stuff if you like problem solving and wrench turning

@@inkandpistons, is it easier and/or cheaper to buy one yourself or through a dealer here in the states if you live in Kansas and can't get to a port city?

@@oromis16 that is hard to say. If you have a truck and a trailer (or you can even load it up on a small U-Haul trailer). It might be worth it to head down to Texas and pick it up from that port. From what I've been seeing, most people buying them from us-based importers/dealers are paying between 8 and 10 grand for a decent condition truck. If you do it all yourself you can probably get one for closer to 5000 in similar shape and then the cost of going to get it, registration, hotel, trailer.. your still probably ahead of the game.

@@inkandpistons, where would I look for U.S. dealers?

@oromis16 There is a place called minitrucks.net . Im not affiliated and I know nothing about them other than they have a bunch of them and they are in Texas.. I'd just google the makes and see what's around Facebook marketplaces has a shit tone too

Thanks appreciate it!

I'm only 5'8 but I fit okay. I think you'll be good at 5:11. Maybe a bit of a squish.. you'll have plenty of headroom depends on how long your legs are

Thank you

I can't speak to the Honda specifically, I haven't owned one.. there are really a couple of things I like about the Suzuki that made me choose it . It was cheaper than any of the Hondas I could find with similar mileage.. I like the placement of the engine centered rather than between the rear wheels. It seems more balanced.. I wanted round head lights, I just like the look better. I think all the Honda are square. (I could be wrong) I do think the Honda has a bit more in cabin room which sounds better. And the Honda is probably much more reliable.. I may go after a Honda acty van next... If I do I'll let you know how it compares to my Suzuki.. but it will be a while before I get one. Thanks good luck!

@@inkandpistons Thank you for the answer so fast I'm thinking in buy one my self

@@adnerayala3409 I'm sure you'll be fine with the Honda.. (I have a suspicion the parts may be easier or more interchangeable) Suzuki made a bunch of charges for every model and application.. so I was having a bit of a hard time finding some stuff recently.. not terrible but time consuming

Haha right those little body kits are dope. Do it, do it!

@@inkandpistons bad enough that I'm thinking about a samurai rear axle swap for a faster gear ratio and if you can cram a g13 or a honda goldwing trike setup under the bed...

@@T_TanksTinkers1066 hahhahha😆😆😆😆

Well I think a lot of that has to do with how you drive and the condition of the vehicle and even the location.. I have recorded my milage a few times and have averaged better in the winter (Florida winter in the 60-70's) I think the best I did was in high 40s worst was 28-30. Still better than my suburban and my Buick combined! I think our lower octane in the US makes it harder to get the higher numbers..

Got an update on it coming soon... Hopefully coming next week

I have been thinking about itm. They are kinda pricey.. I may have to build my own ! 🤔

@@inkandpistons ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4exIobXBXO0.html&ab_channel=HooniganProjectGarage

The vehicle itself sure, importing in all the other stuff not really.. you might be able to get it here a little cheaper if it goes into a container as opposed to a roll-on roll off boat.. but then you're going to have other fees dealing with a container.. there are a couple vehicles on car from Japan listed right now for 2400-2900 total price to Jacksonville.. are you still probably have about another 3 to 500 bucks in miscellaneous fees.. it also depends on where you live. Some ports may be cheaper

For the cheap auction grade 3 Kei Trucks, expect to spend about $3500 at the absolute minimum to get to the port of pickup and have it released. Keep in mind this is the bottom of the barrel price point so expect the truck will need work - make sure to look up the maintenance cost of parts before you even start the process. I've been importing these for several years and I am speaking from my personal experiences aka mistakes. Overall though - excellent option when compared to a Mule or Gator and you can take it on the street to run some errands to boot.

@@andrewloranger 👍 agreed

@@inkandpistons - It's my understanding that RORO is much less expensive than shipping a car in a shipping container, and the people who do that want maximum protection when importing an expensive luxury car or sports car. One advantage of a container is that you can ship car parts in or around the vehicle, which isn't allowed for RORO imports into the US. RORO is the vehicle and nothing else.

@@Liberty4Ever Yes, I agree. I think that sounds about right. Also though with a container you might be able to put two cars or more in it if you get a 40 ft at which point it might average out to be less..

you are correct, that why I bought one of those :) too ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ed_aY1pjzik.html

Hahah Yes i did, but I totally expected a funny reaction, but I got nothing! I guess the lady at the drive-through has seen it all!

@@inkandpistons - I get a lot of comments at the drive through, just like everyplace else. Everyone likes the mini truck and they have a lot of questions. I stopped driving backwards through the drive in. I have ridiculously long arms so I roll down the passenger window and reach across the narrow mini truck.

That's not nearly as fun. 😂

Did they fully ban them? That sucks. They would make a great city car

@inkandpistons sadly yes. After buying a house I realized a truck would be very helpful and then found out about kei trucks. Was excited at first since it is a perfect truck for basic home needs. Compact, great gas mileage, cheap, not a pile of rust that someone's wants 5k+ for, etc. So I checked with my friend that did importing for a few years. He informed me that the NY DMV will not register any kei truck. They deemed them unsafe. Checked the DMV and they have it explicitly stated no kei trucks. He did say the a nissan atlas is allowed since it counts as a full size. But they all seem to be significantly more expensive and get the same gas mileage as a standard truck. Which kind of defeats the point.

@@scow01do you know anybody in a neighboring state that'll let you register it to them? They can't stop you from driving there. Probably save on insurance. Not being in New York anyway lol

@inkandpistons for a while you could register one in Vermont. Then Vermont decided to nix that as well. Seems like the only way I've come across so far is by creating an LLC in Montana and then registering the kei truck under the LLC. Though I don't know of anyone that has done that.

@@scow01 yeah sounds like a pain in the butt.. I guess write your local government 🤷

Just think, sooner or later they'll figure this cyborg stuff out and you'll be ahead of the curve

Ha, yes it is, yes it is.. and frankly right hand drive will scare the rest that do know how.

Yup. Absolutely. Although, I'm a proud uncle of two teens that can.🙂

@@inkandpistons and those who can drive stick don't steal cars 😁

@@DamianOzzy exactly.