Self-Defense Forces specification J25A Jeep
The Jeep Jamboree, held in September 2023 at the Stackland Farm off-road course at the foot of Mt. Fuji, attracted unique Jeeps and owners with plenty of charm, from the old Willys “MB models” to Mitsubishi Jeeps and the latest Jeep Wranglers. This time, we hit a Mitsubishi Jeep with SDF specifications towing a trailer.
J25A body converted to J24 chassis
The owner of the JSDF-spec Mitsubishi Jeep towing the trailer is Mr. Norizuki from Shizuoka Prefecture near the venue. He is a big Jeep fan, owning a J34 and this vehicle. This JSDF-spec Jeep was the result of a lot of hard work. We asked him about it in detail.
First of all, how does the body look?
First of all, the body of the Jeep is a JSDF-spec Jeep called a Type 73 light-duty truck. The SDF has officially adopted Mitsubishi Jeeps over the years, and this vehicle is the J25A model, the most late model of all. Incidentally, after the J25A, the Type 73 light-duty trucks will no longer be based on the Jeep, but on the Pajero, so the J25A will be the last Jeep-type SDF vehicle.
The body is full of details that differ from civilian jeeps, such as the lights called “control lights,” which are unique to military vehicles, and guards on each light. In reality, however, Self-Defense Force vehicles are treated as weapons, so they are sold to civilians as they are and cannot be registered by the general public.
Then why do they own such vehicles? There was an effort that only an enthusiast could make.
Lifted up on a dare
When we asked Mr. Norizuki, the owner, for more details, he told us that this vehicle was based on a 1980 J24 Mitsubishi Jeep that he acquired about 20 years ago, in other words, a civilian vehicle. The J25A body, which took three months to restore, was installed on this vehicle. In other words, the body is a genuine JSDF specification. The engine has also been replaced with a direct injection turbo diesel engine.
The suspension was lifted up with leaf and shackles, and Bradley wheels painted the same color as the body was installed, along with 255/85R16 tires with a larger outer diameter than the standard tires.
The 1/4-ton trailer was customized to camping specifications
The trailer is towed by a 1/4-ton trailer that was towed by the Self-Defense Forces. Normally, the trailer is equipped with a top, but Mr. Norizuki created a sturdy stainless steel gas damper lift-up lid to enjoy camping with this combination and installed a YAKIMA rack on top of it, The rooftop tent is mounted on top of this lid.
The trailer is packed with all the camping gear you need, and there is no need to worry about getting the stuff inside wet, even in the rain.
The trailer is packed with all the necessary camping gear, and there is no need to worry about getting the inside of the trailer wet in the rain.
By the way, the trailer’s suspension is height-adjusted and fitted with the same olive green Bradley wheels as the Jeep, which are coordinated front and rear and also allow the trailer to be towed in parallel.