Frequently asked questions
Short, direct answers. Longer treatments live in the reference sections.
What does the T at the end of a kei truck chassis code mean?
On most Japanese kei chassis codes the trailing letter indicates body type. T denotes a truck — for example DA63T, U62T and DK51T are all truck bodies — while V or P often denotes a van or panel body. The letters and digits before it identify the generation and frequently the drivetrain.
How do I tell whether a kei truck is 4WD from its chassis code?
It depends on the manufacturer's scheme. Daihatsu pairs a 2WD code with a 4WD code ten higher (S200P is 2WD, S210P is 4WD). Honda alternates odd and even (HA3 is 2WD, HA4 is 4WD). Mitsubishi and Suzuki use separate code families. The chassis code is more reliable than a listing description, but the vehicle's own documentation is definitive.
What engine is in a 660cc kei truck?
Almost always a three-cylinder petrol engine of 656–659cc: Suzuki F6A, K6A or R06A, Daihatsu EF or KF, Honda E07A or E07Z, Mitsubishi 3G83. The exception is the Subaru Sambar, which uses the four-cylinder EN07.
What does grade 4 mean on a Japanese auction sheet?
Grade 4 indicates a vehicle in good overall condition for its age, with normal wear and minor cosmetic marks but no major damage or structural repair. It is the grade most export buyers target. Grades are an auction inspector's judgement rather than a warranty, and standards vary slightly between auction houses.
What do the letters on an auction sheet diagram mean?
They mark fault type on a map of the body. A is a scratch, U a dent, W a wave or previous repair, S rust, C corrosion, X a panel needing replacement and XX a panel already replaced. A trailing number from 1 to 3 indicates severity.
How much payload does a kei truck carry?
The Japanese rated payload is 350 kg, about 770 lb, which is what the class regulations permit. Owners frequently carry more, but the rating, brakes, suspension and tyres are specified around that figure.
Why is the engine limited to 660cc?
Because that is the kei class ceiling in Japan. Kei vehicles receive lower tax, cheaper insurance and, in much of Japan, exemption from proof-of-parking requirements. Manufacturers build to the limit exactly, so almost every kei engine is 656–659cc.
When did kei trucks become 660cc?
In 1990. Before that the limit was 550cc from 1976, and 360cc from the 1950s. The dimension box was enlarged again in 1998, which is why post-1998 trucks are slightly wider and more usable.
Are kei trucks four-wheel drive?
Many are, but it is an option rather than standard. Most 4WD kei trucks use selectable part-time four-wheel drive, often with a low range and sometimes a rear differential lock. Part-time systems should not be left engaged on dry pavement.
What is shaken and why does it matter to buyers abroad?
Shaken is Japan's compulsory periodic vehicle inspection. It becomes progressively costly as a vehicle ages, which pushes serviceable vehicles into the used market and then to export. It is a large part of why well-maintained older Japanese vehicles are available at all.