Can a Tiny Truck Outwork a BIG Truck??

Andre and David take our new 1997 Honda Acty kei truck to Happy Yak Ranch to see how good it can be as a work truck, compared to a HUGE Ford F-350!

TFL Podcasts:

[richardbitting]

Cost to value is the real reason some states are trying to ban these. Its not about safety, its about propping up the big 3 and forcing people to pay ridiculous prices. These small trucks defiantly have a use case. Let the people decide.

[JARV]

The only disadvantage the tiny truck has is that it cannot carry your ego.

[OS-hxjk]

Japanese common sense Vs American overkill

[TheHumanNacho]

This looks to me a great commercial for Kei Trucks: "Built for work, not showing off".

[oseguchi]

Hiya! I am Japanese!
I didn't realize that Japanese Kei trucks are exported to North America!
In Japan, they are used as delivery vehicles (Amazon, etc.), post office vehicles, work vehicles in rural areas, public service vehicles (garbage collection, police vehicles, fire trucks), etc! We are glad that they are useful as a new means of transportation!

[bawintermage]

I have interviewed several Kei Truck owners of various manufacturers, and the appeal of the mini truck is it's utility and conservation of size. 90 percent of the time Truck owners are using their trucks as cars and wasting all of that size and gas. Using the Kei Truck for deliveries in cities and most jobs on farms and job sites would be a huge cost benefit. Further, using Trucks on the Kei platform allows for greater storage and maneuverability. We swapped out most of the F150s for Mules. Kei trucks are a better solution than going Electric and offer foul weather protection that the Mules didn't, plus they are cheaper and cute too.

[Papershields]

I own a farm in Virginia and I can tell you, I only need a ton of horse power every so often. I could actually use an Acty every single day. If people got the pickups they needed instead of the pickups they want, we’d see a lot more Actys on the road.

[mudhole]

I own the Diahatsu HiJet version of these trucks. It has the low range and locking rear differential which makes it even more capable for off road use. I put on a 2 inch lift kit, progressive front springs, and slightly larger tires which helps greatly with clearance. I also have gone to the wrong side to get in more times than I can count. The other challenge is when I turn on the wipers when intending to put on the turning signal. LOL! It is a great little truck for the right applications. I use mine on my 40 acres of forest and for plowing the driveway (I put a plow on the front using a 2 inch front receiver).

[Deadwood]

May not replace the fullsize truck, but I'd get that instead of those expensive side by sides

[rsuz]

My parents are farmers in Japan.
They have been using the same type of truck for many years.
Thanks for introducing Japanese small trucks in the US.

[pprhkuf]

日本の軽トラックが海外で愛されて幸せな気分です。
素敵な動画ありがとうございます。

[Timberland]

Something like this definitely has its place. If only North America manufactures could make a truck that was inexpensive and meant to be a work truck. Trucks the way they used to be before they got turned into luxury family haulers. The problem with stripped down trucks is there isn’t enough profit in them for the dealers and manufacturers.

[woozleboy]

I have TWO of the Honda Acty trucks. First one was stolen in July and I bought another immediately five days later. Original was recovered two months later and I'm keeping both. Such crazy fun to drive, get 45+ mpg, second one has ice cold AC. Freeway capable, easy to drive, and you'll cause smiles everywhere you go. Be ready to tell the story about them when you stop for gas. Watch as big 4x4 truck drivers mock it, staring, walking around, learning it actually is very capable. It is when they ask how much they cost and where to buy that you know they're hooked!

[bake]

it's time Americans start using semi trucks as their personal vehicles

[drain_]

Subaru Sambar owner here in WA. Mine can haul 1/4 of a cord of wood and it's a monster in the snow. With slightly larger tires it easily does 60 on the freeway. I love it :)

[shadmatheson]

It would've been funny to see them loading those logs into the Ford. Lol

[BRIDGEBURNERSTV]

Now do a test with a brand new and modded 2023 kei truck, vs a 1993 bare bones f-350, in the congested streets of Japan and compare the results.

[Twerkulies]

Having grown up on a farm, I can tell you I'd rather spend $1000 on a tiny Japanese import truck for farm work over a $90, 000+ new truck. Farm's do not have a huge profit margin as people think, literally 85% of it goes into expenses. I'd rather save $2000+ a month on a truck payment. Hell, an extra thought I'm just now thinking of is fuel expenses. The Japanese truck is gonna be WAY cheaper to use. Plus, I did not have to cross a creek on my farm, I always went around it.

[msharp]

As for the clearance issue, a lift kit and larger tires will help

[leeb]

That little truck would definitely have a market in the U.S. I wish they were more available. It looks like it would be as handy as a sharp pocket knife. Cheap and easy to work on and operate.