Which Kei Truck Is The Most WORTH IT?

Let me know in the comments which kei truck is the most worth it in your opinion for the money!!
Honda Acty? Mitsubishi Minicab? Suzuki Carry? Subaru Sambar?

[csorgb]

Sambar for me. The engine access, quieter ride, interior space, and a 4 cylinder engine, make it more worth it for me.

[turkey]

I like my 1995 Honda acty. One big reason is being able to work on my center truck bed engine location vs. A KEI truck with a engine under the passenger seat! Plenty of room like when I needed to replace the broken alternator belt. Fold down the sides gives you that lay down room you need to replace plugs etc.

[reamrkj]

I drove a 92 Suzuki Carry as a work truck for three years. It was absolutely miserable in the summertime. The engine under the driver's seat turned it into an oven. The heat was just enough to take the edge off in the winter though. I could get out of the cold and not get too hot with my coat and stuff on. It was loud, too. If you are going to have this truck in 100°+ weather, get one with the engine in the back. Better yet, get one with A/C.

[geraldgrass]

I found a dealer in Mount Airey NC, Mayberry Mini Trucks. They have every make and model available. I had given them a call to see if they had anything with A/C. It just so happened they had just brought in a 96 Subaru Sambar Super Deluxe with the high cab. I had driven the Suzuki and didn't really like the Honda. The Highjet was okay. However, the Subaru with the rear mounted engine is the real winner by my observation. The engine is super easy to work on. The extra height of the cab is a plus and there is a package tray attached to the roof inside the cab. The engine being rear mounted helps stabilize the ride. With the extra weight in the back and the cab weight gives the truck a very nice balance. It's very much highway compatible and will maintain a steady 55 to 60 MPH speed on an interstate, however I would not take more than 10 to 20 miles on the major highways due to buffeting by large vehicles. I drive local roads mostly anyway, so the rig works well. Shifting into 4x4 is easy with the push of the button on the shift knob. Engine access from the bed is super. The battery box is accessible and headlight replacement is a breeze. I have been driving my Sambar nearly every day now for about 9 months. My needs were for something to drive around my small farm, haul hay, dirt, tools, fix fence and just get around. I considered several ATV's. The higher level ones were priced out of my budget. After running across these mini truck, I found that you could get a/c, 4x4, a nice sized bed, an 8 gallon gas tank and an enclosed cab with heat. It seats 2 quite comfortably. This little truck won out over any ATV, and in NC, it is street legal with no modifications. I'd buy another Sambar if I was looking.

[robertschris]

I just ordered a 1995 Honda Acty 4x4 5 speed manual with very low miles from Japan and shipped to Newport News Virginia cost of the vehicle plus shipping was around 3, 000. If you get on the websites you can order them much cheaper .

[mitch]

Minicab is probably my favourite, especially the late model ones. They drive very nice and I fit really well in them at 6'0". They also seem to be considerably cheaper than the more popular trucks too, especially if you get a 2WD 4 speed, you can nab them for a few hundred bucks at auction. Knee room is the biggest hurdle with me so certain trucks I can't drive cause my left knee is right against the dash because the HVAC controls stick out further than the rest of the dash. The newer DA63T Suzuki Carrys are one example of that issue.

[RAMelloh-ijsl]

Sambar. I have driven the same one since 2005. It's the only one I would take on the freeway. I like the quieter, extra tall cab. It is excellent on steep terrain, off road. The all wheel independent suspension makes driving a pleasure. Winter traction in snow is good due to the rear engine configuration. The truck will go 75 mph, not an impediment on the road. 55 hp @ 6200 rpm, supercharged.

[YEAHKINDA]

Axle lock is a type of diff lock apparently. Also I really like that one with the really big dash simply because it has AC, but overall I'd say the Sambar would be a good one.

[Warp]

In my opinion the sealed beam headlights look much better than those plastic reflector ones

[LibertyEver]

Honestly, I like my 1996 4WD Daihatsu Hijet better than any of those kei trucks, nice as they were. I'm just starting a lot of upgrades on the Hijet this spring and summer. It's going to be super sweet when it's finished. :-) So, the best truck for me is... MY KEITORA!

[MotoCheez]

Seems to depend on the area, down in Florida everybody wants the Hondas And they get more for them, up north where is more rough mountainous terrain they want the Suzuki's and the Diahatsu's

[coppertopv]

These need a Added on Brush guard for added frontal protection, and a Steel made rear bumper for added rear protection. Possibly a bed installed roll bar that is a little higher than the cab, mabe with Added KC roll bar lights.

[jgasparrr]

Nice video, I've been heavily interested in getting myself a kei truck to haul my bikes around. By far my favorite is the sambar, really want a supercharged one. And big plus engine being in the back I'm sure will be the easiest to work on.

[justinlewczak]

Sambar for sure. And 5k coming soon!!!

[mattmonte]

I think for the community I live in the jumbo would make the most sense for people where I live just because there's a lot of hunters where I live and the jumbo has a perfect space behind the passenger seat for a small Rifle or Bow rack you can keep at last 3 rifles there keep ammo behind your seat your dog 🐕 or kid will still have plenty of room on the passenger seat

You didn't say if it was 4 wheel drive or not but as light as these trucks are I don't think they would get suck that easily unless you are in thick mud

With the fold down bed sides you can fit pereny of deer hogs gators as long as you don't over load it

A few upgrades it could use just to make it easier to work with give it a resh paint job maybe como it give it a 4 inch lift for some bigger off road tires

Put a Solar panel on the roof of the can leading to a battery charger you're phone may be a small heater so you don't drain the truck battery

Just to be safe and a winch to it maybe weld a rack on the side of the truck for a shovel and axe in case I get stuck

[richienotsorich]

I bought a 97 Suzuki Carry. Pluses are dump bed, super clean, low mileage, 4 hi/low with locking axle. Negatives are 4 speed, very low 1st gear, terribly loud going over 45 mph, no A/C.

[cunuck]

I bought a 1999 Mitsubishi mini cab dump. It just got to Canada from Japan can’t wait till I get it delivered to me

[realestateinfonet]

Awesome trucks! Thanks for the video!

[dimoichi]

Honda Acty for me please. I would daily it all day every day 😁

[terraplane]

The “Kei Guy” would discuss what really matters for long term ownership. Reliability, parts availability, parts interchangeability if any for Americans (since you’re in America). Not bullshit like “rims” (they’re called Wheels) or surface details we can find out on our own. Someone who is a mechanic at one of these large importers should be the Kei Guru.