8 THINGS I WISH I KNEW *BEFORE* BUYING A KEI TRUCK
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- 0:00 Intro
1:27 Japanese Auction Grades
4:07 Buyer Beware!
7:07 Daily Drive a Kei Truck?
10:30 Are They Practical?
13:00 Car Insurance
15:50 Gas Mileage Myth
18:59 Title or No Title?
22:07 Where Can I find Parts?
Thanks for watching! Shoot me a question in the comments or check out one of my other videos for specific repairs! - Auta a dopravní prostředky
You're a good looking guy, but I'd really prefer seeing the trucks for 29 minutes.
yea, thats funny, most ppl film inside or next to the mini truck lol
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.
Thanks for the advice especially how to get parts.🤙
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!
So much great data!
Cheers, Mate!
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.
Thank you so much for doing this video - so tremendously helpful to those considering a Kei Truck.
Thank you!
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.
Fingers crossed I can get mine running again 😵💫
Great content, very practical - thanks.
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!
Did you got it yet? How much are custom taxes? In Which state do you plan to register? Thank you for the info
@@erinsonduran6663 getting any vehicle imported tends to vary in price but it’s about 1-2k on top of the actual vehicle price and I’d say if you’re looking into getting one look into the dmv website for your state as in some states you cannot register a kei truck without some loopholes that could be a pain
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.
Does the military break you in half?
@@knightrider1545 yes.
@@camleborgne6121I lost an inch of height from the impact on my back. Not quite half, but I have been broken pretty good 😂
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.
They’re great fun to drive around I’d say you’ll be pretty happy with one around your property. Almost all the trucks are 4WD- this truck has independent suspension all the way around and the other trucks have solid axel front and rear (might be better for you).
What about a side by side like a gator or other. I'm new to these mini trucks.
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 🚚 🙊
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!
Thank you for the info!
Super informative video thanks a ton :)
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 appreciate your review!
Thank you for a great informative video. 👍
can you please link to the site where you are getting your parts? thanks!
Thank for the info.
Very valuable info thanks
one of the best videos on this topic. Thanks!!
Appreciate that
Great advice!!!
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!
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.
Good points. Thanks for the video.
“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! 👍
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.
If you live near a boeki usa dealer like the one in Paterson, NJ you can see 40+ of them in person
Thank you for your advice!
Fab, learned a lot.
Thankyou looking for one good advices
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 ?
Oil filters yes, I’m currently using an off the shelf (autozone) oil filter in my truck, and some parts like the distributor o ring which I was able to find in a generic o ring pack. Brake pads and most of the other parts not so much but you can join the Facebook group for your specific model and ask around in there, minitruck people are helpful.
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!
Amir is a good guy, and his place is definitely worth checking out. Thank you and good luck!
@@wrenchfriday Thank My Man, might have to pick ur brain as to where u get repairs done locally, (Cliffside = Ft Lee area) that u can't do yourself!!!
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
No one drives 60 on the Garden State Parkway
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.
Awesome video!!,
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
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
thank you so much, very helpful video
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.
Damn!!! Super helpful
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
Great info
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
The truck will need to be just as old (25years or older) so I imagine you will run into issues regardless. Just search for the best condition truck you can find!
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?
Everyone's experience seems to differ, but I bought my truck with a Washington State title, got insurance from Hagerty, transferred the title to NJ where I live, and got my registration and plates from the DMV like normal.
Those laws are only for trucks that are less than 25 years old. Any truck thats 25 or more years old is 100% street legal and can be registered in all 50 states.
@@wrenchfriday Im not far from Patterson and really like to go check the trucks out. Deffintely 4 wheel drive. Thaks for your experience in buying and legal work i was curious.
As a HiJet owner in Miami, I can tell you I have never been stopped for that and I drive my truck on the turnpike to work and everything else daily and not once have I had any trouble nor have I heard of anyone with a mini truck have any trouble with the law
Valuable information!
Are there no highway capable japanese minitrucks? Im talking 3 hours at 60+mph
The is any way that you can help me to get my part
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?
Maintenance is very straight forward and enjoyable. I have run into situations where micro hands were needed (getting behind the cluster to re-attach the speedometer cable), but a lot of the major repairs are easy to access.
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?
Merci beaucoup pouvez-vous m’envoyer le lien pour les pièces au Japon s’il vous plaît merci
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 didn’t have any issue. It’s a “historic vehicle” not an import. You will need to show a copy of the vin when registering because it is shorter than usual. Take a picture and block out the sections that are in Japanese.
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
Lots of information, thanks. Could you explain about the "title"? I'm in Australia and I don't know anything about that. Thanks.
The importer I used had a Washington state title for the truck already, I simply transferred it to my state and my name. I’m not sure what was involved in getting the original title
In the US, automobiles require a "certificate of title," or "title" for short. It's basically proof of ownership of the particular vehicle and is required to pay the required taxes and register the vehicle in order to operate it on the public roadways.
Without proper registration of your vehicle, if you drive it on the public roadways, sooner or later, you will be pulled over by the police, cited and fined for driving an unregistered vehicle, and you'll have to have the vehicle towed at your expense.
@7:23 You can use them as boy-toys but they are actually purpose built vehicles. ;)
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!
All true. My Sambar is drinking more than $20 in gas now that the price is so high
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.
Oil, coolant, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, check your points and distributor cap, might as well do spark plugs, and then you need to assess your timing belt situation. I’d also check your tires, mine were 10+ years old
Awesome, Thank you!@@wrenchfriday
Did the truck arrive yet? If so how is it running?
Im in california and just found out about the carb test that costs 6k as well. so on hold while i find something local already registered or do something shady.@@lcgoonsquad7650
Which website are best to buy it directly from Japan?
Send an email to Japanparts . com, the have a support@japanparts or something like that and they can help you with your order
TCV,Mitsui,or carused jp,I'm buying my 3rd one now from Japan
No trouble here in New Zealand, jealous much!!!?
Maybe a little
I'm just jealous you're in NZ
Only eight, really? I'm impressed.
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.
subscribed
Thank you!
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.
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.
I drive a sambar and my Silverado for work . I get around 31 mpg. It’s fun to drive I will say don’t cheap out
Now I know, I appreciate it
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.
Is it possible to buy a entirely new engine?
Yes you can buy new engines from Japan and with a core charge they’re roughly $2500 USD for the non efi models.
You from joisy, I'm from joisy. What exit? Buyers remorse? Unfortunately, you got something not to your expectations. As they say: Buyer be ware. Your point on MPGs and practicality is subjective. As I say, MPGs is strictly based on how you drive, where you drive and what you drive. My new to me (2 wks ago) 1996 Suzuki Carry truck also from Boeki, I'm getting 32 MPGs. That's between Cumberland county and Atlantic county (70 miles daily rnd trip). No I still have my full size truck for when this one doesn't do the job.
Either way, thanks for the Hagerty tip. Currently having an huge issue insuring it. Also because mine is a 1996, I'm going through the DEP to get an Inspection Exception. Good luck and thank you. Watch my recent introduction of my kei truck, again thanks.
Maybe we'll meet on the Parkway one day in our Kei's doing +80mph :)
Wish I could SEE IT
I pay 300$ for insurance so 100dollars or less sounds like a god send
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
Interesting! Sounds like you may have one of the 500cc Sambars from the 80’s- a generation older than all of the 660cc trucks that most of the Kei community has. I happen to think those models look the best and they’re particularly rare so good on you for that. If you can put your battery on a tender and get it to full voltage that always helps. From there I would make sure you have spark and gas flowing to the carb- that will help point you in the right direction. Where are you located?
@@wrenchfriday thanks for the tips. And yeah I think I got the rear model lol. I’d be happier with the 4cylinder but my engine is free but not getting gas so I found I have a bad coil so I have to make one because this coil has 2 plugs that go to it hopefully I can just take 2 coils and run her that way!!
Interesting. You’ll have to do your research but generally you have one cable running to the coil and a second that gives the coil 12v (usually ignition coils run at 6v) for startups. Good luck!
I would put stuff in the back or in the bed of the truck , not in the cab so much.
Importing myself, undecided still on a Kei-truck/van/SUV
Most business in Japan use vans, and most farmers use the pick-up type. The vans are obviously very practical for people and keeping things dry. Personally, it was pick-up or nothing.
How did you make out? What did you get? WHat was total cost and was it running solid?
Hey, just want to point out, its "moo point". Like because a cow, his opinion doesn't matter.
Is your mom canadian? Lot of canadian pins in that cars interior lol
K truck has only 660cc 64hp, and driver's seat is on the right
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 😂
sounds like you got screwed.....wow....
It can happen, the importer worked with me on new parts so in the end it wasn’t the end of the world
Sounds like you got screwed.
I didn’t get lucky that’s for sure
Trust your dealer.
Too much talk but little information
Working on it
This is silly, unless one doesn't value life much, as its really not very smart smart to use as a daily driver. Yeah, I get it is safer than a motorcycle...put most people don't ride their bikes everyday. And OMG, this sounds like a terrible idea buying used...I have 20 year old Dodge pickup that hasn't needed 5% of the parts you needed.
Some... (not much) helpful information. But this video could have relayed the same information in less than 5 minutes... Sorry
Miles? Gallon? What language is this?
Too much face time…..