Toyota Kohkidohsha

     Notes: The Kohkidohsha (High Mobility Vehicle) is a Japanese vehicle similar in concept and design to the US HMMWV.  It is slightly larger, and can carry a pedestal-mounted Stinger SAM system, in addition to other armament, when it is armed to the teeth.  The engine is a Toyota 4.1-liter turbodiesel rated at 153 horsepower, and with considerable torque.  This engine is coupled to an Asin-Warner automatic transmission.  The Kohkidohsha has full-time all-wheel drive and electric locking differentials. Some Kohkidohshas are equipped with air conditioning; some are even equipped with a civilian CD player.

     An armored version was devised for use in Iraq. This is called the International Mission Specifications, but after the FY2008 budget, the Kohkidohsha Type II. Other variants include the communications carrier, SAM carrier, radar carrier (ground and air surveillance), missile carrier (several versions), aircraft start vehicle, smoke generator, and chemical agent monitor.

     The Russians are known to be operating Kohkidohsha-based vehicles, as they have been seen in parades.  These are probably based on civilian Mega Cruisers bought by Russian forces under the table.

     The civilian counterpart is the Mega Cruiser, and the civilian version was sold exclusively in Japan via Toyota Store locations. Though 3000 Kohkidohshas were built (production is currently finished), only 133 were sold to civilians. Only 12 were produced in left-hand drive configuration. (The reason given that few Mega Cruisers were sold was the high taxes on large vehicles and Japan’s narrow streets. The Kohkidohsha itself was financially unsuccessful for Toyota.)

*Floor AV is 4Sp.

Nissan Q4W73

     Notes: This is a 1950s-vintage light truck based on the US Dodge WC52 truck.  It is rarely found in Japanese service anymore, but it still soldiers on in Vietnam, Indonesia, and among civilians in South Korea and Japan.  The truck has a conventional layout with the engine in front, crew cab, and rear cargo area covered by a canvas over bows. The front has a winch with 3 tons capacity, and uses a PTO.  The engine is a Nissan P40 gasoline-burner with 145 horsepower.

     This truck was also built under license in India.

Toyota 2FQ15L

     Notes: This vehicle was developed at about the same time as the Q4W73, and is about the same size.  It is also a development of the WC52.  More of them still remain in service with Japanese forces, and they were also used by South Korea and US Forces stationed in Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. The engine of the 2FQ15L is a Toyota 6-cylinder gasoline engine developing 105 horsepower.

Komatsu Type 60/61 Over-Snow Vehicle

     Notes: These two vehicles are basically snow-cat types used primarily by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force primarily in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, where much of the terrain is mountainous and at high altitude.  They are of conventional construction for such vehicles, with a front-mounted engine compartment and a crew/passenger compartment behind stretching to the rear of the vehicle.  The Type 60, the smaller of the pair has a crew/passenger compartment covered by a canvas tarpaulin over bows; the front windshield may be folded over the top of the hood, and the tarpaulin cover has four small plastic windows on the sides.  A drop tailgate is located at the rear, and the rear is the only method of access to the vehicle if the tarpaulin is mounted.  The suspension is tracked, using eight small roadwheels on each side.  Transmission is manual.  Maximum towed load is 1.5 tons.  The Type 60 was developed from a civilian design, the KC-20 of 1952; the Type 60 dates from 1960. The Type 60 is powered by a Toyota 6-cylinder gasoline engine developing 105 horsepower, the same engine which powers the Toyota 2FQ15L truck above.

     The Type 61 is basically a larger version of the Type 60, with a longer engine compartment to accommodate the much more powerful turbocharged diesel engine.  As the name would indicate, the Type 61 was introduced in 1961.  While the Type 60 is used primarily to carry troops or cargo, the Type 61 is used mostly as an artillery tractor in addition to being a general cargo/troop carrier.  Towing capacity is 3.2 tons. The engine of the Type 61 is an Isuzu DA-120T turbodiesel developing 155 horsepower.

     The Type 60 is also known as the Medium Snow Mobile, while the Type 61 is also called the Large Snow Mobile.

Mitsubishi Type 73 Jeep

     Notes: This is a Japanese upgrade of the Jeep, with a greater cargo capacity and a diesel engine.  The vehicle may mount a variety of weapons, including machineguns, grenade launchers, recoilless rifles, or light ATGM (normally the KAM-3D).  The Type 73 is powered by an 80-horsepower 4-cylinder diesel, with a manual five-speed transmission. The suspension is 4x4 and is considerably beefed up over its Jeep ancestor. The Type 73 can be covered by a canvas tilt over folding bows, though hardtop versions exist. The doors are also normally canvas over a frame, and they are removable. The windshield, except on hardtop versions, can be folded forwards.

     Besides Japan, the Type 73 is used by Burma, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Hino Type 73 2000 kg Truck

     Notes: This light truck was slated to be replaced in Japan by the Kohkidohsha, but many were still around as 2004.  It is a cabover layout aircraft, with the cab over the engine, and a rear cargo area.  The cargo area has a steel floor and steel side boards on wooden stakes to form a frame. These side boards are removable, but do not fold down. Side benches can be folded down from the side frames. The cab also has a tarpaulin roof and has metal sides, rear, and doors. It is designed for cold weather, with an engine preheater and crew heater for the cab and cargo area.  Power is provided by a Hino DQ200 developing 95 horsepower. Note that if the Type 73 stays in roads, it can haul 2 tons.

     Variants include a cargo/troop carrier, an ambulance, and a mortar carrier.