Mitsubishi Type 73

Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck
Production period:	since 1973
Class :	Off-road vehicle
Body versions :	Kübelwagen

The Mitsubishi Type 73 is a series of pickups that are also used as SUVs in the Japanese army. Mitsubishi Motors has been producing the model since 1973. In the army, it is officially referred to as a 1/2 ton truck. It can be equipped with various weapon systems such as Kawasaki Type 64 anti-tank pods, Kawasaki Type 79 and Kawasaki Type 87 anti-tank rocket launchers, Komatsu Type 60 recoilless guns , Sumitomo MINIMI LMGs and Sumitomo M2 machine guns.

Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck (Kyū) (1973–1997)

Type 73 Light Truck (Kyū)
Production period:	1973-1997
Body versions :	Kübelwagen
Engines:	Diesel engine
Length:	3750 mm
Width:	1650 mm
Height:	1950 mm
Wheelbase :
Empty weight :	1450 kg

The first generation of the Type 73, also known as the Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck (Kyu), was based on the Jeep CJ -3B that Mitsubishi Motors produced under license from Willys. The first Type 73 Kyū started with the chassis of the Jeep CJ-3B and was replaced by modifications to the Mitsubishi CJ-3B-J4, Mitsubishi CJ-3B-J4C and then by the Mitsubishi CJ-5A-J54A. Production ended in 1997 after the successor had been in production since 1996. The model was also exported to the Philippines and South Vietnam , as well as to New Zealand for civil use. A water-cooled 4-cylinder diesel engine with manual transmission was used as the drive .

Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck Shin

Type 73 Light Truck Shin
Production period:	since 1996
Body versions :	Kübelwagen
Engines:	Diesel engine
Length:	4140 mm
Width:	1765 mm
Height:	1970 mm
Wheelbase :	3335 mm
Empty weight :	1940 kg

The Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck (Shin) has been produced since 1996. The chassis now comes from the Mitsubishi Pajero . Like its predecessor, it can be equipped with various heavy machine guns and anti-tank rocket launchers. In addition to the manual transmission, a 4- speed automatic transmission is also available. Especially for use in the Iraq war , the models were equipped with armored glass , out of concern that the Iraqi guerrilla fighters would cause their vehicles targeted provocations, despite the fact that the JSDF units may not be used in any kind of combat operations due to the restrictions of the Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.

Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck Shīn

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  dashboard

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  Look at the gears

Web links

Commons : Type 73 truck (JGSDF, 1996)  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Commons : Type 73 kogata truck  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Japanese official military website introducing the Mitsubishi Type 73