While at a campground in southern Alberta I came across this Daihatsu HiJet Jumbo Kei class pick up truck. While named Jumbo it is still a very small truck and indicates the larger cab that was available on these useful mini trucks. These newer Japanese Domestic Market pickups are now being imported into Canada.
The Jumbo has a higher roof as well as a slightly extended cab. The wheelbase remains the same so it has a smaller box as a result. This is a ninth generation HiJet produced from 1999 to 2007 which was equipped with a 658 cc three cylinder engine and diminutive dimensions to fit into the Kei class of vehicles. Unlike some of the earlier Kei trucks, this generation features fuel injection over a carburettor. Overall length was 3,395 mm (133.7 in) with a width of only 1,475 mm (58.1 in) and a stock curb weight of 910 kg (2,006 lb).
Here is a web sourced view of a standard cab to illustrate the difference.
This one has a Jumbo badge just in case there is any doubt. These Jumpo cabs are quite a bit more rare than the standard cab versions and are sought after by taller drivers for the additional leg and headroom.
As you can see these HiJets come with a very practical bed that has fold-able sides to make a flat bed when desired. When upright the sides have plenty of tie down hooks. The load limit is stated as 350kg/772lbs but I suspect they can easily exceed that with its ladder chassis construction and leaf springs at the rear.
The right hand drive interior appears to be in excellent condition with what is necessary but few luxury frills. This one has a manual transmission and push button 4WD but they could be had with a three or four speed automatic or rear wheel drive as well.
This one had aftermarket wheels with 14″ off-road tires fitted. I suspect they are easier to source than the stock 12″ tires.
The expression on the face of the HiJet seems to project a cheerfulness.
These mini trucks can be road legal in Canada at fifteen years old but I think this one is not and just lives at the campground likely filling the same role as an ATV or UTV. The weather proof cab is likely a nice upgrade over a basic ATV. I would have been often tempted to import one of these for myself in low mileage firetruck form. It would be a lovely little runabout as well as mild off-road vehicle. Perhaps one day.
Great report. Would seriously consider a Honda Acty, as an urban utility vehicle. See these often enough on Ontario highways. But not in winter. Which has me thinking, a track kit could be very useful for traversing snow or sand.
Nice.
I could use one of these but with a dump bed.
Daihatsu do a Hijet Dump. Depending on your preference, you can take a High Dump or a Low Dump (no I’m not making this up, these are actual model-ID variants). If inclined, these are also available as self-shifters so you can experience an Automatic Dump.
I’ve seen a couple of fire truck variants of Japanese imports in Vancouver over the past few years, this one from last summer being used by a gardening business.
Practicality aside, they certainly stand out as great street advertising.
A lot of those ex-firetrucks have crazy low mileage on them but presumably quite a few hours of idling on the engines. I keep threating to my wife that I am going to import one and convert it into a rugged camper.
I haven’t seen one of those, which I suppose makes sense if it’s not 15 years old yet. That would be a fun little device for light trail use.
The yellow front plate makes it look a bit like it’s chomping on a cigar.
These are totally legal for importing as this generation started in 1999 but the owner just choose not make it street legal because they did not need to. I’ve seen a handful like this on the street but the older ones definitely seem more prevalent.
Handy little dropsider most Japanese factory flat deck pickups are equipped that way plenty of them washup on New Zealand shores though they have to be newer these days for safety.
Just saw my first pick up version of a kei car in NOLA the other day. Amazing how small.
Also, there is a van version floating around town for which I’ve seen on several occasions. First sighting was the upward incline of the Mississippi River bridge…appeared he had the pedal to the metal to keep up with traffic.
Pretty cute but total death traps should you decide to drive one .
These have long (40 + years) been the go-to rig for use in golf courses as turf trucks ~ they’re light enough that they won’t even damage flooded turf .
Technically illegal to register for road use in California, nevertheless there are more than a few left hand drive ex turf trucks now sporting California license tags and being used as run abouts .
I wonder how scary they are on the freeway ? .
-Nate
As I understand it they struggle a bit to maintain speed on the highway. The later, fuel injected ones are likely better in this regard. I bet cross winds make them a bit of a handful as well.
I have a HiJet that I use for plowing my drive in winter, and for traversing the back roads of Northern Minnesota. These can only be registered as Off Road Vehicles in Minnesota, but you can drive them wherever you can drive a side-by-side. I used to have a Ranger, but after 12,000 miles it felt like it was giving up. The HiJet will, by all accounts, if taken care of, last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles, and at a better price than the Ranger. I highly recommend getting one of these. They are very useful, though they will not tear up the trails like other side-by-sides. But it will still get you there.