Maybe you’re into car modding as a hobby. Or you like working on your builds to make your vehicles more practical for everyday use. Maybe it’s both. Well, did you know that there’s one type of vehicle-build that an increasing number of people in the US are getting into – modding kei trucks.
What are kei trucks?
Kei trucks are imported Japanese mini work trucks that more & more people are getting: 1) To carry things around the farm with. 2) For supplying their small businesses in the inner cities. 3) For doing some light-duty construction work at home. 4) Just as cool lifestyle vehicles. Kei trucks are made by different brands and come in different models. For example, here’s everything you need to know about the Honda Acty mini truck.
The main commonalities between the different kei truck models, however, are that they are small, versatile, & maneuverable. They come with an engine that’s no stronger than a 660cc four-stroke. And – they have a bed carrying capacity of up to 770 lbs (~350kg). Finally, kei trucks are incredibly fuel-efficient, with average MPGs (miles per gallon) of around 30-to-40.
All this makes kei trucks very unique for the American market and streets. It also makes them awesome vehicles to modify and build upon… in order to customize them into the exact kind of vehicle you want. Here are a few examples of how you can build up your kei truck.
Kei truck builds & modifications…
1. Replace the engine
The signature feature that makes a kei truck what it is, is its engine. In Japan, kei trucks were (and still are) intentionally made with small engines in order to qualify for tax breaks that are given to people who don’t use overly fuel-intensive vehicles. Japan had implemented such tax breaks after the Second World War to help make the Japanese economy more efficient.
This, of course, isn’t an issue in the US or in most other Western countries. As a result, nothing is stopping you to replace your kei truck’s original 660cc four-stroke engine with something more powerful and robust. Of course, there are still going to be some limitations in terms of engine size and specifics, as a kei truck is still small by definition. However, a good engine swap is still possible. And it not only adds power, but a swap can also make your kei truck even more fuel-efficient, depending on how you decide to build it.
2. Bed & roof modifications
Kei trucks may have a carrying capacity of up to 770 lbs (unless you up that with the right engine modifications). But even that can be quite a lot to carry, especially if your load is bulky for its weight. A standard kei truck’s bed usually has dimensions of around 6.7 X 4.6 feet, with the bed sides and door being about a foot tall.
This means that it’s strongly advisable to modify your truck’s bed to make it more spacious and/or secure for what you’ll be carrying. This can include things like:
- A cargo net hooked over the truck bed to keep things from falling (or being stolen). You can also add hooks to better secure certain loads.
- A roof basket on top of the cabin to open extra carrying space. Kei trucks are quite short (no higher than 79 inches or 2m), so you can easily add a roof basket on top of them and still not have any trouble driving under bridges, parking garages, signs, or in tunnels. Plus, a roof basket is a great way to add a light bar, and/or other accessories to your vehicle as well.
- A truck bed cap (also called a truck bed topper or camper shell) can not only increase the height of the bed’s sides, but will provide it with a solid cover too. There are countless options for a good bed cap – high & low ones. Some only open in the back, while others open on the sides too. There are some can even open-up into a mini storefront, and much more.
3. Electronics
The kei trucks that get imported to the US have to be 25+ years old because of certain US federal restrictions on car imports. This means that these kei trucks aren’t equipped with many electronics. Some even lack AC units. However, this allows for countless modification opportunities to make it your own. You can replace the radio & add speakers, add AC & heating units, navigation, upgrade the speedometer… you name it.
4. Other interior mods
There are lots of other things you can tweak within your kei truck. Adding sound-deadening is popular. As are cup holders, windshield banners, aftermarket steering wheels, sun visors, and much more.
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