Nissan Junior
Encyclopedia
The Nissan Junior was a series of medium-sized Pickup truck
s built from 1956 until 1982. It was introduced to fill the gap between the light Datsuns and heavier Nissans such as the 80-series trucks. While the smaller Datsun Truck
always outsold the Toyota Hilux
, the larger Junior always played second fiddle to the Toyota Stout
. This may have been due to the decision to market it under the unfamiliar Nissan name, as well as "Junior" not being a very suitable name for a large, strong truck. The last iteration of the Junior remains in production in Iran, where it is built by the Zamyad company
. Nissan's first Full-Size Pickup, introduced in 2004, had a much more suitable name; Titan
.
version offered. The B40 used Nissan's 1489 cc "1H" four-cylinder engine. In December 1957, a cabover version of the Junior appeared, the Junior Caball
, with chassis code C40.
At first it had 50 PS at 4,400 rpm, which was enough for a 90 km/h (55.9 mph) top speed, but in August 1958 the B42-series (the B41 designation was skipped) was introduced, with 57 PS on tap. At the same time, the cabover Junior Caball underwent the same change, becoming the C42.
Various special versions of the first Juniors, such as a panel van
, a glazed van (VSB42), a tank truck
, and a vacuum car
(EGB42) were also offered.
. The new engine, which it shared with the Cedric
, was of nearly exactly the same displacement as the old one, at 1,488 cc, but had 71 PS at 5,000 rpm. Top speed was 95 km/h (59 mph). The B140 was introduced in April 1960, at the same time as its cabover sister version, the Caball
, received the new engine. Soon afterwards, the "Junior" part of the Caball's name was dropped entirely. There was also a 1.25 ton version, usually referred to as the B140 (B). The regular 1.75 tonner was called the B140 (A).
Export versions claimed slightly higher power outputs of 77 hp and 92 hp respectively. In July 1962, a fire truck (F40) was added to the lineup. A naked version with just a bonnet and windshield was called the 40E, a cab with chassis was the 40A, and a dropside pickup version was called 40H. Early catalogs also listed a double cab and a station wagon version, but it is doubtful that these were ever produced. There was also an "A-1 class" fire engine called the FR40. This interesting hybrid combined the 680-series heavy truck chassis, with its 125 PS 4-litre, six-cylinder P engine, with the Junior's bodywork. This was slightly altered to accommodate the considerably taller engine, with higher fenders and an insert in the grille underneath the headlamps.
The first 40-series cars had a two piece grille painted in white. The top part had seven slim cross bars and three vertical bars, while the wider bottom part had four openings. After 1964, the upper part was chromed and the lower section was painted in body colour. The facelifted cars also had a red "Junior" badge in the grille. Around this time the Q40, a 70 hp 2.2-litre diesel version (SD22
) also appeared. The only external difference was a small "diesel" badge on the fenders, where 2-tonners carried "1900"-badging.
As with the 40-series, there were also 41A, 41E, F41, and FR41 (six-cylinder fire engine) versions. There was another minor change in 1968, with a new grille with very wide top and bottom bars, and three very narrow bars in between. Production of the now very outmoded 41 finally ended in September 1970.
lines, was introduced in October 1970. While considerably more modern than the 41-series, sales were unsatisfactory and Nissan soon cancelled exports outside of Asia. For sale in the Prince dealerships, this car was also called Nissan Miler. This generation of the Junior had three motors: the familiar two-litre petrol version (H20) with 99 PS, a 1.6-litre petrol version, and a 60 PS diesel (SD22). All are four-cylinders with two valves per cylinder. In 1974, an improved model, the 141, conforming to 1975 exhaust emission regulations, was launched.
Sales in this segment slowed considerably as the eighties approached, and in 1982 the Junior was cancelled without a successor. The 140 series Junior has been produced under license in Iran by the SAIPA
concern since February 1983. Since 1998 it is built by Zamyad
, who have been selling it under their own brand since 2003. In Iran, the Z24 (as it is known) is equipped with a 114 PS 2.4-litre engine.
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
s built from 1956 until 1982. It was introduced to fill the gap between the light Datsuns and heavier Nissans such as the 80-series trucks. While the smaller Datsun Truck
Datsun Truck
The popular and economical Datsun/Nissan compact pickup truck was produced in Japan from 1955 and imported to the United States, Australia, Finland, the Middle East, South Africa, and various European countries...
always outsold the Toyota Hilux
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
, the larger Junior always played second fiddle to the Toyota Stout
Toyota Stout
-First generation :Introduced in April 1954 as the Toyopet RK 1¼ ton truck, it was larger than the similar Toyota SG light truck but smaller than the Toyota FA medium duty truck. In 1955 it was upgraded to carry 1.5 tons....
. This may have been due to the decision to market it under the unfamiliar Nissan name, as well as "Junior" not being a very suitable name for a large, strong truck. The last iteration of the Junior remains in production in Iran, where it is built by the Zamyad company
Zamyad Co.
Zamyad Co. is an Iranian commercial vehicle manufacturing company. It was founded in 1963 as part of the RENA Industrial Group in Tehran. In 1974, the company began producing Volvo N-Model trucks. In 1998 SAIPA took over the Zamyad company, who then undertook the production of the Z24, a license...
. Nissan's first Full-Size Pickup, introduced in 2004, had a much more suitable name; Titan
Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan introduced in 2004, is a full-size pickup truck produced for the North American market by Nissan. The truck shares the stretched Nissan F-Alpha platform with the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 SUVs, and is manufactured in Canton, Mississippi, United States.-Market and sales:The...
.
B40 (1956–1960)
The B40 Junior was launched in October 1956 as a medium-size truck which could carry a 1.75-ton load and three passengers. Wheelbase was 2500 mm (98.4 in). While not as space efficient as a cabover, the bonneted layout provided a considerably better ride. There was also a VB40 VanVan
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
version offered. The B40 used Nissan's 1489 cc "1H" four-cylinder engine. In December 1957, a cabover version of the Junior appeared, the Junior Caball
Nissan Caball
Nissan Caball is a light commercial truck manufactured by Nissan Motors from December 1957 until December 1981. The Caball was mainly sold in Japan, Hong Kong, South East Asian countries, Australia, New Zealand, and few European countries. While the Caball name came to an end in 1981, its...
, with chassis code C40.
At first it had 50 PS at 4,400 rpm, which was enough for a 90 km/h (55.9 mph) top speed, but in August 1958 the B42-series (the B41 designation was skipped) was introduced, with 57 PS on tap. At the same time, the cabover Junior Caball underwent the same change, becoming the C42.
Various special versions of the first Juniors, such as a panel van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
, a glazed van (VSB42), a tank truck
Tank truck
A tank truck or road tanker is a motor vehicle designed to carry liquefied loads, dry bulk cargo or gases on roads. The largest such vehicles are similar to railroad tank cars which are also designed to carry liquefied loads...
, and a vacuum car
Gully emptier
A gully emptier is a type of specialized tanker lorry with suction gear which can suck wastewater and mud and sludge out of hollows such as the hollows below drain grids in street gutters and carry it to a suitable disposal point...
(EGB42) were also offered.
B140 (1960–1962)
While retaining the looks of the B40-series, featuring only a changed grille and a somewhat longer wheelbase of 2610 mm (103 in), the new B140 series did have the all new G-series engineNissan G engine
The Nissan G-series engine was a pushrod engine produced in the 1960s. The G series was used in the Fairlady/Sports 1500 roadster, the Cedric, and Junior. It evolved into the Datsun 1600's "R"/H16 engine....
. The new engine, which it shared with the Cedric
Nissan Cedric
The Nissan Cedric is a large automobile produced by Nissan since 1960. It was developed to provide upscale transportation, competing with the Prince Skyline and Gloria which were later merged into the Nissan family...
, was of nearly exactly the same displacement as the old one, at 1,488 cc, but had 71 PS at 5,000 rpm. Top speed was 95 km/h (59 mph). The B140 was introduced in April 1960, at the same time as its cabover sister version, the Caball
Nissan Caball
Nissan Caball is a light commercial truck manufactured by Nissan Motors from December 1957 until December 1981. The Caball was mainly sold in Japan, Hong Kong, South East Asian countries, Australia, New Zealand, and few European countries. While the Caball name came to an end in 1981, its...
, received the new engine. Soon afterwards, the "Junior" part of the Caball's name was dropped entirely. There was also a 1.25 ton version, usually referred to as the B140 (B). The regular 1.75 tonner was called the B140 (A).
40-series (1962–1966)
The all new second generation 40-series Junior was launched in January 1962. It was much more modern in design, with 4 headlights in a smart horizontal arrangement, more integrated fenders than its predecessor, as well as independent front-wheel suspension. The wheelbase was again increased, now to 2800 mm (110.2 in). The entry level version (the N40) retained the 71 PS 1.5-litre G engine of the B140 Junior, but there was also a new 1.9-litre version which could reach 110 km/h (68.4 mph). This was the first medium-size truck to be able to carry 2 tons, and featured the same 85 PS 1,883 cc four-cylinder H engine as the 31-series Cedric. As a matter of fact, the Junior also used the Cedrics headlight surrounds, doorhandles, and various other trim details. Large, sixteen inch wheels and large wheel openings contributed to the upright look of the 40-series.Export versions claimed slightly higher power outputs of 77 hp and 92 hp respectively. In July 1962, a fire truck (F40) was added to the lineup. A naked version with just a bonnet and windshield was called the 40E, a cab with chassis was the 40A, and a dropside pickup version was called 40H. Early catalogs also listed a double cab and a station wagon version, but it is doubtful that these were ever produced. There was also an "A-1 class" fire engine called the FR40. This interesting hybrid combined the 680-series heavy truck chassis, with its 125 PS 4-litre, six-cylinder P engine, with the Junior's bodywork. This was slightly altered to accommodate the considerably taller engine, with higher fenders and an insert in the grille underneath the headlamps.
The first 40-series cars had a two piece grille painted in white. The top part had seven slim cross bars and three vertical bars, while the wider bottom part had four openings. After 1964, the upper part was chromed and the lower section was painted in body colour. The facelifted cars also had a red "Junior" badge in the grille. Around this time the Q40, a 70 hp 2.2-litre diesel version (SD22
Nissan SD engine
-SD20:The SD20 is a normally aspirated straight-four diesel engine with a bore and stroke of 83.0 and 92.0 mm. It had three main bearings. The Diesel versions of the Nissan Cedric in the 1960s until the early 1980s used this engine, which produces at 4,000 rpm...
) also appeared. The only external difference was a small "diesel" badge on the fenders, where 2-tonners carried "1900"-badging.
41-series (1966–1970)
In 1966, the second series became the 41, its engine upgraded from 1.9 to 2.0 litres (H20, 1,982 cc). Top speed with the 92 PS 2-litre was up to 120 km/h (74.6 mph). The lesser 1.5-litre version was discontinued, while the diesel continued on as the Q41. Export versions claimed 99 hp. The 41 looked just like its predecessor, only with "2000" rather than "1900" badging. By 1967, however, the Junior received a makeover. Instead of a pressed metal piece between the headlights it had four thick horizontal bars. The lower piece was replaced by a piece with three openings (rather than four) and swept up ends, creating an oval shaped grille rather than the more rectangular early style. The early cars also had an indentation on the top of the front bumper to accommodate an opening for a mechanical crank, but this opening was now more discreet and the top line of the bumper was unbroken.As with the 40-series, there were also 41A, 41E, F41, and FR41 (six-cylinder fire engine) versions. There was another minor change in 1968, with a new grille with very wide top and bottom bars, and three very narrow bars in between. Production of the now very outmoded 41 finally ended in September 1970.
140/141 series (1970–1982)
The 140 series Junior, which integrated the Junior and MilerPrince Miler
The Prince Miler is a medium sized pickup truck built by the Prince Motor Company. It remained on the market for four years after the 1966 merger of Nissan Motor Manufacturing Industry and Prince Automotive...
lines, was introduced in October 1970. While considerably more modern than the 41-series, sales were unsatisfactory and Nissan soon cancelled exports outside of Asia. For sale in the Prince dealerships, this car was also called Nissan Miler. This generation of the Junior had three motors: the familiar two-litre petrol version (H20) with 99 PS, a 1.6-litre petrol version, and a 60 PS diesel (SD22). All are four-cylinders with two valves per cylinder. In 1974, an improved model, the 141, conforming to 1975 exhaust emission regulations, was launched.
Sales in this segment slowed considerably as the eighties approached, and in 1982 the Junior was cancelled without a successor. The 140 series Junior has been produced under license in Iran by the SAIPA
SAIPA
Saipa is the second largest Iranian auto manufacturer.Saipa was established in 1966, with 75% Iranian ownership, to assemble Citroëns under license for the Iranian market...
concern since February 1983. Since 1998 it is built by Zamyad
Zamyad Co.
Zamyad Co. is an Iranian commercial vehicle manufacturing company. It was founded in 1963 as part of the RENA Industrial Group in Tehran. In 1974, the company began producing Volvo N-Model trucks. In 1998 SAIPA took over the Zamyad company, who then undertook the production of the Z24, a license...
, who have been selling it under their own brand since 2003. In Iran, the Z24 (as it is known) is equipped with a 114 PS 2.4-litre engine.