Daihatsu Hijet Dump Mini Trucks
Take the Hijet regular cab model then pair it with a tipping rear bed and you have a powerhouse 4×4 off-roader that can haul and dump 1,500lbs. Farmers, municipalities, and more love them.
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Introduction
Daihatsu Hijets have been the best-selling Japanese mini truck models for over a decade. So, when you take the Hijet with the regular cab and pair it with a tipping rear bed, you create a powerhouse 4×4 off-road vehicle capable of hauling and dumping up to 1,500 lbs (HD Dump). It’s easy to see why these mini trucks have become so appealing to such a wide range of users. In fact, their versatility is so remarkable that they could easily be called the Swiss Army Knives of the mini truck world.
But, just to clarify, this page is focused specifically on what makes these models distinct from the regular cab Hijets that have the fixed load beds. If you’re looking for detailed information about engines, transmissions, the interior, or other features shared by the regular cab Hijets, you won’t find it here. For that information, head over to the Hijet regular cab page, where you can explore those details and much more.
On this page, we’re concentrating on the dumping capabilities, but let’s begin by looking at the range of colors available for these Hijet dump mini trucks
Selection For Sale
Here are just a few of the Hijet dump models that we have here at Mini Truck Depot. Click on any of them to see more details, or click here to see all the mini trucks we have of this particular model. (If you just want to keep reading about Daihatsu Hijet Dump mini trucks, scroll down to to go to the next section about exterior color options.)
Colors
These dump mini trucks are offered in two standard colors—white and metallic silver. Since they are primarily designed as work vehicles rather than personal vehicles, they are not available in the wider range of colors (such as Orange Metallic or Ice Green Metallic) that can be found on the fixed-bed regular cab or Jumbo models. However, this doesn’t mean they lack visual appeal. Below are examples showcasing the two color options: white and silver. First, take a look at an LD Dump model in silver:
Next, here’s the same LD Dump model in white.
Both colors work well, though the silver may have a slight edge in attractiveness if that’s something you value. It’s worth noting that images don’t quite capture how good this silver looks in person—it’s one of those colors that truly stands out when seen in the metal. However, this silver color option is exclusive to the LD Dump model, while white is available for both the LD and HD Dump mini trucks. If you’re purchasing a fleet of mini trucks for your business, white can be a practical choice, as it’s the most versatile option for customizing with decals or wraps to represent your company.
Now, about those terms ‘LD’ and ‘HD.’ You might be wondering what they mean and what sets them apart from each other. Let’s explore that next.
Daihatsu Hijet LD Dump
While the saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ may not always hold true, it’s often the best starting point. Here’s an 11th generation S510P Hijet LD model, shown in that striking silver metallic.
There are a couple of details to notice here. First of all, the dump bed on this LD Dump model is the same as the one found on the regular cab model. On the regular cab, the bed is fixed, but in this LD model, it can tip, as shown here. This makes the LD Dump model stand out with the longest mini truck dump bed, measuring 6 feet and 8 inches in length. It offers plenty of space for hauling, with the added bonus of being able to dump. The only thing to keep in mind is that the construction of the dump bed isn’t nearly as robust as the HD Dump, which is why this model has the ‘Light Duty’ (LD) designation.
Also, as you can see in the photo above, some LD Dumps come with a frame at the front of the load bed, while others include a frame attached to the back of the cab to protect it. Given its close connection to the regular fixed bed model, the LD Dump retains the useful ability to fold down all three sides of the bed. This makes loading and off-loading much easier and adds to its all-round practicality.
So the next question concerns how that bed is tipped. Unlike the HD version that we will get to shortly, with this LD Dump version, you can only choose the electro-hydraulic mechanism and not a PTO mechanism.
Does this mean you’re missing out when you get an LD Dump rather than an HD with the PTO? Well, do you really need this PTO mechanism? Essentially, it comes down to how you want to use your dump mini truck. So, if you are going to be hauling a lot of heavy loads, such as gravel, and you really want to maximize the sheer lifting power of the tipping mechanism, then the PTO is for you. It draws the power directly from the engine, which is why it’s able to give the biggest kick, and it can keep on running all day (assuming you keep the fuel topped up).
The main disadvantage of the PTO mechanism? In order to engage it, the mini truck has to be stationary for the very simple reason that all the power from the engine is going into dumping the load, so it can’t be directed to the wheels at the same time. But what about if you want to be able to raise the bed while the vehicle is in motion? A classic example of this would be the farmer who wants to spread feed for his livestock. By gradually tipping the load bed as he drives slowly across his field, he can achieve a nice distribution rather than a single pile. In this scenario, the regular electro-hydraulic mechanism will be a better fit.
It really is up to you. Think about what you’re going to be using your dump mini truck for. Is it sheer power? Or flexibility? The thing is, if you’re planning on doing a lot of hauling and dumping and you really do need the extra power and all-day-dumping ethic of the PTO mechanism, then why wouldn’t you pair it with the much-tougher reinforced steel load bed of the HD dump anyway?
Now we’ve thought about these options, let’s take a look at what that electro-hydraulic mechanism (the only option with the LD model, remember) looks like on these mini trucks themselves:
Before we even get to the dumping piston, take a moment to appreciate the impressive build quality of the frame on this Hijet LD Dump. This level of construction is standard across all Hijet models, but it’s usually hidden beneath the bed. Here, with the bed raised, you get a rare opportunity to see it clearly, and it’s quite a contrast to the tube frame of a ‘normal’ UTV.
However, we’re not here to focus on the chassis construction. Let’s turn our attention to the load bed. Notice the steep angle it can be raised to—up to around 50 degrees. That’s more than enough to ensure the load is dumped out efficiently and completely. And as for operation, it’s as simple as it gets. Everything is controlled with just the click of a button:
But what if you need a tougher bed and the most powerful tipping mechanism available on a Japanese mini truck? In that case, the HD Dump with PTO is the right choice. Let’s take a closer look at it next.
Daihatsu Hijet HD Dump
In addition to offering the option of a PTO mechanism rather than just the hydraulic mechanism, the other standout feature of the HD (Heavy Duty) Dump model is its tougher, more robust bed design. Let’s take a look at a photo to highlight these differences more clearly.
HD Dump Load Bed Construction
A quick glance makes it clear that the HD load bed is constructed quite differently from that of the LD model. First, there’s the large protective plate at the front of the dump bed. This plate almost completely covers the rear of the cab, leaving only a few slits for the rear window. It’s an essential feature when hauling materials like dirt or gravel, as it gives the cab critical protection from shifting loads.
Next, take a look at the sides of the bed. Notice the evenly spaced steel pillars? These are absent on the Light Duty (LD) model, but they provide crucial support to prevent the bed from deforming under heavy loads. Admittedly, it’s not as long as the box in the LD Dump, but at 6 ft 2 in long, 13 inches deep, and 4 ft 6 in wide, this is still a much bigger box than you will find on any equivalent work UTV.
The final difference isn’t immediately visible but is equally significant—it concerns the materials used to reinforce the bed. The steel plates forming the sides and base of the dump bed are made from stainless steel over 1/16 inch thick. This is much thicker and more durable than the steel used in the LD Dump.
But, despite being built to a tougher standard than the LD Dump, the HD model retains the same user-friendly features, including the ability to fold down the sides for easy onloading and offloading. Just drop a side and reach in. No having to stretch from the far back.
Tipping Mechanism
The electro-hydraulic mechanism is one of the options for tilting the dump bed. However, since we’ve already explored that above in the context of the LD Dump, this section is going to focus on the PTO mechanism instead.
Before we go further, take a moment to note the extra reinforcement on the underside of the bed, as well as the robust construction of the frame that connects the bed to the mini truck chassis. This strengthening is the same whether the HD Dump mini truck is equipped with a PTO mechanism or an electro-hydraulic one, but it does highlight just how much tougher its construction is.
So, how is the PTO dump lifting mechanism operated? Take a look at the large lever located between the gearshift and the dashboard. That’s the lever used to engage the PTO. Keep in mind, this can only be done when the vehicle is stationary, but by channeling engine power directly into raising the dump bed, the result is a much more powerful lift. Additionally, the PTO gives you more control, as the lifting speed is directly linked to the engine revs, allowing you to adjust the movement as needed.
Pair It With A Plow
There are lots of mini truck models you can pair with a Fisher snow plow, but the most popular combination as chosen by many municipalities and colleges across the nation is to hook up the plow to one of these powerhouse Daihatsu HD Dump models. Since each of our mini truck dealers is also an official Fisher dealer as well, make sure you ask about getting your mini truck outfitted with a snow plow when you get it. Take a look at the HD Dump + plow combo in action:
Daihatsu Hijet Scissor Dump
So, we’ve reached the end of this page about Daihatsu Hijet dump models … or have we? We’ve covered the standard model options—the LD Dump and HD Dump—as well as the different choices for the dump bed tipping mechanism. But we can’t conclude without at least mentioning the ultra-rare Scissor Dump. Yes, it dumps, but the bed can also be raised horizontally, as you can see below.
Here are a couple of things business users have found these scissor lift dumps useful for. Municipalities and colleges are using them to change bulbs on lighting all over campus instead of putting up a ladder each time to reach and replace the bulbs. Similarly, municipalities find putting up and taking down seasonal decorations much easier and quicker using their scissor lift dumps, as compared with what they used to have to do—asking the fire department, or running up and down ladders all day. These are just a couple of actual real-world uses these mini trucks have been put to.
What else can you do with these? Well, apart from all your regular dumping and hauling you can: Use them for fruit picking. Put a camo wrap on them and use the lifted bed as a hide for hunting. There are loads of niche uses for this incredibly versatile Japanese mini truck.
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This one below is a Daihatsu Hijet, but Suzuki also has a scissor dump version of the Carry as well Both Daihatsu Hijet and Suzuki Carry versions are very rare, so you may not always find scissor lift dump mini trucks for sale here. In any case, make sure you contact us if you are interested in them so that we can try to find some for you.
Buying A Daihatsu Hijet Dump Mini Truck
You’ll always find a selection of both LD and HD Dump Daihatsu Hijet Japanese mini trucks here at Mini Truck Depot. While they aren’t the most common model in Japan — and you won’t see as many of them as some other Hijet versions — they remain a core offering for many of our buyers in the US. Simply click here to browse all the different dump mini trucks we currently have for sale.
