Daihatsu Hi-Line

The Daihatsu Hi-Line/F series (Japanese: ダイハツ・ハイライン/Fシリーズ) is a series of compact trucks, manufactured and sold from 1960 to 1972. This truck series competed against rivals such as the Toyota Stout, Nissan Junior, Prince Miler, Hino Briska or Mazda B series.

Daihatsu F series/Hi-Line
Overview
Manufacturer	Daihatsu
Production	1960–1972
Assembly	Ikeda, Osaka, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Compact pickup truck Minivan (F100V)
Body style	2-door pickup truck 3-door station wagon (F100V) 4-door double cab pickup truck
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1490 cc FA I4 OHV 8v (F100/100V/108/175) 1861 cc FB I4 OHV 8v (F200) Diesel: 1484 cc I4 (D150) OHV 8v
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,565 mm (101.0 in) (F100)[1] 2,720 mm (107.1 in) (F200) 2,860 mm (112.6 in) (F108)[1]
Length	4,160 mm (163.8 in) (F100)[1] 4,270 mm (168.1 in) (F100V)[1] 4,665 mm (183.7 in) (F175)[2] 4,690 mm (184.6 in) (F108/200)[1]
Width	1,560 mm (61.4 in) (F100/108)[1] 1,680 mm (66.1 in) (F175/200)[2]
Height	1,555 mm (61.2 in) (F100V)[1] 1,590 mm (62.6 in) (F100/108)[1] 1,725 mm (67.9 in) (F175/200)[2]
Curb weight	1,140 kg (2,513.3 lb) (F100)[1] 1,200 kg (2,645.5 lb) (F100V)[1]
Chronology
Successor	Toyota Hilux

The truck was released in 1960 and available in two models; a 1.75-tonne class "F175" with 68 PS (50.0 kW; 67.1 hp) 1.5-litre FA engine (same engine that powered the larger Daihatsu V200 truck) and a 1.5-tonne class "D150" with 40 PS (29.4 kW; 39.5 hp) 1.5-litre diesel engine.^[3]

In 1962, a new 1-tonne load capacity class called "Hi-Line" was introduced to fill the class below the higher duty F175/D150 trucks. This truck was available in two versions; short deck "F100" and long deck "F108". Both models were powered by the same engine as the F175. A 3-door van version based on F100 called "F100V" was introduced in 1963. In the same year, a 2-tonne class truck called "F200" was also introduced^[3] and powered with a 85 PS (62.5 kW; 83.8 hp) 1.9-litre FB petrol engine, but it was discontinued quickly in 1964.

To celebrate the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, a Hi-Line was used to accompany two Daihatsu Compagno Berlinas for 18,000 km (11,184.7 mi) trip from olympic flame in Olympia, Greece to Tokyo.^[4][5][6]

The trucks received a facelift in 1965, the headlights were changed from single to twin round units.^[7] Also in this year, all models except the F100/108 trucks were discontinued. The second facelift occurred in October 1968 with brand new big single rectangular headlights and the load capacity was increased to 1.25 tonnes.^[7][8]

In November 1967, Toyota formed a business alliance with Daihatsu. As part of the alliance's agreement, the F series was later discontinued in 1972 and replaced with the more popular Toyota Hilux.

The name of "Hiline" was reused by Daihatsu for 2WD diesel variant of Daihatsu Taft wagon/truck for Indonesian market from 1986 to 2007.^[9] Even though it too carries an F model code (F69), this car has no relation with the original Hi-line/F series trucks.