Meet Raymond from Boston, MA. If you love tiny vehicles, check out his Autozam AZ-1. But first, lets hear about his Kei Truck…
How did you first encounter the Kei truck greatness?
I learned about Kei trucks after buying my Suzuki Cara/Autozam AZ-1. I didn’t really notice them or pay attention to them a few years prior even though I saw them in Japan on a trip.
Tell us your Kei truck story, how did you acquire your badass ride?
I wasn’t really in the market for a truck but could use one. I justified it by it being so small. All I knew was I wanted the round headlight one. Some quick searches got me the older Honda Acty with the 550 motor and then I found that the Suzuki’s had a round headlight too. It worked out since it also had the F6A motor, albeit SOHC compared to my DOHC F6A in the Cara, therefore I could manage to theoretically stock some of the same maintenance parts. Eventually I found one with AC local to me and went to pick it up with a buddy’s trailer.
Any mods or plans? Share the details!
At first, I thought I was going to leave it alone and use it as is. But of course, we can’t do that. I got a new paintjob first. Next I planned that if the motor ever died or I had nothing else to do I would try to swap in the DOHC F6A from a Suzuki Cappuccino. I have no experience doing this, so I have learned a lot along the way. It’s not easy! Although I don’t have much time to work on it… that certainly doesn’t help. I wanted to also convert it to a scissor lift/dump bed, because I knew the bed will have to be lifted.
What do you mainly use your Kei Truck for?
I use my truck to haul stuff or drive around for fun when I don’t need my large vehicle. I also get to use it in the winter since my Cara is stashed away into a cozy temperature-controlled garage once they start salting the roads.
Have any wild Kei Truck tales or fun facts about your ride?
My Carry carried a Cappuccino. Both its shell and most of the parts that were salvaged to sell. It was probably doing stuff a Kei truck might do in Japan in the hands of a guy like me. I have also jumped my truck with an 8ft tall kids slide in the back. Got some small airtime. It kind of hurt so I didn’t think of going back to do it again although now I kind of want to.
Favorite thing about owning a Kei truck?
It’s a fun little thing whilst being super practical at the same time. It is just adorable.
Where can we follow you for your Kei truck action? Tell us your socials!
I have a Youtube channel and Instagram @anythingwheeled and a website that contains an English based knowledgebase of the AZ-1/Cara, for now. Maybe I can expand to other Kei vehicles, but until I am done, that is the primary focus. There is also a shop forthe parts I am making or having made as some parts are discontinued and people need/want them. https://anythingwheeled.com/
