Difference between fh and frr?
The FRR has a higher ground clearance of 195mm compared to the FH's 190mm. Lengthwise, the FRR is longer than the FH with an overall length of 8170 mm and 7745 mm respectively. In terms of the width, the FRR seems to be a tad bit wider than its rival with coming in with 2200mm as against FH's 2170mm.
This one has a few nicknames on the streets including; mahakama, kifo, funeral home, mnyama, baby face, Mobile prison, Kamiti, Wamumu, mushugi (common with Kayole FH buses), shika adabu, gurage among others. Feel free to add others.
The Mitsubishi FH 215 has a 4 stroke 6.5 litre (6557 cc) 6D14-31 engine with 6 cylinders producing 160horse power and 430Nm/1800rpm. It incorporates a gear box with 5 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. Came with two fuel tanks each with a capacity of 100 Litres.
One of the most discussed issues of the FH is the brakes. It came with brakes are hydraulic and its signature exhaust brakes (freno). The suspension on the other hand consists of laminated leaf springs and hydraulic single-acting telescopic shock absorbers on the front.
This one has a few nicknames though not as many as the FH. They include; mkeka (due to the big mats at the rear), kimgongo (Hold that thought, I will explain why later on), farasi (which also applies to the FRR 90) among other. Add others in the comments section.
The FRR 33 incorporates a 8 litre (8226cc) 6 cylinder naturally aspirated 6HH1-N engine with direct injection. This engine produces 185 horsepower and 461Nm/1700 rpm. For context, the FRR engine is similar to the one in the FSR save for the fact that the two use different gearboxes thus the engines have slight differences interms of physical size. The FRR 33 gearbox has 6 forward gears and 1 reverse gear although there were a few earlier versions that had 5 forward gears albeit not so common. It has a 200 litre fuel tank.
Isuzu in 3 of their F Series (FRR, FSR and FVR) preferred to use air braking over hydraulic dual circuit braking system for primary braking and an exhaust brake for auxiliary braking. Suspension on the FRR was pretty much the same as the one in the FH although the FH was more sturdy.
Having looked at them, let us now focus on a few common differences and common issues mainly informed by experience and interacting with drivers who have experience in both. First, the FH does not have a sleeper cab as the FRR does. A sleeper cab is a room behind the car seats where the driver can sleep in. Two, the FH has crappy brakes. Drivers who have had this will tell you that this vehicle can easily kill you. The brakes easily fail as the linings get hot easily hence the origin of one of its nicknames, “Funeral Home (FH)”
I told you that I will explain why the FRR 33 is known as ‘mgongo’ or ‘kimgongo.’ Well, I have seen many instances where the chassis bends just right behind the cabin. This now ultimately leads to the cabin tilting backwards hence the name kimgongo. The chassis can however be reinforced. Drivers and owners who have had both the FRR and FH will tell you that, despite the Isuzu FRR having a bigger engine, it consumes less than the Mitsubishi FH.
On speed, the Isuzu FRR will show you dust in your Mitsubishi FH. The FRR has a higher ground clearance of 195mm compared to the FH’s 190mm. Lengthwise, the FRR is longer than the FH with an overall length of 8170 mm and 7745 mm respectively.
In terms of the width, the FRR seems to be a tad bit wider than its rival with coming in with 2200mm as against FH’s 2170mm. The Mitsubishi FH has a wheelbase of 4610mm and the FRR has 4850mm. Isuzu FRR 33 has a curb weight of 3225kgs and the FH has a curb weight of 2935kgs. Heightwise, FRR is rated higher with 2550mm and the FH comes in at 2400mm.
Both vehicles have a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 9.9 Tonnes (9,900Kgs) and both have the 4X2 drive types.
When the two are converted to coaches, the FRR becomes a 51-seater bus while the Mitsubishi FH becomes a 45-seater bus.
I may not ultimately tell you which is the better option between the two but from the features and analysis, you can be the judge. The rivalry between the Mitsubishi FH 215 and the Isuzu FRR 33 is not one that will end any time soon. This article may not be conclusive, and I, therefore, invite corrections, additions, criticism, and comments on this FH, FRR comparison.
Find a comparison of the newer versions of these vehicles; the Isuzu FRR 90 and the Fuso FI here.
Isuzu FRR 90 vs Fuso Fi: These two trucks have traversed our country Kenya and generation after generation have been in a stiff battle with each in a quest to reign supreme.
Ladies and gentlemen, today we compare and contrast the new generation Isuzu FRR 90 and the New Generation Fuso Fi.
The most important thing to note is that these two new generation trucks are coming with smaller engines. This is because global motor vehicle manufacturers are on a quest to achieve better fuel economy and reduced emotions.
Isuzu FRR 90
We start with the all new FRR 90. On the roads they are calling it “The Slayqueen”
Powered by a 5200cc (5193) 4HK1-TCC engine that is turbo charged with a direct mode of fuel injection via a common rail; the all new FRR 90 is more powerful and more efficient compared to the older FRR 33, churning out some 190 Horsepower and 510Nm of torque at 1900 RPM.
When you got more power, you need a better stopping ability.
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The braking system consists of full air over hydraulic dual circuit brakes (primary) and both engine and exhaust for auxiliary braking.
The Fuso Fi
The Fi, now referred to as “Mzito wa Africa” looks nothing close to its predecessor; the mighty FH215. The Fi has some Indian touch on it and has since lost the “Mitsubishi” badge and now carries the Fuso badge.
The reason behind this; well in February 0f 2014, Mitsubishi Fuso and Bus (Japan) rolled out their plan to have 5 strategic trucks in their production line built in India, Bangladesh and a few other Asian countries. These trucks were to be co- developed by Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG and a full-fledged commercial vehicle player in the Indian market and the only Daimler entity worldwide with a brand dedicated to its home market: BharatBenz. The trucks were mostly to be sold in several African countries Kenya being one of them. Now with that lets get to ho the new Fi performs.
It is powered by a 4000cc (3907cc) 4D37 direct injection turbo charged diesel engine from Mitsubishi. It churns out some 170hp @ 2500 rpm and 520 Nm of torque @ 1500 rpm sent to the rear wheels by a 6 speed manual transmission.
Its predecessor the FH215 had a braking issue and that has been resolved in the Fi. It comes with Full air S-cam Dual circuit primary brakes with engine and exhaust brake for auxiliary braking.
The Tie Breaker:
The FRR 90 is more powerful compared to the Fi but on the other hand the Fi has more torque. When it comes to fuel consumption the Fi can achieve better fuel economy compared to the FRR90. Both have a wide service interval range of about 15000km.
The Fi has a superior braking system with a brake booster in each wheel end. With the new 7th Gen FRR 90, a few complaints have been recorded from drivers on braking.
The Fi also boasts of better ground clearance making it more ideal for going off road when on load.
