Building the Ultimate Kei Truck: Behind the Scenes at Oiwa Garage
In a quiet corner of the garage district, far from the noise of lifted brodozers and six-figure overland builds, a small crew is reimagining what it means to build a truck. They aren’t working on full-size rigs or luxury SUVs. Instead, they’re wrenching on something far more unassuming — the Suzuki Carry.
At Oiwa Garage, the Suzuki Carry isn’t just a kei truck. It’s a movement. A platform. A statement. And in their hands, this humble 660cc work truck becomes something else entirely: a miniature off-road beast, a mobile micro-camper, or even a retro-styled showstopper — all depending on the vision.
We spent a few days behind the scenes with the crew at Oiwa, watching them bring one of their most ambitious Carry builds to life. What we saw was more than just a custom build — it was a blend of craftsmanship, culture, and creativity unlike anything else in the automotive world.
🛠️ The Oiwa Approach: Function First, Always
The team at Oiwa doesn’t just build for looks. Every project starts with a conversation:
“What is this truck going to do?”
Some customers want a trail-capable weekend toy. Others are building a daily work rig. Some dream of living the #keicamperlife, heading off-grid with nothing but a sleeping pad, a gas stove, and a view.
The answer to that question determines everything — from the type of lift kit to the finish on the wheels, the layout of the bed rack, even the choice between analog gauges or a digital cluster.
🔧 Step 1: Strip Down & Build Up
The transformation begins with a full teardown. Most donor trucks come in straight from Japan, often bone-stock and 25+ years old. First order of business: inspect the frame, strip the suspension, and clean up decades of grime.
After that, the lift kit goes in. Oiwa’s proprietary 2” and 3” lift setups are designed to maintain the Carry’s center of gravity and steering geometry while adding serious off-road presence. They use a mix of CNC-machined spacers, longer shackles, and custom-fabbed camber correction plates.
Once lifted, the Carry immediately starts to take on a whole new personality — taller, tougher, and ready to roll.
🛞 Tires, Wheels & Armor: More Grip, More Grit
With the lift dialed in, the next step is wheels and tires — arguably one of the most important visual and functional upgrades.
Oiwa usually fits the Carry with 12” or 13” off-road wheels, often steelies or beadlock-inspired alloys. Wrapped in chunky all-terrain or mud-terrain tires (like Maxxis Trepadors or Yokohama Geolandars), the setup gives the truck both trail grip and street style.
To protect the newly lifted ride, custom skid plates and front bull bars are installed. These aren’t just for show — they’re designed to absorb real abuse on dirt tracks, farm roads, and rocky climbs.
“We’ve had customers drive these through snow in Hokkaido, sand in Baja, and forests in Oregon,” says Kenji, one of Oiwa’s lead techs. “We build to be used.”
🔩 The Utility Build-Out: Bed Racks & Modularity
Once the core setup is finished, the real fun begins — tailoring the Carry to its owner’s lifestyle.
Oiwa Garage’s modular bed rack system is one of their signature creations. Designed to fit the Suzuki Carry’s compact bed perfectly, it’s built from powder-coated steel tubing and features mounting points for just about anything:
- Recovery gear (shovels, Maxtrax, jacks)
- Rotopax water/fuel cans
- Rooftop tents
- Toolboxes or lockable bins
- Solar panels or portable power stations
Some builds even include slide-out drawer systems, fold-down tables, or integrated camping kitchens. It’s a micro-Rig with maxi-functionality.
🪑 Interior Upgrades: Comfort Meets Character
Inside the cab, Oiwa takes the same approach: maximize space, add comfort, and keep it stylish.
First comes sound deadening and insulation — a must for older trucks that come with thin metal floors and zero noise control. Then, they usually add sport-style low-profile seats (sometimes Recaro, often JDM aftermarket), custom shift knobs, and refreshed trim.
Upgrades often include:
- Bluetooth head units with hidden wiring
- Reverse cameras
- Custom digital or analog gauge clusters
- Roof racks with LED lighting
- USB charging ports and extra battery systems
Despite the small size of the Carry’s cab, Oiwa makes it feel big — efficient layout, clean lines, and little touches that make a big difference.
🎨 Paint & Personality: The Final Layer
The final step? Personality.
Whether it’s desert tan with black accents, olive drab with stenciled military-style lettering, or a retro 90s JDM livery, every build gets a look to match its purpose.
Some customers opt for full wraps. Others go for Raptor liner or color-matched bed coatings. And Oiwa’s in-house detailers make sure every emblem, trim piece, and bolt looks brand-new before the keys are handed over.
“It’s not about perfection,” Kenji says, wiping down a finished truck.
“It’s about making something personal. Something with soul.”
🔥 The Result: One Truck, Endless Possibilities
By the time a Carry rolls out of Oiwa Garage, it’s more than just a vehicle — it’s a reflection of its owner, the builder, and the growing kei culture it represents.
It’s a truck that:
- Can hit the trail on Saturday
- Haul gear on Monday
- Cruise to a car meet on Friday night
- And still squeeze into that last tiny parking spot downtown
It’s tiny, but it’s got big heart.
🚗 Want Your Own Build?
Oiwa Garage builds a limited number of custom Suzuki Carrys each year — and every one is unique.
Whether you’re into:
- Overlanding on a micro scale
- Showing up at meets with something nobody else has
- Or just want a practical, head-turning daily driver…
Oiwa can build it.
📩 Inquire at OiwaGarage.com
📷 Follow the builds on Instagram
🎥 Full behind-the-scenes documentary dropping soon
Because in a world of oversized trucks, there’s something powerful about keeping it small — and building it right.ge.com
