Hino Ranger History
Hino's flagship medium-duty truck — a cornerstone of Japanese commercial transport since 1964, now in its sixth generation.
Photo: “Hino 500 Ranger (New from Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia).jpg” by Sulthan Naufal / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
History
Launched in 1964 as Japan's first 3.5-ton medium-duty truck (the KM300 series), the Hino Ranger quickly became the backbone of Japan's freight network. It was designed as a practical workhorse for urban and regional distribution, and its reliability established Hino's commercial reputation.
The Ranger expanded through multiple generations: the aerodynamic second generation arrived in 1980 (marketed in Japan as the 'Wind Ranger'), the third in the early 1980s became the first Hino sold in the United States (introduced for the 1984 model year as the FE/FF/FG series), and the fourth generation ('Cruising Ranger') followed in 1989.
The fifth generation launched in September 2004 as the FC/FF series, marketed domestically as the 'Ranger Pro,' with improved safety, emissions compliance, and modular configurations. A sixth-generation facelift arrived in April 2017 alongside the refreshed Profia, bringing updated safety technology including pre-collision warning. Hybrid variants have been available for city-distribution use.
Generations
First generation · KM300 series
Japan's first 3.5-ton medium-duty truck — the founding Ranger that established Hino in commercial transport.
Second generation · Wind Ranger
Aerodynamic redesign with twin round headlights; later facelifted as the Ranger +5.
Third generation · FE/FF/FG export series
The first Hino truck sold in the United States, introduced for the 1984 model year.
Fourth generation · Cruising Ranger
A refined cab-over with successive facelifts ('Rising Ranger' 1994, 'Space Ranger' 1999).
Fifth generation · Ranger Pro (FC/FF)
Enhanced safety, improved emissions, and modular configurations; sold from September 2004.
Sixth generation · Current Ranger
Photo: “Hino 500 Ranger (New from Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia).jpg” by Sulthan Naufal / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Facelifted in April 2017 with pre-collision warning, J-OBD II diagnostics, and tyre-pressure monitoring.
Body styles
- Cab-over truck
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Hino Ranger
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