Drove a Kei truck yesterday -- first time in a Kei (not far or fast)
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http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1488226239
While I would have preferred that my first ever drive in a Kei car would have been at the helm of a sweet, sweet Honda Beat, that's not how things turned out. Instead, I got to drive this 1996 Daihatsu Hijet mini truck. My buddy bought it for hunting, small jobs and general running around on his rural property rather than getting a side-by-side ATV type machine... primarily because the mini-truck is enclosed and has heat. And cost $3500. Specs: - 3-cyl, 660 cc, SOHC 6-valve engine with 44 PS (43 hp) - 5-speed manual trans - ~1500 lbs curb weight https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Hijet http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1488227386 Unfortunately, my driving experience was limited to bouncing down a muddy, bumpy road. I never got past 2nd gear. I would have loved to get it up to 80 km/h / 50 mph (secondary highway speed limit), to see how the gearing & handling was. My friend sometimes drives it into town, but he says he would not drive it on the highway. |
How did it handle the off roading?
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I honestly didn't test its capabilities at all.
But my friend says he's had it in some surprisingly sticky situations and it's come through OK. It's even got a lift kit on it! :D |
I test drove one in Quebec many years ago. I can't remember the exact model, but I got it up to 100km/h on a highway. It really felt more comfortable in the 60km/h and under range around town. It would have made a great runaround utility machine, but not for long road-trips.
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Also, the seat backs were FLAT. And I had it as far back as it goes against the back of the cab, and I'm only average height.
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I wonder if putting one of those 660s in a Metro would yield good results.
I've sat in a kei pickup and it was really really snug, but I've (tried to) get in worse. Mid-70's Datsun pickups and VW Rabbit pickups comes to mind. :/ |
Good question.
Just for comparison, the difference between the 1.2L and 1.0L in the Mirage yields ~7.5% better fuel economy (combined rating). And that's an apples to apples comparison, since both engines are available in Europe, and are measured on the same test. So, "yup" would be my bet. |
A Suzuki 660 engine might even bolt right up to the trans...
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I've already had some contact with export versions of Kei cars, with 800cc engines instead of the 660cc ones.
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Love those Hi-Jets! They were used around my hometown by the local authority. Because of their size, they were perfect around parks and alleys. Some of them were fitted with an electric tipper.
If you like these, also look for the Suzuki Carry and the Piaggio Porter. |
There is a licensed and plated one tooling around downtown Wausau with landscaping tools.
Guy says a dentist owns it. |
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Dad bought a 68 datsun new, and us three brothers learned to drive in it. We are all 6' tall guys. Sometimes we'd go load manure by fork into it. Those things weigh 2000 and haul 2000, hence they ride like a brick empty. So here we go, both windows down and an arm and part of a shoulder out each side, the driver had the brake and clutch, the middle guy had the throttle and shifter. The right side pointed and laughed. |
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- Seriously, though, most kei trucks can do 80 no issues. They're noisy at it, though. - The Suzuki ones also come in 4x4, by the way. Always wanted to try one off-road. |
This one was 4x4 as well. Not sure what type of system - it just had a button on the dash.
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probably a vacuum lock AWD.
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Here in finland, there was sold a model called Suzuki Carry, both in van and pick-up configurations. it has a 1000cc engine.
There is a super-rare trim of it with lockable 4wd. http://brakehorsepower.com.au/wp-con...uki-carry1.jpg And a couple of Subaru domingos. they have a 1200cc engine, and I think the majority has part-lock 4wd http://auto.webalta.ru/img/gallery/s...-domingo-1.jpg |
Neat vans! Love the wheel covers.
My friend's usual vehicle is the GM pickup truck in the top photo, which I think explains why he is not comfortable driving his mini-truck even on the secondary highways around his place. I would have gladly done it, but I'm already used to driving a little car with a 1.0. For him, it's a relatively huge difference. |
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But smaller! More desirable! |
haha :D all used liteaces got shipped to Africa
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One feature I like about the Subaru Domingo is that it has a rear engine, much like the good old VW T2. |
it has the same driveline as the Subaru Justy :D
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Possibly related!
This Guy Drove 1000 Miles Across America In A Japanese Kei Van And Wasn't Blown To Smithereens From the video, it appears 6000 RPM = roughly 105 km/h (~65 mph). 6500 is redline. At least that's what his little turbo Suzuki van was doing. (With possibly taller gearing!) 6500 |
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Van is still driveable but with a massive dented spot :( If you check the subaru 360 forums that club used to have meetups and everyone would drive their 360 across the country to the meet. Too Bad we don't have more of those little guys around here. |
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these low-geared ones are meant for in-town deliveries. you can find one with a longer box too if you hunt for one
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i meant has taller gearing, so the RPM isn't so high.
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Cool! I was actually considering one of these 2 years ago when I bought my mini-farm. I ended up getting the ATV instead for one main reason - you can get those with 2 rows of seating. I have a family so it's a better way to get them around the place.
I got a Polaris Ranger Crew, which is almost the same length and width and weight as the Daihatsu you drove. Just with more seats and less bed, and more off-road tires. |
Dihatsu
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I have a neighbor who uses his for most errands and loves it. I see a wide variety of loads. The highways are not busy here. I see another used as a short-haul water tanker.
The 4wd vans are popular as jitney cabs in nearly-roadless 3rd world frontiers, and there are very posh camping conversions for two people available. The same layouts can be home-built. The later models with a safer front engine have recently become available in Canada. |
Fun stories.
kimer6: that's how my friend uses his -- light "off-roading" around his property. |
Neighbor had one similar. His had regular street tires with 4 wheel chains. I drove it off road down through a creek and all over his place. Then took it out on the road. Really like it, drove like a mtn goat. Most people put off road tires on them.
Here they are legal on the road Just like any other ATV. There are restrictions unlike the old days. You can't drive state highways, keep it under 30mph and have a red flag. I would like one with a dump bed. |
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here in finland it has to be older than 2001. Id like to import a Kei car one day here. Maybe a Daihatsu Move /T-U-R-B-O/
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Can these be found here in the states? Are they legal to register?
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Another kei car is the Miles zx40 line which are electric micro vans and trucks Otherwise 25 year old examples plus a police walk around will get one legal after the title company does its job inmost states Good luck |
This kind of little truck is still made by Piaggio in my hometown, Pontedera.
It's called the Piaggio Porter and it came in several versions during the past 25 years, like 4wd, diesel powered, full electric and high loading capacity. Now it's only powered by a 1.3 l 4 cyliders petrol engine with also the LPG and the natural gas versions available. There is also a "detaxed" version called "Quargo" with limited top speed at 80 km/h featuring a 2 cylinders 0.7 liters diesel engine with 13 kW of output, but I think that it has a rear mounted engine instead the front-central position of the standard Porter. Modelli Piaggio Veicoli Commerciali - Piaggio Veicoli Commerciali |
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The maintenance staff at my campus uses kei vans, cute little things, but annoying when they drive on the sidewalk instead of the road around the campus.... |
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