Honda Acty Kei Truck Meets Skyline Style: Kei.otik Build

TL;DR

• JDM heritage reborn in Texas: Kei.otik brings the spirit of a Nissan Skyline to a 1999 Honda Acty Kei truck.

• From Navy shipyards to show floors: Carlos Gonzalez blends service, culture, and custom creativity.

• More than a build: Kei.otik symbolizes community, legality, and the persistence of JDM passion in America.

1999 Honda Acty SDX (Kei-Truck)

instagram @kei.otik

Owner: Carlos Gonzalez

Photographer: Adam Delgadillo

Instagram: @oadam7

From Japan to Texas: A JDM Love Story

There are builds that turn heads—and then there are builds that stop traffic. Kei.otik is one of the latter.

For owner Carlos Gonzalez (@kei.otik), JDM culture isn’t just a phase—it’s his DNA. After serving 27 years in the U.S. Navy, stationed across the globe but shaped by his long assignments in Japan, Carlos brought home more than memories. He brought home the spirit of Japanese car culture.

Back in 1999, his first duty station in Sasebo changed everything. A co-worker rolled up in twin R32 Skylines—machines that didn’t just look fast, they redefined performance. That spark ignited a love affair with Japanese performance cars, one that grew stronger over 17 years stationed in Japan. Today, Carlos still treasures his Gunmetal Grey 1993 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)—but it’s his new project that has taken the spotlight.

Kei.otik: A Texas Kei Truck With Skyline Soul

In 2024, Carlos went searching for a daily driver. What he found instead was a slice of Japan reborn: a 1999 Honda Acty Kei truck. Imported fresh from San Antonio, this micro-workhorse was once a backbone of daily life in Japan—hauling loads in rice fields, buzzing around factories, even zipping across Navy bases.

But in Texas? It became a blank canvas.

Carlos immediately envisioned something wild—a Skyline-themed Kei truck that would echo his beloved R32 GT-R. He laid down the famous KH2 Gunmetallic paint, bolted on R32-style wheels, added decals to mimic his Skyline, and topped it with the same burnt-tip muffler and a red tow hook. Kei.otik wasn’t just built to match—it was built as a sibling to his GT-R.

If you’re into modified JDM icons like this, you’ll love the Stance Auto Magazine Japanese Classic Cars Vol.2—a collection of classic builds with timeless soul.

Blood, Sweat, and Sound Deadening

This wasn’t some weekend bolt-on project. Carlos stripped the cab down to bare bones, scrubbing and prepping every inch before laying sound deadening throughout.

The interior is a masterpiece in itself—painted in SEM Camel and Cordovan Brown, featuring custom upholstery by Absolute Upholstery in Rockport, TX. The dash and door cards match, tying the build together with the warmth and character of a true showpiece.

And unlike trailer queens, Kei.otik works for a living. It’s a daily, built to drive, show, and surprise everyone who lays eyes on it.

JDM in Corpus Christi

Texas has quickly become the perfect home for Kei.otik. At every car meet or show in Corpus Christi, this little truck steals the spotlight, pulling sponsor picks, people’s choice awards, and endless camera phones.

But it’s the reactions that matter most—kids pointing in awe, strangers throwing thumbs-up, and drivers hanging their phones out the window to snap pics at stoplights. Kei.otik isn’t just a truck—it’s a mood.

Making Kei History in Texas

Kei trucks aren’t just rare—they’ve been controversial. In April 2024, a Texas DMV policy banned Kei vehicles from the roads. Thanks to relentless advocacy by David McChristian and the Lone Star Kei community, that decision was reversed.

By June 2025, the movement became law. Senate Bill 1816, unanimously passed, officially legalized Kei trucks in Texas. That means Kei.otik isn’t just a custom build—it’s part of history. A rolling reminder that passion and persistence can change laws.

Want more insight into how JDM history shaped American car culture? Check out Stance Auto Magazine JDM Classics: The 90s.

The Road Ahead

Carlos isn’t done yet. Plans include updated paint, fresh interior patterns, and more detail work to keep Kei.otik evolving.

But for now, this Acty is more than enough. It represents service, culture, and creativity—the perfect fusion of Japanese engineering and Texas individuality.

From Sasebo shipyards to Corpus Christi highways, Kei.otik proves one thing: when passion drives the build, the story never stops.

Honda Acty Kei Truck Performance Uprgrades

Performance:

• 660cc 3-cylinder Honda Acty engine (38hp, 5MT)

• 772lbs cargo capacity, ~1500lbs curb weight

• 9.8 gallon tank, ~35–40 mpg

Exterior:

• KH2 Gunmetallic Grey paint (from R32 GT-R)

• Hello Special flares, lip spoiler

• Aftermarket tailgate & roof spoilers

• Gator Step bed liner

• 4” Lucas mirrors

• EZ-KEI Sports stainless exhaust

• Kawai Works tow hook

Suspension/Wheels:

• EZ-KEI coilovers & strut bar

• 15x8 MST wheels

• 195/45R15 Toyo Extensa

Interior:

• SEM Camel & Cordovan Brown paint

• Full custom upholstery (Absolute Upholstery, TX)

• Madrone Burl shift knob

• Rockford Fosgate sound system, Rockville sub

• Train horn, custom decals

Call to Action

Do you have a build story like this one? Got a build on a budget? We want to see it. Submit your story to Stance Auto Magazine, and you could be the next featured owner showing the world how to do it right—without breaking the bank.

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