Thanks for this video. Covered all points nicely. Have a '95, and for a my long legs (6'4" + 36" inseam), it works. Knees are still close to the dash but you can drive for an hour or so without a stretch. Wondered where that extra bit of room came from in the Sambar, and I read it's got the least sloped windshield of KEI's, allowing a slightly more upright A-pillar and forward dash. Really fun vehicle!
Thanks so much for the detailed insight. Now I know what to inspect!! The Sanbar is a very good model. Happy to see you are allowed to register in Hawaii. BTW, what model is the black JDM sports car in the background?
Nice review Neighbor!!! I see your cars and you wrenching as i pass your house driving to mine. I'm at the end of Moreell and have the silver 2013 STI. Hope to meet you in person someday soon.
@@GhostSpeedShop I'll walk up to your place around 1700, see if you're still wrenchin outside. I need to work on my car this afternoon also, have a P2088 CEL that I need to troubleshoot. Just too hot outside and I'm not wanting to get any darker. Saw you and your gurl sunning a little while ago as I drove by...too hot for me. I went to Lowe's and bought a 12x12 portable canopy to use today and for future carport wrenchin.
Great video. I’m shopping for a sambar currently. Would love a supercharged model but was quoted over 10k from the importer here in northern NV. You should do a video breaking down the differences in the different generations of importable sambars. You touched on it throughout the video and it’s great info to have when shopping for one!
Love these little trucks, but a dealer told me that they cannot be registered in NY State, and other States have similar views. Thanks for the tips though.
Excellent! Would love to get a hold of the super charged version of the Sambar. Are there any suspension or motor mods/upgrades you can do to these? It would be interesting to see what can be done with one.
I’m looking for a Sambar 4WD in good condition. I want a 4 or 5 spd manual transmission and prefer a rear locking differential. We live in north central Washington state USA and I don’t know where I can go to find one. I’d love to have a tilt (dump) bed, but that’s not a deal breaker.
I think the ones older than 25 years and legally imported with a title are street legal in FL. Unfortunately lost people bring them in improperly and they can’t be titled for on road use.
Thanks for the video! Knowing what to look for helps a lot! You mentioned replacing a motor. Is it a difficult job? Was the engine you installed a new one? Are service manuals available in English?
Service manuals are available in English at Yokohama motors website, along with eBay. I purchased a brand new Subaru engine through the same company. It wasn’t difficult, but then again I work on these trucks frequently and have done a number of engine swaps. These are easy enough, I think you could do it yourself with the right tools!
Most trucks are designed to be hosed out as long as you keep it below the dashboard. I picked up a 1977 f150 sitting nearly 10 years. Just hosed it out. Scrub it them armorall it.
It is possible, for charging you will need a battery isolator, positive cable from the other battery/ alternator and a ground wire. You might also need a battery clamp.
Hi I’m also from hawaii. I’m torn between the Sambar truck or the Suzuki carry truck. Not sure which is easier to get parts for to keep it maintained for longer over the life of the vehicle. Also I want 4wd with atleast a rear locking diff, which would be best? Not sure which is easier to work on as well. Any feed back will help. It will be used as a personal working truck for hauling material loads, cruising, and going on off road adventures on occasions. Having ground clearance and approach and descent angles will help a lot. That rear engine cover looks like it might be a slight hinderance for the Sambar, what are your thoughts? Main thing is ease of maintained, repair, and obtaining parts. Thanks Also how well does that independent rear hold up with weight in the bed compared to the Suzuki leaf spring rear?
I off-roaded an Acty. The Sambar does not have a rear locker. The Subaru will be the easiest to get parts for over the Suzuki. If you are buying on island, the only dealership I would trust is Aaron rideout or Sasha. I’ve had terrible experiences with other dealers, like really terrible experiences.
@@GhostSpeedShop ah I see. I do want rear locking diff tho so probably gonna have to go with a Suzuki carry. Also I have a couple of friends that import, so I’ll be going through them when I’m ready. I already got a Toyota hi ace through them. Appreciate the info my dude 🤙🏻.
My 1994 Subaru Sambar truck has a locking rear differential. 🥰 BTW, the best overall review of the various Kei trucks that I came across was done by Class Winners DotCom, "Which is the Best JDM Kei Truck". Check it out if you're interested in the differences between the Sambar and the Carry.
Great video! I'm very happy to see a well maintained kei truck in Hawaii! I would really like to learn how to import a kei truck and kei van, many cars in good condition are abandoned and thrown away for dismantling🥲thanks for the sweet video!
Funny, You aren't subscribed to the channel, but you used to be. Please don't edit your old comments and use them as advertisement if you aren't even going to support JDM enthusiasts and content creators.
I’ve never heard that before, but if you put too much weight in the front you can bottom out the front springs. I would imagine these could carry 400-500lbs in the cab.
I recently picked one up from JDM Hawaii. They said that it's only the second one that they got in the last two years. 1994 Subaru Sambar Supercharged, just under 40,000 miles, A/C, 4WD, locking differential, 5-spd. manual transmission, radio, very good condition. The only thing wrong with it is that all five tires need replacement soon. While they appear fine at first glance, with plenty of tread left, there are hairline cracks that are visible deep within the grooves of the tread (a sign of aging). Had it not been a supercharged model, I would have expected to pay $9K to $10K out-the-door for a truck in this condition. However, being a supercharged model, I was expecting to pay $13K. I actually paid $15K, a couple of grand more than I wanted to. But I figured, what the hell, and paid the premium for the truck that I truly wanted. At least shipping is free to Hilo! 😁
@@1dash133 I have nothing but bad things to say about that dealership. I hope your experience was better than my last 10 customers who bought something from them. I know for a fact they have brought more than two of those in over the last two years and why the hell wouldn’t they swap the tires at that price? Shipping is “free” because it’s 500.00 from young brothers and you paid 11k more than what that dealership paid for that vehicle at auction. I truly wish you luck.
@@GhostSpeedShop Thanks for your admonition. Confirms my thoughts about the sketchy sales process... asking $3K just to hold the vehicle until I could inspect it and demanding payment of the balance within 5 days when they won't be ready to ship the truck for a couple of weeks. Then there was the mysterious backdating of all the papers, dating all of the sales documents to one day before the actual purchase date. The sales manager fluffed over the explanation of why that was so. I didn't press him on the issue, since it didn't really matter to me. As to swapping the tires, JDM Hawaii wanted to charge me $1200 to change the tires. Moreover, they wanted me to pay the full amount without telling me what brand, model and size tires that they would be using! (Besides being terribly overpriced, it was ridiculous for them to presume that I would accept the price without knowing what I was getting.) Regardless of the poor buying experience, the truck ticks all of my checklist boxes: supercharged, 4WD, A/C, locking rear diff, and 5-spd. Only time will tell how well the truck holds up.
If your looking for a super charger on a sambar, look for a sambar with stock fog lights. You can browse quickly through sambar listing's and if you see a photo of a sambar with stock fog lights, it is most likely a super charger model.
@@GhostSpeedShop Thanks for the info! I love the circle headlights and I only see them on the Mitsubishi and some Sambars. I think I've also seen it on an Acty but seems quite rare.
I would like to get one but I don't think 🤔 that I can afford one but I have seen one and I like to get one but I am a senior and low-income I wish that I could afford it. JOHN E.MAY 😢😢😢😢
Yeah, having this as your only vehicle in the US makes no sense unless you’re somewhere with slower speed limits and everything’s close like in Guam, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.
![Which Is The Best JDM Kei Truck? Sambar? Acty? HiJet? Carry? Minicab? [Collector Car Guru's RANKED!]](/img/n.gif)
Good review dude this exactly what i was looking for, a detailed review of the vehicle thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for this video. Covered all points nicely. Have a '95, and for a my long legs (6'4" + 36" inseam), it works. Knees are still close to the dash but you can drive for an hour or so without a stretch. Wondered where that extra bit of room came from in the Sambar, and I read it's got the least sloped windshield of KEI's, allowing a slightly more upright A-pillar and forward dash. Really fun vehicle!
True !
Thank you for doing this in depth guide I’m definitely going to look at everything you said when I’m looking at different options so thank you 🙂
Go check out the Acty and carry buyers guides I have as well!
I just picked up a '95 Sambar. It's such a good truck to for just about every truck need I have.
Agreed!
Thanks so much for the detailed insight. Now I know what to inspect!! The Sanbar is a very good model. Happy to see you are allowed to register in Hawaii. BTW, what model is the black JDM sports car in the background?
About to pickup a 1990 mint sambar next tuesday... super excited!
Good luck!
I am so happy with my Subaru Sambar 1998 truck.
Nice review Neighbor!!! I see your cars and you wrenching as i pass your house driving to mine. I'm at the end of Moreell and have the silver 2013 STI. Hope to meet you in person someday soon.
I’m moving soon, come down asap brother
@@GhostSpeedShop I'll walk up to your place around 1700, see if you're still wrenchin outside. I need to work on my car this afternoon also, have a P2088 CEL that I need to troubleshoot. Just too hot outside and I'm not wanting to get any darker. Saw you and your gurl sunning a little while ago as I drove by...too hot for me. I went to Lowe's and bought a 12x12 portable canopy to use today and for future carport wrenchin.
Great video. I’m shopping for a sambar currently. Would love a supercharged model but was quoted over 10k from the importer here in northern NV. You should do a video breaking down the differences in the different generations of importable sambars. You touched on it throughout the video and it’s great info to have when shopping for one!
The problem is, I’m in Colorado now and I’ve only seen one since being here! I’d need one to film!
Love these little trucks, but a dealer told me that they cannot be registered in NY State, and other States have similar views. Thanks for the tips though.
By other you mean 2-3 states. They can be registered in most states, to include Montana. Wink wink.
You should be able to register in ny. There is a dealer in goshen Ny that usually handles the paperwork.
Hola una pregunta entre un Honda Acty y un Subaru Sambar del mismo año cuál es mejor uno con 3 cilindros y otro con 4 gracias si me dejas saber
Excellent! Would love to get a hold of the super charged version of the Sambar. Are there any suspension or motor mods/upgrades you can do to these? It would be interesting to see what can be done with one.
GReddy makes suspension mods for them. You can make an intake for them and wirus makes a sweet exhaust for them.
Really useful video. Do you know if there is an easy way to tell whether a model has diff lock？
Check the dash for a switch. They are very rare though.
Great video and very informative
Thank you!
I’m looking for a Sambar 4WD in good condition. I want a 4 or 5 spd manual transmission and prefer a rear locking differential.
We live in north central Washington state USA and I don’t know where I can go to find one. I’d love to have a tilt (dump) bed, but that’s not a deal breaker.
Boiki USA is up near you I believe, they are a bit expensive though.
@@GhostSpeedShop Thank you
Anytime!
Hola amigo cuál es mejor o cuál me recomiendas una honda acty o una Subaru Sambar del mismo año 1991 gracias si me dejas saber
Check out my videos on both. The Acty is my favorite!
Great review! Looking to buy one as daily driver. Looks like mcbh?
Are you located on oahu? So you sell them?
I just ordered mine. Cant wait to open it in 5 months lol
Did you get the van version or the truck version
@@GhostSpeedShop truck. 1998. AC, 4WD, and very clean
@@GhostSpeedShop dude my truck just got here! I am in love with it!
@@packattack1762 where are you located? I’d love to check it out!
@@GhostSpeedShop Oklahoma sir. I saw in the video you had Hawaii plates. Probably too far away 😂
In Florida they are titled as farm just dont go on the hwy. we even have street legal golf carts
I think the ones older than 25 years and legally imported with a title are street legal in FL. Unfortunately lost people bring them in improperly and they can’t be titled for on road use.
wait, so those kei trucks in florida and made for US are LHD?
Made for Disney! I’m not sure on how street legal they are or not!
Thank you for making this video
Thanks for the video! Knowing what to look for helps a lot! You mentioned replacing a motor. Is it a difficult job? Was the engine you installed a new one? Are service manuals available in English?
Service manuals are available in English at Yokohama motors website, along with eBay. I purchased a brand new Subaru engine through the same company. It wasn’t difficult, but then again I work on these trucks frequently and have done a number of engine swaps. These are easy enough, I think you could do it yourself with the right tools!
Thanks! @@GhostSpeedShop
Most trucks are designed to be hosed out as long as you keep it below the dashboard. I picked up a 1977 f150 sitting nearly 10 years. Just hosed it out. Scrub it them armorall it.
Old trucks sure, I wouldn’t hose out a modern truck.
Where is a good forum to join? My son and I want to get one.
Minitrucktalk.org
Can you give us more content for SUBARU SAMBARS? Thanks
What are you looking for specifically?
Is that a ham radio antenna on the FJ ?
CB and Ham
Is it possible to add another battery in that spot and charge both? that would be great for extra on board power. for lights and radio and such.
It is possible, for charging you will need a battery isolator, positive cable from the other battery/ alternator and a ground wire. You might also need a battery clamp.
Hi I’m also from hawaii. I’m torn between the Sambar truck or the Suzuki carry truck. Not sure which is easier to get parts for to keep it maintained for longer over the life of the vehicle. Also I want 4wd with atleast a rear locking diff, which would be best? Not sure which is easier to work on as well. Any feed back will help. It will be used as a personal working truck for hauling material loads, cruising, and going on off road adventures on occasions. Having ground clearance and approach and descent angles will help a lot. That rear engine cover looks like it might be a slight hinderance for the Sambar, what are your thoughts? Main thing is ease of maintained, repair, and obtaining parts. Thanks
Also how well does that independent rear hold up with weight in the bed compared to the Suzuki leaf spring rear?
I off-roaded an Acty. The Sambar does not have a rear locker. The Subaru will be the easiest to get parts for over the Suzuki.
If you are buying on island, the only dealership I would trust is Aaron rideout or Sasha. I’ve had terrible experiences with other dealers, like really terrible experiences.
@@GhostSpeedShop ah I see. I do want rear locking diff tho so probably gonna have to go with a Suzuki carry. Also I have a couple of friends that import, so I’ll be going through them when I’m ready. I already got a Toyota hi ace through them. Appreciate the info my dude 🤙🏻.
Of course brother!
My 1994 Subaru Sambar truck has a locking rear differential. 🥰
BTW, the best overall review of the various Kei trucks that I came across was done by Class Winners DotCom, "Which is the Best JDM Kei Truck". Check it out if you're interested in the differences between the Sambar and the Carry.
I have a 91 Sambar with the locking dif switch on the dash .
The Sambar is known as the Porsche of farm roads in Japan.
That’s funny 😄
Great video! I'm very happy to see a well maintained kei truck in Hawaii!
I would really like to learn how to import a kei truck and kei van, many cars in good condition are abandoned and thrown away for dismantling🥲thanks for the sweet video!
They aren’t too hard to import!
Can i get anew brand it is what costs
Brand new ones can be ordered from Japan.
This looks like a blast to drive
They are an absolute riot. Like a street legal go-cart
That looks cool I want to get one and thanks now I now get the Subaru sambar because you know i’m tall
Smart man
Nice FJ in the background!
You know it!
Do sambars have a dump modal😊
They sure do!
They used to sale new kei in Hawaii
40 years ago
Where? Because there’s certainly none left from that time.
Really great presentation. Thank you
Why did you put new engine?
Old engine was oil starved.
Ok subscribing and like for your channel , we have also over 200 rhd jdm vehicles inventory in Shoreline Washington
You guys recently unsubscribed from my channel, now editing your comment for advertisement?
Funny, You aren't subscribed to the channel, but you used to be. Please don't edit your old comments and use them as advertisement if you aren't even going to support JDM enthusiasts and content creators.
is it true that for driver and passenger [between them] they cannot weigh more than 350lbs? in order to ride in these mini trucks?
I’ve never heard that before, but if you put too much weight in the front you can bottom out the front springs. I would imagine these could carry 400-500lbs in the cab.
Nice! What year is this one?
I believe a 94
With the engine in the rear how can you put a receiver hitch on this truck?
The hitches bolt to the side of the frame. Most likely people don’t tow with the Sambar though.
Can you provide the Full Wheel specs?
15x6.5 Bronze Wheels AVID1 AV08 4x100 35
I believe there is a seller on eBay who sells them new
Any spacers?
How rare are the fuel injected supercharged ones? Do you got to have deep pockets for those?
Not too rare but they feel quicker. Expect to pay atleast a couple grand more for one.
I recently picked one up from JDM Hawaii. They said that it's only the second one that they got in the last two years. 1994 Subaru Sambar Supercharged, just under 40,000 miles, A/C, 4WD, locking differential, 5-spd. manual transmission, radio, very good condition. The only thing wrong with it is that all five tires need replacement soon. While they appear fine at first glance, with plenty of tread left, there are hairline cracks that are visible deep within the grooves of the tread (a sign of aging).
Had it not been a supercharged model, I would have expected to pay $9K to $10K out-the-door for a truck in this condition. However, being a supercharged model, I was expecting to pay $13K. I actually paid $15K, a couple of grand more than I wanted to. But I figured, what the hell, and paid the premium for the truck that I truly wanted. At least shipping is free to Hilo! 😁
@@1dash133 I have nothing but bad things to say about that dealership. I hope your experience was better than my last 10 customers who bought something from them. I know for a fact they have brought more than two of those in over the last two years and why the hell wouldn’t they swap the tires at that price? Shipping is “free” because it’s 500.00 from young brothers and you paid 11k more than what that dealership paid for that vehicle at auction. I truly wish you luck.
@@GhostSpeedShop Thanks for your admonition.
Confirms my thoughts about the sketchy sales process... asking $3K just to hold the vehicle until I could inspect it and demanding payment of the balance within 5 days when they won't be ready to ship the truck for a couple of weeks.
Then there was the mysterious backdating of all the papers, dating all of the sales documents to one day before the actual purchase date. The sales manager fluffed over the explanation of why that was so. I didn't press him on the issue, since it didn't really matter to me.
As to swapping the tires, JDM Hawaii wanted to charge me $1200 to change the tires. Moreover, they wanted me to pay the full amount without telling me what brand, model and size tires that they would be using! (Besides being terribly overpriced, it was ridiculous for them to presume that I would accept the price without knowing what I was getting.)
Regardless of the poor buying experience, the truck ticks all of my checklist boxes: supercharged, 4WD, A/C, locking rear diff, and 5-spd. Only time will tell how well the truck holds up.
If your looking for a super charger on a sambar, look for a sambar with stock fog lights. You can browse quickly through sambar listing's and if you see a photo of a sambar with stock fog lights, it is most likely a super charger model.
Which years come with the circle headlights?
Pre 1992
@@GhostSpeedShop Thanks for the info! I love the circle headlights and I only see them on the Mitsubishi and some Sambars. I think I've also seen it on an Acty but seems quite rare.
@@thoopra the actys had them up until model year 1989
Do you sell sandbars 😊
I do not! Sorry!
What's the offset on the wheels?
35 I believe or 20
Wheels specs are on another comment
@@GhostSpeedShop yeah, figured after I scrolled down
Good info, thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Hi, do you know where exactly the engine number is located?
Side of the block.
Imagine that a gasket leak on a Subaru!😂
Is your "Maverick..."handle related to people mistaking you for Tom Cruise. LOL ?
As a teenager yes
VERY well presented vidoeo !
Thanks
Because the new ones have airbags😊
Isn't it a pain to drive a right hand drive vehicle in America?
Not at all!
Ask your mail person!
You see newer Sambars on Native American reservations too.
カッコいい！😊
Very cool
Wheel specs
For which set specifically
OH MY GOD YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!!!
LOL thanks I think?
I would like to get one but I don't think 🤔 that I can afford one but I have seen one and I like to get one but I am a senior and low-income I wish that I could afford it. JOHN E.MAY 😢😢😢😢
❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you
KEI TRAK良いですね🇯🇵
Sick shirt
Thanks!
Its very cartoonish. Yes you remember right. About 55 years ago there was a CARtoon magazine focused in cars
JAロゴが眩しい！
Am from Uganda
Putting rims on these things looks ridiculous.
とても綺麗なサンバーですね！私もサンバーに乗っています！スーパーチャージャーですか？大切にしてあげてください。翻訳されますかね？
It does translate. This one does not have a supercharger.
Viewer complimented your very clean, well taken care of Sanbar. Viewer also drives a Sanbar. Enjoy!!
Do not buy this as you're only vehicle.
Yeah, having this as your only vehicle in the US makes no sense unless you’re somewhere with slower speed limits and everything’s close like in Guam, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.
I got 4. But it’s a good city truck?!
92 Sambar is my only car, daily drive in Seattle. Totally fine.
thx4sharing urWisdom 🤟subedU2lookin4 Hawaiian sambar2 4x4