Mitsubishi Trucks

The Heavy-duty Class

Playing a Major Transport Role

In 1959, the T380, Japan's first tilt-cab truck was introduced to the market. With an 8-ton cargo capacity, the T380 was specifically designed for medium to long range transport of heavy cargo, a transportation role that was on the rise as rail transport of cargo increasingly gave way to road transport. Powered by a 165ps diesel engine, the T380 played a major role in the rapidly expanding economy as a durable and efficient source of heavy-duty transportation of raw materials.

The T390 with a 11.5-ton load capacity was released later that same year. It also adopted a tilt-cab and boasted the largest weight capacity in its class. The T390 incorporated a 6x2 drive format and was powered by the 220ps, DB34 turbocharged diesel engine. Combined, T380 and T390 set the stage for today's Mitsubishi heavy-duty truck lineup.

Always developing innovative ideas to simplify operations, Mitsubishi engineers designed a unique loading system for heavy-duty trucks in 1962. The forward section of the truck was tilted upwards with hydraulic jack-legs similar to support legs found on many mobile crane carriers of today. A special cargo bed which was already loaded could then be easily winched onto place.

In 1967, the T910 truck was released. The ll-ton T910 featured dual axles on both the front and rear. It was the first truck to adopt the new V6, 200ps, DC engine as well as a new cab befitting a heavy-duty truck. The new cab integrated an easy to operate tilt mechanism to markedly simplify daily maintenance and servicing not to mention a large windshield and side windows for upgraded visibility. Its brawny styling proclaimed its place among the heavy-duties.

Also in 1967, the T951 truck series was introduced. With a 6x2 drive formant, the T951 series had cargo capacities ranging from 11 to 12-tons and were powered by the 230ps, 8DC diesel engine. This series was to become known as the standard among heavy-duty trucks of the day. The current FU series heralds back to the T951. Also released that year was the 11-ton capacity T931 truck wielding a 6x4 drive format. It adopted the high performance 265ps, 8DC engine and was to set the stage for today's FV heavy-duty truck series.

In 1969, the T911 truck was released. With its trailer, the twin axled T911 had a total cargo capacity of 18 tons. It incorporated the 265ps, 8DC diesel engine. Also in 1969, the T380 underwent a model change and came to be known as the T387 and the T388 series. The T951 completely replaced the T390 series in 1970. Combined, these truck models were the predecessors of the Fuso FT and FU heavy-duty truck series released in and after 1973.

In 1972, the T813ARA truck tractor was released. Once again Mitsubishi made history in Japan by being the first to produce a cab-over truck integrating a hydraulically operated tilt cab. This markedly simplified cab tilt operations facilitating a much easier daily maintenance and servicing of the powerful 375ps, 10DC6 diesel engine.

1973 saw the beginning of the heavy-duty truck, F-series. The F-series was comprised of four major model; an 8-ton class FP with a 4x2 drive format, the 10-ton FT with dual front axles and a 6x2 drive format, the 10-ton class FU with a 6x2 drive format and the 10-ton class FV adopting a 6x4 drive format. To power the heavy duty F-series a choice of two high performance diesel engines were made available; the 305ps, 8DC8 engine or the 265ps, 8DC4 engine.

In 1975, the super long cargo body FT212 and FU212 models were introduced. 1976 saw the release of he 8-ton FP117 truck which adopted a newly designed 6 cylinder, 215ps, 6D20 direct injection diesel engine. The 6D20 engine feaured specially designed independent cylinder heads which proved economical in terms of service life while offering a high degree of smooth, quiet operation. The popular four-axle FS model was introduced in 1977.

In 1979, heavy-duty trucks entered the turbo age when some of the FT and FU models incorporated the 6D22 turbocharged direct injection diesel engine with a maximum power output of 270ps.

In 1983, the F-series underwent its first full model change and was popularly nicknamed "The Great" in Japan. It featured a new aerodynamically designed cab integrating the largest windshield area in its class in Japan along with a full floating cab suspension . Its high power performance came from the 6D22T2 diesel engine equipped with an intercooler and turbocharger. The newly developed turbocharger adopted on the 6D22T2 exhibited excellent fuel economy, torque characteristics and a high level of efficiency. Some models adopted the sharp handling 7-speed transmission with overdrive. Other features included the MCVOCII, an onboard data computer which kept records of important operating parameter simplifying servicing and maintenance.

1988 proved to be a very good year for Mitsubishi heavy-duty truck drivers. A number of new innovative technologies came on the scene including the world's first pre-stroke control injection pump for diesel engines. Another was the development of the finger control transmission and the MMAT automatic transmission. In 1989, ABS equipped trucks came on the scene providing Mitsubishi trucks with technology that had been reserved for passenger vehicles. In 1991, the super frame was developed offering simplified rear body mounting while assuring higher rigidity combined with lighter overall weight.

In 1996, The Great underwent a full major change and was renamed The Super Great incorporating numerous new state-of-the-art truck technologies. Safety, comfort, economy and environmental considerations characterize the well received heavy-duty truck series. Both cargo and semi pulling tractors are available, the later featuring a 550ps intercooler turbocharged direct injection diesel engine. Low fuel consumption with high power makes for relaxed high-speed transport. Visibility is maximized with a large front windshield, large rear window and the world first class application of high-intensity discharge headlamps. The Super Great adopts safety-cab construction, SRS airbag and seatbelt with pretensioner for better occupant collision protection. In addition to anti-lock brakes and an anti-spin regulator, the Super Great's active safety features also is equipped with Mitsubishi's MDAS (Mitsubishi Driver Attention monitoring System).