About the Trucks

Rocky Mountain Mini Trucks imports used Japanese mini trucks directly from Japan. When they arrive they receive a thorough 39 point inspection. Oil is changed and all fluids are checked and topped off. Oil filters, spark plugs and wires and cap and rotor are replaced. All trucks are test driven and minor maintenance is performed as necessary.

Japanese mini trucks are called “Kei” Class trucks in Japan. They were created as an alternative to the larger trucks to provide a means of navigating small city streets while still being able to negotiate muddy farm fields and snowy hill climbs delivering materials, food and tools. They have been produced since the mid 1960’s and have been continuously refined throughout their history.

Mini trucks are manufactured by Mitsubishi, Daihatsu (in association with Toyota), Suzuki, Subaru and Honda. While the specific features vary slightly between years and makes they all have in common long standing proven reliability and performance. Parts are available through us or many other sources in the U.S. We are happy to help locate parts for any of our sold trucks should the need ever arise.

Uses for Mini Trucks:

Japanese mini trucks some standard with a bed with folding sides. The height of the bed is lower than a typical pick up bed and with the sides folded down loading and unloading is made easy.

They are all 4 wheel drive with some having hi/low range. They are very stable to drive, the engines on the Mitsubishi’s, Daihatsu’s and Suzuki’s are mounted back under the cab and access is easily gained by simply lifting up the front seats or removing the engine cover in the bed. Engines on the Subaru’s are rear mounted.

Mini Trucks are great for:

Hauling fruit and vegetables, soil, gravel, firewood, hay and feed.
Traveling between fields, jobsites and distant buildings.
Carrying tools
Hunting rigs
Inspecting irrigation lines
Visiting your neighbor (across the field)

Common Mini Truck Specifications:

Off road use only in the United States, though some states do allow these to be licensed for on-road use we import and sell these with the intent that they be used for off-road purposes only.
Imported years typically between the early 90’s to early 2000.
Engines 660cc, liquid cooled, 3 or 4 cylinder gasoline, 35+ miles per gallon.
Four or five speed transmission, low/high range 4x4. Note: vehicles are imported by law with a speed limiter plate that allows the vehicle to shift between 1st. and reverse gears.
Some come with differential or axle locks, and power steering.
Vehicle dimensions are 10’ long, 4’ wide and 5’ wide.
Payload capacity about 800 lbs.
Full instrumentation including electric, temp, pressure lights, etc.
Seat belts, Heater, windshield wipers, headlights, blinkers, etc.
AM radios tuned to Japanese stations. (They don’t seem to land on our station #’s, at least in our area)
Excellent visibility and fun to drive.

Why are these mini trucks available?

In Japan, the law requires a registration fee that remains nearly the same for the first few years a vehicle is in service. Then the registration requires a very stringent inspection to be renewed. The registration fee also becomes much more expensive as the vehicle ages. The cost eventually becomes prohibitive as the vehicle gets older. These registration requirements ensure that the trucks are maintained in good working condition, while also limiting the length of time it is cost effective to keep the trucks on the road.

Disclaimer:

Although these vehicles make an excellent utility or off-road vehicle, Japanese mini trucks may not meet the requirements of DOT and/or NHTSA, and are not approved for operation on public streets, highways, roads or any other public areas in the United States. Some states are licensing them for on-road use; however we cannot import or sell them for anything other than off-road use. All of our trucks have been modified with speed limiting devices that meet the requirement not to exceed 25 mph. These are the rules under which we import them and have no choice.