DO NOT BUY A SUBARU SAMBAR BEFORE WATCHING THIS! Or Do, It Literally Makes No Difference
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2023
- Sneaky Link - ohkeigarage.com/
Hey guys! No, this video was not made to argue or bash anyone and their opinions on the Sambar. I just saw an opportunity to make a video since I haven't in awhile and took it! Love for everyone in the kei community! I didn't cover EVERYTHING, but I did just make a few things clear. Hope it helps with something, if not, thanks for watching!
#kei #sambar #keitruck #subaru #subarusambar #truck
![4X4 Adventure in a Sierra Jimny & JDM Kei Truck [OFF ROAD FEATURE FILM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7tfSBS3HyTc/mqdefault.jpg)
From the stand point of weight distribution, having the engine behind the rear axle is a big advantage for traction and handling since these trucks tend to be front heavy. It also makes the most sense for access and ease of maintenance.
Saw that "OTHER" video. Ticking noise sounded like a loud lifter to me but it was 25+ years old. When I was stationed in Japan the highest speed limit I saw was 80kph which is 50 miles per hour. I love your channel and your mellow attitude. Hang in there!
Kevin, thanks for pointing out the higher temperatures of the supercharged motor. Again, I intellectually understood that the motor runs hotter, but would probably not have applied that knowledge to practical situations. I'll definitely be changing the engine oil to synthetic when my Sambar Supercharged is delivered a couple of weeks from now.
I live on the Big Island, so I'm not doing any long distance hauling, The Hilo to Kailua-Kona cross island trip is like 80 miles or so. That's about the only time that I'll be keeping my eye on the temperature gauge.
Other than that, the truck will be used in town, no more than 5 miles a trip. Probably bad for the muffler, but I don't have to worry about engine temperatures.
As far as over-revving the engine is concerned, I hate to say it, but my days of hot-dogging it are long gone. In fact, I have just the opposite problem, I find that I tend to drive 3-5 mph slower now than I did just a few years ago. Definitely an age-related issue.
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Note: For those of you who think old people drive slow because they feel they need more reaction time, you're mistaken. They drive slow because their cognitive functions have physiologically diminished. It's not their physical response time that has slowed down, it's their mental capacity to process information that has slowed down. If you're familiar with sci-fi, think of it as seniors living in a time dilation. Because their thinking processes have slowed down, the world around them seems to speed up. It feels like they are driving the same speed as when they are younger, when in fact they are driving much slower.
And most of you are familiar with this experience, but just haven't considered the reason why. And that experience is Christmas. You remember the feeling of anticipation when you were a child? When waiting for Christmas seemed to last an eternity? And now, years later, the opposite seems true... "What, it's almost Christmas? Where did the time go?" That's because when you're a child, your brain was operating at peak efficiency, it's a sponge soaking up knowledge. You don't realize your brain is slowing down when you get older, because it is such an extremely slow process.
Sorry for digressing. 🙄
Your Sambar content is great Kevin! Thanks for taking us along on all your projects, especially the latest carb rebuild series. Love my '95 KS3; 2WD is a bit lighter, easy to work on, and a comfortable fit for my 6'4" frame and long legs 👍
right on! glad they're helpful :D
Keep up the great content! You definitely helped out when deciding which truck to get.
Sounds like you made the right choice 😆🤙🏻
You are a genuine guy and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge! I love my Sambar!
Appreciate it! 🤙🏻🤙🏻
I ordered a Subaru Domingo a couple weeks ago, I'm super excited
With the supercharged one I'd recommend running no less than 89 octane and limit the supercharger from engaging unless you need it to pass. Feather your foot on the throttle. Also keep your speed at no more than 80-85 kmh. That is the average highway speed limit in Japan. There aren't many highways that are 100 KMH in Japan. You also want to make sure the vehicle is kept in 'peak tune'. This means full tune up, lash check, coolant serviced w/ new T stat and no vacuum leak/s. And if you're giving thought to purchasing one you need to be mechanically inclined. There aren't many shops that will even look at it let alone work on it. As for purchasing...Do not pay more than 10k for one. These are practically given away on lots in Japan. Most do not sell for more than 3-4K tops. So even if you factor the shipping & paperwork it still would not be more than 10K.
Supers local to us are 9 to 14k
wise words!
Why would they need to be mechanically inclined? Do they break down a lot?
I’ve heard that the engines are designed for higher RPMs, so if you just use the truck for grunt work, it seems that the RPMs wouldn’t need to be high.
I’ve never owned a Kei truck but I’d like to have one to get into tighter areas that our Ford Ranger can’t get into.
Also is it possible to weld metal cages to the bed walls so that I can haul more stuff upwards?
Because most shops will not work on them. The ECVT trans ones are more prone to issues. The engine is similar to a motorcycle engine in that it revs high My Supercharged will redline at 7200rpm but I don't venture to take it there. I keep her when on the highway at 80-85KMH which is roughly 4300-4800rpm.@@Doc1855
@@Doc1855I'm not who you are replying too but I think being mechanically inclined would be advantageous because so few places might be willing or able to work on them.
If you arent so inclined I would say Before buying definitely search for any JDM mechanics OR motorcycle mechanics that would be willing to take a crack at it.
Got my 1992 Sambar a year and a half ago and never looked back. Had it imported in great condition, modified it a bit and have driven it all over the place hauling stuff or just cruising. Great rig!
I wish I could trust mine as much as you can yours...lol
@@SpecialKeiz we can get it there ;) Btw I might need to borrow a slide hammer for my rear CV joints this summer.
I'm so excited for you to get your Bravo. I can follow along and get tips on mine.
Can’t wait!
Any hints on when it should be coming in?
I love my Super Duper Charged Sambar. No overheating issues ever with stock exhaust even banging through the gears. Love driving it on paved backcountry roads. Hands down the easiest K-Truck to work on. Mine has A/C and dif lock and only 38k miles on it for a 96. Mahalos for your videos cause they helped me when researching my K Truck purchase 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
"super duper charged" lol, thanks for following along brother!
mahalos?? WTF
hi, nice job! Do you import your Sambars?
Subscribed! Great channel!! Looking to get a Kei van for our business car. And I think the sambar is the way to go…. Like you said there are so many kei vans but having it easy to work on is a big plus!
Do you know if the back seats can lay completely flat and flush with the whole back?
great! thanks for following along! so yes, the sambar seats lat down flat in the back so you get a nice flat surface back there to use. had to fold em all down to fit a big air compressor back there over the weekend so that certainly came in handy!
@@OhKeiGarage cool! what kind of gas mpg does the Sam bar van get?
Saw that vid you're talking about. The Suby checks more of the boxes for me. Wish I could find one that has a diff lock.
My buddy has a dif lock supercharge for sale if really interested!
Howdy, I have a Hijet but plan on switching to a Sambar soon, you say to lift a Sambar, you can increase your 4 coil spring size which I assume provides ground Clarence? Other lift discussions talk about body mount lifting and extending steering shaft, etc, however that is all alot of work. Can u confirm the coil spring lifting?
Cheers, JC
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
I recommend adding some zddp zinc additive to any oil you use. Good stuff for cam bucket wear and high rpm motors.
Great tip!
Good video! I would also like to get a sambar truck but have a question. How far can you change the tire size without lifting the truck?
I run this on mine with no rubbing, wouldn't want to go any bigger.
Raceline Matrix 146B Wheel 14x5.5 4x100, 35MM offset.
Nokian Nordman Solstice Directional 175/65R14
I love my Sambar, too. I've only had it a couple of weeks. Question for you: How often do you change your oil & filter? Every 5K km? Or more or less frequently? Thanks for taking the time to share the content you do. Oh yeah, I ordered a couple of air filters from you already and got them fast. Thanks!
at least every 5k km's. I don't drive them very far so i usually just go a year and change the oil. most synthetic are good for up to a year before changing if you don't hit the mileage. so far so good. i always add some form of additive too. either liqui moly additive or prolong to help keep things lubed if they sit and the oil settles back down. helps from starting dry and ruining bearings.
Great video, is the Clover originally a motorcycle engine primarily like most other Kei trucks, or is it a purpose built light truck engine.
Whu kind of BHP are you turning with the Supercharger and awesome custom exhaust?
Is your Clover fuel injected, I thought I heard you mention you had ported the carbueretor, can't be sure now.
Any other secret sauce to that engine beside a truckload of money?
Thanks gave you a subscribe. Rich 👍
not sure but it was just an engine to meet the 660cc kei class specs. if you get the supercharged version i think they have like 53 hp? pretty snappy! this one just had a good carb cleaning and honestly it made the truck run much quicker since it was getting all the air and fuel it needed like new!
@@OhKeiGarage Daihatsu just confessed to lieing about safety to buyers for 30 years! Toyota has some homework to reestablish faith in the brand...
Seafoam if you really want to corral every last pony, carbs, crankcase, fuel treatment, many different uses. Thanks for feedback. I don't suppose you know where a guy can BUY OEM Superchargers or Turbos for Subaru Kei vehicles by any chance? 🤔
I have a minicab, the seats get a little warm but the cab doesnt get hot. The worst part about working on it is the spark plugs. The worst part about the engine is the clutch fan and halogens, fan needs to be replaced with electric and halogens with LED and it really wakes it up. I never take it above 4k or leave town with it. Some people who buy kei cars and drive them balls to the wall all the time and everywhere are brave lol
Does the supercharged sambars pistons fit the non supercharged model? So that I could turbo it?
Love the poultry cooing in the background, if I fit in anything else I would have gotten a acty but I’m really glad I went with a Sambar. Super easy to work on
you made a wise choice my friend :D
i just got one and drove it home along the highway...after twenty miles i finally got the courage to push it over 60 miles an hour....yes , i willl change the oil as soon as i can....thanks
The reason they blow up is that the farmers usually sell the low mileage ones when they fail their emissions test, so when the engine is about to blow……I repair them here in Japan and have just fixed one Acty by replacing the engine, and a Mitsubishi is coming to me next week with Rodney already knocking on the door……auction houses here are full of them.
Oil changes every 5000km are vital, or after 12 months, the oil stinks of fuel by then and has lost its lubrication.
Beauty man, I live up in maple syrup land. Do you have any connections in Canada where I could get a good quality truck? Or do you recommend bringing it over myself?
Bpro auto in Calgary is good. You can look up auctions in Japan and bid on them online.
The saying is the Sambar is the king of the road! I agree 👍
Hello from Vancouver island 😊
The engine being in the back was one of the reasons I bought it. Had it for 10 years with no issues. Just sold it a few months ago and ya, I miss it.
You can always get another :D
👍🍺
I was under the impression that the Sambar was one of the most desirable Kei trucks do to the fact that they have a little more room inside.
this is true! the cab is a little bigger than the rest. best for taller or bigger guys for sure
It seems like the engine in the rear would be easier to work on, plus it gives the truck more weight in the rear to give the truck more traction.
here in europe we got some fun kei models, like a daihatsu hijet with a 1.3i 4 cil engine with a top speed of 130km/h so 80 mph
we can't have anything fun in the US :/ lol
Technically, there are'nt no more Kei vans. (weight, length)
You'll losing Kei reductions advantages bonus.
You should have way more subscribers. C’mon people!
agreed! lol
need to know where i can source a repair manuel for a tt2 subaru sambar truck? any help in a direction thanks
try amazon? or yokohama motors may have a book on the tt's
The motor looks interesting but it’s leaned over laterally, how does it oil the crank & rod journals?
magic
really awesome video...here in Japan these trucks are revved out ...to the max!...blue smoke blowin out the back...oh ya!! use and abuse,,,hahahaha
7:10 leaf springs...or nothing...bock bock...! HA So funny a friggin chicken roast crosses the screen
You do not want to argue and YOU call me a syrup head, MAPLE SYRUP COUNTRY! DUDE! PLEASE! Well of course we are, also cheese heads. Love them to. Though thinking of the van version myself for a highway driver/camping
get a supercharged one then! they handle the freeways better :)
cool. but what about off road driving? not to rough spots. would the super charge still be a good thing?@@OhKeiGarage
Sambar is love.
❤
Sambar is life.
Would you recommend importing one ? Or buying from a dealer ship or Facebook market.
Hey Jose, I'd recommend importing one if you have time. if you dont have time, find one local. they take a few months to arrive via shipping from Japan. plus you can't see them in person in japan obviously so its always a little gamble. 100% buy local if you find a good price since importing fees and shipping add up pretty quick. i don't really want to say a price average since they vary but lets just say imported a nice Bravo van for around $4000. Sodo modo i think is getting a nice fire sambar truck in around $8k. can not go wrong with a fire vehicle from japan, they are perfect condition every time.
Did you import these Japanese trucks or you bought here in the U.S. ?
If you did, is it hard to import?
i imported and bought local. i made a whole video on the import process :) it was easy, just lots of paperwork and time is all!
On vehicles that have had the carburetor rebuilt, doesn’t it require that the carburetor to be rebuilt about every 10K - 15K miles afterwards?
I know that this is true for every vehicle that I’ve ever owned.
Is it different with the Sambar ?
good question! im sure mot of these sambars have gone their whole life on a un touched carb and by the time it gets here, we pull them apart after 25 years. so i'd say it's good for a long while. keep the air filter changed, fuel filter changed and coolant good and that carb seems pretty bullet proof!
Does the sambar still have front wheel drive, even with a rear mounted engine? I hate rear wheel only drive, it is super dangerous if roads are slick.
the 4WD sambars are RWD but its pretty responsive when you have 4WD activated on the slippery roads. i never got squirely in it. then again it only had 43 hp or something so it was hard to get the back end loose lol
hey i have subaru sambar tt2 mini truck 2004 model 5 speed, the transmission has stop pulling any thought on what is wrong ?
stop pulling? sounds like the clutch went out and needs a new clutch. possibly just slipping unless you get nothing, then i'd say something internally broke.
Was it ether injected to get the supercharged engine to run better? Be careful with that because ether is highly flammable, can spontaneously combust if it gets too hot.
methanol injected. i was having a brain fart
Methanol/H20 injection...aka windshield washer fluid.
After a lot of research, I've settled on the Subaru Sambar probably being the best overall for a mini truck. For a "van", not sure. I'm normally a Honda person.
Sambar truck or van all day!
I'm in the process of buying one but I'm unsure how I would register it in california. do you have any resources or know anyone who has?
honestly, I don't know. i know being from cali its hard to register them there. maybe reach out to Oiwa . co and see if george can help. i think he's in cali and imports them all the time. tell him i sent you
Can you buy good rebuilt engines for this 20+ year old vehicle? How tough wld it be to install? Thx
Yokohama motors had rebuilt engines in Japan. $2500 shipped I think.
O K thanks from old New Orleans 😎
i want one of these. oly wa here bro support from PNW
Get one 🤣🔥🔥🔥
All right... Mount Rainer!
Would you recommend a supercharged one or a regular one?
supercharged is more fun but more expensive so it just depends on the budget. you don't buy a kei truck for speed so if you don't want to spend a ton, get a regular ol sambar, but if you have money, go for the supercharged just so you can say it's supercharged lol. but i just love kei cars, it was never about the horsepower. it was always the size, or lack of size, for me!
Its easy to work on, and i like the suspension, but i don't like how the engine is exposed. That being said, i don't like the leafs sticking out either. They dont make it easy to decide
engines only exposed if you take the cover off though :)
Get a high mileage one. If it's been used, chances are it's been taken care of (because Japan) and they last forever with the easy maintenance you'll be doing anyway. Ex firetrucks are the real gems.
I have one with 230kkm runs great!
ex fire vans or trucks are mint, my honda acty van is a perfect example! cherry!!
Does the Sambar have a Rev limiter to prevent over reving the Engine?
Nope
@@SpecialKeiz damn, thanks
the rev limiter is the stop on the throttle cable lol...
Install a thachometer...
I’ve notice an increase in popularity with Sambars. Honda Acty is definitely still King in the states.
I would not recommend a Sambar automatic before 1999. If you automatic, get the 6th generation.
agreed! the ecvt parts are getting very hard to find now :/
Driving a Sambar has increased my length by two inches and girth by at least one inch. I highly recommend them.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 😳 Sounds like you got one of them radio active sambars lol
🌭
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What are the biggest wheels you’ve gotten on 12” wheels? My Sambar van needs something more than trailer tires 😂
Both Kevin and I have trucks with 15'' wheels.
best route is to upgrade to 13's since there are more options, or ya, go with 14" wheels and you have way more tire options. 12's are rare sizes BUT always check ebay for tires. best deals and super odd ball sizes too. just got some 13" tires for my midget and love em
We’re looking for a Sambar in good condition. We have to have a 4WD with a manual transmission.
Does ANYONE know where we can find one in great condition?
We live in north central Washington state, USA
working on a good one right now! it's for sale!
@@OhKeiGarage What’s the year? How many miles / hours? Was it in good condition when you bought it? Does it have any dings, dents or rust? How’s the upholstery? Is the power train sound?
What things are you doing to it?
Where are you located? How much are you asking? How’s the suspension and tires? Are the CV joints clicking? Is it carburetor or fuel injection?
Does the transmission have a “granny low”? Is it a 4 or 5spd?
I would assume that it’s White with Grey interior.
What is the tire and wheel size? I’d prefer a 13” or 14” wheel. Any suspension upgrades?
Sorry about all the questions but we’re needing a very reliable Sambar.
Does it have a front and rear bumper? Has the front and rear differential grease been replaced, along with the transfer case?
What is your phone number and name?
@@OhKeiGarage Please read and reply. I had a lot of questions about it.
Like most things in life, time is the absolute worst enemy with cars too.
that and lack of attention lol
"Dingleberry" minitrucks or something like that....🤔
my pollito has dingle berries :/
Why haven’t you rebuilt the engines?
lack of parts and space. i need a shop and space dedicated to it, otherwise i would and every part would be modified somehow for allllll the added power haha
I got a hijet, a sambar van is my next kei. Yeah the 25 year law is so dumb. Needs to change.
When you get rear ended your sambar is toast.
that's why i drive backwards all day :D
@@OhKeiGarage so that’s how you cool the engine. 😜
@@SERBIAZ LOL ya, 2 birds with 1 stone, protect the engine and keep it cool all at once!
The oil should be changed every 2K miles or so.
lol i am from the maple syrup country and proud.
had a toyota minivan 80's engine under cab floor. Noisy, hot, a/c almost useless
:( ya that doesn't sound fun at all... i haven't had much issues with my mitsubishis yet, only can complain about working on it... much harder to with no room!
Sambar Life....
Sambar is life 🫂
Whoever’s trying to trash talk the Subaru honestly doesn’t know what they’re talking about, as much as I’m a Honda fanboy and I’ve had loads of civic hatchbacks. I’d rather have the Sanbar!
they just haven't owned a subaru, otherwise they wouldn't talk trash lol
Amsoil is the best oil money can buy.