One Year! (And One Month) Living With My Subaru Sambar Japanese Kei Truck!

[@charger19691]

We should have US versions of these little trucks and vans in America. Not everyone wants or needs a pickup truck costing $55,000 and up!

[@haringusbaw6132]

It probably won't pass a DMV safety standard as always. and most American won't fit them, leg room would be an issue and suspensions too.

[@farmersgrip]

@@haringusbaw6132 I can't see how they be any more dangerous than a smart car ... government is crooked

[@MrSubaru1387]

These trucks get nowhere near 50mpg. The best I've seen and personally achieved is about 32mpg. Still great for a 4x4 truck.

[@bfarm44]

If they were made here they would be 50k

[@MrDanmulry]

We did have small trucks in America in the 1980s and the early 90s but the automobile manufacturers decided they wanted to sell us big four wheel drives and big SUVs and phase them out! We had the Volkswagen truck that was like a car, the Dodge D50 and other such trucks but the manufacturers decided to go big and not keep small it was us that let us happen if we didn't buy the big trucks they wouldn't be making them

[@gwenhie1]

I’m a Japanese, so I’m happy to know you, hardworking American people love the old Japanese Kei truck. I think hardworking Japanese people, my uncles, my grandfathers had used the Kei truck for a long time. I’m deeply appreciated you to use the truck.

[@craigwix]

I had a 1972 Honda 600 Coupe. Z car. 598cc twin 4 stroke motorcycle engine trans-mounted, front-wheel drive, with 4 speed. I drove it to work with 2 other adults and one child. At 60 mph on the H1 freeway in Hawaii. And mine was a left-hand drive English.

[@marshallfaris2755]

I'm that viewer he sold it to last time. If he sells that one count yourself lucky to be the one who bought it. I have no regrets on my little truck for machine shop delivery out of my shop and a daily driver.

[@mtnvortex]

Interesting. I'm in PA, and I know of a machine shop in my area(they primarily build American racing engines) that run one of these around. I'm not even sure if they're legal here. :-) I just thought it was a cool coincidence that you use one for a machine shop also.

[@marshallfaris2755]

@@mtnvortex it's perfect for the job for lean manufacturing areas that call for machine shop work but I am just north of Mr Subaru in North Carolina and I service local endustial business machining needs

[@krsjames1]

@@mtnvortexPA sucks for “all things fun”. I just moved back from FL where they have no restrictions on ANYTHING! 🤣

[@architypeone8646]

A big advantage of the Subaru Sambar is having the engine mounted behind the rear axle gives it better weight distribution. It isn't as front heavy as some of the Kei trucks with front mounted engines. This gives better rear wheel traction in the wet and snow and it handles better. Not to mention easy access to the engine for service.

[@jeffreydeans7097]

In Canada we can import 15 year old models. Quite a few of them in my neck of the woods. Came across a mint supercharged one last week at my local home depot. It drew a bigger crowd than the Ferrari parked two aisles over.

[@salvatoregaleotafiore8568]

I'm interested in purchasing one can you please give me eny information greatly appreciated

[@MoshiAngelic]

I'm here in Canada in the middle of looking into importing one, Admittedly the thing IREALLY couldent expect was how cheap they are to import.

[@Corkoth55]

I think 25 is just too old for America. I wish we could do 15. The newer models seem quite a bit nicer. And way less rust of course 😂

[@gerardomacedo8910]

Chicken tax

[@andrewloranger]

@@Corkoth55 I don't mind the 25 years but agree that 15 would be much better - I prefer the fuel injected models over the carb ones.

[@seig-zag]

I am 6'2'' 275 lbs and drive mine everyday love it. The other I was going 60 mph in a 40 mph zone and got zapped by radar, I think the cop did not want everybody to go by and laugh at him so he flashed his lights and siren, I waved LOL

[@seanmanness1351]

Just bought my first Sambar today. Drove it 200km home. Burning oil something fierce so it was a fantastic deal. Body and interior are in beautiful condition. Motor will be rebuilt real quick. Watching all of you sambar videos and learning LOTS!!! Thanks!

[@PazLeBon]

fantastic deal for a oil buring pollutin gvehicle. thats super daft

[@ryanfields3247]

@@PazLeBon Nah you're just dumb. It's an easy fix which lowered his price, just because you're useless doesn't mean we are.

[@black4277]

Those mini trucks are a literal moving ergonomic work bench... Genius! I want one!!!

[@logannevins1959]

I was just thinking to myself "no bumper, no airbags, no abs? This is so dangerous." Then I had to remind myself I also ride a motorcycle from the 70s

[@alejandropmorcate]

I saw one yesterday! A van. And you're right, I had a loooong conversation with the owner. He was very cool about it and showed me all the important details. The van's rear seats fold completely flat and dramatically increase the usable cargo space. The guy has used it for car camping. I didn't think that engine would fit on the floor behind the rear bumper. Really cool vehicle.

[@southernkei]

I daily drive a Subaru kei car as well. Honestly, it is very comfortable on American roads. It can easily handle 70 to 75 mph, and I regularly get 40 to 45 mpg. My car has the same basic engine, the only major difference is that mine is fuel injected, but still naturally aspirated.

[@Corkoth55]

Vivio? Maybe they're geared differently than the trucks.

[@DFranco23]

What state? Are they street legal in Texas?

[@southernkei]

@@DFranco23 As far as I know the kei trucks can only be registered for off-road use in Texas, not sure about the cars. They are all street legal where I live, but it is difficult to register if you don't get it titled in another state first, like Virginia makes it easier to register imported vehicles.

[@southernkei]

@@Corkoth55 I'm not sure about the gearing, but mine is also fwd instead of the awd that the sambar has

[@DFranco23]

@@southernkei I want it to be street legal but won’t be getting in the highway

[@jamesamber6009]

Finally, something affordable, simple, and durable !

[@kelmohror6960]

A Sambar was delivered to me yesterday ( 4mar2023 ) ; really jazzed to start commuting to work -15 mi. All-around visibility is fantastic. 🏆

[@rickreese5794]

How much $ ?🤔

[@leojuninocencio]

My wife's mother(from Philippines) have one of those susuki that was mentioned. We call it multi-cab in Philippines. They use it for business and they upgraded the engine to bigger one and its more powerful and faster. I was told it was toyota engine but I didn't bother to ask. I loved it. They also reinforced the chassis. Thumbs up.😊

[@katetaylor8109]

I just received delivery of my Sambar Van (super charged, hooray!) yesterday! Thanks much for the video, I knew the back bumper came down, but I couldn't figure out how for the life of me! This little cutie is going to take some work to be safe to drive on the roads, but I'm totally excited!

[@rhid1955]

They did build something similar for city government, like local parking enforcement and maintenance. I think they were all specialized for the job. 20:26

[@WheresWindellYT]

So nice to have someone in SC who knows so much about what's up with these. Really hoping to snag one one of these days

[@grumpycyclist3319]

35 years ago I drove a Chevy Luv for work. People laughed at me but that truck never died and if it got stuck two men could lift the rear end.

[@DuckDucGoose]

I love when you show off this gem!!

[@masonyt3939]

i’m buying one of these tomorrow and i’m very excited

[@kevinverwey6351]

That is one of the best reviews I've watched on these trucks!! Very informative

[@bierbrauer11]

Hard to believe it’s been a year! No way I could get away with buying one (wife) plus better not have another project… thanks for letting me live vicariously through your channel!

[@xGRASHOPAx]

Thank you for this video. I'm 6'3 200lbs so this has answered alot of my question.

[@MetaView7]

I am surprised GM is not jumping on the bandwagon. They could easily start a revolution.

[@allanhood4397]

GM can't build shit these days

[@SciFly7]

These Kei-class trucks and vans were exported to many countries, especially Asian countries, South America, Africa, the Caribbean etc. I learned to drive initially on a Subaru L-Series station wagon 1.6 DL that we had, and I finished my lessons and driver's test on a Daihatsu HI-Jet van. In Barbados the most popular of these small trucks/vans was the Suzuki Carry. It had a bouncy ride and flipped over easily and frontal accidents were as you described. In our market the Subaru Sambar was called the Subaru 700 van as it had the 665cc 2 cylinder engine, just like the Subaru 700 (REX) mini car (my first car). This engine was later replaced by the Clover 4 cylinder like the 758cc one in the Subaru REX kei car (M80 in our market). I had one of those too ! The E-Series van was identical to the Sambar with slightly different styling (4 headlights instead of two) and the same engine as the J-Series (Justy in your market). E10 van and J10 car had the 1.0 litre engine, and the E12 van / J12 car had the 1.2 litre like the US market Justy. I had a J12 4WD too. The difference with the Subaru Sambar and Domingo (E-Series) compared to the other Japanese makes was that the Subaru vans were the only ones with fully independent suspension and torsion bar suspension which gave a smoother ride and better handling than those other vans.

[@chigitakazuhiro7835]

Hey, I love you guys driving this little runabout! Most farmers in Japan have one of those trucks. It is not a heavy duty Dodge RAM, but like you said, it gets the job done!

[@andrewmeehan6151]

Subaru would have a customer right here if they brought that over!

[@retiredcryptohunter9031]

Just an FYI they do make those in a left hand drive. They built them for other countries that have left hand drive so you'll have to buy them from left hand drive countries if you want a LHD.

[@michaelhowe3318]

Best overview of Kei truck.....on you tube. Nice work!

[@jeremybennett5547]

Being carbureted in 94 and lacking US safety standards it is such a blessing that we can import these after so many years. Otherwise the gov. Would never let us get them

[@lowlifeangler]

Saw a blue one couple weeks in a farm in rural Ohio. Farmers used them for transportation in between farmlands. Also saw a white Mitzi cruising around

[@GalenlevyPhoto]

A light green one I saw nearby here to work on trimming the forest also the Orange old one at my wife’s aunt house, it’s a lawn ornament.

[@GQ1494D]

The thing I love about these little Kei car engines, is that they were built to rev (some of them up to 8000 RPM) in order to squeeze every last bit of power out of them. I've had a couple of them in the past, one of them being an export market spec Daihatsu Cuore. That had a 1 litre 3 cylinder normally aspirated engine with dual overhead cams and 12 valves. This engine revs to 7200 RPM easily and I had it pegged at 6500 RPM (at 90 MPH)for nearly 75 miles. Took it like a champ, coolant temps barely creeped up above normal. Pretty impressive.

[@jf4872]

They won't last long at that speed (spin a bearing). Speed limits on highways in Japan are tops 80KMH not 80MPH. Also peak toque is at roughly 3800rpm. Going past that = Horrid MPG.

[@johanordonez6998]

What a fantastic/educational video! Hats off to you young man, outstanding!

[@jeremywentworth1833]

We got several Kei cars and vans brand new in the UK, we had the Suzuki carry and Bedford Rascal which were the same van just different Badges and also the Suzuki cappuccino and Daihatsu coppone alot of people never understood why we could get those brand new UK supplied why not all Kei vehicles were sold brand new, we can import brand new Kei cars everyone that own them seem to adore them.

[@Bonjour-World]

I spent some time in Singapore. These little trucks were extremely common and very practical. I do wish something this size was available in the US. Sadly US Dealers know that profit is based on the pound of metal that they sale and they prefer big, heavy, gas guzzlers.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

And all the safety regulations like airbags, abs, safety glass...etc. Every company that comes out with a minimal vehicle in the USA turns it into a luxury vehicle in a few years.

[@billallen4793]

I need one of these in my life!....from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 🤠

[@prep0wer]

Just a Kool car. Mpg on highways is all about aerodynamics, in the city it's about weight.

[@prep0wer]

For more mpg, speed and crash zone just add a nose cone and an aerocap truck bed cover.

[@b16crxt]

I'm from SC as well and considering a Kei truck. Thanks for the video!

[@willenser4372]

Great video. I have been thinking about picking one up and your information was great. I too live in South Carolina as well. It would back a fun little truck around my property and around the lake.

[@klaidenmorad103]

i had one of this back home 35 years ago and was Subaru 2 cylinder and 2 Strock and i couldn't get this thing faster then 30 MPH.

[@brianallen9810]

I saw these all over the place when I was stationed in Okinawa. I really wanted one of the vans.

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

I absolutely love this little thing. I could easily see me owning one. Coming from KY, I would be utterly shocked if some red neck hasn't shoehorned either a Harley, Ford or Chevy engine into one of those LOL! I knew a guy that put a Chevy 5.7L, complete w/a 350 TH tranny and a 3.10 axle into a 60's VW Bug. It topped out at like 85mph but it would straight up smoke a ZR-1 off the line. I knew another guy that did the same to a Chevy S-10 but added a B&M racing shifter. Craziest vehicle I've ever rode in. It would spin the tires shifting into 3rd gear. That thing should have had harnesses instead of seatbelts. It was a rocketship without wings.

[@karimrishani8298]

soo cool. Tiny 660 cc and has so much punch

[@aarongilbert-gw9kl]

Im in the Piedmont of SC. Been looking at a Kei truck for awhile love Hondas, but the Subaru seems the best idea.

[@Joeshmofoshoyo]

WOW! I want one, Thank you for doing such a thorough review. I saw a Honda version that was lifted slightly with nice meaty tires, looked super cool.

[@danielszabo3864]

I recently bought a 97 sambar truck. I can't wait for more sambar content. I'm subscribed! :D

[@robdixson196]

"658 cc's of fury" is a line that MUST be delivered in a Carolina accent for full effect.

[@jacksonmccullough8651]

I liked how he added the cicada sound that everyone hears in Japan. There is one for sale near my area but they want $9k for it with 33k miles. I might import a better and newer one.

[@SimplyJapaneseMaples]

Awesome video, thanks for putting it out. I'm definitely enamoured with these trucks, and now researching to make the right first choice.

[@giovannyarguello2645]

Yes. We drive our little Fiat 500e 90% of the time for all for daily errands in the city. We use our Suzuki Samurai almost 100% at the farm, except when we need to haul a bunch of people in and out. We must accept that the Japanese and European people were right about sizing actual practical & functional vehicles. with abundant options for bigger and heavier tasks properly scaled up as necessary.

[@dit5564]

I am driving a Hino 500, 30 feet flat bed truck. This small subaru looks like a little sibiling of my truck. Pretty similar.

[@94Greenbean]

I know you added the sweet rims, but the factory yellow fogs are making my mouth water! JDM Goodness my brother!

[@BusterKitten]

my '74 VW Super Beetle was the same HP, and I got around with it just fine even on the freeways. So people my age would probably be used to to driving something like this

[@timbrown9731]

Years ago we had a little Suzuki truck (front engine ) at the winery would pick it with our giant yard forklift and screw with Coworkers, good fun little truck until the framework rotted and the floor pan was like the flinstones..lol I wanted to fix her up but the boss man said dump her in the steel garbage container. .....that was a sad day...

[@snugs4547]

The best Sambar review out there

[@metricstormtrooper]

I love your sensible and complete review of the sambar, I used to have a Honda acty Van and at highway speeds it got shockingly bad fuel economy even though it was only a 550cc 2 cylinder, the funny thing with the acty motor is that it was based on the right two cylinders of a Honda goldwing, I used a spare right hand head gasket left over from a repair on my 1000cc goldwing. I now have a Mitsubishi minicab miev EV van.

[@bluedistortions]

Yeah at highway speeds, aerodynamics don't care what size the motor is 😂 coefficient of drag is king.

[@krukov3865]

You can get a left-hand drive version. They made, and exported them to South korea. I saw tons of them when I was in South Korea, and drove a few when I was in the Army. I wish we could import them to the US, the modern ones are super cool.

[@rayjermyn4541]

Thing to bear in mind about the lack of highway safety, is that is not what these trucks were built for. Enjoy it for what it is, a practical no BS truck designed for farm or around city use rather than highways. My Kei wouldn't go over 80kph, but over time it could sit at 120kph just fine. Incidentally, the high cab roof versions are great for beekeepers wearing a suit, or hardhats

[@poppyneese1811]

There’s a guy I see at the dump that has one, sorry not sure the brand, but it’s a army green with mags and it look so sweet, he loves it and everywhere he goes he spends a lot of time talking to people talking about it, people just Love these things! I think it may be a Dihatshu, not sure how you spell it.

[@BacidityMartyth]

Thanks for letting me live vicariously through your channel!

[@minilife1481]

I've had 2 have another on the way,love all the kei vehicles subies are my favorite

[@rickhayhoe]

Good job! From an American long-term expat in Japan who has owned three keitrucks in the past thirty years. By the way, newer safety regulations in Japan along with universal electronic fuel injection will provide somewhat safer vehicles with somewhat better fuel mileage as your NC law creeps up on newer models.

[@SamCyanide]

Something that apparently helps a lot is progressive springs.

[@Vader1203]

Thanks for so much vital information especially the dangers of Kei Truck vehicles.

[@teh60]

Great review. I'm sure you will have no problem selling the Sambar when you're ready.

[@robertwhitley661]

Best video out there in KZbin land! Great Job!!

[@shuba097]

i love the sambar! its so cute looking! I want one so bad

[@michaelmishue8453]

Hour and half drive on that thing. Damn, they must've been almost twenty miles away 🤣😂🤣

[@emoneybagsthedon]

I’ve had 3 Honda actys and a diahaustu hijet. Waiting on my Sambar now 🥶

[@therealrealshocker]

Badass lil truck! I love it 😁 thanks for sharing!

[@newdayyesterday]

Very flexible little fun vehicle. MPG is a shocker though! Would have thought a dinky engine would return better but I suppose if it is running at high rpm most of the time. There are also camper styled versions available in the UK....the mind boggles.

[@annettecinquemanifalbo17]

Great explanation of this mini!

[@Tinker_Box]

Hi, I'm from Korea, and my first car was something like yours, but in a van configuration. My Italian friends who rode Ducatis, loved to be in my car and call it "Korean Ferrrrrarrrrri" with those Italian 'R'. I still have such a fond memory of the machine. Too bad the vehicle and the whole category of it have been banned in Korea.

[@stephenkellar]

I'm looking at one of these to work around my 5 acre property and short runs to the dump or lumber yard. Was looking at a side by side but can't take them on the road and the boxes are too small to be useful. Plus they cost as much or more. There are also a lot of logging roads around my area were I can go on adventures into the bush. I wouldn't worry about scratching it.

[@jeremysomeone]

Great and informational video, thank you.

[@trottermalone379]

Excellent vid! Answered all my questions plus some I hadn’t thought of.

[@spdaltid]

Cool little truck. I'm sure you know it, and apologies for the smart ass coment: The [Osaka] licence plate is for a passenger Kei car. The trucks have a 4xx number. Great video btw.

[@ldygzlle1291]

That was a great go-over. Thanks. I’m looking to get one for my steep mountain property. Building trails, hauling wood and rocks. What do you think about its capabilities for that kind of work?

[@marxxmann8758]

It the Caribbean Islands have these in plentiful with the Suzuki, Kia, Toyota,and Nissan

[@DONphantasmo]

Great video man. Thank you

[@GeorgeStar]

Newer Kei vehicles have all the safety features but of course they're less than 25 yrs. old. I've heard left hand drive was exported to places like Spain and Philippines.

[@northcackalacky4694]

That was a top-quality video! You hit on everything that we need to know. Thanks 😊 🙏

[@NoName-zz9ls]

You can get the van version as LHD. They were sold as Subaru Domingo in Europe

[@BrandonHall916]

I’m so ready to pull the trigger on one.

[@Rod-bp8ow]

The details of the Subaru brand creates the standards of quality as it is known amongst brands, its vast purpose that reconciles the details, importance as well as the continuity of efficacy/developments for solarization and research of incorporation of the said details up to 1000 times its typical strength in conversion of energy. SMEs..

[@georgeterbush2976]

Ditto

[@GildaLee27]

We need these subcompacts in the US.

[@consultavascular4745]

I live in south america and back in those days, the 90's there were very popular and cheap. There were available with the weel at the left as every other car. They are not available anymore because of new safety laws. Now there are small chinese truks with 1.5l engines available with ABS brakes and airbags, but the old kei trucks were esential in the economic growth of my country in the end 80's and begining of the 90's.

[@mrj-charles6383]

There are left hand drive versions of these. In the Phillippines these are the prefered trucks and vans for a lot of people.

[@Noslime]

It’s the only Subaru I will ever own. Don’t have to worry about those pesky horizontally opposed engine.

[@ejmoreno270]

Dude why cant Toyota/Subaru just make this design slightly bigger, with American DOT compliant parts, and proper safety features like an airbag, bumper, and crumple zone, then move the steering column over (or leave it because its neat), then sell this in to the U.S market?

[@o7i-q4r]

だって売れ過ぎたらまた日本メーカー叩きするじゃん。何回もしてきたじゃん。都合いい言い分だな

[@johngouker3887]

Love the Video, Keep up the good work! Make a video of the Supercharged model !

[@What_Next2.4]

I'm going to k swap mine. I'm going to start sometime this year. Mine has been my daily for about a year.

[@Buiscit1738]

You gonna document that on a KZbin page? I'd love to do something similar.

[@What_Next2.4]

@@Buiscit1738 I would like too. I'm in college right now so it will have to be on Friday-sunday. I'm 2 hrs from home. Or I may have to get a truck and make it a flatbed to put the kei truck on it so I can do the k swap at college because I think I can have one parking spot only

[@jeffsteil]

Well done video Mr. Subaru! Thanks for sharing

[@braedenreed4052]

Love the channel and all the content.

[@braedenreed4052]

Finally bought a 1990 sambar s/c. I am loving it. Commute 60 miles a day. Thing is great.

[@d0stawca]

You can get van with steering wheel on other side in europe. 😉 1.0L or 1.2L as far as I remember.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

I was stationed in Okinawa for two years. These little trucks and vans were everywhere. Most roads didn't go over 60Kph, so they were fast enough. I think the Okinawa Expressway was 100kph.

[@owen368]

100kph = 60mph roughly

[@jf4872]

Expressway in Japan is actually 80kph.

[@MadsWorld34]

i ride a honda trail 125 all over texas and my top speed is 58 mph and thats on a good day. and now they are legal in Texas i am looking for one. and a sambar is what i think i want. but they have doubled in price since they say its legal in Texas

[@tomppeli.]

These vehicles should be more of a global phenomenon But because people enjoy comfortable things, regular-sized cars won't be going away

[@certiPHIer]

gas mileage is still going to be better than full size pickups for doing the same task, up to the maximum cargo capacity of the mini-truck, even if it doesn't do 40mpg.

[@Mushroomhaus0001]

It would be really cool to see maintenance and service videos if you have the time. I’m super curious how to work on one of these as a shade tree mechanic :)

[@MrSubaru1387]

I have a few already. 👍🏻

[@Mushroomhaus0001]

@@MrSubaru1387 I have been looking at picking up a kei truck for a while, but I was looking at Honda since I’m mostly a Honda guy. But I think you might have convinced me to go Subaru for when I do purchase one. I have no need for a giant truck these days, though a 90s single cab Tacoma would be perfect but the prices on those are insane. Thanks for sharing your videos about this, your work is high quality.

[@jkraich5317]

God bless South Carolina! I need to buy one