1996 Daihatsu Hijet

This 1996 Hijet came in with 17,135 miles showing, which is low even by kei truck standards, and it shows in how tight the drivetrain feels. We ran it through our full inspection before it went up for sale, and this one didn't need much - just a clean, honest example of what a well-kept Hijet looks like coming out of Japan.

Daihatsu built the Hijet as a workhorse first, and that reputation is well earned. It's one of the more common kei trucks you'll see running around Japanese farms and small job sites, and parts and mechanical knowledge for the platform are widely available even here in the States. The twin-cam engine in this one gives it a bit more pep off the line than the older single-cam Hijets, which matters when you're loaded down or climbing a grade.

Mechanically this truck is set up right for real work. It's got true 4WD with a Hi/Low transfer case, so you get a low-range gear for creeping through mud, snow, or a steep driveway, plus the 5-speed manual gives you direct control over power delivery instead of hunting through an automatic. The bed is kei-truck small, which is exactly the point - it slips into tight spaces a full-size pickup can't touch, and at this mileage the frame and bed floor are in solid shape, not eaten up by rust the way a lot of higher-mile imports are.

What This Hijet Is Good For

Trucks like this earn their keep on small acreage and around the property, not on the highway. Owners use them for:

• Hauling feed, fencing, and tools around a farm or ranch
• Landscaping and nursery work in tight yards
• Getting supplies back to a hunting camp or cabin
• Utility duty around a campground or RV park
• A low-cost second truck for a small business or job site

If you've been pricing out a new compact truck or a UTV and choking on the number, this is a real alternative - a licensed, road-legal vehicle with 4WD and a manual gearbox for a fraction of the cost. We handle payment by bank transfer and deliver door-to-door anywhere in the country, so you're not driving to a port or figuring out transport on your own. Reach out and we'll walk you through the paperwork and get a delivery window scheduled.