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Street legal????

Discussion in 'Mini Lounge' started by JohnOKC, Feb 7, 2022.

  1. JohnOKC

    JohnOKC New Member

    Hi everyone, newbie here. I have a 1997 Honda Acty HA4. I was considering importing another one as the prices in Japan looked pretty reasonable. However, when I spoke to a broker in USA about duties he said that he as SHOCKED that the one we have is street legal (tagged and titled). He said that normally is not possible for these coming in from Japan. Curious about others experience on this subject. Surely our state didn't make a mistake and tag/title it and they shouldn't have?
     
  2. t_g_farrell

    t_g_farrell Active Member

    A 97 is not yet exempt, so it should have had a limiter to 25mph installed and would have been brought in as a LSV or off road only vehicle. That may be why your importer was surprised you have it tagged and titled in whatever state you are in.
     
  3. CVP33

    CVP33 Active Member

    Here's a very useful site for Kei truck rules/regs - > https://motorandwheels.com/mini-trucks-rules-per-state/

    I purchased in NC and operate in SC. My selling dealer made it so painless that I didn't even bother trying to import myself. I purchased much like a car, received a NC title and Bill of Sale. Called my insurance company - State Farm - and added to my insurance. Explained what the Kei Truck is and knew it wouldn't be in their data base. Great agent (she better be, I have 5 cars and a house with them) got me all hooked up for $300 per year. Took the Bill of Sale to our courthouse to pay my tax, then off to the DMV to secure my tags and request a SC title. All good.

    North Carolina
    On June 21, 2019, Governor Cooper of North Carolina signed into law the HB 179, thus allowing mini trucks to be licensed and used on all NC roads.

    South Carolina
    There are no laws guiding the use of mini trucks in South Carolina

    If OKC stands for Oklahoma.......here you go:

    Oklahoma
    Mini trucks are allowed on Oklahoma roads with no speed limitations. But they cannot use the interstate.
     
  4. CVP33

    CVP33 Active Member

    97's manufactured in January or February actually are legal and outside the 25 year limit.
     
  5. JohnOKC

    JohnOKC New Member

    Thank you guys for the replies. Yes, OKC does represent Oklahoma (City).
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2022
  6. t_g_farrell

    t_g_farrell Active Member

    @CVP33 What dealer did you get yours from in NC? I used Mayberry up in Mt. Airy.
     
  7. CVP33

    CVP33 Active Member

    Same…..ain’t they great!
     
    kevin white likes this.
  8. t_g_farrell

    t_g_farrell Active Member

    Yeah, they delivered to my house here near Lake Wylie for a modest fee when I bought the van.
     
  9. mrxsht

    mrxsht Member

    Yeah you live in a state that allows them on the streets...... Me? I live in( a Dicktatorship) Oregon where I got my 1992 Daihatsu hijet passed DEQ, received my insurance,plates tags,and registration. I really enjoy that truck. I traveled in it for over a year. It's was my daily driver. I have nothing else. Then i was thinking . Where is my title!? So i submitted a "never received title form. Now DMV is /are corrupt ,greedy,and selfish! They checked my vin # for a second time. Two days later i received a letter saying i only submitted 9 digest instead of 10 on vin. That's their first lie! My registration is printed clearly all 10 digest of my vin . I have this on paper and writing.
    Next . I try a different DVM. And they tell me I'm getting cut a check and they are cancelling my plates tags and registration.

    Then 2days later. They sent another letter saying i have 10 days to give them my plates . All because ( lie #2) i didn't present them with the EPA,and DOT reports. In order to receive anything from DMV . You have to show them those reports. So I'm going to do a hearing without a lawyer and see what happens.

    Tell you this I'm keeping my plates . I paid almost $300 for them. I won't use them but i not giving them up.
    Oh. At the same time I'm putting a 1300cc fuel injected 4 cylinder ,5speed HC engine with shortened line and rear end. All Daihatsu hijet drive train. What a mother fucker !
    Yeah . So what do you think ? Leave your comment below.lol
     
  10. mrxsht

    mrxsht Member

    What size of engine ,and gearbox you have?
     
  11. CVP33

    CVP33 Active Member


    The 2Y engine is an OHV, eight valve construction just like the 1Y. It shares that engine's 86 mm (3.39 in) bore, but stroke is increased to 78 mm (3.07 in) for a displacement of 1.8 litres (1,812 cc). There are also 2Y-J and 2Y-U engines with differing emissions control equipment.

    • OHV, eight valves
    • Displacement: 1.8 L (1,812 cc)
    • Bore × stroke: 86 mm × 78 mm (3.39 in × 3.07 in)
    • Compression ratio: 8.8:1
    • Reference output (2Y): 79 PS (58 kW) at 5,000 rpm, 14.3 kg⋅m (140 N⋅m; 103 lbf⋅ft) at 3,200 rpm (net)
      95 PS (70 kW), 15.5 kg⋅m (152 N⋅m; 112 lbf⋅ft) (gross)
     
  12. mrxsht

    mrxsht Member

    I went the complete wrong route when I bought my truck. But anyway. I bought a HC 1300cc engine ,gearbox ,drive shaft,and rear end from the UK. Swapping out my stock 660 has been a nightmare. And very costly. But I hope in the end it will be worth it. It's not a new engine. It has 50,000 km on it but compression in all cylinders are is great.
    I had to go out of state to get mine to be legal. Formed an LLC in Montana, sold the truck to the company, and address it there too . So even though I live in a state that doesn't allow the on the streets. I will be able to use it none the less. I'll have plates,registration,title for it. Oh and my plates will be forever plates. No renewal of tags will be required . Unlike where I live where they want you to pay,and pay,and pay. Greedy sons of motherless goats. But until Oregon changes there ignorant views on mini trucks. This is how I'm working around my problem.
     
    CVP33 likes this.
  13. CVP33

    CVP33 Active Member

    And I thought I was a car nut! You are definitely jumping thru some hoops for your Kei.
     
  14. ed nap

    ed nap Member

    When I first purchased my truck I had no issues registering it in New York. 6 months go by and I finally get the dreaded letter from NYS DMV that they decided to negate my registration. However, they gave me 1.5 years to turn in my plates, promising to return my original title, refund my expenses, etc. I called and spoke with the legal dept at NYS DMV HQ in Albany. No-one could explain why they wanted the plates returned. Rather than fight the gov't, I just went next door to CT where I also own some property, registered the truck in CT, transferred the insurance to the CT address, and I have been happily driving it since. Couldn't be happier!
     

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