The diesel Isuzu bolted into the Forward truck in 1972 packed the smallest displacement per cylinder of any direct-injection diesel in the world at the time — and it went on powering Isuzu trucks for decades.
Median 44 hp across 30 similar cars
Lead trim: Forward D500 5.0 inline-six diesel (125 PS) · up to 143 hp
Isuzu Forward first generation TR / SBRTR-SBR · 1970–1975
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Isuzu Forward first generation TR / SBR yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe diesel Isuzu bolted into the Forward truck in 1972 packed the smallest displacement per cylinder of any direct-injection diesel in the world at the time — and it went on powering Isuzu trucks for decades.
The first generation Forward (TR) was launched in April 1970 to replace the TY-series; all the original models used Isuzu's D500 diesel, a 5.0 L (4,978 cc) inline-six with 125 PS (92 kW), upgraded to 130 PS (96 kW) in July 1971. In September 1972 the Forward received a facelift and a new model code (SBR), and the D500 was largely replaced by the new 5.4 L (5,393 cc) 6BB1 direct-injection inline-six producing 145 PS (107 kW) (only certain lighter-duty versions such as the fire truck kept the D500). The glowplug-equipped 6BB1 had the smallest displacement per cylinder of any direct injection diesel in the world at the time and went on to power a large number of Forwards, Elfs and other Isuzus for decades. A variety of weight ranges, bodies and types were offered, including a tractor unit and dumpers, on wheelbases from 3.2 to 5.6 m (10 to 18 ft); while most of the range was replaced in August 1975, the lighter short-cab versions continued as the "Forward S" until replaced by the Forward Juston in 1986.
Collectors Spotted in the Isuzu Forward Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Isuzu Forward yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
3 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward 6BB1 5.4 direct-injection inline-six diesel (145 PS) | 1972–1975 | 5.4 L Inline-6 | 143 hp | 253 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| Forward D500 5.0 inline-six diesel (125 PS) | 1970–1971 | 5.0 L Inline-6 | 123 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Forward D500 5.0 inline-six diesel (130 PS, from July 1971) | 1971–1975 | 5.0 L Inline-6 | 128 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
This Forward shares its cab with Isuzu's smaller Elf truck — the two are nearly twins, down to everything but the side fenders.
Isuzu showed a 6x6 version of this Forward generation at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2013.
For Chile and Peru, this Forward arrived as CKD kits and was hand-assembled in Huechuraba — just two trucks a day, built by a team of 13 workers.
An ordinary Japanese delivery truck got an unlikely cameo: a 1992-94 Isuzu Forward shows up on screen in Studio Ghibli's Pom Poko.
This Forward’s 6BB1 diesel packed the smallest displacement per cylinder of any direct-injection diesel engine in the world at the time, then went on to power Isuzu trucks for decades.
The diesel Isuzu bolted into the Forward truck in 1972 packed the smallest displacement per cylinder of any direct-injection diesel in the world at the time — and it went on powering Isuzu trucks for decades.
Isuzu widened the Forward's appeal mid-run: in August 1967 it added two lighter 3.5-tonne models, the TY31 and TY41, alongside the original heavier trucks.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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