KeI truck - initial setup list

[California]

This vendor of parts for KEI micro-trucks provides a list of things to check before assuming your new import is ready to put in service.

Top 5 Maintenance Issues for Japanese Mini Trucks (& How to Fix Them)

Overheating, vacuum leaks, and rust are top kei truck problems hurting reliability. Learn how to fix them on Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, and more.

oiwagarage.co

 

[Mtsoxfan]

This vendor of parts for KEI micro-trucks provides a list of things to check before assuming your new import is ready to put in service.

Top 5 Maintenance Issues for Japanese Mini Trucks (& How to Fix Them)

Overheating, vacuum leaks, and rust are top kei truck problems hurting reliability. Learn how to fix them on Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, and more.

oiwagarage.co

Thanks for info, always thought one would be cool around property. Funny, those 5 items are a must check with any 25-30 year old vehicle.

 

[California]

And here's a longwinded discussion of the diverse state registration laws governing Kei trucks.

A few states are unlimited. Some limit to low-speed routes only. Some require safety modifications. California CARB emission rules prohibit registration entirely.

It looks like in many states they are only practical to buy, if they will never leave private property. Farm, golf course, industrial park etc.

 

[rontaki]

And here's a longwinded discussion of the diverse state registration laws governing Kei trucks.

A few states are unlimited. Some limit to low-speed routes only. Some require safety modifications. California CARB emission rules prohibit registration entirely.

It looks like in many states they are only practical to buy, if they will never leave private property. Farm, golf course, industrial park etc.

The California restrictions make sense. Shouldn't we burn more fuel to clean the air?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

This reminds me. I need to find the correct wire to cut so I can get 2WD low range.

Getting close to 20,000 trouble free miles on mine.

 

[California]

This reminds me. I need to find the correct wire to cut so I can get 2WD low range.

Getting close to 20,000 trouble free miles on mine.

Take a look in that forum I referenced in my second post, above. There's likely a post about that.

And tell us about your Kei!

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I bought a 2001 or thereabouts HiJet from Texas maybe seven years ago, with a dump bed that I have never used. But it's handy for maintenance access.

According to a sticker in it an oil change should be performed soon as it's coming up on 30K kilometers, needless to say it's already had at least two, plus the other fluids changed. Not coolant yet. Would have to check its log book for mileage when I bought it and if I did anything else to it and forgot.

Put 13" wheels and slightly larger tires on it ($300 total from Amazon) but other than that it's just been driven just about daily. Not a lot of it on the road, but lots around the house.

Thought it'd be a good manure hauler for my girlfriend, but while being a stick shift person she didn't like having the shifter on the left. She ended up ordering a new one with an automatic as the dump/auto combination was quite rare and used ones were damn near as much as the new one cost.

Of course, she "had to have" wider tires and wheels on hers, and it has P/S and A/C, too.

They even tow more than you'd think.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Those are so damn cool.

 

[Oaktree]

I wonder if I'd even be able to fit into one of these. Most vehicles from the Orient are pretty tight on legroom, and these look even more so.

 

[shooterdon]

I have come close to buying one but could not justify it. Michigan allowed them, then banned them, then allowed them again. Not worth the risk of having something that costs $10-12k with limited use on 20 acres.

Better off getting a beater truck for $4000. When I need parts, I get them in 1-3 days.

 

[Jstpssng]

I looked at one of those but with a 700 lb payload couldn't justify it.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I looked at one of those but with a 700 lb payload couldn't justify it.

Yeah, that's only half of my 1500's payload and that's why we got two of them.

 

[Jstpssng]

Yeah, that's only half of my 1500's payload and that's why we got two of them.

It's a third of my little dump trailer, which is much easier to maintain.

 

[California]

My little 4x8 1 ton trailer combined with the Subaru does everything I need. And where the orchard grades exceed what I can drive up, it's easy to pull it with the little Yanmar then shift to the car, if I'm taking away harvest for example.

However - whenever I see photos of the small Yanmar dump crawler, I want one. Despite I don't really have a practical application for that.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

It's a third of my little dump trailer, which is much easier to maintain.

Now that you mention it, I have never checked the milage on my dump trailers.

Not that I "drive" them anywhere near as often as the HiJet, and maybe it's not quite an apples to apples comparison.

 

[ponytug]

My little 4x8 1 ton trailer combined with the Subaru does everything I need. And where the orchard grades exceed what I can drive up, it's easy to pull it with the little Yanmar then shift to the car, if I'm taking away harvest for example.

However - whenever I see photos of the small Yanmar dump crawler, I want one. Despite I don't really have a practical application for that.

Me, too. I've wanted one since the first time that I saw one. So, far, I can't really dream up an "essential need" for the CFO.

All the best, Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

I see some in the Tractor Supply parking lot in WA.

Spoke to one owner and she said they are popular with equestrians… she drives hers daily and being able to take it on the highway is why… she has horses… says it’s perfect.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Perfect size for her and the pup in the cab.

 

[ultrarunner]

Perfect size for her and the pup in the cab.

and a bale of hay in the bed or tack…

 

[Too many Kubotas]

and a bale of hay in the bed or tack…

My girlfriend's HiJet is frequently used to carry large stacks of hay bales from the hay barn to the barn.

It probably holds twice as many bales as her 6X4 Gator does.