I think the 660cc KEI vehicles should be allowed to be sold new in America. Currently we have the 25 year rule, where you can't import them unless they are 25 years old. The new ones have air bags and other safety features that the old ones didn't have. The reason they cant be sold is due to their lack of safety. Yet we can get motorcycles and they also don't have the safety features. Why cant they be sold and treated like motorcycles? If we can choose to accept the risk for motorcycles, we should be able to accept the risk for NEW KEI vehicles. The government needs to revise the 25 year rule as the vehicles have changed.
I agree with U 100 %. I'm an OL biker who no longer bike. I just got my 92 Diahatsu Hijet Climber Scissor Dump. Here on Kauai & on all Hawaii islands they are allowed. They are GREAT little utility vehicles. & a lot of fun.
I live in Wichita Kansas. We're home to a ton of aircraft manufacturing plants. I've seen tons of these little Kei trucks for years being used to move parts around; particularly at one of the Cessna plants.
Zack! Here's a little history for you with that vehicle... I grew up in New York, on Governors Island. The Island used to be a Coast Guard base. I lived there from 1989 - 1996, when the island closed the base permanently. That vehicle (and lots of them) was used on the base by the active duty personnel. I thought maybe you'd think this was interesting... Dave
mt daihatsu atrai I told you about in my email is just like that but it's a van with sunroof, luxury interior, a/c stereo, 4wd and turbo intercooled engine. It's a hoot I daily the thing. My poor fj cruiser took the back seat because it's so practical and now after quite a few thousand dollars in parts and shop time it's reliable too. It is a bit small but once used to it I can even camp in it.
@@declan2775 oh man tonight I took my mom out to get ramen in it and (she's like 59) she was flailing her arms all around and she got fuming mad at me not once but like three times just going there and back you know when your mom would cross her arms like when you just pooped in the tub when you were little she got PISSED! Apparently some people find riding reverse shotgun in these things horrifying and it enrages them
The Mitsubishi Minicab was also sold in the US as an offroad vehicle. It was called the Mitsubishi Mighty-Mits, and it was also LHD and governed to 25mph.
I remember seeing a bunch of Daihatsu Charades in Mexico for some reason I guess they really took off there and sadly not here even though I think Daihatsu has since left the Market.
Great video, you always do a good job on them. I just got me a Hijet and learned a lot from this about them and where to start looking for getting the speed limiter off. I was wondering why the D-N had that blank space and mine does not go into high. Also that they may be other carburetor options out there and not sure yet why the past owner could not get it running. But I think the choke was just stuck and when I messed with it it did not move well and fixed that. Anyway, great video and thanks for sharing.
A little follow up for your subscribers... I got the e-clip out and it goes into High now and I also replaced the carburetor with that Amazon/eBay one and that together made it go over 25mph. What I think on the OEM carburetor is that there is an extra solenoid that gets activated from that speedo cable into that black box that activates a fuel block to basically stall out the engine to limit the speed. You can actually take that solenoid apart and remove the pin and no more block of the fuel (Video seen on YT). But since I could not get my carb working right, I just went and got the eBay one for $80 and now it is running. But the coke is a pita to get working, but in Texas we do not need a chock so I left it alone. You can also get newer HiJet wheels and tires to work on these with wheel adapters, 110x4 to 100x4 and they clear just fine with stock size. This gives you 6 ply DOT rated tires for a safer and smoother ride. The LHD are pretty cool, but they are probably more rare because I am thinking most of them got junked. As for 1992 being the last year, not sure about that as mine has 1995 dated seat belts and this is how I read you find out the year of them because the VIN does not have a 10th digit coding for a year. Just a basic VIN with a serial number. There is no date code I can find, but I think I read there is one on the engine someplace. Anyway, little info about the US spec LHD ones.
The HiJet is interesting because it has a higher roof and an extended cab for more room at the cost of a few inches of bed. Imagine if kei trucks had been continuously imported to the US. We'd barely have side by side ATVs because kei trucks would have dominated the utility segment for less money. This truck looks like it's been used hard and kept running with whatever was at hand. I've heard of some imported kei trucks for off-road use only have a plate welded to the gearshift that only allows first and reverse. Not labeling high range is a less wasteful way of addressing the speed restriction.
KEI IS THE WAY!
What a pleasure seeing you here
Yooo!
I think the 660cc KEI vehicles should be allowed to be sold new in America. Currently we have the 25 year rule, where you can't import them unless they are 25 years old. The new ones have air bags and other safety features that the old ones didn't have. The reason they cant be sold is due to their lack of safety. Yet we can get motorcycles and they also don't have the safety features. Why cant they be sold and treated like motorcycles? If we can choose to accept the risk for motorcycles, we should be able to accept the risk for NEW KEI vehicles. The government needs to revise the 25 year rule as the vehicles have changed.
An airbag wouldn’t help much in any crash over 30mph, I have a 1971 car and know I’m toast if anything modern crashes into it.
The lack of an air bag was one of the main issues keeping KEI vehicles on the 25 year rule.
The 25 year rule has nothing to do with safety. It's so American manufacturers and dealers didn't have to compete with cheap imports.
I agree with U 100 %. I'm an OL biker who no longer bike. I just got my 92 Diahatsu Hijet Climber Scissor Dump. Here on Kauai & on all Hawaii islands they are allowed. They are GREAT little utility vehicles. & a lot of fun.
I live in Wichita Kansas. We're home to a ton of aircraft manufacturing plants. I've seen tons of these little Kei trucks for years being used to move parts around; particularly at one of the Cessna plants.
Vestas uses them too down in their Pueblo plant
At least it's better looking than the newer trucks sold in America.
The new KEI trucks have 5 speed transmissions and turbo's or superchargers and can reach respectable highway speeds.
Zack! Here's a little history for you with that vehicle... I grew up in New York, on Governors Island. The Island used to be a Coast Guard base. I lived there from 1989 - 1996, when the island closed the base permanently. That vehicle (and lots of them) was used on the base by the active duty personnel. I thought maybe you'd think this was interesting...
Dave
I was cracking up at the knockouts in the doors where the speakers could go if you weren't so cheap and sprang for the stereo option.
mt daihatsu atrai I told you about in my email is just like that but it's a van with sunroof, luxury interior, a/c stereo, 4wd and turbo intercooled engine. It's a hoot I daily the thing. My poor fj cruiser took the back seat because it's so practical and now after quite a few thousand dollars in parts and shop time it's reliable too. It is a bit small but once used to it I can even camp in it.
oh man, I was looking at those. It's like the highest spec kei van you could get. I want one badly
@@declan2775 oh man tonight I took my mom out to get ramen in it and (she's like 59) she was flailing her arms all around and she got fuming mad at me not once but like three times just going there and back you know when your mom would cross her arms like when you just pooped in the tub when you were little she got PISSED! Apparently some people find riding reverse shotgun in these things horrifying and it enrages them
The Mitsubishi Minicab was also sold in the US as an offroad vehicle. It was called the Mitsubishi Mighty-Mits, and it was also LHD and governed to 25mph.
Bring kei trucks to usa... new vehicles are to fkn exspensive
I i fell in love with kei car/trucks/vans , they are so charming! 💖
great video
There is another "off road only" Hijet brought into the states but they were made by Kia called the Metro Minitruk
I remember seeing a bunch of Daihatsu Charades in Mexico for some reason I guess they really took off there and sadly not here even though I think Daihatsu has since left the Market.
Great video, you always do a good job on them. I just got me a Hijet and learned a lot from this about them and where to start looking for getting the speed limiter off. I was wondering why the D-N had that blank space and mine does not go into high. Also that they may be other carburetor options out there and not sure yet why the past owner could not get it running. But I think the choke was just stuck and when I messed with it it did not move well and fixed that. Anyway, great video and thanks for sharing.
A little follow up for your subscribers... I got the e-clip out and it goes into High now and I also replaced the carburetor with that Amazon/eBay one and that together made it go over 25mph. What I think on the OEM carburetor is that there is an extra solenoid that gets activated from that speedo cable into that black box that activates a fuel block to basically stall out the engine to limit the speed. You can actually take that solenoid apart and remove the pin and no more block of the fuel (Video seen on YT). But since I could not get my carb working right, I just went and got the eBay one for $80 and now it is running. But the coke is a pita to get working, but in Texas we do not need a chock so I left it alone. You can also get newer HiJet wheels and tires to work on these with wheel adapters, 110x4 to 100x4 and they clear just fine with stock size. This gives you 6 ply DOT rated tires for a safer and smoother ride. The LHD are pretty cool, but they are probably more rare because I am thinking most of them got junked. As for 1992 being the last year, not sure about that as mine has 1995 dated seat belts and this is how I read you find out the year of them because the VIN does not have a 10th digit coding for a year. Just a basic VIN with a serial number. There is no date code I can find, but I think I read there is one on the engine someplace. Anyway, little info about the US spec LHD ones.
Makes you wonder if the Daihatsu hi jet from pimp my ride was ever road legal at all
left hand drive kei truck/van! Yes, please!
Very cool
Funny because it has many features as my dad's Mazda B2000
People will soon be clambering for this type of vehicle in droves.
Definitley since we can't ever get good small trucks anymore
Daihatsu left in my country South Africa in 2015 we had it's grandson the Grand Max was called
The HiJet is interesting because it has a higher roof and an extended cab for more room at the cost of a few inches of bed. Imagine if kei trucks had been continuously imported to the US. We'd barely have side by side ATVs because kei trucks would have dominated the utility segment for less money. This truck looks like it's been used hard and kept running with whatever was at hand. I've heard of some imported kei trucks for off-road use only have a plate welded to the gearshift that only allows first and reverse. Not labeling high range is a less wasteful way of addressing the speed restriction.
They imported kei trucks in the 60s
The Subaru sambar was a good example
I had no clue Daihatsu sold the Hijet here officially. I know we had the Charade and the Rocky, but not this.
Speedo cable governors? Any insight on how to remove it
So cool!
Is there any Rocky’s still running every one I seen is rotting away in a field or yard n always teal for some reason wit a white top
hey boos i have a high jet and it has the restrictions how do i remove them
I thought they would’ve given us the bigger 800 cc engine for the US
Cool 🥰
Nice
It’s for sale if anyone is interested $5,000 obo
I saw this for sale on marketplace!
Me too
I hope you don’t get into a head on cause your gone
Very bad attitude jim
If you get into a head on in anything you're pretty much fccked so who cares
The bad attitude