Model Guide
Daihatsu Hijet Buyer's Guide
Hijet Truck, produced 1960–present. A verified, generation-by-generation guide to the Daihatsu Hijet — engines, drivetrains, U.S. import eligibility, and what to check before you buy.
The Daihatsu Hijet (Hijet Truck) is a kei truck / commercial family produced 1960–present. Daihatsu corporate history and official U-CATCH catalog verify generation changes and representative specs.
What sets it apart: Long-running commercial focus; numerous work configurations.
Documented engine history: 1990 example: 659cc; 1994 8th gen EF 660cc; 1999 9th gen 659cc DOHC representative spec. Representative chassis and generations include S82P/S83P (1990); 8th gen 1994; 9th gen from Jan 1999. Because Daihatsu Hijet spanned multiple generations and trims, KeiScout verifies the exact chassis, engine, and transmission on each specific vehicle rather than assuming one spec applies across the whole line.
Why U.S. buyers consider it: commonly a fit for farms, landscaping, property/facility use.
Quick facts
Last verified: August 15, 2026- Manufacturer
- Daihatsu
- Model
- Hijet Truck
- Production
- 1960–present
- Vehicle type
- Kei truck / commercial family
- Engine notes
- 1990 example: 659cc; 1994 8th gen EF 660cc; 1999 9th gen 659cc DOHC representative spec
- Drivetrain
- FR/2WD and part-time 4WD depending on trim
- Transmission
- Manual and automatic depending on generation/trim
- Key chassis / generations
- S82P/S83P (1990); 8th gen 1994; 9th gen from Jan 1999
- U.S. import eligibility
- Use manufacture date, not model year, for U.S. 25-year eligibility
Confidence: HIGH. Specifications are intentionally qualified where trims and chassis differ.
What is the Daihatsu Hijet?
Daihatsu Hijet is a kei truck / commercial family in the Kei class — Japan's smallest highway-legal vehicle category, capped by law on length, width, and engine displacement (660cc in the modern era). Within those limits, Daihatsu built Daihatsu Hijet for practical hauling and work use. Daihatsu corporate history and official U-CATCH catalog verify generation changes and representative specs.
Daihatsu Hijet generations
| Generation / era | Years | Representative chassis | Engine | Drive | Transmission | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th-generation late / 1990 spec | 1990 era | M-S82P / M-S83P | 659cc | FR / part-time 4WD | 4MT/5MT depending grade | High |
| 8th generation | 1994–1998 | Verify chassis by vehicle | EF 660cc | 2WD / 4WD variants | MT/AT variants | High |
| 9th generation | 1999–2014 truck platform era | Verify chassis by vehicle | 659cc DOHC representative | 2WD / 4WD variants | MT/AT variants | High |
7th-generation late / 1990 spec
1990 era- Chassis
- M-S82P / M-S83P
- Engine
- 659cc
- Drive
- FR / part-time 4WD
- Transmission
- 4MT/5MT depending grade
Official catalog confirms representative drivetrains and transmissions
Confidence: High
8th generation
1994–1998- Chassis
- Verify chassis by vehicle
- Engine
- EF 660cc
- Drive
- 2WD / 4WD variants
- Transmission
- MT/AT variants
Daihatsu says 8th gen debuted Jan 1994 with new EF 660cc engine and improved loading capacity
Confidence: High
9th generation
1999–2014 truck platform era- Chassis
- Verify chassis by vehicle
- Engine
- 659cc DOHC representative
- Drive
- 2WD / 4WD variants
- Transmission
- MT/AT variants
Jan 1999 redesign to new kei safety standard; representative size 3,395 x 1,475 mm
Confidence: High
- 7th-generation late / 1990 spec: Official catalog confirms representative drivetrains and transmissions. Source
- 8th generation: Daihatsu says 8th gen debuted Jan 1994 with new EF 660cc engine and improved loading capacity. Source
- 9th generation: Jan 1999 redesign to new kei safety standard; representative size 3,395 x 1,475 mm. Source
Representative specification — actual specifications vary by chassis and trim. Where a row reads "verify chassis," treat the figures as generation-level context, not a universal trim-level claim.
Engine & transmission
Engines and transmissions changed across Daihatsu Hijet generations, so there is no single universal spec. Verified history: 1990 example: 659cc; 1994 8th gen EF 660cc; 1999 9th gen 659cc DOHC representative spec.
- 7th-generation late / 1990 spec
- 659cc · 4MT/5MT depending grade
- 8th generation
- EF 660cc · MT/AT variants
- 9th generation
- 659cc DOHC representative · MT/AT variants
Daihatsu Hijet 4WD
Documented drivetrain availability: FR/2WD and part-time 4WD depending on trim. Part-time 4WD variants.
- 7th-generation late / 1990 spec (1990 era) — FR / part-time 4WD. 659cc.
- 8th generation (1994–1998) — 2WD / 4WD variants. EF 660cc.
- 9th generation (1999–2014 truck platform era) — 2WD / 4WD variants. 659cc DOHC representative.
4WD hardware and low-range availability differ by generation, chassis code, and trim. Confirm the specific vehicle's drivetrain before purchase — we verify this on every candidate.
Common Daihatsu Hijet configurations
Kei trucks were offered in several body configurations, but not every configuration existed for every model, generation, or market. Treat the list below as the range to look for — we confirm what was actually available for a given Daihatsu Hijet chassis during your search.
Standard flatbed
The most common layout — an open cargo bed for general hauling.
Dump / tipper
A hydraulically tilting bed for loose material; availability varies by generation and trim.
Van / panel
Enclosed variants exist within several Kei families for covered cargo and equipment.
Specialty / work
Refrigerated, lift, and agricultural bodies were built for specific markets and eras.
Which Daihatsu Hijet years can be imported?
Federal import eligibility is based on a vehicle's manufacture date, not simply its model year. Under the NHTSA 25-year rule, a vehicle is generally exempt from FMVSS import requirements once it is at least 25 years old — so as of this year, Daihatsu Hijet examples manufactured in 2001 or earlier may qualify, subject to EPA/DOT and other requirements. A truck built late in a model year can cross the threshold months after an otherwise-identical early example.
Use manufacture date, not model year, for U.S. 25-year eligibility.
Can I register a Daihatsu Hijet in my state?
Federal import eligibility does not guarantee you can title, register, or drive a Daihatsu Hijet on public roads. That decision is made state by state, and the rules vary widely — from full road use to case-by-case titling to outright restrictions.
What to look for when buying a Daihatsu Hijet
Chassis identity
Confirm the chassis code matches the generation and drivetrain you expect.
Manufacture date
Check the build plate — it drives federal import eligibility, not the model year.
Corrosion
Inspect the frame, bed floor, cab corners, and rockers for rust and past repairs.
Maintenance history
Look for service records, timing-belt history, and fluid condition.
Drivetrain & 4WD
Test drive; on 4WD trucks, engage and disengage the system and any low range.
Transmission
Check clutch feel on manuals and shift quality on automatics.
Electrical & equipment
Verify lights, gauges, HVAC, and any lift/dump or specialty equipment operate.
Tires & brakes
Kei-size tires and brake parts vary — check wear and availability.
Body & bed
Assess the bed, tailgate, and any specialty body for damage and function.
Leaks
Look for oil, coolant, and hydraulic leaks, especially on dump/lift configurations.
Documentation
Ensure export paperwork and import documents are complete and consistent.
Daihatsu Hijet for sale
Looking for a Daihatsu Hijet for sale?
KeiScout doesn't run a listings marketplace — so you won't find inflated inventory here. Instead, we search appropriate U.S. and Japanese sources for a Daihatsu Hijet matching your year range, drivetrain, configuration, budget, and intended use, and we verify import and title eligibility before you commit.
Looking for a Daihatsu Hijet?
Tell KeiScout the year range, drivetrain, configuration, budget, and intended use you're after. We'll search appropriate U.S. and Japanese sources for matching vehicles.
Need multiple Daihatsu Hijet trucks?
We source Kei trucks at fleet scale with matched, standardized configurations and one coordinated import process.
Sources
Manufacturer sources
- Daihatsu — Generation timeline and representative specs.
- Daihatsu U-CATCH — 1990 grades, drivetrains, transmissions.
Government source
- NHTSA — 25-year exemption runs from vehicle manufacture date.
KeiScout is a sourcing and research service. Vehicle availability, condition, pricing, import eligibility, title eligibility, and registration requirements vary by vehicle and jurisdiction. Verify vehicle-specific information before purchase. Last verified: August 15, 2026.
Keep researching
Last verified: August 15, 2026. Specifications reflect the verified dataset and are qualified where trims and chassis differ.