The Honda Acty is one of the most beloved kei trucks on the road — a tough, clever little mid-engine workhorse that Honda built for over 40 years. But "Honda Acty" actually covers four distinct generations and a whole alphabet of chassis codes (HA3, HA4, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, plus the HH vans). If you own one, or you're shopping for one, knowing which Acty you've got is the key to buying the right parts. Here's the plain-English rundown.
What makes the Acty special
Unlike a conventional truck, the Acty is mid-engined — the little engine sits under the bed, driving the rear wheels (with 4WD available on many models). That layout gives it a flat load floor, a tight turning circle, and genuinely fun handling for something this small. It's why the Acty has such a cult following in the US.
The four generations at a glance
| Generation | Years | Truck codes | Van codes | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1977–1988 | TA / TB / TC / VD / VH | VD / VH | EH (545cc) |
| 2nd | 1988–1999 | HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5 | HH1–HH4 | E05A then E07A (656cc) |
| 3rd | 1999–2009 | HA6, HA7 | HH5, HH6 | E07Z (660cc) |
| 4th | 2009–2021 | HA8 (2WD), HA9 (4WD) | — | E07Z (660cc) |
A quick way to read the codes: HA = truck, HH = van, and on the second-gen trucks the even numbers (HA2, HA4) are the 4WD versions.
The sweet spot: 2nd-gen HA3 / HA4 (E07A)
For most US importers, the second-generation Acty (1990–1999) is the one you'll run into — the HA3 (2WD) and HA4 (4WD) trucks, and the matching HH3 / HH4 vans. From 1990 on, they use Honda's E07A 656cc three-cylinder, a simple and durable little engine. This is the generation we stock the most parts for, because it's the one that keeps showing up in American driveways.
Keeping your Acty happy
The good news: the Acty is cheap and simple to maintain. The parts that matter most on a mid-engine Acty are the usual kei-truck wear items — and because these trucks are decades old, most imports are due for a refresh. Start with the basics:
- Filters — oil, air, and fuel filters are the cheapest way to keep the E07A running clean.
- Belts — the alternator belt and A/C belt dry out and squeal with age.
- Ignition — fresh distributor caps, rotors and spark plug wires cure a lot of rough-running gremlins.
- Cooling — thermostats and the coolant reserve tank keep the mid-mounted engine from overheating.
New to kei-truck upkeep? Our kei truck tune-up guide walks through everything, and if you're unsure which generation you have, our guide to finding your chassis number makes it easy.
Get the right Acty parts
We stock genuine OEM and quality aftermarket parts for the Honda Acty — imported from Japan and shipped fast from our USA warehouse. Browse the full Honda Acty parts collection, and if you're not sure exactly which model you've got, send us your chassis number (HA3, HA4, HH4…) or a photo of the plate at scott@keiimportparts.com and we'll match the right part the first time.