At SEMA 2024, the unexpected showstoppers weren’t big trucks or supercars—but two tiny titans built by Oiwa Garage in collaboration with Grasshopper. These custom Honda Acty builds proved that kei trucks have a real place on the global stage, blending style, function, and offbeat charm like nothing else on the floor.
If you missed the show, here’s a full breakdown of the two standout builds that turned heads and stole camera rolls.
🚠Build 1: The Green Camper — "Grasshopper One"
Concept: A trail-ready, micro-camper that combines form and function with a splash of JDM weirdness.
Key Features:
Aerodynamic camper shell with a sloped rear hatch
Fold-down tailgate cooking station with integrated hibachi grill
Stainless steel sink and water tank
Slide-out sleeping platform and under-bed storage drawers
Rooftop cargo rack for camping gear
Airline-style bucket seats and quick-release steering wheel
Vibe: If a kei truck and a teardrop camper had a child and dressed it in tactical gear, this would be it. Built for weekend warriors and minimalist explorers.
🔧 Build 2: The Red Mechanic’s Truck — "Field Ops"
Concept: A full-utility mobile workshop disguised as a cute mini truck. Designed for field work, ranch duties, and mobile wrenching.
Key Features:
Heavy-duty side tool drawers integrated into the bed
Reinforced suspension for added payload capacity
Rear cargo cage with modular racks for fluids, tools, and spares
Steel front bumper with brush guard and LED floodlights
Fire extinguisher mounts, spare jerry can, and portable air compressor
Custom seat covers and all-weather floor liners
Vibe: Think "Mad Max meets Makita." Tough, tactical, and surprisingly usable.
💬 Community Reaction
While monster builds and hypercars ruled the main halls, the Acty twins quietly gathered a cult following among overlanders, mini truck fans, and even film producers. Photographers and gear-heads surrounded both vehicles, asking questions about availability, imports, and where to get the same camper shell or drawer systems.
Some of our favorite overheard comments:
“This is the most practical thing here.”
“I didn’t come to SEMA for a kei truck, but now I want one.”
“It’s like a Tonka truck came to life.”
🌠Why It Mattered
For the first time, a U.S. show as big as SEMA gave real attention to functional kei truck customs. These weren’t just aesthetic builds—they were working prototypes built for camping, hauling, and wrenching in the real world.
Oiwa and Grasshopper also used the show to tease their upcoming parts line:
Modular bed drawer kits
Camper conversion shells
Armor bumpers and roof racks
LED accessory packs
Full suspension lift kits for HA-series Actys
Each part is being developed with a U.S. audience in mind, with support for both RHD and LHD conversions down the road.
ðŸ Final Thoughts
The Acty is proof that size doesn’t limit creativity—and the builds Oiwa Garage and Grasshopper brought to SEMA 2024 set a new standard for what kei trucks can be. Whether you’re building for adventure, utility, or pure visual impact, these rigs showed the world that Japan’s smallest workhorse can punch far above its weight class.
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