Motor Cars
Japan
1960s 1970s

Isuzu Unicab

Isuzu Unicab jeep history (1967-1974)

Production period:

1967 to 1974

Class:

motor car

Body versions:

Pickup, Cabriolet

Engines:

Gasoline : 1.3-1.6 litres

Length:

143.90 in, 3,655 mm 

Width:

59.05 in, 1,500 mm

Height:

67.32 in, 1,710 mm

Wheelbase:

82.68 in, 2,100 mm

Curb weight:

2,172 1b, 985 kg

Price new

¥ 490,005

 

The Isuzu Unicab (Yunikyabu) was the first SUV that Isuzu produced from 1967 to 1974. 

History

The model was first introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show 1966 and offered from July 1967 on the domestic market at a price of ¥  490,005.

 The Unicab was initially only as a pickup with 4 seats. In 1970, the model was offered with 2 side benches on the loading area, which increased the capacity to 8 seats from the KR85 type, with 2 front seats and 3 rear seats facing each other. Shortly after the launch, the model was also offered with soft top and was now available as a convertible. The windscreen could be folded, which was not allowed due to new safety standards from 1970 and was changed in production. The front and rear suspension was the company's small truck with independent, wishbones, torsion telescopic dampers and rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings at the rear.

 The Unicab was designed more for younger buyers than recreational vehicles and for the city and therefore had no four-wheel drive. However, the concept for the Japanese domestic market was too early to attract this kind of buyers. Accordingly, sales were low and production stopped in 1974. it was not until Six years later, that Isuzu introduced in 1980 with the Isuzu Faster Rodeo for the first time a SUV with four-wheel drive.

 Initially, it was powered by a 1.3-liter gasoline engine with 1 Hitachi-Solex downdraught carburettor this early KR80 type engine was also a 1.3-liter G130 type engine for Bellett, which was later enlarged to 1.5 and 1.6 litre engines, which are also common in the Bellett and Florian.

PERFORMANCE:1.5L
max power (SAE): 68 hp at 5,000 rpm
max torque (SAE) : 82 1b ft, 11.3 kg m at 2,200 rpm
specific power; 46.2 hp/l
power-weight ratio: 32 lb/hp, 14.5 kg/hp
speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 14.9 mph, 24 km/h
fuel consumption: 33.2 m/ imp gal, 27.7 m/US gal, 8.5 1 x 100 km.

Isuzu Unicab car specifications (1967-1974)

Related items
Isuzu Unicab | Japanese Vehicles 1970s | Japanese Vehicles 1960s | Vehicles launched in 1976 | Jeep

Technical

Technical

  • Isuzu Unicab Technical details and specifications (1967-1974)

    ENGINE 1.3L
    location front, 4 stroke
    cylinders: 4, in line
    bore and stroke: 2.95 x 2.95 in, 75 x 75 mm
    engine capacity: 80.85 cu in, 1,325 cu cm
    compression ratio: 7.
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: cast iron
    crankshaft bearings: 5
    valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, push-rods and rockers
    camshafts: 1, side
    lubrication: rotary pump, full flow filter
    lubricating system capacity: 5.63 imp pt. 6.76 US pt
    carburation: 1 Hitachi-Solex downdraught carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: water; cooling system

    ENGINE:1.5L
    bore and stroke: 3.11 x 2.95 in, 79 x 75 mm
    engine capacity: 89.8 cu in, 1,471 cu cm
    compression ratio: 8.2

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: rear
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: mechanical; gears: 4 + reverse
    synchromesh gears: All
    gearbox ratios: I 4.314, II 2.842, III 1.630, IV 1, rev 4.469
    gear lever location: central
    final drive: hypoid bevel

    axle ratio: 1.3L 5.125. 1.5L 4.556. 

    CHASSIS
    type integral
    front suspension: independent, wishbones, torsion telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    worm and roller.
    turning circle (between walls): 29.5 ft, 9 m

    BRAKES
    drum
    area rubbed by linings: front 44.81 sq in, 289 sq cm, rear 44.81 sq in, 289 sq cm
    total 89.62 sq in, 578 sq cm.

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    voltage: 12 V
    battery: 40 Ah
    generator type: alternator, 300 W
    ignition distributor: Hitachi

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 82.68 in, 2,100 mm
    front track: 48.03 in, 1,220 mm
    rear track: 47.24 in, 1,200 mm
    overall length: 143.90 in, 3,655 mm
    overall width: 59.05 in, 1,500 mm
    overall height: 67.32 in, 1,710 mm
    ground clearance: 8.07 in, 205 mm
    dry weight: 2,172 1b, 985 kg
    distribution of weight: 54.8% front axle, 45.2% rear axle

    © Motor car History

Service

Service

  • Isuzu Unicab maintenance and Service Guide (1967-1974)

    ENGINE 1.3L
    Fuel type: 80-85 oct petrol
    Engine oil change: 5.63 imp pt, 6.76 US pt SAE 20W-30, change every 1,900 miles, 3,000 km
    Cooling system capacity: 10.56 imp pt. 12.68 US pt
    Tappet clearances: inlet 0.010 in, 0.25 mm, exhaust 0.014 in, 0.35 mm
    Valve timing: inlet opens 15° before tdc and closes 73° after bdc, exhaust opens 55° before bdc and closes 29° after tdc

    1.5L lubricating system capacity: 6.9 imp pt, 8.2 US pt 

    Gearbox oil: 3.34 imp pt, 4.02 US pt, 1.9 1, SAE 30, change every 11,200 miles, 18,000 km
    Final drive oil: 2.11 imp pt, 2.54 US pt, 1.2 1, SAE 90, change every 11,200 miles, 18,000 km
    Greasing: every 11,200 miles, 18,000 km, 8 points
    Normal tyre pressure: front 24 psi, 1.7 atm, rear 24 psi, 1.7 atm.
    Tyres: 6.00 x 14
    Fuel tank capacity: 7.7 imp gal, 9.2 US gal
    Carrying capacity: 882 1b, 400 kg.

    © Motor car History