Ask any kei truck owner what trips them up most when buying parts, and you'll hear the same thing: "I wasn't sure exactly which model I had." The fix is simpler than you'd think — and it starts with one number stamped on your truck. Here's how to find your kei truck's VIN (really, its chassis number), what it tells you, and why it's the secret to ordering the right part the first time.
Kei trucks don't have a "normal" VIN
If you're used to American cars, you're looking for a 17-character VIN. Japanese kei trucks — the Subaru Sambar, Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet and Mitsubishi Minicab — don't use that system from the factory. Instead they have a chassis number (sometimes called the frame number), which looks like a short model code followed by a serial number, for example:
- KS4-123456 — a Subaru Sambar (4WD Classic truck)
- HA4-1234567 — a Honda Acty (4WD truck)
- DB52T-123456 — a Suzuki Carry
- S200P-1234567 — a Daihatsu Hijet
- U62T-1234567 — a Mitsubishi Minicab
That prefix (KS4, HA4, DB52T, S200P, U62T…) is the important bit — it identifies the model, generation, and often the drivetrain and engine family. When you import and register the truck in the US, a 17-digit VIN may get assigned for your state's paperwork, but the original chassis number is what parts suppliers actually need.
Where to find your chassis number
It's usually in one (or more) of these places:
- The chassis/ID plate — a metal or foil plate in the engine bay, on the firewall, or under the seat/floor panel, listing the model code and chassis number.
- Stamped into the frame or body — many kei trucks have the number physically stamped on the chassis rail or bulkhead.
- Your import & registration documents — the export certificate, bill of lading, or title will list it.
Layouts vary by brand and year, so if you can't spot it right away, a quick search for your specific model's "chassis number location" will point you to the exact panel — or just send us a couple of photos and we'll help you find it.
Why it matters so much for parts
Kei trucks were built in a dizzying number of variants over the years — carbureted vs fuel-injected, naturally aspirated vs supercharged, 2WD vs 4WD, with A/C vs without. Two trucks that look identical in the driveway can need different belts, filters, ignition parts or gaskets. The chassis number cuts straight through the guesswork: it tells us (and you) exactly what you're working with, so the part fits the first time instead of coming back as a return.
Want to decode the Subaru side of this further? See our guide to Subaru Sambar model codes (KS, KV, TT & TV).
The easy button: just send us your number
This is exactly why our whole approach is built around it. Found your chassis number? Email it to scott@keiimportparts.com (a photo of the plate works great too), tell us the part you're after, and we'll confirm the correct fitment for your truck before you buy — no guessing games.
Then shop with confidence across our five brands: Subaru Sambar, Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet, and Mitsubishi Minicab — all genuine OEM or quality aftermarket, imported from Japan and shipped fast from our USA warehouse.