Factory New DAIHATSU JAPANESE MINI DUMP TRUCK UTV Side x Side 4x4 -... (2023)

FAQs

How much does a Japanese mini truck cost? ›

The latest models of this vehicle will cost around $17,000 to $19,000, but that largely depends on factors, including vehicle options, specific models, shipping costs, etc.

Mini Trucks can be imported to the U.S. as off-road vehicles; however, they must be permanently modified to have a maximum speed of 25mph and be certified as meeting applicable non-road emission standards. They do not meet required North American safety or emission standards.

Mini trucks are nparalleled when compared to all other off road vehicles. Due to Japanese laws that regulate the surplus of the older minis, importers bring more used Kei trucks into the US than new. They are shipped from Japan by sea, in containers for sale at prices ranging from US $4,000 to $15,000.

One thing a lot of people may wonder is how long mini trucks last. Usually, you can expect these vehicles to last around 90,000 miles (150,000 kilometers) or more.

What is the Average Gas Mileage on a Japanese Mini Truck? With 45 mpg or more, the gas mileage is an advantage to the mini truck and makes it appealing for many purposes. This does not diminish the horsepower and they will climb a steep track even when carrying a load in four wheel drive.

Today, the GT-R and other JDM cars are easy to find and buy in the U.S., thanks to DOT/EPA exemptions for importing 25-year-old vehicles.

A low-speed vehicle or mini-truck may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle or mini-truck from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.

The top speed for Japanese mini trucks is between 62 and 75 mph. Keep in mind that these trucks were only intended for a top speed of roughly 50 mph, as required by their vehicle class and the law.

Can you drive a Kei car in the US? ›

You can register and drive Japanese mini trucks in most states if they are over 25 years old. Since most Japanese mini trucks were never sold in the US market, they have not been certified by the government for street use.

All of the rigorous compliance processes do not apply to these vehicles; whether right-hand drive or left-hand drive, a mini truck, a mini dump truck, a minivan, a mini SUV, or any other vehicle, are authorized to be imported into the United States if they are 25 years old or older.

Typical manufacturers and model names include: Daihatsu Hijet ,Subaru Sambar, Suzuki Carry, Mazda / Autozam Scrum, Mitsubishi Minicab. Honda has ended production and sales of kei trucks with the end of production of Honda Acty in 2021.

Over the years Japanese made vehicles have earned themselves a reputation when it comes to near bulletproof reliability, nothing highlights this more than the stellar pickups they have produced, not only are they reliable, but durable too.

Most mini trucks are fitted with air conditioning units, as well as heaters, while many alternatives do not have them. Keep yourself, or your team, cool with a mini truck that is capable and comfortable in all conditions and climates.

How much is it going to cost to run? The MINI majors on low fuelling costs, which gives it a particularly low Miles Per Pound figure of 5.0 - 7.7 MPP. Of course, if you want to really reduce this cost, you can go for the MINI Electric.

The most fuel-efficient MINI models are the automatic versions of the 2022 MINI Hardtop 2 Door, MINI Hardtop 4 Door and MINI Cooper Convertible, which all clock in with great efficiency at 38 highway MPG.

Called the KF-VE, it is a 3 cylinder engine with 12-valves and twin-cams. This engine greatly improved fuel efficiency for the truck, as well as drivability.

How much is import fee from Japan to USA? ›

All products — 4.3%

Car makes, and models that are only sold in Japan are eligible for import to the US after 25 years. The timeframe for shipping your car to the US from Japan is usually around 8-10 weeks. This process can take longer as well if there are hold-ups related to issues with the shipping related to weather.

The cost to import a car from Japan to USA starts around $2000+ per car. The price for importing a car from Japan will depend on the type of vehicle, the shipment type chosen for ocean transit, and the distances from the origin and destination ports.

If the vehicle is less than 25 years old and was not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, and/or was not so certified by its original manufacturer, it cannot be lawfully imported into the U.S. on a permanent basis unless NHTSA determines it eligible for importation.

And although there are some outliers, the general rule of thumb is that JDM cars are built to last. In fact, according to CarPages, 12 of the 15 most reliable vehicles are JDM! American manufacturers may have been more successful in mass production, but JDM car factories focused on quality over quantity.

A Kei truck (pronounced kay), also known as a mini truck, is a compact, right-hand-drive vehicle with standard rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive. The first models rolled out in Japan in 1949 and borrowed design elements from the three-wheeled motorcycle-based trucks of that era.

Once you have imported your car from Mexico, there are some more steps you'll have to take to get legal. Start by getting insurance on the vehicle. Then, take all your paperwork to the State DOT office and apply for registration. At that time you'll have to pay any state taxes and fees associated with the registration.

The registration costs $15, specific ownership tax is $3, and the kei vehicle is issued a license plate. Kei vehicles must follow the rules of the road and cannot be driven on limited-access highways or roads with a speed limit that is greater than 55 miles per hour. Kei vehicles must have insurance.

This engine EF produces a maximum power of 38.5 PS (38 bhp - 28.3 kW) at 5600 rpm and a maximum torque of 53.9 Nm (39.7 lb. ft - 5.5 kg.

How fast can a Japanese mini truck 4x4 go? ›

In the US, Japanese mini trucks are sold for off-road use only under Federal rules, with their maximum speed limited to 20 mph.

The Hijet truck has the maximum kei sized engine allowed at 660cc and outputs 39kW / 53hp, remembering it's a small and lightweight vehicle! It comes in either a 4 speed automatic or 5 speed manual transmission in 2WD or 4WD with the engine located under the seats.

Why do they not sell outside the country? While kei cars are not 100% unique to Japan (a few models have been exported), they are made with their engine and size limitations for Japanese vehicle taxes. For instance, they do not meet the safety requirements for USA federal freeway laws.

Fuel Efficient

A number of Kei models can get up to 60 miles per gallon which means saving money at the pump. The fuel economy is better on these cars so it's cheaper to drive them around town.

Though small overall, the cabover configuration allows for a bed larger than modern mid-size pickups; the tiny three- and four-cylinder engines provide adequate power without swilling too much dino juice; they come with four-wheel drive; and they can readily be had for less than $10,000.

Small trucks are not so common in the US because most US car manufacturers do not produce them. That's because lightweight trucks are expensive to import and produce.

Any truck or van with a rating of 26,001 pounds or more requires at least a Class B CDL. However, some vehicles with a GVWR below 26,000 might require a commercial driver's license. For example, busses and other for-hire vehicles require drivers to have a CDL.

The Pick-up went on sale in September 1960 and was only removed from the line-up in 1981, at the same time as the Van. Some 58,000 units rolled off the assembly line, which amounted to just one per cent of all Minis produced.

In the US, Japanese mini trucks are sold for off-road use only under Federal rules, with their maximum speed limited to 20 mph. Now, that may sound like a major restriction, but think about how you actually use you mini truck. When you're driving across your fields, 20 mph is more than enough.

You can purchase a good-conditioned used Daihatsu Hijet truck at less than $1,500. the van is also available at the same price range.

What are those tiny Japanese trucks called? ›

A kei truck, kei-class truck, or Japanese mini truck is a mini truck, a tiny but practical pickup truck available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive versions, built to satisfy the Japanese keijidōsha (軽自動車, "light vehicle") statutory class.

Though small overall, the cabover configuration allows for a bed larger than modern mid-size pickups; the tiny three- and four-cylinder engines provide adequate power without swilling too much dino juice; they come with four-wheel drive; and they can readily be had for less than $10,000.

The basic Hijet ute is indestructible and tough. The 660-cc engine is a workhorse - built to work hard at high rpms - it will propel Hijet along the highway at 110 - 120 kph all day up hill and down dale.

The Daihatsu Hijet 2022 is available for $22,500.

Called the KF-VE, it is a 3 cylinder engine with 12-valves and twin-cams. This engine greatly improved fuel efficiency for the truck, as well as drivability.

Mini trucks are easy to drive, especially when used for short distances. This is why farmers and gardeners love them – great small turns on small premises. The pickup-like nature of these small trucks makes them good options for small-distance delivery.

The Hijet competes in Japan with the Honda Acty, Mitsubishi Minicab, Nissan Clipper, Subaru Sambar and Suzuki Carry.

Luckily, there are two economically friendly and capable mini trucks available on the U.S market today. One of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz which Torque News had the privilege to test drive, and the other mini truck, the 2022 Ford Maverik. While looking nothing alike, both pickup trucks are on a unibody chassis.

Most eligible kei trucks feature a 550cc or 660cc engine, sometimes supercharged, due to Japanese government regulations on the size of a Keitora class. Combine this small, light package with 4wd and you have a nimble, fuel efficient but practical work truck.

Are Kei cars sold in the US? ›

There are a few kei cars sold in the US but for the most part they're too small for the majority of Americans, not as safe, and wouldn't do as well on our roads as regular sized cars.

If they're older than 25 years old, they can be driven on the highway in the USA because they're exempt from EPA and crash safety standards.