Toyota Hilux


The Toyota Hilux, stylised as HiLux and historically as Hi-Lux, is a series of pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The majority of these vehicles are sold as a pickup truck or cab chassis, although they could be configured in a variety of body styles.
The pickup truck was sold with the Hilux name in most markets, but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck. In North America, the popular option package, the SR5, was colloquially used as a model name for the truck, even though the option package was also used on other Toyota models, like the 1972 to 1979 Corolla. In 1984, the Trekker, the wagon version of the Hilux, was renamed the 4Runner in Venezuela, Australia, and North America, and the Hilux Surf in Japan. In 1992, Toyota introduced a newer pickup model, the full-size T100 in North America, necessitating distinct names for each vehicle other than Truck and Pickup Truck. Since 1995, the 4Runner is a standalone SUV, while in the same year Toyota introduced the Tacoma to replace the Hilux pickup in North America.
Since the seventh-generation model released in 2004, the Hilux shares the same ladder frame chassis platform called the IMV with the Fortuner SUV and the Innova minivan. Cumulative global sales in 2017 reached 17.7 million units.

First generation (N10; 1968)

The Hilux started production in March 1968 as the RN10 in short-wheelbase form with a 1.5 L inline-four engine, generating a maximum power output of in Japanese market specification. The vehicle was conceived by Toyota, and was developed and manufactured by Hino Motors at its Hamura Plant. In Japan, it was available at the Toyota Japan dealership retail chains called Toyota Store and Toyopet Store. The modification to the engine was enough for a claimed top speed of. The 1.5-litre engine was upgraded to a 1.6 L inline-four in February 1971.
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 in the North American market until 1972, allowing the Datsun Truck to maintain a strong market presence. The Hilux was offered alongside the Toyota Crown, Toyota Corona, and Toyota Corona Mark II based pickup trucks in Japan until 1972, when the Crown, Corona, and Corona Mark II were repositioned as passenger sedans.
In spite of the name "Hilux", it was a luxury vehicle only when compared to the Stout. The Hilux was engineered and assembled by Hino Motors to replace the earlier vehicle that the Hilux was derived from, called the Briska in the niche beneath the larger and older Stout – it replaced the Stout fully in some markets. For the North 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 four-speed manual transmission was standard.
Starting in November 1971, final assembly of trucks for the US market was completed by Atlas Fabricators in Long Beach, California, later renamed Toyota Auto Body California. Trucks were shipped from the factory in Japan as a chassis cab. When the trucks arrived in the United States, a truck bed would be locally built and attached to the chassis before being sent to dealers. The arrangement was a form of tariff engineering, allowing Toyota to circumvent the chicken tax, a 25 percent tariff on imported light trucks. By only importing a chassis cab, Toyota only had to pay a 4% tariff.

Engines

Global markets:
  • 1968–1971: 1.5 L 2R I4
  • 1971–1972: 1.6 L 12R I4
North American markets:
  • 1969: 1.9 L 3R I4,
  • 1970–1972: 1.9 L 8R SOHC I4,
  • 1972: 2.0 L 18R SOHC I4,

    Second generation (N20; 1972)

In May 1972, the 1973 model year Hilux was introduced, designated the RN20. Nicknamed the "RokeHi", a portmanteau of "Rocket Hilux", it has a more comfortable interior along with exterior updates. A "long bed" was an option for the first time in North American markets, although such a version had been available worldwide since April 1969. This received the "RN25" chassis code. The 2.0 litre 18R engine was available in Japan as well, with a three-speed automatic transmission available as an option. The 2.0-litre automatic model managed a "gentle" top speed in a period road test conducted in South Africa, in spite of a claimed.
The Hilux was radically redesigned in 1975 to be larger and with increased standard equipment. In North America, the new version also meant the introduction of the larger 20R engine and the SR5 upscale trim package. A five-speed manual transmission became optional. In North America, the Hilux name was fully phased out in favour of "Truck" by that year, having been dropped from brochures and advertising campaigns, starting in 1973. Some North American motor-coach manufacturers began building Toyota motor-homes from the Hilux.

Wolverine 4x4

Starting in 1975 “Off Road Marketing” in Garden Grove, California in the United States developed a 4 wheel drive system for these trucks and marketed it as the Wolverine 4x4. Toyota never offered a factory four wheel drive system for this generation of Hilux, Off Road Marketing outfitted two wheel drive trucks with all the components necessary for four wheel drive. While they did manufacture many of the components themselves most of the major components such as the front axle, leaf springs, and transfer case were ‘off the shelf’ and found on the Jeep CJ and other four wheel drive vehicles. The front axle is a Dana 30, the transfer case is a Dana 20, and the leaf springs are made by Cambria Spring Co. The engine offered is the 2.2L 20R paired to a 5 speed manual transmission. These trucks were available to be purchased at US Toyota dealerships throughout the country between 1975-1979. The Wolverine ceased production when Toyota began offering a factory 4x4 option with in the 3rd generation Hilux.
Global markets:
  • 1972–1978: 1.6 L 12R I4, ,
  • 1973–1978: 2.0 L 18R I4,
North American markets:
  • 1973–1974: 2.0 L 18R SOHC I4,
  • 1975–1978: 2.2 L 20R SOHC I4,

    Third generation (N30, N40; 1978)

The redesigned Hilux was introduced in August 1978, with a 4WD variant introduced in January 1979. The newer model was of similar dimensions to its predecessor, but both front and rear tracks were wider. Another change was the front suspension was changed from coil springs to a torsion bar design, still with a double wishbone layout. The 4WD variant – not offered with any engines smaller than the two-litre "18R" – featured some common technology with the larger Toyota Land Cruiser. Its front axle was a live, leaf-sprung design unlike the more car-like type used on rear-wheel drive Hiluxes. Production of the four-wheel drive models stopped in July 1983, but some 2WD variations continued production in parallel with the next generation models. The L series diesel engine was offered on the 2WD variants from September 1979 and also on the 4WD variants beginning in March 1983. In Japan, the Hilux was joined with the all new Toyota MasterAce, sharing load carrying duties which was sold at Toyota Store locations alongside the Hilux.
The Australian market originally received the 1.6-litre 12R engine in rear-wheel drive models, while 4WD models have the 2-litre 18R-C engine with. These were all built on the longer wheelbase, with either pickup or cab-chassis bodywork. Top speed of the Australian Hilux 4WD was.
In North American markets, 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. This new 4WD setup featured a gear driven RF1A transfer case. This transfer case is unique in that its low-range reduction portion can be replicated, using what some refer to as a dual or triple transfer case. This results in a much lower overall gear ratio. It was the first Hilux available with an automatic transmission in that market.
In 1981, a vehicle development agreement was established between Toyota, Winnebago Industries and two other aftermarket customisers. This was to allow Toyota to enter the SUV market in North America. The vehicles which resulted from this collaboration were the Trekker, Wolverine, and the Trailblazer. All three used the Hilux 4×4 RV cab and chassis, and an all-fiberglass rear section. Research and development work on the Trekker led to the development of the 4Runner/Hilux Surf, which was introduced in 1984.
Toward the end of the SR5's production run, Toyota introduced the luxury Mojave trim for the US market as a limited-production model with options not available on any other Toyota pickup. With a list price of, it had bucket seats, two-speaker multiplex radio, chrome front and rear bumpers, and deleted Toyota logos on either the grille or the tailgate. Cruise control, power steering, and air conditioning were optional. It was powered by the SR5's standard inline-four engine.
In Thailand, this model was sold as the Toyota Hilux Super Star.

Engines

  • 1978–1983: 1.6 L 12R SOHC I4, at 5,200 rpm and of torque at 3,000 rpm, at 5,200 rpm
  • 1981–1983: 1.8 L preflow, 4-speed manual,
  • 1978–1983: 2.0 L 18R SOHC I4, at 5,000 rpm and of torque at 3,600 rpm
  • 1978–1980: 2.2 L 20R SOHC I4, at 4,800 rpm and of torque at 2,400 rpm
  • 1981–1983: 2.4 L 22R SOHC I4, at 4,800 rpm and of torque at 2,800 rpm
  • 1979–1983: 2.2 L diesel I4, at 4,200 rpm and of torque, LN30/40

    Fourth generation (N50, N60, N70; 1983)

The August 1983 redesign introduced the Xtracab extended cab option, with six inches of space behind the seat for in-cab storage. These models carried over the carbureted 22R engine while model year 1984 also saw the introduction of the fuel injected 22R-E engine. Two diesel engines were also offered, the 2L and the turbocharged 2L-T. The engines were discontinued in the US after the 1986 model year. This was due to higher performance expectations from customers and the wide availability of inexpensive petrol. The next year saw the introduction of a turbocharged option, the 22R-TE, perhaps due to increasing competition from Nissan who already offered a V6 truck at this time. The solid front axle was replaced with an independent front suspension/torsion bar setup in the 4×4 model in 1986, and optional automatic differential disconnect for the front differential. 1985 was the last year of the solid front axle in most markets. The solid front axle would remain in the 5th generation 4×4 LN106 model until 1997. Solid front axles had been present in all 4×4 Toyota models until 1986.
In late 1986 for the 1987 model year, the truck went through a minor interior and exterior redesign, that included a new grille, a new 1 piece front bumper, an updated interior with full high door panels with faux leather stitching on the base and DLX models, the gauge cluster surround was more rounded and featured faux leather stitching on it, the dash pad featured a shorter tray than earlier models, the steering wheels were changed from black to grey, red, brown, or blue depending on the interior colour, the radio bezel was also colour matched to the rest of the interior, the SR-5 tach gauge clusters had the pattern on the face changed from a grid pattern to horizontal lines, the outside door mirrors were also changed to have a more stream lined appearance, the faceplate for the heater controls was also redesigned. A V6 engine was introduced in 1988. The Hilux-based 4Runner which made its entry in Australia, North America and the United Kingdom was based on this generation of the Hilux; in some other markets, such as Japan, it was called the Hilux Surf. In North America, the automatic shifter on 2WD models was relocated to the column.
Toyota introduced a new generation of the Hilux in most markets in late 1988 but the fourth generation remained in production until 1997 in South Africa. This was due to South African "content laws" which made it cheaper to continue the production of the fourth generation of the Hilux, rather than to retool the plant for the fifth generation model.
In Thailand, this generation was sold as the Toyota Hilux Hercules/Hero.