I've searched older threads on this, but they are quite old and it seems like a subject that would be well worth updating in this current economy. I'm a rural mail carrier that drives a xj cherokee on a 120 mile, fairly rough route. My jeep is definitely showing its 368 thousand miles and only gets 14 mpg, so fuel is a big chunk out of my monthly budget. My route is low volume so my jeep is mostly empty, but the roads are poor and sometimes find myself needing 4wd after a moderate rain; snow, while not frequent, does not typically get bladed much. I had been things about getting a Toyota hiace, but they are pricy, and with the price of diesel, I'd probably lose money on fuel. Recently a Daihatsu Atrai came up for sale nearby for a very good price, but sold before I gave it serious thought. But the more I thought about it, the more I think it would be perfect, however i figured I should ask people with experience. I reached out on fb to other carriers but no one, it seems, uses a kei van. So what do you guys think? Acceptable idea? If so what's the best 4x4 auto transmission kei van? I'm sure they are like cars and certain ones have common issues, like how zj grand cherokees burn transmissions faster you can say dextron 3, or to avoid jeep liberties at all costs.
> like how zj grand cherokees burn transmissions faster you can say dextron 3, People I know including a former boss, were replacing their Dodge transmissions every 30-40k miles. This can be avoided by adding an external transmission cooler with fan and completely divorce the transmission fluid from the radiator. Put the cooler either in front of everything behind the grill or have it under the vehicle. No room under a Cherokee (talking the uni-body type), so, at the very front of the grill is the only real option. As a former courier, I do not think on a small route you need a mini-van and could do with a pickup truck/KEI truck. I had a 1997 Ford Ranger and I found no problem just moving stuff from the bed to the passenger seat if needed. If you bought a KEI truck, all you would need is a large JOBOX to keep things water proof on the bed. Plus, you can lock them. The one on my trailer is 48Wx30x30. I drilled 1/4" holes in each corner and edge so water can drain, that gets inside. If you had to worry about mice, maybe make it 3/16" holes. > with the price of diesel, I'd probably lose money on fuel. I took my Garmin GPS with me doing my soccer Dad routine for a couple of days a few years back when I had 5 kids in school. What I found out is 75% of the time I was not moving, even on days I was not waiting in school pickup lines. Where smaller diesels shine is at idle, stopped, low RPMs, they basically sip fuel. Then you have the torque to get going just off idle, as when just putting along where you do not need to hit 45 MPH in a short stretch of road. Supposedly the Sambar has the best roomiest cab, I do not know. https://minitrucktalk.com/threads/what-i-look-for-when-buying-a-mini-truck.3780/ The Honda with the rear engine might provide the best traction and maybe lower sound levels. > does not typically get bladed much. I assume you mean the road gets graded or recovered in shale. What types of KEI you might want to avoid are ones with the A/C condenser and radiator facing towards the road surface in a horizontal position. You might find buying a vehicle with a locking rear axle, a good investment. If you have both passenger tires off of a paved surface and into the shoulder, it is very easy to get stuck with open diffs front and back. You might find exiting the KEI vehicles much easier when you need to and the height of the seat in a KEI truck is probably perfect for a route. I am here looking to buy my first KEI truck, so take all I have said for +- $0.02. Though I worked at car and truck dealerships for a few decades, including being a class 7/8 truck mechanic, even while pursuing my computer endeavors.
As a former courier, I do not think on a small route you need a mini-van and could do with a pickup truck/KEI truck. The funny thing, here in kansas, kei trucks are explicitly outlined as not road legal but vans are not mentioned and can be road titled.
Then KEI van it is I guess KEI trucks used to be legal and could be titled in GA, now, it looks like they are undoing it and recalling previous issued titles and making them not legal for road use. So, I am looking into doing the Montana LLC thing and registering the KEI truck in MT, after I maybe buy it in NC.
