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.
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.