Hino A05c

[Rode Strawther]

TheHino Ranger (Japanese: 日野レンジャー) is a medium or heavy duty commercial truck produced by Hino Motors since 1964. In the domestic market, its principal competitors are Isuzu Forward, Nissan Diesel/UD Condor and Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter.

Outside of Japan, it is also known as the '500 Series' and as part of the 'F-Series,' 'G-Series' and 'S-Series'. There has also been a partial divergence into a heavier and a lighter range, with the latter distinguished by various prefixes or suffixes such as "Day Cab Ranger" or "Ranger 2". In certain countries, the Ranger was only available as a medium or heavy truck before models with low weight ratings, like the FA and FB, were replaced by the Hino Dutro.

The first Hino Ranger appeared as the 3.5-tonne "Ranger KM300" in June 1964, landing in Japan's newly competitive middleweight truck category.[1] There was also a short wheelbase model called the KM320. The long-wheelbase KM340 appeared in December, and the cabin became a three-seater (rather than two) in 1966. The first model had a body-colored grille and separate headlamp surrounds; this was changed with a facelift in November 1967, when the headlights were integrated into the grille. Until they were changed in 1968, the Ranger had suicide doors. In November 1969 the design was changed again, now with twin headlamps in a grille painted a contrasting colour. More importantly, the cab was made 55 mm (2.2 in) longer, improving comfort. The Ranger KM was not a very strong seller, being limited to 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) cargo capacity while the licensing system favored 4-tonne trucks.[1]

In 1978, the 2-tonne Hino Ranger 2 was launched, a rebadged Toyota Dyna (also sold as the Daihatsu Delta) with Daihatsu or Toyota engines. This then spawned a 3-tonne version, called the Ranger 3. By late 1979, the Ranger KM received a name change as well becoming the Hino Ranger 3M. The Ranger also met the latest (1979) emissions regulations. When the emissions were tightened again in 1983, the Ranger 3M received its last modifications to meet them and was now equipped with a chrome-bordered grille. In 1984, production of the KM ended as it was replaced by the Day Cab Ranger.[1]

The Hino Ranger KL was introduced in Japan in 1969. The Ranger also served as a replacement for the Toyota Massy Dyna which was discontinued in 1979. In Australia, it was sold as the Toyota KL300. The Ranger KL-series was offered as the short wheelbase KL300, medium wheelbase KL340 and KL350, as well as the long wheelbase KL360 and KL380. The Ranger line-up further spawned into KB, KR, KQ, and other models. Engines offered were the 4.5 liter DQ100 and 5.0 liter EC100.

Introduced in Japan in 1980, early models (marketed as Wind Ranger in Japan) have twin round headlights, while facelift models (marketed as Ranger +5 and ONE UP Ranger +5 in Japan) come with slimmer rectangular units. The engine range was also updated. The cab design was inspired by European trucks and was 35 percent more aerodynamic than its predecessor according to Hino. The cab was assembled by robots.[5]

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.

The third generation Ranger was the first Hino model sold in the United States with the first variants FE17, FE19, FF17, FF19, FG19 and FG22 introduced in 1983 for the 1984 model year.[6] In North America, the Ranger name was not used and all trucks were sold under their model numbers. After 1987 the lineup consisted of the four-cylinder Day Cab Ranger FA and FB models (Class 3 and Class 5, respectively), the larger Class 5 Hino GC (six-cylinder 160-hp diesel), the Class 6 FD with the same engine and the turbocharged larger FE (still Class 6).[7] The heaviest Hino sold in the United States was the Class 7 FG- and SG-series, also from the Ranger family.[8] Production of the third generation for the North American market ended in 1992 when it was replaced by the fourth generation model.

In Japan, the fourth generation Ranger was introduced in 1989 and marketed as Cruising Ranger, then Rising Ranger and Space Ranger following each of its two facelifts in 1994 and 1999, respectively. The lightweight models, introduced in 1995 as part of the Rising Ranger line, replaced the earlier "Day Cab Ranger" as all models were unified.

The fourth generation Ranger was not sold in Indonesia, since the third generation was manufactured locally until 2003. From 1998 to 2003, the fourth generation Ranger was manufactured under license by Kia Motors and sold as the second generation Kia Rhino in South Korea.

The 5th generation Ranger was marketed in Japan as the Ranger Pro, or Hino 500 Series for export. In Indonesia, Super Ranger and Jumbo Ranger names were used on the locally produced third-generation model it replaced. In Malaysia, it was called Validus. The Ranger series was marketed as the Hino Mega in Thailand. The light-duty fourth-generation FA and FB models sold in some markets were discontinued with this generation and replaced by the 300 Series or light-duty versions of the 600 Series.

In April 2017, this facelifted version was revealed along with the facelifted Profia. The exterior has been redesigned with a brand's trapezoidal shape grille, new headlamps, and a unique stylish bumper. The interior has also completely redesigned with a new dashboard comprising a 4-spoke steering wheel, a 7-inch Multi Information Display (MID) and a selection of options. The MID is also equipped with hands free function and Bluetooth connectivity with On-board failure diagnostic device (J-OBDII). 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.

The Ranger made its motorsport debut in 1991 through its introduction into the Dakar Rally. In 1997, the Rangers entered by the factory backed Hino team finished the Dakar Rally in 1-2-3 positions. The Ranger would dominate the 10-liter class until 2002 when it was abolished. After the reinstating of the class in 2005, the Ranger won in its class in the 2005 season and held another class win in the 2007 season. The Ranger would then go on to take back to back wins between 2010 and 2020.[13]

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