Kei Truck

[bbisset]

A rugby pal of mine is looking for a Kei truck and as I know virtually nil about them I thought I'd ask here. He is 6'2" so I told him that he likely doesn't want a Honda Acty as they are cab-cramped from what I've read on www.minitrucktalk.com

More to the point, what are the Canadian import laws governing them... seems like our friends south of the border can bring them in without issue. Is it the same 15 years or more?

Thoughts?

TIA

[robbieg]

Hah. I've had one.

I had the Daihatsu HiJet. My 6'5'' friend fit handily, and my 6'3'' friend HAS one and loves it. I have a photo of my 6'5'' somewhere if you want (PM me if you want it). My buddy is rst277 on minitrucktalk if the guy wants to know how a tall person fits.

Laws: provided you're not in Quebec, are the same as Delis. Have to be 15 years old, must get OOP'd... then you're done! Parts are pretty cheap, since they're all puny. Depending which one you/he gets, there's quite a number of crossover parts from USDM vehicles.

Some states have allowed them in as 'On/Off road vehicles' (limited to 60km/h), and in some other ways. I'm not totally up on how to get it _past_ the border, though... and I think that'd be the hard part (the actual import of it).

I loved mine and miss mine (as I miss all my old vehicles!)

[josh]

The Daihatsu fit me just fine (I am 6'4") but my Suzuki Carry was very very tight. They are super fun.

As for the USA, they used to import them a lot for offroad only. I think that has been stopped due to lobbying by the UTV/ATV manufacturers.

Josh.

[bbisset]

Awesome, thanks!

Hey, what would you say is the "useful" life of one of these if properly maintained? Obviously not 2-300,000 km.

My pal is an aircraft/avionics mechanic so he'll tend to it well, but I was wondering was range of acceptable kms he should be looking for to start with... like 50-75,000 if 15 years old?

TIA

[Zeroduty]

I have 92 hijet jumbo that I bought 3 years ago with 70,000km. I have put on 19K since then and all I have done is change the plugs, front struts and regular service. I would look for as low of mileage as possible. I am on my third JDM import and the one thing common to all of them is that the coolant needs to be flushed as soon as you get them. This seems to be a neglected service point.
Vern

[pinkfloyddewaal]

Sold my Mitsubichi Minicab (U42T) back in Dec so that I could buy my Delica. Fun vehicle and can go anywhere. However, while selling the vehicle a 6'4" + gentleman came to test drive it and he had trouble getting in. Once in, his Knees were above the steering wheel on either side. He was extremely disappointed. Evidently this model would not be ideal for your friend.

[robbieg]

It's weird that they look almost identical (identical, unless you know what to look for), but they're so different.

[Mr. Flibble]

A rugby pal of mine is looking for a Kei truck and as I know virtually nil about them I thought I'd ask here. He is 6'2" so I told him that he likely doesn't want a Honda Acty as they are cab-cramped from what I've read on http://www.minitrucktalk.com

More to the point, what are the Canadian import laws governing them... seems like our friends south of the border can bring them in without issue. Is it the same 15 years or more?

Thoughts?

TIA

I have seen them all over BC, but not even once in the U.S.

Generally, if you get one imported down here, unless it passes the 25 year rule, it will be imported for Offroad Use Only. Meaning you could use it on farm property, you could transport it on-road on the back of a trailer, but that it would not be legal to license for highway or side road driving.