Hey guys, anyone know much about the Kei trucks? I’m looking at a Suzuki Carry 4wd, with lockers and A/C. With decent rubber it ought to be a dandy little work/off road rig. Surely a LOT less $$ than the utility vehicles out there and appears for more capable for Work, hunting and fishing. Still have to trailer it to trailheads, etc. what say you.?
Kei truck?
- Thread starter Shibadog
- Start date
TEXASforLIFE
SAINT
haven't seen 1, but have seen a swiss similar looking vehicle.
youngolddude
Professional
I've seen several running around here on the road with license. An outfit in Tucson imports them. Other states have banned them from the roads due to lack of safety features I think. I'd like one. They are slow but get very good mileage. I'd rather buy one of them than a Razor. Those things are way too much money. There is a YouTube video of a guy making a monster Kei truck.
Old_Me
SAINT
that might be on my states "banned list" of imports, due to either safety or emissions...there was was the Daewoo truck here, got taken off the road real quick.
it can only be used on golf courses or private farms.
Are Kei trucks legal in the US?
It's important to note that new kei trucks are not street legal in the USA. They can only be imported and used on private property. This restriction applies to all states, regardless of their regulations on older kei trucks.Jul 12, 2024
Old_Me
SAINT
you can try those "free" magazines at many grocery stores, sometimes they have auctions, as well as general/personal sales
other than that, maybe a golf course, or apartment complex that has them, and are selling thiers..???
if a car dealership has any, as in giving a customer a ride to the new vehicles on the lot, maybe they are switching over to golf carts?
otherwise, a call out to eBay, or craigs list, or maybe facebook market place..???
There’s. Place in NC (Mayberry Minitrucks) that has a Ton of them. They’re sold with a valid NC title and ARE street legal there. Ky restricts them soi dunno if I could get one licensed here or not. That would be great, but even if I can’t they look like a better option than $20k for a side by side, at least for my use. I just dunno anyone that has owned one and has any experience with them.
Old_Me
SAINT
there are 3 gold bars at the upper right corner, that pop up from time to time...it shows the page(s) are loading, making us think that it did not post......that has happened to me a few timesScrew up on me-It didn’t show posted when I went in, hit the button and suddenly had TWO. Sorry guys-
Old_Me
SAINT
parts may be very hard to get.......you need to check the drive-train components makers.....
SimonRL
Hellcat
Was going to say the same thing. Literally, Big Auto has managed to get Kei cars and trucks banned.that might be on my states "banned list" of imports, due to either safety or emissions...there was was the Daewoo truck here, got taken off the road real quick.
it can only be used on golf courses or private farms.
Are Kei trucks legal in the US?
It's important to note that new kei trucks are not street legal in the USA. They can only be imported and used on private property. This restriction applies to all states, regardless of their regulations on older kei trucks.Jul 12, 2024
youngolddude
Professional
I've read several articles online about Kei trucks. There's one that goes over every truck brand and notes the good and bad. Something like that could steer you towards one that would fit your needs.
Thanks! I’ll do more research. I’m leaning pretty hard toward the Suzuki Carry. Dual range 4 WD and lockers sounds like the ticket
I’ve not seen a lot of downsides to them (other than some states getting their skivvies in a knot). Most reviews are pretty positive. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth I had a ‘72 Suzuki Brute-looked like a 1/2 scale Willy’s Jeep. 2 cyl, 2 stroke 360 cc, five speed 4wd. Top speed was around 55 but it’d go Anywhere. AND it was fully street legal
Loved it for huntin’ and fishin’. I’d rather have a new one of those today than ANY new SXS UTV being sold now.. The little Kei trucks are a LOT safer than it was (or than a lot of other street legal rigs, like the Slingshot or any motorcycle, yet they are only legal in a few places. Go figure,
Loved it for huntin’ and fishin’. I’d rather have a new one of those today than ANY new SXS UTV being sold now.. The little Kei trucks are a LOT safer than it was (or than a lot of other street legal rigs, like the Slingshot or any motorcycle, yet they are only legal in a few places. Go figure,