WHEELBASE changes are authorized on Mitsubishi Fuso's FE and FG models, but they must match the dimensions and configuration of the original factory wheelbase for the given chassis model and transmission model, said Leighton Good, manager of product and applications.
He said they must have the same number of shafts, shaft lengths, shaft sizes (diameters), shaft angles, joint heights, and joint working angles. The crossmember locations must not be shorter than the shortest or longer than the longest for that given model, and short wheelbase models require full tailpipes.
He said that the vertical center of gravity limit is 60" from the ground for FE and FG models, 63" for FK200, 67" for FK260, and 70" for FM330. For regular-cab FE models, 97" is generally permitted, based on 10.5" floor height.
“We recommend vertical center of gravity calculations for all applications,” he said. “Only body builders and manufacturers can provide data for their own equipment.”
Good gave the Class 3-7 model lineup for the 2010 model year:
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• FE125: 12,500 lbs GVWR, 5360 FGAWR and 9880 RGAWR, Mitsubishi Fuso 4M50 4.9L diesel engine with common rail injection, 185 HP SAE gross at 2700 rpm, 391 lb-ft (EPA07 emissions with OBDII, fully compliant everywhere), Aisin MY600 6-speed automatic transmission, wheelbases/CAs/UCAs of 114.6"/93.9"/86", 134.3"/113.6"/105.7", and 152.4"/131/.7"/123.8", body lengths of 12' to 18'.
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• FE145: 14,500 lbs GVWR, 5360 FGAWR and 9880 RGAWR, Mitsubishi Fuso 4M50 4.9L diesel engine with common rail injection, 185 HP SAE gross, 391 lb-ft (EPA07 emissions with OBDII, fully compliant everywhere), Aisin MY600 6-speed automatic transmission, wheelbases/CAs/UCAs of 114.6"/93.9"/86", 134.3"/113.6"/105.7", 152.4"/131/.7"/123.8", and 176"/155.3"/147.4", and body lengths of 12' to 20'. The 176" wheelbase permits mounting of 20' vans with most tuck-under lift gates. Good said it broadens the range of applications: movers, furniture haulers, etc, who “cube-out” before “weigh-out.” The maximum completed vertical center of gravity is 60".
“Contact us if the interior height exceeds 97" or if the top; of framed to top of door is greater than 10 1/8 inches.”
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• FE180: 17,995 lbs GVWR, 6395 FGAWR and 12,700 RGAWR, Mitsubishi Fuso 4M50 4.9L diesel engine with common rail injection, 185 HP, 391 lb-ft (EPA07 emissions with OBDII, fully compliant everywhere), Aisin MY600 6-speed automatic transmission or Mitsubishi 6-speed manual, wheelbases/CAs/UCAs of 114.6"/93.9"/86", 134.3"/113.6"/105.7", 152.4"/131/.7"/123.8", 176"/155.3"/147.4", and 189.4"/168.7"/160.8", and body lengths of 12' to 22'.
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• FG140: 14,050 lbs 4×4, 5730 FGAWR and 9480 RGAWR, Mitsubishi Fuso 4M50 4.9L diesel engine with common rail injection, 155 HP, 347 lb-ft (EPA07 emissions with OBDII, fully compliant everywhere), Mitsubishi 5-speed manual, wheelbase/CA/UCA of 138.2"/116.9"/108.5".
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• FK200: 19,850 lbs with Allison 1000 RDS.
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• FK260: 25,995 lbs with Allison 2200 RDS or 6-speed manual transmission.
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• FK260: 25,995 with factory air suspension and automatic or manual transmission.
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• FM330: 32,900 lbs with Allison 3000 RDS or 6-speed manual transmission.
2010 update
Mitsubishi Fuso's EPA 2010-emissions compliant commercial trucks will use engines equipped with BlueTec technology developed by Mitsubishi Fuso and Daimler AG. BlueTec is an emissions control technology that utilizes selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions for clean, efficient operation.
Good said BlueTec SCR has been in commercial operation in Europe since 2005, with 250,000 commercial vehicles sold so far, most running in Europe. In addition, Daimler Trucks North America has subjected BlueTec SCR to tests totaling 25 million miles in preparation to meet EPA 2010 standards.
BlueTec emissions technology requires no complex changes to the engine's operation. Rather, it provides full emissions compliance by treating the downstream exhaust gas. The system consists of components already introduced to meet EPA's 2007 emissions regulations (the diesel particulate filter, or DPF, and diesel oxidation catalyst, or DOC), plus SCR catalyst and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank, doser, and control module. During operation, the DEF doser atomizes and sprays small, carefully regulated amounts of diesel exhaust fluid into the exhaust stream. Once in the SCR catalyst, the NOx in the exhaust gas reacts with the DEF to form water and nitrogen.
He said that with BlueTec technology, exhaust gas recirculation can actually be reduced, improving engine efficiency. In addition, the regeneration interval of the diesel particulate filter is extended, requiring less fuel to burn off the soot collected by the filter. The combination of these innovations is improved fuel economy, compared to EPA 2007-compliant engines with comparable ratings, under the same operating conditions and loads.
A DEF gauge will be integrated into the instrument panel, to allow the driver to readily monitor DEF tank level. In addition, on-board diagnostics will monitor the function of the emissions system to maintain EPA 2010 compliance and immediately communicate system status to the driver.
While DEF consumption will depend on driving conditions, load, terrain and other factors, MFTA expects refill intervals to be relatively infrequent. DEF will be available for purchase from authorized Mitsubishi Fuso dealers, as well as at many select service stations across the country.