My first JDM - 1996 Subaru Sambar

Hey everyone, kind of wanted to document this here as its an exciting purchase for me. Being a car enthusiast, and more specifically, very into Japanese cars, its always been a dream of mine to import a vehicle of my own from Japan. There are a lot of higher ticket vehicles I would like to import from Japan, but this particular vehicle I decided would be a great stepping stone into the world of JDM vehicles and importation.

I have always wanted a truck for my general hauling needs, but I really do not like the trucks available to us in the American market. I just don't like how big and bulky they are, how heavy they are, and they aesthetically don't appeal to me. So enter the world of JDM kei trucks. Absolutely amazing in my eyes. Small, lightweight, extremely unsafe, incredibly slow, but fun to drive (so I've heard). I've been saving up for one for a couple years now, and just this week won the auction for a 1996 Subaru Sambar.

My wife has a Nissan Xterra I use for my very infrequent towing needs, so all I really wanted a truck for is general hauling and just to introduce me to the process of JDM vehicle importing, as well as have a unique and fun to drive truck. I have always loved little kei vehicles...and small cars in general. I'm not going to go crazy with this truck, but I do have a couple small mods I'd like to do to it when I get it here in the states. Anyway, just want to document this here, maybe it will pique the interest of someone else looking into a kei truck or just a JDM vehicle in general.

Now, for some pics. The only pics I have so far are from the auction. Its decently clean, but of course in Japan they are work trucks so it isn't exactly pristine...but decent enough for the price I paid:

First order of business when it gets here is to clean it up and do some maintenance on it to baseline it and give it a good once over. Then, register it. I'll continue to update along the way, but this is all I have for now as the truck is on its way to the port in Japan.

Got an update last week on my truck from the export company I used in Japan. The truck is at port in Japan, and they are trying to secure a spot on a shipping vessel to get it to the port in Newark, NJ. The wait isn't easy, but such is the name of the game when importing. I might order some maintenance parts next week from Japan for the truck while waiting...have to compile a list of what I'll need.

Excellent.  This is not helping my kei obsession, however.

Nice little truck!

Sharif really likes it
Rockin' the Sambar
Rock the Sambar
Sharif really likes it
Rockin' the Sambar
Rock the Sambar

I should check my meds.

In reply to Appleseed :

I developed the kei obsession when I saw a Honda Beat for the first time some years ago. I was already obsessed with tiny cars, and that just made it run deeper!

Congrats! I remember having a hard time waiting, and stalking the cargo ship when I imported my first kei car! 

I'll watch for updates after it arrives. Good idea on getting some maintenance items while you are waiting. Hopefully yours won't need to much, but don't be disheartened if you find you need a second order of parts after it arrives. I try to view the unexpected that wasn't on the auction report as an opportunity to make things right rather than a problem I wasn't anticipating! 

ae86andkp61 (Forum Supporter) said:

Congrats! I remember having a hard time waiting, and stalking the cargo ship when I imported my first kei car! 

I'll watch for updates after it arrives. Good idea on getting some maintenance items while you are waiting. Hopefully yours won't need to much, but don't be disheartened if you find you need a second order of parts after it arrives. I try to view the unexpected that wasn't on the auction report as an opportunity to make things right rather than a problem I wasn't anticipating! 

Thanks! I like your take on that! Yep I'm definitely expecting more to be needed when it gets here than I'm anticipating lol. After all, its a 25+ year old work truck in an auction, so can't expect it to be turn key.  

Going to bug the export company later this week for another update.

ive always like the little Japanese kei trucks, they aren't fast that's for sure but they're so small that I'd bet they would be fun to drive. I'm more of a suzuki carry guy personally, i just think they look better but I hope you enjoy it.

Been awhile since I've updated, so just thought I'd update you all on whats been going on. Not much movement on the truck yet, I got word from the exporter that they submitted paperwork with the shipper, Nissan Motors (I have no idea if they're the same as the car manufacturer), and they are hoping to have my truck on the ship early October. Hopefully we'll get some movement soon...I'm dying to get this thing here and enjoy it.

In the meantime, I have received some parts for maintenance pictured below. I will include the part, part # and where I got it for anyone else with a Sambar that may be interested in purchasing them as well, or if you have a kei truck and want to get some info on a few sources for parts. So, here is what I got:

Starting from the upper left and moving down:

Tama thermostat - WV48FA-78 - Ordered from seller ohkeigarage on eBay, however I know hes very active in the Sambar community and has his own site as well where he sells parts

Purolator oil filter - PL14615 - Got this from Amazon, but its for a Subaru Justy so you can find it pretty much anywhere that stocks Purolator filters in the USA

G-Parts Fuel Filter - LF-48K-1 - Bought from amazon.co.jp. You'll have to create a new account separate from your USA Amazon account to order, shipping was super fast, only took a few days

 PIAA Air Filter - PF58 - Also ordered from amazon.co.jp

Ohno Valve Cover Gasket - SP-0001 - amazon.co.jp

NGK Spark Plug Wires - RC-FE37 - amazon.co.jp

NGK BKR5E-11 Spark Plugs - 6953 - I got these from my local NAPA

I still have to purchase a timing belt kit which I will do sometime soon so that I can get that changed out when the truck gets here. Other than that, its just fluids which I'll purchase at the time that I need them. Also need the distributor cap and rotor, but I'm waiting on the truck to get here before ordering because I heard theres a couple different part numbers so want to confirm mine.

Other than that, nothing else big or interesting happening yet. I'll keep you guys updated, but so far its just been waiting, waiting, and well...more waiting!

Been awhile since I posted here so we are due for an update. Good news, I paid for the shipping on the truck and the exporter is getting all documentation ready; the truck should be loaded onto the boat sometime this week! After that, its about a month wait for it to get here to the port of NY/NJ. In the meantime, here are some pictures i received from the exporter of the truck at port in Yokohama, Japan...it actually seems to look nicer than I was expecting based on the port photos! Hopefully when it gets here it will be just as good.

Looks good.  Kei trucks are fun little vehicles to ride around in.