Toyota Van

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Toyota Van

Manufacturer	Toyota
Production	1984–1989
Successor	Toyota Previa
Class	Van
Body style	3-door van
Engine	2.2L 101 hp 4Y-EC I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	88.0 in
Length	175.8 in
Width	65.7 in
Height	70.3 in
Fuel capacity	15.9 US gal.
Similar	Chevrolet Astro Nissan Van C22 (Vanette) Volkswagen Vanagon

The Toyota Van was a vehicle made by Toyota and was available worldwide in a multitude of different versions. It featured a sharply sloped front, in contrast to the upright flat front common in other similar Japanese vans. The Toyota Van was the first mid-size van (aka midi-van) before the release of the Chevrolet Astro in 1985 and Ford Aerostar in 1986. Also, it was released at the same time as the competing Dodge Caravan.

The American model was officially known as the Van, although it was the same as the Space Cruiser model available in Japan and Europe, and the Tarago model in Australia. In Sweden it was sold as the Toyota Model F. The rear wheel drive versions were imported to the US from 1984 to 1989, and the four wheel drive versions were imported from 1987 to 1989.

The Toyota Van was replaced in the United States by the Toyota Previa in 1991.

The Wonderwagon ad campaign in the 1980s advertised the Van as the "Toyota Wonderwagon", leading to some confusion. However, only the passenger models were referred to as "Wonderwagon" and the cargo versions are consistently referred to as "Cargo Vans". The Van used an Front Mid ship layout (Similar to Chevy Astro/GMC Safari Vans) , where the driver and front passenger sat directly above the front axle. The engine was placed similarly to American 1960s Compact vans between and behind the front seats, leaving a gap behind the front seats, which makes service a challenge since the engine cover must be removed in the passenger compartment. American full-sized vans and minivans by this time put the engine forward of the passenger compartment with either front wheel drive (minivan) or rear wheel drive (full-size).

[edit] Popular culture

Kahn, Hank Hill's less-than-model minority Asian American neighbor in King of the Hill owns a Toyota Van as one of his vehicles, and this was indeed a common vehicle among Asian American families in the 1980s.

The Toyota Van has also been used in the series of Initial D. Through all of the Stages, The Red Suns and Project D both use Toyota Vans as support vehicles.

The Toyota Van was featured in the television episode "Vivian's Toyota" on MTV's Pimp My Ride (episode 30, Sunday April 17, 2005).

[edit] External links

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Toyota Van

Toyota light truck timeline, North American market, 1980s-present - v • d • e
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Compact SUV																	RAV4					RAV4					RAV4
																												FJ Cruiser
Crossover SUV																						Highlander							Highlander
Mid-size SUV				4Runner						4Runner						4Runner								4Runner
Full-size SUV	Land Cruiser										Land Cruiser								Land Cruiser										Land Cruiser
																						Sequoia							Sequoia
Minivan					Toyota Van							Previa							Sienna						Sienna
Pickup	Toyota Pickup				Toyota Pickup					Toyota Pickup						Tacoma										Tacoma
														T100							Tundra							Tundra