Mini Truck 4WD ExplainedPart-time and Real Time 4WD, 2H/4H/4L, the diff lock, the axle lock and extra low gear
Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, Honda Acty, Subaru Sambar and Mitsubishi Minicab. 2H/4H/4L selection, diff lock, axle lock, the sub-transmission and extra low, and engine codes — the specs worth understanding before you buy, explained with diagrams.
New to kei trucks? Kei Truck Buying Guide →
Choosing a 4WD Kei Truck: Diff Lock, Axle Lock and Extra Low
What you need on rough ground comes in three layers: (1) getting drive to all four wheels, (2) stopping one wheel from spinning, (3) being able to crawl at walking pace. You notice each one only when it is missing. The full mechanism and model-by-model shift procedures are on the specs page.
L1 · 4WD (2H, 4H, 4L)
Sends drive to front and rear. Part-time 4WD you engage yourself; on-demand 4WD (Honda calls it Real Time 4WD) sends torque forward automatically when the rear slips. On part-time 4WD, 2H is 2WD for normal driving, 4H is locked 4WD for normal driving, and 4L is locked 4WD in low range for slow work — also called extra low or crawler gear.
L2 · Diff lock
Locks left and right wheels together so you can drive out when one wheel lifts or spins. With an open differential, torque escapes to the spinning wheel and the truck stays put.
L3 · Extra low (crawler gear)
The sub-transmission’s ultra-low ratio. Walking-pace control in paddies, orchards, on steep ground and when towing. Each maker calls it something different.
Kei truck spec terminology guide | Diff Lock, Axle Lock and 4WD Hi/Lo — what is the difference?
Kei truck rough-terrain equipment is confusing if you try to learn each item separately. In reality there are only three layers, and they line up in the order of what you run short of next once you are stuck in mud. Understand them in that order and you will not pick the wrong truck. Note that part-time 4WD has no centre differential, so on pavement you drive in 2WD (2H) as a matter of course.
Why three layers — each shortfall appears in turn
What is in each of the three layers
How many wheels push
Increase the number of driven wheels
Stop torque escaping to the slipping side
Lock the left and right wheels together
How hard the wheels push
Drop the gearing to increase torque
The three multiply together. Even in 4WD (L1), a spinning wheel means you need the diff lock (L3); and even with the diff lock engaged, a steep climb can run out of torque and need the extra low gear (L2). Only with all three does a truck earn the name farm spec.
Where each term sits in the driveline
Drivetrain layout FR / MR / RR | Engine position changes off-road ability
Drivetrain: 2WD, 4WD and layout
Like most vehicles, these kei trucks come in 2WD and 4WD. 4WD is popular with anyone who regularly drives unpaved roads, and 4x4 mini trucks are favoured for farm and off-road work. Note that every 2WD kei truck is rear-wheel drive (FR/MR/RR). The differences between FR, MR and RR are illustrated below, along with 4WD selection (2H / 4H / 4L) and axle lock, what a diff lock does, all explained with diagrams.
Carry
Hijet
Acty
Sambar
Every 2WD kei truck is rear-wheel drive. What differs is where the engine sits, which decides how much weight presses on the driven wheels — and that decides which terrain each one is good at.
FR (cab-over) | Carry, Hijet, Minicab
The engine sits forward, so with an empty bed the rear (driven) wheels are light. Load it and it settles immediately, which makes it a good match for jobs where you drive loaded. The flat area under the bed also suits conversions.
Good atMR (mid-engine) | Honda Acty
The engine sits between the axles, so the front-rear balance holds up whether the bed is empty or loaded. Its low-speed behaviour is honest, which makes it strong at crawling between rows of crops and trees.
Good atRR (rear-engine) | Subaru Sambar
Because the engine weight sits directly over the driven wheels, the rear tyres keep grip even with an empty bed. That makes it strong pulling away on soft and low-grip surfaces. Rear-engined vehicles are often assumed to turn tightly, but the Sambar’s turning circle is on the large side for the class — the Carry and Minicab turn tighter.
Good at4WD selection: 2H / 4H / 4L and axle lock
Kei truck 4WD comes in two families. Suzuki, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi and Subaru (manual cars) use part-time 4WD (you select it yourself). Honda and Subaru (automatics) use on-demand 4WD — Honda calls it Real Time 4WD — which engages automatically when the rear slips.
The difference between 2H, 4H and 4L
By terrain: which mode to use
Gravel road — 2H / 4H
Dry, compacted gravel is fine in 2H. Switch to 4H for loose gravel or an uphill grade.
Snow — 4H
Keep moving in 4H on packed and fresh snow. If you bog down in deep snow, use 4L plus the diff lock.
Mountain & forest track — 4H then 4L
4H on the flat sections, drop to 4L for steep grades and rocky ground.
Sand & beach — 4H
You sink if you stop, so keep a steady pace in 4H rather than slowing too much.
Rice paddy — 4L
A job for low-speed grunt. Assume you will use the diff lock with it.
Swamp & mangrove — 4L
Ground that swallows the suspension. Maximum torque, steady speed, straight through.
Soft farmland — 4H / 4L
Freshly tilled ground needs 4L. A compacted field track is fine in 4H.
Towing — 4L
You need torque to pull away. An extra low gear makes it easier still.
4WD features by maker and model code
Click a model code to jump to the matching entry on the spec page; click a model name to go to the stock listing.
| Model | Model code / production | 4WD system | How you select it | Low range (L2) | Diff lock (L3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Acty | HA3/HA4 1990–1999 HA6/HA7 1999–2009 | Real Time 4WD viscous, automatic | no operation needed | Ultra Low + Ultra Reverse(ATTACK) | Diff Lock is standard on ATTACK only; not offered on other grades |
| Subaru Sambar | KS3/KS4 until 1999 TT1/TT2 1999–2012 | MT = Part-time 4WD AT = viscous 4WD | MT: lever / switch | Extra Low 5MT available | Fitted on some grades and years. Reduced on later models — check the individual vehicle |
| Suzuki Carry | DC51T/DD51T 1991–1999 DA52T/DB52T 1999–2002 | Part-time 4WD | Cabin lever 2H / 4H / 4L | Nohan grade gets a sub-transmission | Nohan grade gets a Diff Lock. 4WD and 5MT only |
| Daihatsu Hijet | S100P/S110P until 1999 S200P/S210P 1999–2004 | Part-time 4WD | Cabin lever | Noyo Special grade gets Extra Low (sub-transmission) | Noyo Special grade gets Super Diff Lock |
| Mitsubishi Minicab | U41T/U42T 1991–1999 U61T/U62T 1999– | Part-time 4WD 2WD to 4H even on the move | Switch + lever | 5MT 4WD models get a sub-transmission as standard | Diff Lock not offered. Mechanical LSD was an option |
Grade names and equipment change with the year and the market. Before listing a vehicle, confirm the shift pattern on the knob, whether a sub-transmission lever is present, and whether there is a diff lock switch — with photographs.
Drives in 2WD normally, and you select 4WD with a lever or switch when you need it. Used by the Carry, Hijet, Minicab and the manual Sambar. Turning tightly on dry pavement while still in 4WD leaves the front-rear speed difference nowhere to go and causes tight corner braking, so return to 2H on pavement.
The moment the rear wheels slip, a viscous coupling sends torque to the front automatically. Used by the Honda Acty. No operation is needed and it is fine on pavement, but because there is no selector lever there is no sense of having engaged 4WD.
The mechanism that connects the front hubs to the driveline. Some vehicles in US circulation operate it with a button in the cab, and on those trucks selecting 4H without pressing that button leaves you in 2WD (in 4L it engages automatically). Japanese catalogues rarely treat it as a separate term — it is effectively part of 4WD selection.
Turning tightly on dry pavement while still in part-time 4WD leaves the front-rear speed difference nowhere to go, and the truck feels as if the brakes are dragging. It is not a fault, but doing it repeatedly damages the driveline. Almost every inquiry that says the truck binds up in 4WD is this.
Yoshisuke MayumiFormer Editor-in-Chief,
Carsensor
Mayumi's POINT
Among kei trucks from around 2000, the Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, Mitsubishi Minicab and the manual Subaru Sambar used part-time 4WD, where the driver switches between 2WD and 4WD when needed. The Honda Acty instead used standby (on-demand) 4WD with a viscous coupling, which Honda calls Real Time 4WD, and the automatic Sambar used a similar system.
For easy everyday use, including snow and paved roads, the Acty or an automatic Sambar — nothing to operate — is the simpler choice. For serious off-road work in fields, mud or on steep slopes, a part-time system that lets you lock the truck into 4WD has the advantage. The Carry Nohan and the Hijet Noyo Special in particular carry a diff lock and a sub-transmission with an extra-low crawler gear, which makes them strong choices if off-road ability comes first.
The Sambar's strength is the weight its rear-engine (RR) layout puts over the rear wheels, which finds traction even with an empty bed. For off-road use, the manual with selectable 2WD/4WD suits it better than the automatic with the viscous system. The Minicab also has part-time 4WD and a sub-transmission, but it was mostly offered with an LSD rather than a diff lock, so if getting unstuck is your top priority it is a step behind the Carry and Hijet.
In other words, not every mini truck 4WD is the same. Check three things: (1) can you lock it into 4WD yourself, (2) does it have a diff lock, and (3) does it have an extra-low gear.
What the controls look like
Before the procedures below, it helps to know what you are looking for in the photographs of a listing. These four controls are what separate a plain 4WD truck from one that can actually work difficult ground.
System 1: a second lever
System 2: switch + sub lever
The low-range gate
The diff lock control
How to engage 2H, 4H and 4L | Shift operation by maker and model
With kei truck 4WD, the control you use depends on the maker. There are three systems: one lever that does everything, a dash switch plus a separate sub-transmission lever, and no selection at all. Start by working out which one your truck has.
First, identify which system you have
Suzuki Carry | operating the single transfer lever
Engaging 2H → 4H
1. Operate it stopped, or while driving at about 80 km/h or less.
② Do not press the red button — move the lever from 2H to 4H.
3. If the 4WD indicator does not light, drive forward or back a short distance and it will engage.
Engaging 4H → 4L
① always stop the vehicle.
2. Put the main lever in neutral and press the clutch pedal.
③ While holding the red button, move the lever through N into 4L.
4. If it is stiff and will not go in, roll the vehicle a few tens of centimetres and try again.
Disengaging (4L → 2H)
1. Stop and go back 4L → N → 4H.
2. Once you are on dry pavement, always return all the way 4H → 2H.
3. Turning tightly on pavement while still in 4WD causes tight corner braking.
If the lever will not move at all, do not force it — suspect a seized or corroded cable. It is a common problem on vehicles left in 2H for years.
Daihatsu Hijet | operating the 4WD switch and sub-transmission lever
Engaging 2WD → 4H
1. Press the 4WD switch on the dash (you can do it on the move below the specified speed).
2. Check that the indicator lights.
③ It may not engage before the engine is warm. When cold, let the engine warm up first.
Engaging 4H → 4L
1. Stop and press the clutch pedal.
2. Move the Sub-transmission lever beside the handbrake (passenger side) H → N → L.
③ N is neutral and the vehicle will not move. Make sure it goes all the way into L.
4. If it resists, keep the vehicle stopped and press the clutch again.
Using the Super Diff Lock
① low speed, going straight, switch the Diff Lock on.
2. Once you are out of the spot where you were stuck, switch it off immediately.
3. Turning a corner with it engaged is dangerous.
Mitsubishi Minicab / Subaru Sambar / Honda Acty
Mitsubishi Minicab switch type
· 4WD switch for 2WD to 4H. You can switch on the move below about 80 km/h.
· 5MT 4WD models use the Sub-transmission lever for the low range (stopped, with the clutch pressed).
· No diff lock is offered. On vehicles fitted with a mechanical LSD it works constantly with no operation.
Subaru Sambar button on knob
· On MT models, press the 4WD button on top of the shift knob to switch 2WD / 4WD. Each press toggles it; confirm with the indicator.
· Extra Low 5MT models use the EL position in the shift pattern (stopped, with the clutch pressed).
· AT models are viscous type and need no operation.
Honda Acty no operation
· Real Time 4WD, so there is no selector lever or switch. Torque goes to the front automatically when the rear slips.
· The ATTACK grade has a diff lock switch: on at low speed going straight, off as soon as you are out.
· Ultra Low / Ultra Reverse use a dedicated gate on the main lever (stopped, with the clutch pressed).
Can you select 2L (2WD low)?
The short answer: it depends on the truck.
The lever has only four positions, 2H, 4H, N and 4L, and by design selecting the reduction gearing always brings 4WD with it. When you want low gearing off-road, you use 4L.
Leave the 4WD switch off and move the sub-transmission lever to L, and you get a 2L state: rear-wheel drive with only the reduction gearing engaged. However all that torque goes to the rear wheels alone, so they spin easily, which is why 4L is the default in mud, snow and sand. 2L suits creeping up a paved slope or starting a heavy tow where grip is assured, and little else.
Sub-transmission layouts differ by year and grade. On the actual vehicle, always confirm the knob markings and the owner's manual.
Rules that apply to all three systems
① 4L (reduction gearing) requires a full stop. It will not engage on the move.
② Disengage 4WD on dry pavement. Turning tightly while engaged damages the driveline.
③ The diff lock is only for escaping in a straight line. Disengage it as soon as you are out.
4. If a lever or switch will not engage, do not force it. Try, in order: warm the engine, roll the vehicle slightly, press the clutch again. If it still will not go in, suspect a faulty cable or switch.
What is a diff lock? | What actually happens when one wheel spins
There are situations where even 4WD will not move you. The cause is that a differential sends torque to whichever side has less resistance — and a diff lock is what stops that.
Open diff versus diff lock
In practice: what is happening in a swamp or on snow
Look closely at a vehicle stuck in a swamp or on snow and you will often see that one tyre is spinning while the other is not moving at all. If that vehicle had a diff lock, turning one tyre would turn the other as well, and it could drive out far more easily. This is where it earns its keep in rice paddies and on snow.
That said, if both tyres spin, nothing will move it, so you may need to slide a traction board under one side. Also, a 4WD with the diff lock engaged becomes hard to steer through corners, so keep that in mind.
A diff lock is equipment for escaping in a straight line
Use it to drive straight out of mud or snow, and disengage it as soon as you are out. Leaving it engaged through corners on pavement or snow makes the truck hard to steer and is dangerous.
Terrain where a diff lock works
Rice paddy
The classic case of one wheel dropping into mud. This is what it is for.
Snow and deep snow
Getting out when one wheel has dropped into a rut. Straight line only.
Swamp & mangrove
If both wheels sink, assume you will also need boards or mats.
Soft farmland
Freshly tilled fields, where one wheel sinking happens constantly.
Rocky mountain tracks
One wheel lifted on a rock. Low gear plus diff lock gets you over it.
Beach
Both wheels tend to spin together, so the effect is limited. Keeping momentum matters more.
Gravel roads
Not normally needed. Only when you drop into a rut.
Rough hunting tracks
A wheel lifts crossing fallen trees and ditches. Useful for getting free.
Models and codes fitted with a diff lock
Click a model code to go to the stock listing for that code.
| Model | Grade name | Model code (to stock) | Name / specification | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Acty | ATTACK | HA4 HA7 | Diff lock (standard, ATTACK only) | 4WD and 5MT only. Not offered on other grades |
| Subaru Sambar | Einou / JA farm versions and others | KS4 TT2 | Diff lock (varies by year and grade) | Reduced on later models. Check each vehicle |
| Suzuki Carry | Nohan | DD51T DB52T | Diff lock + sub-transmission | 4WD and 5MT only. Often without air conditioning |
| Daihatsu Hijet | Noyo Special | S110P S210P | Super Diff Lock + Extra Low | 4WD and 5MT only. Four-leaf rear springs |
| Mitsubishi Minicab | ― | U42T U62T | No diff lock / mechanical LSD offered as an option | 5MT 4WD. Whether the LSD is fitted varies by vehicle |
How to tell whether a vehicle has a diff lock
On a vehicle whose grade badging is gone, or one rebodied before export, the catalogue alone will not tell you. Three places on the vehicle, plus the paperwork, will give you a definite answer.
Switch and warning lamp around the driver's seat
Look on the dash, beside the shifter and around the handbrake for a switch or small lever marked DIFF LOCK. Some models have an indicator lamp in the instrument cluster that flashes briefly when the ignition is switched on. A vehicle with only a blanking cap where the switch would be does not have it.
Grade badging on the body
The Hijet carries Noyo Special or Super Diff Lock badging, the Carry carries Nohan, and the Acty carries ATTACK — as stickers or emblems on the bed sides and tailgate. Repainting or rebodying can remove them, so treat this as an indicator rather than proof.
The actuator at the rear diff
This is the most reliable visual check. Look under the vehicle: if the differential housing in the middle of the rear axle carries an actuator (a cylindrical diaphragm or a cable attachment point) with a hose or cable running forward along the vehicle, it has a diff lock. If there is nothing there, it does not.
Drivetrain and transmission prerequisites
On kei trucks the diff lock is fitted only to 4WD 5MT vehicles. If a 2WD or automatic vehicle is listed as having a diff lock, it is most likely a listing error or a retrofit, so always check the vehicle itself. Confirm the drivetrain and model code on the registration document as well (model table).
To be certain: a function test (only with proper equipment)
Jack up both rear wheels and support them safely, then with the engine off, the gearbox in neutral and the front wheels chocked, turn one rear wheel by hand. With the diff lock off, the other wheel turns the opposite way; ON, both turn the same way together. That gives you a definite answer. Never do this supported on a jack alone, or with only one wheel off the ground.
Diff lock versus LSD
| Diff Lock | LSD (Limited Slip Differential) | |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Connects left and right directly, making the speed difference zero | Limits the speed difference (it never fully locks) |
| Operation | The driver switches it on and off | Always automatic. No operation |
| Good at | Escaping when one wheel is fully spinning or lifted | Damping gradual slip while driving |
| Watch for | Steering gets heavy. Always disengage on pavement and at speed | The effect is gentle; do not expect full escape ability |
Sub-transmission and Extra Low (crawler gear) | How walking-pace driving works
4L, Extra Low and Ultra Low are different names for the same aim: a gear lower than 1st that produces torque at walking pace. What differs is where the mechanism sits — and there are two patterns.
The two low-gear systems
Crawler gear / granny gear / Extra Low — the names and how they are used
US buyers call the same equipment by several names. Extra Low is the official catalogue name used by Suzuki, Daihatsu and Subaru for a gear with a ratio lower than 1st, or for the low range of a sub-transmission. Honda calls the same function Ultra Low, combined with Ultra Reverse, which adds an ultra-low ratio in reverse as well.
By contrast, crawler gear and granny gear are long-standing informal terms from the US truck and farm-machinery world. Crawler suggests a gear you crawl along in; granny suggests a gear slow enough for anyone to manage. Neither is a manufacturer name — they are what users say. Because they are established terms for 1st gear in a four-speed pickup or the ultra-low range on a tractor, US farmers and ranchers shopping for a kei truck will ask: does it have a crawler gear?
Mechanically all three serve the same purpose: produce large torque without raising engine revs, and hold walking pace without slipping the clutch. So on an English page the safest practice is to write Extra Low (crawler / granny gear), which also reads well for search. Note that 4L (4WD Low) is a range change at the transfer case and is strictly a different mechanism. Some vehicles have both, so in a listing describe clearly which one is fitted.
Real-world uses in the USA
Harvesting in orchards and vineyards
Move between trees at walking pace while workers load the bed. No need to ride the clutch.
Feeding on a ranch
Rolling across pasture at a steady low speed while feed goes out from the bed.
Towing a trailer while hunting
The pull-away torque to drag an ATV or boat trailer off unpaved ground.
Climbing steep slopes
Keep climbing without stopping. It prevents stalling and a burnt clutch.
Crossing paddies and mud
Torque without opening the throttle, so the wheels are less likely to spin.
Seeding and spreading in fields
Any job that needs a constant low speed.
Kei truck engines | 3-cylinder, 4-cylinder, SOHC and DOHC
In 1990 the kei class grew from 550 cc to 660 cc. Almost every 25-year-eligible generation is 660 cc, and what separates them is the number of cylinders and the number of camshafts. Details for each code are on the kei truck engine code page.
One camshaft above the cylinder head, pushing both the intake and exhaust valves. Simple, with few parts, easy to service and cheap to re-belt. It is easy to tune for low and mid-range torque, which suits a working vehicle like a kei truck. Most kei trucks use SOHC, including the F6A, E07A, EN07, 3G83, EF-SE.
Two camshafts, one for intake and one for exhaust. The valves are pushed in line, so they follow reliably to high revs and breathing improves. Even at the same 660 cc it pulls further up the rev range, which helps on loaded climbs and long hills. The extra complexity makes servicing a little dearer. On kei trucks it appears on higher grades and later models, including the K6A, EF-VE, EF-GS. Twin cam 12-valve means exactly this: a DOHC 3-cylinder with four valves per cylinder.
How to read twin cam 12-valve
3 cylinders x 4 valves each (2 intake, 2 exhaust) = 12 valves. Twin cam = DOHC. So twin cam 12-valve means a DOHC 3-cylinder with four valves per cylinder.
A common misconception: 12-valve does not mean DOHC
Honda's E07A is SOHC with 12 valves (one cam pushing four valves per cylinder). Writing DOHC in a listing because you saw 12-valve is an error, so always confirm by engine code.
How to tell whether an engine is twin cam (DOHC)
Used kei trucks mix SOHC and DOHC within the same body code. Work through these checks in order and you will know for certain.
| Check | Where to look | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Registration document the most reliable | the Engine Model field | DOHC = K6A / EF-VE / EF-GS SOHC = F6A / E07A / E07Z / EN07 / EF-SE / EF-NS / 3G83 |
| 2. Cam cover markings | the cover on top of the engine | Cast lettering or a plate reading TWIN CAM, DOHC, 16 VALVE or 12 VALVE suggests DOHC. But some DOHC engines carry no marking at all |
| 3. Where the spark plugs enter | the routing of the plug leads or coils | SOHC = the plug enters at an angle from the side of the head (the lead is visible from the side) DOHC = it drops straight down into a deep hole in the middle of the cover |
| 4. The shape of the cam cover | look at the cover from directly above and from the side | DOHC covers two camshafts, so it is wider with two humps on top. SOHC is narrower with a single hump |
| 5. Stamping on the engine block | the stamp on the side of the block | Confirm it matches the registration document. On an engine-swapped vehicle the paperwork and the hardware can disagree |
A note when writing listings
Do not call an engine DOHC on the strength of a TWIN CAM marking alone. The marking is sometimes omitted depending on year and grade, and conversely 12-valve markings also appear on SOHC engines (the Honda E07A among them). Always use the engine code on the registration document as your primary source, and back it up with photographs.
Which engine suits which situation
Rice paddies and soft farmland — 3-cylinder SOHC
It pulls at low revs, so you do not have to open the throttle and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Swamp and mangrove — 3-cylinder SOHC + 4L
A combination that keeps producing torque without raising revs.
Mountain climbs — 3-cylinder DOHC
Where you rev it out. Less likely to run out of breath on a loaded climb.
Snow — 4-cylinder (EN07)
Little vibration and smooth torque delivery make fine throttle control easier.
Sand and beach — 4-cylinder (EN07)
Easy to hold a steady speed. It works well with the RR layout.
Steep climbs and towing — forced induction
F6A turbo, EN07Y supercharger and similar. There is margin from low revs.
Gravel and ordinary roads — anything works
There is little to choose between them here. Buy on condition and price.
Cold-climate starting — EFI (fuel injection)
More reliable cold starting than a carburettor. Carburettor cars are easier to service yourself locally.
Kei truck engine codes before 2002
Click an engine code to jump to its entry on the engine code page.
| Engine Codes | Maker | Configuration | Fitted to (body code) | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E07A | Honda | inline-3 SOHC 12-valve, NA | Acty Truck HA3 HA4 HA6 HA7 | approx. 1990-2000 |
| E07Z | Honda | inline-3 SOHC, NA (successor to the E07A) | Acty Truck HA6 HA7 late models | Dec 2000 onwards |
| EN07C / EN07F | Subaru | inline-4 SOHC 8-valve, NA | Sambar Truck KS3 KS4 TT1 TT2 | 1990–2012 |
| EN07Y | Subaru | inline-4 SOHC, supercharged | Sambar Truck TT1 TT2 | 1999 onwards |
| F5A | Suzuki | inline-3 SOHC, 550 cc | Carry (older 550 cc-class generations) | up to 1990 |
| F6A | Suzuki | inline-3 SOHC 12-valve, NA / turbo | Carry DC51T DD51T DA52T DB52T | 1990–2001 |
| K6A | Suzuki | inline-3 DOHC 12-valve, all-aluminium | Carry DA62T onwards | Sep 2001 onwards |
| EF-CS / EF-ES | Daihatsu | inline-3 SOHC 6-valve | Hijet S82P S83P | 1990–1994 |
| EF-NS | Daihatsu | inline-3 SOHC 6-valve | Hijet S100P S110P | 1994 onwards |
| EF-GS | Daihatsu | inline-3 DOHC 12-valve | Hijet S100P S110P | 1996–1999 |
| EF-SE | Daihatsu | inline-3 SOHC 12-valve, EFI | Hijet S200P S210P | 1999 onwards |
| EF-VE | Daihatsu | inline-3 DOHC 12-valve | Hijet S200P S210P | 1999 onwards |
| 3G83 | Mitsubishi | inline-3 SOHC, NA | Minicab U41T U42T U61T U62T | 1991 onwards |
Valve count and forced induction can differ within the same code depending on grade and year. Confirm each vehicle by its registration document and the code stamped in the engine bay. Output figures vary so widely by specification that they are omitted here.
Kei truck spec terminology, English and Japanese
For consistent wording in listings, ads and replies to inquiries. The left column is what is actually used in the US market.
| English (US usage) | Layer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time 4WD | L1 | Manual selection. Return to 2WD on pavement |
| Real Time 4WD / On-demand AWD | L1 | Honda. Viscous type, automatic |
| Axle Lock | L1 | A term used for vehicles in US circulation, not a Japanese catalogue term |
| 4H / 4L | L2 | Same number of driven wheels. The difference is gear ratio |
| Extra Low / Crawler gear / Granny gear | L2 | A gear lower than 1st |
| Ultra Low / Ultra Reverse | L2 | Honda Acty ATTACK terminology |
| Sub-transmission / Transfer case | L2 | Often one unit on kei trucks |
| Diff Lock / Locking differential | L3 | Locks left and right together. Usually the rear diff on kei trucks |
| LSD / Limited slip differential | L3 | Limits the differential action; never locks it |
| Twin Cam / DOHC | Engine | Two camshafts |
| Single Cam / SOHC | Engine | One camshaft |
| 12-valve | Engine | 3 cylinders x 4 valves. Does not necessarily mean DOHC |
| Three-cylinder / Four-cylinder | Engine | Four-cylinders are the Sambar EN07 and some 1994–1998 Minicabs |
| Supercharged | Engine | Sambar EN07Y |
| EFI / Carbureted | Engine | EFI has a slight edge in cold starting and economy |
| Mid-engine (MR) | Layout | Acty |
| Rear-engine (RR) | Layout | Sambar |
| Farm spec / Agricultural grade | ― | Work specification with a diff lock and low gearing |
| Tight corner braking | ― | What happens when you turn tightly on pavement in part-time 4WD |
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