Hino Ranger

Hino Ranger
Hino 500 Series
Overview
Manufacturer Hino Motors
Kuozui Motors (Taiwan)
Hino Motor Manufacturing Colombia (Colombia)
PT Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia (Indonesia)
Also called Hino 500 Series
Hino Validus
Kia Rhino
Production 1969-present
Assembly Japan
Body and chassis
Class Truck
Body style Truck (standard cab (Worldwide), crew cab (Australia only))
Powertrain
Transmission Hino (manual)
Allison (automatic)

The Hino Ranger (Japanese: 日野レンジャー) is a medium-duty commercial vehicle produced by Hino Motors, a 50.1% subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. It was introduced in 1969 with the original model.

The Ranger is part of Hino's F-Series Truck with model code such as FC, FD, FE, FF, FG, FL, and FM. The further the alphabet means the higher payload. The 4WD models are FT and GT. The SG is Tractor Head to pull container. In certain countries, the Ranger is only available as medium or heavy truck, while the small or low payload models like FA and FB were replaced by Hino Dutro. In Japan, the small Ranger FA was rebadged as Toyota Dyna.

Hino has competed in the Dakar Rally in 1991, with the Ranger FT 4WD truck driven by Yoshimasa Sugawara, a Japanese rally driver. He always finished in the Top 10 in Camion Category. For 17 straight years, Hino always won the under 10,000 cc class, and captured 1st overall in the 1997 event.

1st Generation (1969-1980)

Hino KL340

The Hino Ranger KL was introduced in Japan in 1969. After the 1979 discontinuation of the Toyota Massy Dyna, the Ranger series replaced that truck. In Australia, it was sold as Toyota KL300. The Ranger KL-series were offered as short wheelbase KL300, medium wheelbase KL340 and KL350, as well as long wheelbase KL360 and KL380. The Ranger line-up spawned into KB, KR, KQ, and other models. Engines are 4.5 liter DQ100 and 5.0 liter EC100.

2nd Generation (1980-1989)

Hino Ranger FF173

Early models have round headlights, while facelift models come with rectangular headlights. The cab design was inspired by European trucks and was considerably more aerodynamic than its predecessor; 35 percent more so according to Hino themselves. The cab was built by robots.[1] the engine range was also updated.

Japanese model production ended in 1989, while Indonesian models lasted until 2003.

Models in Indonesia are FF172, FF173, FL176, FM226, and SG221. The FF and SG were marketed as Super Ranger, the FL and FM are Jumbo Ranger.

From 1982, Ford Motor Company and Hino signed a deal for badge-engineered trucks to be known as the Ford N-series for release in the Australian and New Zealand markets to replace the Ford D-series trucks. The deal lasted 15 years. For this reason, many Hino trucks saw service down under disguised as Fords.

3rd Generation (1989-2002)

Pre-Facelift model Hino Cruising Ranger in Japan
Facelift model Hino Space Ranger in Japan

In Japan, this generation was marketed as Cruising Ranger, Rising Ranger and Space Ranger.

  • Light Truck : FA, FB
  • Light Medium Truck : FC, FD, FE, GD
  • Medium Heavy Truck 4x2 : FF, FG
  • Medium Truck 4x4 : FT, GT, GX
  • Tractor Head : SG

Hino entered three Ranger FTs in the 1997 Dakar Rally, and results were 1-2-3 Overall in the Camion (Truck) Category.

In North America, Hino did not use the Ranger name for its medium truck. The US models are FA1517, FB1817, FD2320, FE2620, FF3020, SG3320, and SG3325. The first two digits indicate the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and the last two digits refer to engine power. Medium trucks have 200HP. FA1517 means the smallest truck with 15,000 lbs GVWR, and around 170 bhp.

The third generation Hino Ranger was not sold in Indonesia, since the second generation was manufactured locally until 2003.

In the Top Gear Burma Special James May drove a 3rd generation Hino Ranger in the FB110 version with a crane attachment.

In South Korea, this generation rebadged as Kia Rhino.

4th Generation (2001-present)

Hino Super Ranger SG260J
Hino 500 FG210J Wing in plant in Indonesia
Hino Jumbo Ranger FM320P

right|2017 Hino Ranger FD cargo truck]]

Marketed in Japan as Ranger Pro, or Hino 500 Series for export. Retained the Super Ranger and Jumbo Ranger names in Indonesia. In Malaysia, it is called Validus. Mega called trucks hino ranger in Thailand.

The Ranger is available with combination of various cabin, standard or wide, standard roof or high roof, short cab or full cab. The FD is also available as Double Cab.

High Grade Package with chrome bumper, discharge headlights, wood panel, and other interior upgrades are offered for JDM models.

  • Light Medium Truck : FC, FD, GD, FE
  • Medium Heavy Truck 4x2 : FF, FG, FJ
  • Medium Truck 4x4 : FT, FX, GT, GX
  • Medium Heavy Truck 6x2: FL
  • Medium Heavy Truck 6x4: GK, FM
  • Medium Heavy Truck 8x4: GY
  • Tractor Head 4x2: SG
  • Tractor Head 6x2: SG
  • Tractor Head 6x4: FM

Hino is the market leader for truck and bus in Indonesia since 2000. The current best selling model is Jumbo Ranger FM260J D. This dump truck is commonly used for construction and coal mining.

A diesel hybrid-electric version is also available in Japan.

Facelift

Facelift model Hino Ranger FE in Japan

Some minor changes were introduced in January 15, 2015. The New Hino Ranger Series now has a new look with a refreshed upside-down trapezoidal shape front grill with dark grey color, new headlamp, semi-floating suspension, and revised chassis. Besides that, there is a minor upgrade on the axles - all of the New Hino Ranger Series now uses 10 wheel studs instead of the usually found 8 wheel studs in previous generations. This 10-wheel-stud design is not new to Hino because some heavy-duty series Hino Ranger, usually the cement mixer version, had already used this design several years before. However, since 2015, the 10-wheel-stud design is now a standard feature for all Hino Ranger Series.

In April 2017, this facelifted version was revealed along with the facelifted Profia. It incorporates new generation trapezoidal shape grill, a bigger high roof, LED headlights, a revised dashboard, a new 4-spoke steering wheel (replacing the original 2-spoke version), a configurable instrument cluster and a premium interior. The new Ranger mid-cycle update also debuts the all-new 5.1-liter A05C engine that replaces both J05E and J08E engines. Transmissions should continue to with manual (6-speed or 7-speed), Allison automatic (6-speed) and Pro Shift semi automatic (6-speed or 7-speed). Sales began in Japan later in 2017.

Engines

Diesel engines
Engine [Model]Production [Year]DisplacementCylinder
J05EUntil 20175,123 cc (312.6 cu in)I4
A05C2017 onwards5,123 cc (312.6 cu in)I4
J08E (Export only)7,684 cc (468.9 cu in)I6
A09C (Export only)8,866 cc (541.0 cu in)I6

See also

List of hybrid vehicles

References

  1. Mullett, Chris (May 1982). "Down under debutants". TRUCK. London, UK: FF Publishing Ltd: 43.
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