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What is a Kei car/van
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Kei car (or keijid?sha, kanji: ????, "light automobile", pronounced [ke?d?ido??a]), known variously outside Japan as Japanese city car or Japanese microcar, is the Japanese vehicle category for the smallest highway-legal passenger cars with restricted dimensions and engine capacity. Similar Japanese categories exist for microvans, and kei trucks. These vehicles are most often the Japanese equivalent of the EU A-segment (city cars).
The kei car category was created by the Japanese government in 1949, and the regulations have been revised several times since. These regulations specify a maximum vehicle size, engine capacity, and power output, so that owners may enjoy both tax and insurance benefits. In most rural areas they are also exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is available for the vehicle.[1][2][3]
Kei cars have become very successful in Japan, consisting of over one-third of domestic new-car sales in fiscal 2016, despite dropping from a record 40% market share in 2013, after the government increased the kei-car tax by 50% in 2014.[4][5][6] In 2018, seven of the 10 top-selling models were kei cars, including the top four, all boxy passenger vans: Honda N-Box, Suzuki Spacia, Nissan Dayz, and Daihatsu Tanto.[7] Isuzu is the only current Japanese automobile manufacturer that has never offered a kei-sized vehicle for either private ownership or commercial trucks and microvans.[citation needed]
In export markets, though, the genre is generally too specialized and too small for most models to be profitable.[8] Notable exceptions exist, though, for instance the Suzuki Alto and Daihatsu Cuore, which were exported consistently from around 1980. Kei cars are not only popular with the elderly, but they are also popular with youths, especially younger families because of their affordability and ease of use.[9][6]
Nearly all kei cars have been designed and manufactured in Japan, but a version of the German-made Smart was briefly imported and officially classified as a kei car, and since then, the British Caterham 7 160 has also received such classification.
Brands we sell
Daihatsu Hijet
The Daihatsu Hijet Mini Truck was available in Japan as a right hand drive pick up truck or a van. The USA version was a left hand drive model. The body codes for the Hijet are S65, S70, S75, S80P, S80LP, S81P, S81LP, S82P, S83P, S100P, S110P, S200P, S210P. The van models used the letter V in place of the P in the model code. The Early Hijet truck and vans had a 2 cylinder engine the AB. Later it was switched to a 550cc 3 cylinder carbureted water cooled EB engine. The most recent engine is the EF Fuel injected engine. The transmission could be a 2 wheel drive or 4x4, in standard or automatic. It is very common for the Hijet to need a new timing belt, it is recommend that the water pump be replaced a the same time. A mechanical fuel pump pulled the fuel from the gas tank to the carburetor. If the truck sat, with out being used for some time, the internal valve will crack and the fuel pump with fail. The first Hijet mini truck was fitted with front drum brakes. Later trucks were made with a front disc brake system with front brake pads. All of the Hijet pick ups and Vans were fitted with rear drum brakes. The front suspension has a strut assembly with coil springs. Performance and heavy replacement front coil springs are available. The front steering knuckle is connected to the front differential in the 4x4 Hijet Pick up, by two front CV axles. The CV joint can be damaged when the front CV boot has been cracked for too long and not replaced. The front and rear drive shafts are connected between the transmission and front differential and rear end assembly. The u joint in the drive shaft can dry out and become loose. At this time it is reccomended that the u-joint be replaced with new ones.
Honda Acty
Honda Vans
Honda Acty Mini Truck is a unique truck as it has the engine mounted in the rear of the pick up bed. Honda used a transverse system that you would find in a front wheel drive vehicle and reversed it to the rear. The early Honda Acty was powered by a 2 cylinder engine the EH 550cc. This model was the TA, TN or TC Acty. The later model HA1 and HA2 had a 3 cylinder water cooled 550cc E05A engine. The HA3 and HA4, HA5, HA7 models all had the 3 cylinder 660cc E07A engine. The Acty Pickup was available in 2 wheel drive and 4x4 with 4 or 5 speed transmission and optional 2 wheel drive automatic. Most of the Honda Acty had a carburetor and electronic ignition. It is very common for the Honda Acty to need a new timing belt and tensioner as well as the water pump replaced. This mini truck is very quiet inside the cab and the front struts give it a very smooth ride. The braking system in the newer trucks consist of front disc brakes with pads in the front and rear drum brakes with brake shoes in the rear. Another unique point of the Honda Acty 4x4 is that it is real time 4x4 and independent front and rear suspension. Some of the common tune up items that should be replaced on the Honda Acty Mini Truck are, distributor cap and distributor rotor, spark plugs, spark plug wire set, air filter, fuel filter. When these mini truck parts are replaced the engine should run smoother and burn less fuel. The air flow will be more effeicient. The steering centerlink bushing does not have a grease fitting, so they tend to get loose. If you have a shaking steering wheel when driving your Honda Acty on the road it may need the steering bushing replaced.
Mitsubishi Minicab
The Mitsubishi minicab was available in Japan as a right hand drive and manufactured in the USA as a left hand drive. The early models we powered by a 3 cylinder water cooled 550cc engine, the 3G81. The Model code is U14T, U15T, U18T, U19T. The later Mitsubishi Minicab had a 660cc 3cylinder engine the 3G83 and could be found in the U41T, U42T, U61T and U62T. Most Mitsubishi mini trucks had a Carburetor, the later trucks had fuel injection. The engine was a mid placement with a transmission and transfer case behind. The front suspension had independent struts and two CV axles with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. The water pump was mounted so that the attached fan blade could cool the radiator. We recommend that the Timing belt be replaced and the water pump at the same time. These little trucks need clean air and fuel filters, it is a good idea to change the spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor along with the plug wire set. It is not uncommon to see a minicab with a 2" lift kit and ATV wheels with off road tires mounted. The rear drive shaft u joint does not have a grease fitting and wears out in time.
Suzuki Carry
Suzuki Vans
The Suzuki Carry mini truck and minivan can be seen in many different Countries. They are available in Japan as right hand drive and left hand drive in other places. The Early pick up an van had a 3 cylinder water cooled 550cc engine the F5A. The later trucks had a carbureted 660cc 3 cylinder water cooled engine the F6A. The newest truck uses a 600cc K6A engine. The Suzuki Carry uses independent front strut suspension with CV axles in front on the 4x4 and a solid rear axle on the pick up trucks. We recommend that the timing belt and tensioner be replaced as well as the water pump at the same time. These mini truck engines are an interference type and if the timing belt breaks while the engine is running the pistons will bend the engine valves. The most common Suzuki Carry Parts are tune up items like the distributor cap and distributor rotor, fuel oil and air filters. As the trucks age it is a good idea to change the spark plugs and the spark plug wire set. Some mini trucks with many miles on them will need front wheel bearings and wheel seals replaced. You might see a Suzuki Carry mini truck on a farm with ATV tires and a lift kit. You might see one on the street as they are quite economical to drive. The newer Suzuki Carry mini truck had front disc brakes with front brake pads, and rear drum brakes with rear brake shoes. You may want to lift the dust cover on your rear brake wheel cylinders to check for brake fluid leaking. We stock a rear wheel cylinder repair kit and a front brake caliper repair kit. Some customers choose to buy an engine rebuild kit that allows them to refurbish there engine. The engine rebuild kit for the suzuki carry includes Valve cover gasket, engine valve stem seals, intake and exhaust gaskets, head gasket, cam and crank seals, a set of standard piston rings and connecting rod bearings and main bearings.
Subaru Sambar
Subaru Vans
The Subaru Sambar Mini Truck and Minivan have a rear mounted 4 cylinder water cooled engine in the KS3, KS4, KV3 and KV4 models. This engine is referred to as the 660cc EN07. We stock many parts for the Subaru Sambar pick up and van. The most common items are tune up parts like the distributor cap and distributor rotor. Many customers choose to replace the air, fuel and oil filters on a regular basis. The cam seal and front crankshaft seals, as well as the valve cover gasket, tends to leak on these engines. We recommend that the water pump, timing belt and tensioner be replaced at the same time. The Sambar Sambar uses independent front strut suspension with front disc brakes and independent rear suspension with rear drum brakes. The Subaru Sambar standard 4x4 transmission is unique in that it has an extra low first gear and can be switched from 4x4 to 2 wheel drive with the push of a button. The front steering center link bushing does not have a grease fitting from the factory, so they tend to wear and get loose. We sell a new replacement steering bushing for the Subaru Sambar. The rear shocks on a Subaru Sambar pickup or Van have been known to leak fluid then the Vehicle becomes bouncy. We stock new replacement rear shocks as well as new front struts. For all the parts that you may need for your Subaru Sambar Truck or Subaru Sambar Van.