Mitsubishi Fuso The Great Explained

Mitsubishi Fuso The Great is a heavy truck range manufactured and sold by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (now Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation) from 1983 until 2001. It is a gathering name for the FT, FV, and FU-series trucks. The Great succeeded the Mitsubishi F-series line of heavy trucks, and wasgradually replaced by the Super Great which was introduced in 1996. The design language of The Great also defined the look of the succeeding generations of the Canter and Fighter trucks. The Great was also built as a tractor truck.

History

The vehicle has also been produced under license in South Korea by the Hyundai Motor Company under the name Hyundai 91A, and by Dongfeng Liuqi in China. It has frequently been used as a basis for armored security vehicles by Japanese law enforcement, as a fire truck, and even in competition: The Greats participated in the 1997 Dakar–Dakar Rally, finishing fifth and sixth in the truck (T4-2) category with teams headed by veteran French drivers Gilbert Versino and Christophe Granjon. This was enough to finish 38th and 41st overall amongst the four-wheeled competitors.^[1] While both Greats entered finished, the result was overshadowed by competitors Hino's triple victory and Mitsubishi did not return to Dakar with heavyin the truck category.

In export markets, the name "The Great" was not typically used, with Mitsubishi selling them using the model code names.

Development

July 1983Introduced. The headlights were rectangular, inset in larger, clear plastic rectangles. Export models for certain markets and special vehicles such as snowplows used four, easier to replace, round headlights. It was designed to be more easy to use, with single-key operation, a steering lock, and no battery relay switch.

September 1983An 8-ton semi-tractor with the six-cylinder 6D22(T3) engine was added (FP-R).^[2]

November 1983The heavier, 6x4 FV-R semi-tractor was added, fitted with the 8DC9 or turbocharged 8DC9(T) V8 engine.^[2]

November 1984The twin-turbo, intercooler 8DC9(T2) V8 engine was introduced.^[2]

July 1986Minor facelift with a larger grille, extending up above the headlamps onto the bonnet; the 8DC11 engine was introduced.

May 1989Added the 10DC11 engine.^[3]

December 1989Facelift, with redesigned grille, now compliant with Japan's 1989 exhaust gas regulations. The FUSO emblem is somewhat smaller and is now attached to the black stripe above the grille.

July 1991ABS brakes made standard equipment on tractor units.

October 19918M20 engine model available.

July 1993Major revision, heralding the design later seen on the later Super Great, using projector headlights shared with the second generation Fighter. The dashboard was given a more rounded design.

December 1994Made compliant with 1994 exhaust gas regulations. A new 22-25 tonne GVWR series of vehicles was added, called the "Z Series". These feature a front grille in the same color as the cab. The 8M21 engine was introduced.

April 1995The tractor underwent minor changes to accommodate Japan's relaxation of regulations on total vehicle weight.

May 1996The model was replaced by the Super Great. However, production of export and off-highway vehicles continued.

2001Production of off-highway and export market vehicles came to an end.

Model Codes

These model codes are followed by a three-digit code - this includes a leading digit "4" since The Great is the fourth iteration of the Fuso F-series trucks . The last two numbers indicate the engine; additional letter codes for more specific differences come at the end (see engine table below).

FP (1 front axle, 1 rear axle, 4x2)

FP-R (1 front axle, 1 rear axle, 4x2) semi-tractor model numbers end with an R. For example, KC-FP419DR.

FS (2 front axles, 2 rear axles, 8x4)

FT (2 front axles, 1 rear axle, 6x2)

FU (1 front axle, 2 rear axles, 6x2)

FV (2-differential version of FU) – includes tractors

FV-R (1 front axle, 2 rear axles, 6x4) semi-tractor model numbers end with an R. For example, P-FV415HR.

FN (low-floor version of FV)

FR (4×4 for snowplows)

FW (6×6 for snowplows)

FX (8×8 for snowplows)

Engines

The only difference visible from the outside is the air intake snorkel, which differs between some models. There are three different snorkel placements: naturally aspirated or turbocharged V8 and 6D40 engines have a left snorkel, twin turbos have snorkels on both sides, and 6D22 and 6D24 engines have the snorkel on the right.

Model code	Engine code	Layout	Displacement		Maximum power		Years produced
			cc	cuin	PS	kW
410	6D40(T1)	Turbo+IC I6	12,023	733.7		1989-1996
	6D40(T2)
	6D40(T3)
411	8M20-2	V8 (NA)	20,089	1,225.9		1992-2001
	8M20-3
	8M20-1
412	8M21				1995-1996
413	8DC8		14,886	908.4		1992-1996
414	10DC11	V10 (NA)			1989.5-1996
415	8DC9	V8 (NA)	16,031	978.3		1983-1996
	8DC9T	Turbo V8
	8DC9(T7)	Twin turbo V8
	8DC9(T2)
416	8DC10	V8			1983-1996
417	6D24(T1)	Turbo+IC I6	11,945	728.9		1995-1996
	6D24(0AT2)
418	6D22		11,149	680.4		1983-1996
	6D22(T0)
	6D22(T1)
	6D22(T2/T7)
	6D22(T6)
419	8DC11	V8			1986.7-1996
424	10M20	V10		480	1995-1996

References

1. Web site: Dakar 2021: Guide Historique . Historic Guide . fr . . 2020 . 103 .
2. [#camionFuso|Takayoshi]
3. Motor Vehicle . 1343-1854 . 三菱ふそう"ザ・グレート"新V10 440馬力トラクタ全解説 . Mitsubishi Fuso "The Great"; new V10, 440-horsepower semitrailer-tractor . ja . 27–28 . 39 . 8 . Kudan Publishing .