Toyota Hilux

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This article is about the pickup sold in North America until 1994, and other markets as of today. For the 1995-present small pickup sold in North America, see Toyota Tacoma.

Toyota Hilux Toyota Pickup
Manufacturer	Toyota Motor Corporation NUMMI (1991-1995)(North America) Hino
Production	1962 - present
Predecessor	Toyota G1
Successor	Toyota Tacoma (North America)

The Toyota Hilux, and Toyota Tacoma, are compact pickup trucks built and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. The Hilux name was adopted as a replacement for the Stout in 1969, and remains in use worldwide. In North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck, until it was renamed the Tacoma in 1995. One popular option package, SR5 (Sport Rally), also became synonymous with the truck, even though it was used on other Toyota models as well. In 1984, the Trekker, the camper version of the Hilux, was changed to the Toyota 4Runner in North America and Australia, and as the Hilux Surf in Japan. The 4Runner, now a full SUV, shares few visual cues with its brother Tacoma in more recent models.

As the Hilux name was dropped in the US in 1976, any details listed here purporting to relate to the Hilux from that date may not be entirely correct when applied to the vehicle that continues to be marketed by Toyota as the Hilux throughout the rest of the world.

The product lines for the US and elsewhere diverged at that point and in many cases on a year for year basis the vehicles sold in the US only resemble the Hilux, with major mechanical/chassis differences.

[edit] 1935

The original Toyota pickup was the 1935 Type G1 Truck. It shared many components with the company's Type A1 Sedan, and was a 1.5 ton stake-bed commercial truck.

[edit] 1947

After World War II, Toyota returned with a compact pickup truck, the Toyopet Model SB. This was the true ancestor of the Hilux, and remained in production from 1947 through 1963.

Engine:

• 995 cc I4, 27 hp (20 kW)

[edit] 1964

Toyota entered the American market with the 1964 introduction of the Stout. It was larger than the similar Datsun and Mazda compact trucks, and looked like a Chevrolet C/K.

Engine:

• 1964-1968 - 1.9 L (1897 cc) 3R I4, 85 hp (63 kW)

[edit] 1968

The Hilux started production in March 1968^[1] as the RN10 in short wheelbase form with a 1.5 L engine. This was upgraded to a 1.6 L engine in February 1971.

Non American markets:

• 1968-1971 - 1.5 L (1490 cc) 2R I4^[1]

[edit] 1969

In April 1969, a long wheelbase version was added to the range. The short wheelbase version also continued in production for many more years. The long wheelbase version was not sold on the American market until 1972.

In spite of the name "Hilux", it was a highly-luxurious vehicle only when compared to the Stout. Hilux was engineered and assembled by Hino Motors, replaced Hino Briska,Toyota Briska and Toyota Light Stout. For the American market, the only body style was a regular cab short bed and all were rear-wheel drive. It used a typical truck setup of A-arms and coil springs in front and a live axle with leaf springs in back. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard.

American markets:

• 1969 - 1.9 L (1897 cc) 3R I4, 85 hp (63 kW)
• 1970-1971 - 1.9 L (1858 cc) 8R SOHC I4, 97 hp (72 kW)
• 1972 - 2.0 L (1968 cc) 18R SOHC I4, 108 hp (81 kW)

Non American markets:

• 1968-1971 - 1.5 L (1490 cc) 2R I4^[1]
• 1971-1972 - 1.6 L (1587 cc) 12R I4^[1]

[edit] 1972

In the middle of 1972, the 1973 Hilux was released as the RN20. A more-comfortable interior was specified along with exterior updates. A 7.5 ft (2.3 m) "long bed" was optional for the first time in America, although it had been available in other markets since April 1969^[1].

American markets:

• 1973-1974 - 2.0 L (1968 cc) 18R SOHC I4, 108 hp (81 kW)

Non American markets:

• 1972-1978 - 1.6 L (1587 cc) 12R I4^[1]
• 1977-1978 - 2.0 L (1968 cc) 18R I4^[1]

[edit] 1975

The truck was radically redesigned in 1975. Larger and more luxurious in every way, the truck also introduced the 20R engine and SR5 upscale trim package. A 5-speed manual transmission was optional. The Hilux name was dropped in America in favor of "Truck" the next year. Buyers of the Hilux in America found that their owners' manuals named it as the Toyota "Pickup".

Engine:

• 1975-1980 - 2.2 L (2189 cc) 20R SOHC I4, 96 hp (72 kW)

[edit] 1979

In America the hilux saw the use of four wheel drive. It had a solid front axle and leaf suspension. The body saw a redesign that included single round headlights and a less complex body. These trucks became known as first generation 4WDs.

1983 Toyota Pickup SR5 4X4

[edit] 1981

The 1981 model year saw a vehicle development deal between Toyota and Winnebago Industries (primarily) and two other aftermarket customizers. Toyota was attempting to enter the SUV market. The vehicles which resulted from this collaboration were the Toyota Trekker (Winnebago), Toyota Wolverine, and the Toyota Trailblazer (Griffith). All three employed the Toyota Hilux 4x4 RV cab and chassis, and an all-fiberglass rear section (the Trailblazer had a steel bed with a fiberglass top). There were at least 1,500 Trekkers, 400 Trailblazers (only 41 currently registered by the DMV), and an unknown number of Wolverines sold in North America. Research and development work on the Trekker lead to the development of the Toyota 4Runner (The 4Runner was also sold in the United Kingdom)(called the Toyota Hilux Surf outside North America), which was released in 1984.

Engines:

• 1981-1983-2.4 L(2366 cc) 22R SOHC I4, 96 hp (72 kW) at 4800 rpm and 129 ft·lbf (175 N·m) of torque at 2800 rpm.
• 1981-1983-2.2 L Diesel I4, 62 hp (46 kW) at 4200 rpm and 93 ft·lbf (126 N·m) of torque(SR5 long bed only.).

[edit] 1984

1984 Toyota pickup

The big news for the 1984 redesign was the introduction of the Xtracab two-row extended cab option. Also two diesel engines were offered, the 2L and the turbocharged 2L-T. The diesels were discontinued in the U.S. after the 1985 model year, for unknown reasons. The next year saw the introduction of an optional fuel injected engine, the 22R-E, and a turbocharged option, the 22R-TE. The solid front axle was swapped out for an independent front suspension/torsion bar setup in the 4x4 model in 1986, and optional automatic front locking hubs and an electronic transfer case was added as well. A V6 engine was introduced in 1988.

Engines:

• 1984-1988 - 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R SOHC I4, 96 hp (72 kW) at 4800 rpm and 129 ft·lbf (174 N·m) at 2800 rpm
• 1984-1986 2.2 L 1L (2188 cc)Diesel I4, 62 hp (46.2 kW) at 4200 rpm and 93 ft·lbf (126 N·m) (SR5 long bed only)
• 1984-1985 - 2.4L (2446 cc) Diesel I4 2L SOHC, 83 hp (62 kW) at 4200 rpm and 122 ft·lbf (165 N·m) at 2400 rpm; 2L-T (2446 cc) SOHC, 92 hp (69 kW) at 4000 rpm and 159 ft·lbf (216 N·m) at 2400 rpm
• 1985-1988 - 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R-E SOHC FI I4, 112 hp (78 kW) at 4800 rpm and 137 ft·lbf (185 N·m) at 2800 rpm
• 1986-1987 - 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R-TE SOHC FI turbo I4, 135 hp (101 kW) at 4800 rpm and 173 ft·lbf (234 N·m) at 2800 rpm
• 1988 - 3.0 L 3VZ-E V6, 145 hp (112 kW) @ 4800rpm; 180ft-lbs @ 3400rpm

[edit] 1989

The next redesign, in 1989, saw a longer-wheelbase option, 122 in (309.9 cm) versus 103 in (261.6 cm) for the regular wheelbase. The V6 Xtracab SR5 earned Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year award that year. Production began at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California in 1991.

Engines:

• 1989-1995 - 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R-E SOHC FI I4, 112 hp (84 kW) at 4600 rpm and 142 ft·lbf (192 N·m) at 3400 rpm
• 1989 - 3.0 L 3VZ-E V6, 150 hp (112 kW)

Volkswagen even signed a deal to build and market them under the Volkswagen Taro name; this agreement ended in 1996.

Toyota Pick Up 4WD

Toyota Pick Up 2WD

1991 Volkswagen Taro

[edit] 1995

The name Tacoma comes from an Lushootseed word for the volcano Tahoma in the Cascade Mountains, known as Mount Rainier in English, which is visible from Tacoma, Washington.

The Tacoma frame differs from the Hilux frame, although both appear similar from the outside. Both the Tacoma and Hilux variants are sold in Mexico.

The ninth generation of compact pickup trucks from Toyota, was radically updated, with a new frame and body, new suspension, and new engines. All versions now featured coil springs in front with a live axle and leaf springs in back.

The Tacoma was restyled in 1998 when the front fascia and the frame were the primary changes as well as the addition of new badging. It was also restyled in 2001 when a new "double cab" (crew cab) option was added, and a flashy S-Runner was offered as well.

Engines:

• 1995-2004 2.4 L (2438 cc) 2RZ-E 16-valve DOHC I4, 142 hp (106 kW) (4x2)
• 1995-2004 2.7 L (2693 cc) 3RZ-E 16-valve DOHC I4, 150 hp (112 kW) (4x4)
• 1995-2004 3.4 L 5VZ-FE 24-valve DOHC V6, 190 hp (142 kW)

Pre-facelift Toyota Tacoma extended cab

Toyota Tacoma extended cab with second facelift

Facelifted Toyota Tacoma

[edit] 2005

Both the Tacoma and the Hilux were updated in 2005. The Tacoma was based on the new Land Cruiser Prado chassis, while the Hilux rides on a refreshed version of the ladder frame found on previous versions. The new Hilux got bigger, now classified as a mid-size pick up. The Tacoma had a new 4.0 Liter V6 engine that produces 236 horsepower (176 kW) and 266 ft·lbf (361 N·m) torque. Its design was very similar to the Toyota 4Runner. Hilux sold in European, Australian and Asian Markets are built and assembled in Thailand , for the South African market the Hilux is build in Durban, South Africa , those sold in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Mexico, are made in Argentina. The Hilux platform was used as the basis for Toyota's IMV program which spawned the Innova MPV and Fortuner SUV/PPV.

The new Tacoma won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Pick-up award and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 2005.

Engines (markets):

• 2005 2.0 L gasoline VVT-i DOHC I4 (South Africa, Indonesia)
• 2005 2.5 L diesel D-4D DOHC I4, 134 hp (100 kW) - 156 hp (Asia, Europe, South Africa, South America)
• 2005 2.7 L gasoline VVT-i DOHC I4, 160 hp (Australia, The Philippines, South Africa, USA)
• 2005 3.0 L diesel D-4D DOHC I4, Turbodiesel, commonrail 16-valve direct injetion, 171 hp (Asia, South Africa, South America, Australia) (soon in Europe). This version is crafted at the Toyota Argentina facility in Zarate.
• 2005 4.0 L gasoline VVT-i DOHC V6, 228 hp (170 kW) - 236 hp (Australia, South Africa, USA)
• 2008 4.0L Supercharged DOHC V6 306HP/225KW (Australia only, TRD edition)

Current Toyota Tacoma (regular cab)

Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

Extended cab Toyota Hilux

Double cab Toyota Hilux

[edit] Reputation

The nearly destroyed, but still working, Top Gear Hilux perched on its plinth.

Jeremy Clarkson's Toyota Hilux Boat, redubbed the "Toybota".

The Toyota Hilux has gained a reputation for exceptional sturdiness and reliability, even during sustained heavy use, and is often referred to as "The Indestructible Car". This was further reinforced when on the BBC motoring show Top Gear (Series 3, Episode 5) , a 1985 Toyota Hilux with 190,000 miles (308,000km) on the clock was subjected to extraordinary abuse. This consisted of driving it down the steps behind Bristol Cathedral, scraping buildings in Bristol, crashing it into a tree, tying it up to a jetty to be washed out to sea by the incoming tide, driving it through a garden shed (a.k.a the Top Gear production office), dropping a caravan onto it, hitting it with a wrecking ball, setting the cabin & bed area on fire,^[2] and, on the following programme (the sixth) placing it on top of a 240-foot (73 m) block of flats that was subsequently destroyed by a controlled demolition.^[3] Although it was now suffering from severe structural damage (there was already significant body corrosion when it was purchased), the truck was still running after being repaired without spare parts and only with typical tools and equipment that would be found in a car's toolbox, such as spanners, motor oil, and a monkey wrench. ^[4]The Hilux currently resides as one of the background decorations in the revamped Top Gear studio from Season 8 onwards.

In the 2006 series (Season 8, Episode 3), a Hilux was chosen by Jeremy Clarkson as his platform for creating an amphibious vehicle. With assistance, Clarkson rigged the truck with a massive outboard motor and steering mechanism in the pickup bed. The truck, redubbed the "Toybota" (a portmanteau of "Toyota" and "boat"), was driven by Clarkson over several miles by road and two miles (3 km) across open water, before capsizing during a quick turn. Once recovered, the vehicle was moved back to the Top Gear Studio, where a confident Clarkson stated that he would be the only one capable of driving his car home, since it was the indestructible Hilux. However, Clarkson could not get the Hilux started which led his co-hosts to believe that Clarkson had finally destroyed the "indestructible". In the 2007 series (Season 10, Episode 2), Clarkson opted for a Nissan pickup instead of a Hilux in a second amphibious challenge, successfully crossing the English Channel in the vehicle.

In 2007, Top Gear ran a special program in which Clarkson and James May raced a customized 2005 model Hilux to the magnetic north pole from Northern Canada against Richard Hammond using a dog sled. The race, known as the Hilux Arctic Challenge, made the truck the first car to make it to the magnetic North Pole.

Outside television, these vehicles have been known to exceed 300,000 miles (~500000 km) with regular maintenance. It is also infamous for being used as an improvised fighting vehicle by militias and irregular military forces, especially in Third World conflicts (the Toyota War between Libya and Chad was so named because of the use of Toyota Hilux trucks as light cavalry by the Chadian army). These vehicles have been used in the Iraq war as Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). Militias have been know to outfit this vehicle with Surface to Air missiles and improvised often stolen post Soviet equipment such as the Gao 9 Anti-Aircraft device and the Toyota War saw use of the Hilux as a pulling vehicle which served as aircraft tug and Tank pull for the T-62 heavy tank. There are currently 37 customized Hilux used by the PLA in the Southern region of China.

In October 2007, the Swedish car magazine Teknikens Värld performed an evasive manoeuvre (a moose test) that revealed that the Toyota Hilux pickup truck was less than ideal for turning abruptly at speed. The car failed the test and only the driver's skill prevented it from overturning. After the test Toyota stopped the sales of Hilux equipped with 16 inch wheels in Europe. Teknikens Värld also gained worldwide attention in 1997, when the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overturned in their moose test.

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] See also

• Toyota
• Pickup truck
• List of Toyota vehicles
• List of Toyota engines
• List of Toyota Transmissions
• EPA 2004 fuel economy report (Toyota)
• Toyota T100 - larger size pickup truck; predecessor to Tundra
• Toyota 4Runner
• Toyota Fortuner
• Toyota Tundra
• Technical (fighting vehicle)
• Toyota War

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Toyota Hi-Lux

• South African Toyota Hilux owners' forum
• Hilux Pickup Owners Club and Online Community
• 2007 Toyota Tacoma MRSP and Specs
• Tacoma Offroad Forum
• 2005+ Tacoma Forum
• Tacoma World
• Toyota Nation - Tacoma Forum
• Trails Less Traveled - technical articles about high-performance aftermarket products for Toyota trucks
• English Translations of Japanese-manufactured Hilux recalls at DogAndLemon.com
• Toyota Hilux Club or Victoria (Australia)
• New Hilux Web Site, Hilux owners themselves put up photos and info about their vehicles online, there is also a popular forum to use
• Hilux / Tacoma / 4WD community - 20.000-member-forum, gallery, tips and tech
• Detailed specs and pics of Toyota Hilux Vigo
• Online community with over 100 custom Hilux Toyota's
• The Hilux's trip to the North Pole
• Movie showing the Hilux almost turning over in moose test
• ToyotaHilux.info... Your Global Network for Toyota Cars, Truck's and SUV's.