Why 3D Printing and Kei Trucks Are a Perfect Match
The Cab broke a dashboard clip last year — a tiny plastic C-clip that Mitsubishi discontinued. Japan suppliers wanted $8 plus $18 shipping. Wait time: three weeks. Gary printed me four replacements in twenty minutes for seven cents. I bought a printer the next week. I'm not a 3D printing guy — I'm a mechanic who owns a 3D printer. There's a difference.
Kei trucks are 25+ years old and never sold in the US, so replacement trim, clips, and brackets can be hard to find. The community has embraced 3D printing as a way to:
- Replace broken interior parts that are impossible to source
- Create custom accessories that never existed
- Prototype mods before committing to fabrication
- Share designs so every owner benefits
What People Are Printing
Cup Holders and Phone Mounts
The number one print for kei trucks. Most kei truck cabs have no cup holders and no good place to mount a phone. Custom-designed holders that snap into existing dashboard openings or mount to the air vents are the most popular community designs.
Dash Clips and Trim Fasteners
Those plastic clips that hold interior panels in place? They get brittle after 25+ years and snap. OEM replacements are often discontinued. 3D printed clips are a perfect solution — functionally identical and pennies each to make.
Switch Blanks and Panel Covers
When you add aftermarket switches (light bars, aux lights, etc.) or remove unused Japanese-market switches, you need blanks to fill the holes. Custom-printed blanks match the dash perfectly.
Tailgate Handle Replacements
The plastic tailgate handles on many kei trucks crack and break. A 3D printed replacement in PETG or nylon is stronger than the original.
Bed Stake Pocket Inserts
Custom inserts for the stake pockets in the truck bed — great for mounting accessories, holding tools, or creating divider systems.
Gauge Pod Mounts
If you're adding aftermarket gauges (temperature, oil pressure, boost for supercharged Sambars), printed gauge pods that mount cleanly to the dashboard or A-pillar are popular.
Materials: What to Use
| Material | Best For | Strength | Heat Resistance | UV Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Indoor/dash parts | Low | Poor (warps at 60°C) | Poor |
| PETG | All-purpose, exterior | Medium | Good (80°C) | Moderate |
| ASA | Exterior/sun-exposed | Medium | Good (95°C) | Excellent |
| Nylon | Structural parts, clips | High | Good (80°C) | Moderate |
| ABS | Under-hood parts | Medium | Good (100°C) | Poor |
Don't use PLA for anything exposed to sun or heat. A PLA cup holder on the dashboard will warp on the first hot day. Use PETG minimum for anything in the cab, ASA for exterior parts.
Where to Find STL Files
Community Sources
- Thingiverse — search "kei truck" or specific model names (Suzuki Carry, Hijet, etc.)
- Printables — Prusa's library, growing collection of automotive parts
- Reddit r/keitruck — owners regularly share their designs and link to files
- Facebook kei truck groups — members share files directly
Design Your Own
If you can't find what you need:
- Measure the part — calipers are essential. Measure twice, print once.
- Model in free software — TinkerCAD (beginner), Fusion 360 (intermediate), or FreeCAD (open source)
- Test fit with PLA first — cheap and fast. Once the fit is right, reprint in PETG or ASA.
- Share the STL — post it to Thingiverse or Printables for the community
Tips for Kei Truck Printing
- Account for shrinkage — PETG and ABS shrink slightly when cooling. Add 0.2-0.3mm to critical dimensions.
- Use 3+ perimeters for structural parts — clips and brackets need wall thickness to resist snapping.
- Orient for strength — layer lines are weak points. Orient the print so stress runs along layers, not across them.
- Black PETG is your friend — matches most kei truck interiors and hides layer lines well.
- Sand and prime for a finished look — filler primer + light sanding makes 3D printed parts look factory.
Don't Have a Printer?
No problem:
- Library maker spaces — many public libraries have 3D printers you can use for free
- Online print services — upload an STL to JLCPCB, PCBWay, or Shapeways and get parts mailed to you
- Local makers — check Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor for people who print for hire (usually $5-20/part)
- Community members — post in kei truck groups and someone will often print and ship parts for cost + postage
What's Next
3D printing for kei trucks is still early. As the community grows and more owners get printers, expect:
- Model-specific parts libraries — complete clip and fastener sets for each truck model
- Functional upgrades — improved air vents, better cup holders, custom storage solutions
- Scan-and-print — 3D scanning broken parts to create exact replicas
If you design something good, share it. The community is small enough that your design might become the go-to solution for every owner of your truck model.