Let’s be real — no one expects a tiny 660cc kei truck to crush off-road trails. But we saw potential in the Suzuki Carry that most people overlook. Small? Yep. Lightweight? Absolutely. But with the right mods, it’s basically a Japanese mountain goat on wheels.

Here’s how we turned a humble little Carry into a head-turning, trail-tackling off-road beast.

🔧 Step 1: The Lift Kit — Getting Off the Ground

The stock Carry sits low — like, “watch out for speed bumps” low. So we slapped on a 3-inch Oiwa Garage lift kit, giving us just enough height to clear rough terrain without compromising balance.

The install was pretty straightforward: extended shackles, strut spacers, and a camber correction plate up front. Suddenly, this kei truck didn’t look so tiny anymore.

🛞 Step 2: Tires & Wheels — The Right Grip

You can’t take baby tires on real trails. We upgraded to 13-inch off-road steel wheels wrapped in Maxxis Trepador M/T tires — aggressive tread, killer sidewall strength, and just the right size to fit under the lifted fenders without rubbing.

The ride? Surprisingly smooth. The grip? Next level.

💡 Step 3: Armor & Lighting — Ready for Anything

Next up: protection and visibility.

We added a custom front bull bar with built-in recovery points and a roof-mounted LED light bar for those late-night trail sessions. Tossed in a couple of side-mounted amber fogs too — gotta love that JDM rally vibe.

Skid plates underneath keep the oil pan and transfer case safe when we’re crawling over rocks.

🧰 Step 4: Bed Rack & Trail Storage Setup

We built a modular bed rack out of powder-coated steel tubing — perfect for mounting Maxtrax, a hi-lift jack, water tank, and Rotopax fuel cans.

We also bolted in a lockable tool chest for recovery gear, tow straps, and basic tools. Small truck, big prep.

🪑 Step 5: Interior Upgrades — Keep It Comfy

Let’s not forget the cabin. We swapped the stock seats for a pair of low-profile bucket seats, added sound-deadening mats, and threw in a basic digital gauge cluster upgrade.

Now it’s functional and actually nice to ride in — even for longer off-road runs.

🚙 Field Test: It Actually Rips

First time on the trail? We were grinning the whole time. Light enough to float over sand, narrow enough for tight forest trails, and just enough torque in low gear to crawl over obstacles you’d never expect from a kei truck.

It’s not a rock crawler. It’s not a dune basher. But it’s way more capable than anyone expects — and way more fun than anything else in its class.

🎯 Final Thoughts: Why We Love This Build

Turning the Suzuki Carry into an off-road rig wasn’t about making the biggest, baddest 4x4 — it was about creativity, capability, and serious fun in a small package. It proves you don’t need a huge truck or deep pockets to get into off-roading.

So if you’re looking for something unique, affordable, and wildly capable… this little beast might be your perfect project.