Our take on the Japanese Domestic Market, tips and advice on owning a JDM vehicle.
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JDM?
What really is a JDM? JDM is an acronym meaning Japanese Domestic Market. When we refer to JDM vehicles, we are talking about cars that are meant for the Japanese public, aka Japanese Imports. They can have different features/safety standards then we are used to here in the US. That being said, they can be a…
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Your first JDM drive
Owning a JDM vehicle is an exciting journey into a different corner of the automotive scene. Whether you have wanted one for years and are getting ready to pull the trigger, or you saw one on Instagram last night and you are headed to the dealer tomorrow… there are a couple small things to consider…
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Is a JDM vehicle right for me?
Maybe you saw one of those JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) mini truck (kei truck) posts on facebook and it was too cheap to be true. Should you really buy one vs. a golf cart? We think thats an easy YES, but if you are wondering about some of the pros and cons, we have a…
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Kei Car, Kei Truck – What is it?
You found that cute little Honda Acty and almost bought it before going to bed, so what exactly is that thing anyway? The Honda Acty is a Kei Truck – which means it is smaller than your average vehicle here in America. Manufactured for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), the Kei class of vehicles has…
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Windshield Wipers are all the same
You would think that windshield wipers are all the same right? So did we, until we had a JDM Toyota Hiace that wouldn’t take your regular old wiper blades. The clip mounting on the end of the actual wiper arm was different than you would normally see. There was no way to securely clip a…
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JDM Car Speedometer Hack
We have seen people doing all sorts of crazy things with their JDM rides and it made me sad to see honestly. Why would you tape numbers to your cluster or have a cheat sheet taped to the a pillar on your vehicle? Treat that thing right!!! We knew there had to be a better…
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USA vs JDM License Plate
Yup, they are different… The things you learn as a JDM newb. US license plates are 6in X 12in vs. a JDM plate coming in at 6.5in X 13in. And you thought everything was bigger in Texas. Sorry about your luck, that US plate won’t mount without some duct tape! Want the easy fix… buy…
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Daily driving a JDM Vehicle in the USA… is Awesome
We have racked up over 40k miles daily driving and road tripping adventures in just shy of 3 years. That is an average of over 10k miles per year. How reliable have our JDM cars been and what broke along the way? Reliability has been great overall, never leaving us stranded and cursing. That being…
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JDM Automotive Forums
Sometimes you need some help figuring out what is going on with your ride, fear not, some of these places might be able to help: Know of some others we are missing? Give us a shout.
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Diesel Fuel + Winter
If you’ve recently made the jump to a diesel vehicle – perhaps a rugged JDM Toyota Hiace or a domestic heavy-duty pickup – you’re about to experience the legendary torque and efficiency that diesel owners rave about. But as the leaves fall and the thermometer dips, there is a hidden chemistry project happening inside your…
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Manuals
We have a small selection of manuals available for direct download below, external links to other documentation libraries cover virtually all makes/models. If you have documents we can share with the community, please reach out and we would be happy to host it. Domestic Manuals JDM Manuals External Docs
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Parts
Domestic Parts Resources Hopefully you can find what you are looking for in local parts shops, unless you are working on older vehicles. We have a few select retailers listed below we have personally dealt with in the past. JDM Parts – Shipped from Overseas Unfortunately, not all parts are stocked and ready to grab…
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My Japanese Import Blew Up, What Now?
Oh no, That perfect Japanese Import you dreamed about finally did something it shouldn’t. What now? You might be wondering where to start when your car goes on the fritz. Follow our handy guide before you lose your ****. We hope this information is helpful. Did we miss something? let us know.
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Uh Oh, my ECU is fried.
Replacing your cars computer (ECU – electronic control unit) – the brains of your engine – is not something most people ever think about, until something really bad happens and you need a new one. After adding 50k miles on the clock to our JDM rides, we had a sudden dead stop issue. After extensive…
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JDM Dreams: Should You Import or Buy Local?
When we’re out in our Toyota Land Cruiser or Hiace, the most common question we get isn’t “What engine is in that?” but rather: “Where did you even get it?” For a long time, the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) felt like a secret club. But today, enthusiasts have two great paths to getting behind the…
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JDM Maintenance Reset
Congratulations—the paperwork is done, and your JDM treasure is finally in your driveway. Now comes the most important part of the journey: The Maintenance Reset. Whether your car came from a high-end dealer or a dusty auction lot, you are starting from mile zero. Japanese service records don’t always translate perfectly, and rubber ages regardless…
