The Delta Mini Cruiser Story

[OyiL]

A very good write-up of "the" pinoy mini 4wd.

source:http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=12395.0

AFP Engineers embarked on an ambitious project of locally manufacturing an indigenous 4x4 jeep as their response to President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos’ Self-Reliance Development Program (SRDP) Initiative. Borrowing heavily from the design of the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ/BJ-40 with the permission of Toyota Motors, Japan, the engineers designed a smaller version of the 4x4 SUV with a smaller displacement engine. To Delta Motors, the local assembler of Toyota cars and trucks in the Philippines, it was the perfect timing to fully maximize its manufacturing capability as it was then locally manufacturing already the engine block for the Toyota 12-R gas engine. The manufacturing tool-and-die set was acquired from Japan as part of its War Reparation to the Republic of the Philippines. Delta Motors applied for the set via the state-owned Philippine National Bank (PNB). Instead of a monetary loan, the set was applied for and the monetary equivalent was repaid to the state. The 4x4 transmission, transfer case and live axles were sourced from DANA-Chrysler of Canada.

The Delta Mini Cruiser, as the public knew it, or the M-1777 as it was coded in the AFP LogCom books, became an instant success. It was rugged, very basic and easy to maintain. The first ones had a tailgate that opened up like the first Toyota Land Cruiser FJ/BJ – 40. It also had its spare tire and jerry can in the rear. Following hard lessons from the field, the next generation had its spare tire mounted on its right front fender and the jerry can on its left front fender. Other minor differences are the turn signal and taillight.

Spare tire on the side. Note the indentation made on the front fender so as to give as much room as possible to the front passenger in getting in and out of the jeep

The first generation had a rectangular all-amber turn signal and an all-red taillight from Yankee Turnflex, Philippines. The next generation had a circular all-amber turn signal with a built-in side marker and a taillight that was half amber, half red. Interestingly, the Delta Mini Cruiser had a set of gauges and wiring harness manufactured by Yazaki-Torres of Laguna.
.......read more :http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=12395.0

[Good Mechanic]

it was a very nice military vehicle. I used to ride that way in the 80's.

thanks

[jpdm]

I also like the "civilian model."

I still remember my Tito's mini land cruiser. Very macho and very functional...

[anak ni sarge]

A very good write-up of "the" pinoy mini 4wd.

source:http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=12395.0

Hi, new here.

Thanks for quoting my post at timawa.net.

Loved and still love military vehicles. My top two are the M-38 and of course, the Delta Mini Cruiseer.

[ECG]

was it ever sold as brand new to civilians?

[s_quilicot]

Nice Vehicle.

[anak ni sarge]

was it ever sold as brand new to civilians?

Toyota Japan prevented Delta Motors Corp. from selling a civilian version to the Filipino public. Towards the end of its production run though, Delta Motors sold civilian models renamed Delta Explorer to government civilian agencies like the DBP and NIA.

Delta Motors sold civilian models abroad. It sold some in Australia. It also test marketed the vehicle in Egypt where the first test vehicle overheated. Delta solved the problem by refitting the test vehicle with a bigger radiator. If you scan the internet, you'll find out some were also sold in Latin America and Europe.

A few still run in Australia, Pakistan, Latin America and Europe.

[jpdm]

Philippine designed delta Mini Cruiser

Photo courtesy of Rajah Soliman of SSC

[jpdm]

Photos courtesy of Rajah Soliman of SSC

The Philippine designed Delta mini crusier in the Middle east

[donbuggy]

Great write-up, anak ni sarge. Sad to read that the Mini Cruiser was a vehicle that could be exported (and earn $$$) but the Cory government did not do anything to support Delta Motors. Very shortsighted.

In http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=12395.45 , anak ni sarge posts an intriguing question: Was the Daihatsu Feroza based on the Delta Mini Cruiser? A bit of a stretch since the Feroza had an idependent upper and lower wishbone suspension with torsion bar springs at the front while the Mini Cruiser had a live axle with leaf springs (front and back).

If the Mini Cruiser production was allowed to continue, it could have evolved into something like the Feroza - a mini SUV.