SOLD - 1997 Suzuki Carry Selectable 4WD

Is it the prettiest kei truck we've ever imported? No, that honor probably belongs to this 1982 Honda Acty, but it's not paint perfection by which these little machines are judged, and in many cases, the more signs that this was a well-loved and well-used machine is a good thing, hailing their durability and distinction as tools. Oh and did we mention this one's just getting started with only 28k miles?

Bearing the marks of it's previous life as a bush truck and farm vehicle, this Suzuki Carry is the ideal everyman work truck, but in miniature. It has the standard kei truck features, but with a few key distinctions that set it apart from other vehicles you may have seen imported into the US.

First, the basics:

5 speed manual - Why the emphasis on 5? Believe it or not, the standard option for many kei trucks in Japan is a 4 speed manual. Simpler, lighter, and cheaper to produce, the standard 4 speed covers most duties a rural Japanese truck might need, from hauling feed and equipment around the muddy fields, to popping into town to pick up a tool you've just had repaired. Where the 4 speed is NOT acceptable, however, is when trying to reach highway speeds on I-75. Nobodies fooling you, these engines are tiny. 660 cc's of displacement. However, Japan has highways too, and so 5 speeds were made optionally, and that's what you want in kei truck here on US roads.

AC - I suppose this goes without saying, but AC is kind of a must if you live here in Florida. And don't let the small displacement engines fool you into thinking these things can't cool! The main advantage is the tiny cabin space, but nothing blows cold like 90s JDM, and this truck comes with a brand new compressor and a freshly serviced system!

Second, the features of this particular Suzuki:

Selectable 4WD - Many kei trucks are 2wd only, usually rear wheel drive with the engine somewhere behind you. In the case of this truck, this is true as well, until you pull up the handle next to the emergency brake labeled "4WD". Not much difficulty guessing what that lever does! But first make sure to press the button labeled "Axle Lock".

Electronic Axle Lock - This button automatically locks the hubs on the front axle, so that you can engage 4WD, without this, you will drive the front axle but not the front wheels, so be sure to switch this on when in 4WD mode!

"Extra Low Gear" or "EL" - Sometimes referred to a "crawler gear" or "granny gear", this is a gear with a lower gear ratio than first gear, allowing for extra traction in very sticky situations! It is to the right of first gear and clearly marked on the shift knob.

Front Mid-Engine - The engine in the Carry is accessed under the driver's seat, and the transmission by a panel in the bed right against the back of the cab. Utilizing a transverse engine layout, and traditional transmission/transfer-case, servicing this little truck is a breeze.

A couple other bits to note is the inclusion of a rubberized bed mat, specific to the Suzuki, and the exposed box frame. Why might an exposed box frame be advantageous? So that you can easily inspect for rust or corrosion! While this little machine shows surface marks in places where the paint has been brushed away by twigs and sticks, the frame itself is solid and ready for duty.

Whatever you're looking for in a kei truck, it's harder to do better than this Carry, features-wise, and if a beauty queen is what you're seeking, well, you can put all the lipstick you want on a... you get it.

1997 Suzuki Carry Selectable 4WD

• DD51T512610
• 44k km (27.5k mi)
• 4WD/2WD transfer case
• Automatic front hubs
• Brand new tires, AC compressor, fluid and belt service
• JDM
• Right Hand Drive
• Clean Florida Title