Kei Truck Tires: The Complete Guide to Sizes, Brands, and Upgrades
Everything you need to know about kei truck tires — stock sizes for every model, where to actually buy them in the US, upgrade paths from mild to aggressive, and the ATV tire conversion that changes everything.
Kei Truck Tires: The Complete Guide to Sizes, Brands, and Upgrades
Here is a truth that every new kei truck owner discovers within the first week: you cannot walk into a Discount Tire, tell them you drive a 1994 Suzuki Carry, and walk out with a set of rubber. They will look at you like you asked for tires for a riding lawnmower. And honestly, the tire size is not that far off.
Kei truck tires are a different world from standard American vehicle tires. The stock sizes are tiny, the selection is limited, and the places you can buy them are not the places you are used to shopping. But once you understand the landscape, it is not complicated — just different. And if you want to upgrade beyond stock, there are genuinely excellent options that transform how your truck handles dirt, mud, and trails.
Whether you just picked up your first kei truck and need a stock replacement, or you are building an off-road rig and want to know how big you can go, this guide covers it.
Stock Tire Sizes: Every Model, Every Generation
Almost every kei truck built since the early 1990s shares the same general tire size: 145R12 6PR (also written as 145/80R12 LT). That is a 12-inch tire with a 145mm section width and an 80 aspect ratio, rated for light truck loads with a 6-ply construction. Small, narrow, and designed to keep these 660cc trucks rolling efficiently on Japanese roads.
The important differences between models are bolt patterns, which determine what wheels will actually fit your truck. Get this wrong and you are stuck with expensive paperweights in your garage.
Stock Tire Size Chart
| Model | Years | Stock Tire Size | Bolt Pattern | Lug Nut Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Carry | 1990–1995 (DC51T/DD51T) | 145R12 6PR | 4x114.3 | M12x1.25 |
| Suzuki Carry | 1999–present (DA52T/DA63T/DA16T) | 145R12 6PR | 4x100 | M12x1.25 |
| Honda Acty | 1990–2021 (HA3/HA4/HA6/HA7) | 145R12 6PR | 4x100 | M12x1.5 |
| Daihatsu Hijet | 1987–1998 (S80/S100/S110) | 145R12 6PR | 4x110 | M12x1.5 |
| Daihatsu Hijet | 1999–present (S200/S500) | 145R12 6PR | 4x100 | M12x1.5 |
| Subaru Sambar | 1990–2012 (KS/KV/TT/TV) | 145R12 6PR | 4x100 | M12x1.25 |
| Mitsubishi Minicab | 1991–present (U40/U60/DS) | 145R12 6PR | 4x100 | M12x1.5 |
The tire size is virtually the same across every model — good news, since tire options work regardless of which brand you own. The bolt patterns are where things get tricky. Pre-1999 Daihatsu Hijet uses 4x110, which is the same bolt pattern as most Honda ATVs — a fact that becomes very relevant later. The early Suzuki Carry uses 4x114.3, the most common bolt pattern in the passenger car world but the oddball in kei truck land.
Post-1999, nearly everything converged to 4x100. If your truck runs 4x100, you have the widest aftermarket wheel selection available, including small wheels from Honda Civics, Mazda Miatas, and other compact cars.
Pay attention to lug nut thread pitch too. Suzuki and Subaru use M12x1.25 while Honda, Daihatsu, and Mitsubishi use M12x1.5. Mix these up and you will cross-thread your studs — an expensive and dangerous mistake.
Where to Buy Kei Truck Tires in the US
This is where new owners get frustrated. You cannot buy 145R12 tires at Tire Rack — their search returns zero results for this size. Most major US tire retailers do not stock 12-inch light truck tires at all. The size simply does not exist in the American tire ecosystem.
So where do you actually get them?
eBay (Japanese sellers) is the most reliable source for the widest selection. Search "145/80R12 kei truck" or "145R12 6PR" and you will find dozens of listings from Japanese sellers who ship directly to the US. Sets of four typically run $400–$700 depending on the brand, and many offer free shipping. It takes 7–14 days from Japan, which is not ideal if you need tires yesterday, but the selection and pricing are hard to beat.
Specialty kei truck dealers are your best bet if you want someone who actually understands what you are buying. Oiwa Garage stocks tires specifically for kei trucks and provides fitment guidance — worth checking if you want a more curated experience. Minitrucks.net carries Toyo Open Country tires in the correct size along with other wheel and tire packages. G&R Imports and America's Mini Truck Center also carry stock replacement tires.
Amazon is hit or miss. You will occasionally find 145R12 or 155R12 tires listed, but availability fluctuates and many listings ship from Japan anyway. It is worth checking, but do not count on it as your primary source. [AFFILIATE: Kei truck tires 145/80R12, ~$400-600/set, Amazon]
NPBoosted is an online retailer that stocks 155R12 all-terrain tires specifically marketed for kei trucks. These are a slight size-up from stock (155mm vs 145mm width) and fit stock 12-inch rims without modification. [AFFILIATE: NPBoosted 155R12 8PR all-terrain, ~$50-70/tire, npboosted.com]
The r/keitruck community on Reddit is also worth browsing for real-world sourcing tips. Owners regularly share where they found tires, what they paid, and how long shipping took.
Best Tire Brands for Kei Trucks
Not all 145R12 tires are created equal. Here are the brands worth knowing about, ranked by how often they show up on actual kei trucks in the US and what owners report about them.
Toyo Open Country R/T (145/80R12)
The darling of the kei truck world. The Open Country R/T is a legitimate on/off-road tire from a major manufacturer, built in this kei truck size. Aggressive enough for dirt and mud, civilized enough for pavement. Fits stock 12-inch wheels without a lift kit. If you want one tire to do everything, this is it. $650–$750 for a set of four from dealers like Mudbug Mini Trucks or Minitrucks.net.
[AFFILIATE: Toyo Open Country R/T 145/80R12, ~$700/set of 4, eBay/Minitrucks.net]
Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 (145/80R12)
A serious mud tire in a tiny package. Deep, aggressive tread blocks claw through mud, loose soil, and wet grass that stock tires slide right through. More road noise and faster pavement wear, but if your truck lives on a farm or off-road, that trade-off is worth it. $500–$600 for a set of four from eBay.
[AFFILIATE: Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 145/80R12, ~$550/set of 4, eBay]
Bridgestone K305 / K370 (145/80R12)
The OEM choice. Bridgestone supplies tires to several kei truck manufacturers, and the K305/K370 are their commercial light truck tires in this size — built for longevity and load capacity. These are probably what your truck came with from the factory. $400–$500 for a set of four from Japanese eBay sellers.
[AFFILIATE: Bridgestone K370 145/80R12, ~$450/set of 4, eBay]
Dunlop Grandtrek TG4 (145R12 6PR)
Splits the difference between the Toyo Open Country and Bridgestone highway tires. Owners consistently rate it 5 out of 5 stars for improved ride quality and off-road grip. $450–$550 for a set of four.
[AFFILIATE: Dunlop Grandtrek TG4 145R12, ~$500/set of 4, eBay]
Yokohama Super Digger Y828 (145/80R12)
Yokohama's dedicated mud and snow tire for kei trucks. If your truck deals with winter conditions or consistently muddy terrain, the Super Digger delivers noticeably better traction than standard commercial tires. $500–$600 for a set of four.
[AFFILIATE: Yokohama Super Digger Y828 145/80R12, ~$550/set of 4, eBay]
Upgrade Tiers: Stock Replacement to Full Off-Road Build
Not everyone needs the same thing from their kei truck tires. Here is how to think about upgrades in three tiers, from conservative to aggressive.
Tier 1: Stock Replacement (No Modifications)
Tire: 145/80R12 | Wheels: Stock 12-inch | Lift: None | Budget: $400–$750/set
Where most owners should start. The Toyo Open Country R/T delivers a meaningful off-road upgrade without changing anything else. Bolt them on and go. Bridgestone and Dunlop for budget-conscious buyers.
Tier 2: Mild Upgrade (Bigger Wheels, Possible Lift)
Tire: 155/70R13 or 165/60R14 | Wheels: 13" or 14" aftermarket (4x100) | Lift: None for 13s, 2-inch for 14s | Budget: $700–$1,700 total
The 13-inch upgrade is the sweet spot for daily driving. You gain roughly an inch of ground clearance and significantly more tire options from mainstream manufacturers. Used 13-inch Honda Civic steel wheels from a junkyard bolt right onto any 4x100 kei truck for almost nothing.
Going to 14-inch wheels with a 2-inch lift, you can run 175/65R14 tires — a size that normal US tire shops actually stock. Your Tire Rack frustration ends here.
Tier 3: Aggressive Off-Road (Lift + Serious Rubber)
Tire: 23x8-12 or 25x8-12 ATV | Wheels: 12" ATV with adapters | Lift: 2–3 inches minimum | Budget: $900–$2,000 total
This is where things get fun and where the ATV tire conversion comes in. Plenty of YouTube build videos document the full process if you want to see it done before committing.
ATV Tire Conversions: The Off-Road Game Changer
The most popular aggressive off-road modification for kei trucks is running ATV or UTV tires and wheels. ATV tires in 12-inch wheel sizes are widely available, relatively cheap, and designed for exactly the kind of terrain kei truck owners want to conquer. Mud, rocks, loose soil, sand — ATV rubber handles it in ways stock kei truck tires cannot.
How It Works
The catch is bolt patterns. Kei trucks use automotive bolt patterns (4x100, 4x110, or 4x114.3) while most ATVs use different patterns (4x110, 4x137, or 4x156). You need wheel adapters to bridge the gap.
Here is where the Daihatsu Hijet gets interesting. Pre-1999 Hijets use a 4x110 bolt pattern — the same pattern as most Honda ATVs and many Yamaha ATVs. If you have an older Hijet, you can bolt ATV wheels directly onto your truck with no adapters. That is a significant cost and complexity savings.
For 4x100 trucks (most post-1999 models), you need wheel adapters converting from 4x100 to your chosen ATV wheel bolt pattern. These typically cost $80–$200 for a set of four depending on quality. US Wheel Adapters and SuperATV both make custom solutions.
Recommended ATV Tire Options
Super Grip K-9 (23x8-12): Designed specifically for mini truck and ATV applications. 716 lbs per tire capacity, 56 mph speed rating. Available from PureOffroad.com as a complete tire and wheel kit for kei trucks. [AFFILIATE: Super Grip K-9 23x8-12 tire and wheel kit, ~$600-800/set of 4, PureOffroad.com]
Maxxis Bighorn (25x8-12): One of the most respected names in ATV tires. Non-directional, 6-ply-rated all-terrain. The 25-inch diameter requires a 2–3 inch lift. [AFFILIATE: Maxxis Bighorn 25x8-12, ~$120-150/tire, Amazon]
ITP Mud Lite AT (25x8-12): One of the lightest 6-ply mud and trail tires available. The reduced weight matters — these 660cc engines are working hard enough without extra rotational mass. [AFFILIATE: ITP Mud Lite AT 25x8-12, ~$80-110/tire, Amazon]
Before You Convert: Five Things to Know
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Measure everything twice. Even a 23x8-12 is noticeably larger than a 145/80R12. Check fender clearance at full lock and full compression before ordering.
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Your speedometer will read low. A 23-inch ATV tire versus a roughly 21-inch stock tire means you are going about 10% faster than indicated.
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Gearing changes. Larger tires effectively raise your gearing — slower acceleration, less hill-climbing ability. For farm use and trail crawling this is fine, but consider the trade-off for paved roads.
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Use hub-centric adapters. Lug-centric mounting on a vehicle this light, running rough terrain, means vibration and uneven wear.
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Torque and re-torque. Use a torque wrench (not an impact gun), drive 25–50 miles, then re-torque. Wheel adapters that come loose at speed are catastrophic.
Lift Kit Quick Reference
If you are upgrading tire size, here is the lift clearance you need:
| Tire Setup | Lift Required | Kit Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 145/80R12 (stock) | None | $0 |
| 155/80R12 | None (possible light rub at full lock) | $0 |
| 155/70R13, 165/60R14 on 13" or 14" wheels | 2-inch recommended for 14s | $200–$800 |
| 23x8-12 ATV tires | 2-inch (may need minor fender trimming) | $200–$800 |
| 25x8-12 ATV tires, 185/65R14+ | 3-inch | $400–$800+ |
Bolt-on 2-inch kits use coil or strut spacers up front and add-a-leaf packs in the rear. Garage install in an afternoon with basic tools.
One warning: lifts above 2 inches stress CV joints on 4WD models. The driveshaft angle changes, and owners report accelerated CV wear after 3-inch lifts. The Fast Lane Truck has documented similar findings. Heavier-duty springs are a smarter long-term solution than spacer lifts for permanent large-tire setups. For more on lift kits, see our full guide on off-road kei truck mods.
Maintenance Tips for Kei Truck Tires
A few things specific to kei truck tire maintenance:
Check pressures frequently. Recommended tire pressure for 145R12 6PR tires is typically 280–350 kPa (41–51 psi), higher than most passenger car tires. These are light truck tires carrying proportionally heavy loads. Under-inflation causes heat buildup and premature wear. Check weekly if you are working the truck hard.
Rotate every 3,000–5,000 miles. The weight distribution shifts dramatically between empty and loaded. The rear tires on a loaded bed work much harder than the fronts. Regular rotation extends the life of a set significantly.
Replace at 4/32-inch tread depth. The legal minimum is 2/32, but on a truck this light with tires this narrow, you want more tread for wet or loose surface traction.
Inspect for dry rot. Many kei truck tires imported from Japan have been sitting for years. Tires with manufacture dates older than five or six years should be replaced regardless of tread depth. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall — the last four digits indicate week and year of manufacture (e.g., 2319 means week 23 of 2019).
Bottom Line
Kei truck tires are not hard to figure out once you know the landscape. Here is the short version:
Stock replacement: Almost every kei truck takes 145R12 6PR tires. The Toyo Open Country R/T is the best all-around option at around $700 for a set. Bridgestone and Yokohama make solid, cheaper alternatives. Buy from eBay (Japanese sellers), specialty dealers like Oiwa Garage, or Minitrucks.net.
Mild upgrade: Swap to 13-inch or 14-inch wheels (cheap used Civic wheels work perfectly on 4x100 trucks) and run widely available tire sizes. Add a 2-inch lift if going to 14s.
Aggressive off-road: ATV tire conversions using 23x8-12 or 25x8-12 tires with bolt pattern adapters are the move. Budget for a lift kit and check your clearances. Pre-1999 Hijets with 4x110 bolt patterns can run Honda ATV wheels without adapters.
Do not bother with Tire Rack or other major US retailers. They do not carry 12-inch kei truck sizes. eBay, specialty kei truck shops, and Japanese exporters are your friends.
The right tires make an enormous difference on these little trucks. Stock economy rubber on a farm, trail, or even a snowy driveway is sketchy. Good rubber turns a kei truck from "surprisingly capable" to "why does anyone buy a UTV." Choose wisely, and your kei truck will reward you with traction you did not think a 1,500-pound vehicle could produce.