Feature > Old Iron
Jeep
Made In Japan
story and photos by Jim Allen
Looks like a Jeep. Sounds like a Jeep. Runs like a Jeep. The only difference is where it was built. In reality, aside from a few visual giveaways, you’d think Willys. Want a clue? Note the “Mitsubishi” on the hood side.
Typical Specifications:
| 1993 Land Rover Camel Trophy Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.5L turbo diesel 4-cylinder |
| Power: | 70hp @ 4000 rpm (low compression) 75hp @ 4000 rpm (high compression) |
| Torque: | 108 @ 2000 rpm (low compression) 114 @ 2000 rpm (high compression) |
| Comp. Ratio: | 6.9:1 7.4:1 |
| Transmission: | 3-speed manual (Mitsu-built Warner T-90) |
| Transfer Case: | 2-speed (Mitsu-built Spicer 18) |
| Axle Ratios: | 5.38:1 |
| Wheelbase: | 80 inches |
| Curb Weight: | 2,323 lbs. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 10 gallons |
From that day early in World War II when Japanese soldiers captured the first American Jeep, the Japanese people have been Jeep fans. Many of their first compact 4x4s were based on the basic Jeep design and one of Toyota’s early designs actually wore the name Jeep... for a little while anyway. Deeply chagrined when they learned that Jeep was a trademarked proper noun as well as a common noun, they rapidly renamed their rig, “Land Cruiser,” but that’s another story.
And another clue. The Mitsubishi logo alongside the Willys Logo. This changed soon after this rig was built, with the Mitsu emblem centered. The holes alongside the Mitsu emblem are not original but of unknown origin.
From the early 1950s, Willys Overland, later to be Willys Motors after the Kaiser buyout, began licensing manufacturers overseas to build Jeeps. In those early days, there were Jeeps built in Spain and France as well as by Mitsubishi in Japan.
Mitsubishi started building Jeeps in 1953 in the form of the low hood CJ-3A and the high-hood CJ-3B. Both very similar to the American version. They used the same designations as Willys, but added their own designator; CJ3A-J1 and CJ3B-J3. A CJ3A-J2 was a military version of the ‘3A was the ‘J2 model and the military ‘3B was the ‘J4.
The instrument cluster varies somewhat from the Willys, namely the fact that the gauges are angled on a bezel rather than mounted flat into the dash. This setup allows for better visibility by the driver so could be considered an improvement.
Though Mitsubishi pursued their own 4x4 designs, they also evolved the Jeep line by building variations never seen here. And there were a bazillion of them, from extended wheelbase versions of the J3, Station Wagon models that combined the body of a Willys wagon with the front wrap of the CJ-3B. They installed diesel engines and made right hand drive models. By the time Mitsubishi stopped building Jeeps under license in 1998, they had built and sold 200,000 of various different types. Some 30 models of those were based on the CJ-3B.
The same... but different. This Japanese built F-134 is nearly identical to the American version, but would have worn decals in Japanese. Differences to note are the way the battery is mounted, the horn and the bracketry astride the left fender (brackets for a second battery used on the 24-volt military version).
The Mitsubishi Jeep shown is a 1954 CJ-3B-J3 and it’s a mystery how it made it to the USA. It’s owned and was restored by noted Jeep collector Herb Huddle. Except for some missing small parts that were unique to Mitsubishi, most parts were interchangeable with the American version. When you look close, you can see those differences. What’s fascinating is to see Mitsubishi casting marks on things like Dana axle housing (which must have required Dana to sign off), engine blocks and transfer case housings. It appears that very little, if any, of the J3 was built in the U.S.A. The pieces are as good or better than the American built versions. The J3 was built to ’61. With some variations and a new designation, the same rig was built to 1974.
There are only a handful of Mitsubishi Jeeps in the United States, so Huddle’s will draw attention among Jeepers informed and astute enough to tell the difference. The Mitsubishi triangle is the dead giveaway.