The Toyota Hilux
Posted by cloud on December 25, 2009When it comes to compact pickup trucks that are used the world over, few rank higher than the two cousins form the land of the Rising Sun – the Toyota Hilux and the Toyota Tacoma. Receiving the new name ‘Tacoma’ in the year 1995, the Hilux name went into retirement in the year 1976, giving room to names like ‘Pickup Truck’, ‘Compact Truck’ or just ‘Truck’. It’s interesting to note that the Sport Rally 5 Speed, an extremely popular option package couldn’t, for quite a while, be seen as distinct from the Hilux / Tacoma. Eventually, the Sport Rally 5 Speed option package became available with the other Toyotas also.
The Hilux’s camper model was, in the year 1984, renamed as the 4Runner in Australia & in North America, while in Japan, it was renamed as the Hilux Surf. In the latest models, the 4Runner which now happens to be a full SUV looks little like the Toyota Tacoma. Owing to the fact that North American product lines were no longer similar to those elsewhere, the trucks that were sold in North America look like, but aren’t actually the Hilux, having huge differences in terms of chassis and mechanics. Toyota added a version with long wheelbase to its range in the month of April in 1969. The version with the long wheelbase didn’t enter the North American market before the year 1972, but the short wheelbase models remained in production for quite a few years more.
The name ‘Hilux’ might have indicated ‘high luxury’, but it was a misleading name, unless it was seen in comparison with the Stout. The main reason that Hino Motors chose to engineer & assemble the Hilux was in order to add to the older lineup of the Briska, the Stout and the Hino Briska, and in some cases, the intention was to have them replaced in a few markets such as North America. The sole body style offered in North America was a short bed, a regular cab and rear-wheel drive. The truck setup employed was typical with coil springs and A-arms in the front, with a leaf-spring equipped live axle in the back, along with a standard 4 speed manual transmission. Interestingly, the 1973 model of the Hilux was released as the RN20 in mid-1972. How it was different was that its interior was made so as to provide additional comfort, and its exterior was upgraded as well. In a ‘first’ in North America, a ‘long bed’ which measures 2.3 meters or 7.5 feet was provided as an optional.
While it was released for the first time in America, it was there in other markets across the world since the month of April in the year 1969. In the year 1975, the Hilux underwent a completely radical change in terms of design. The truck now truly lived up to its name – the Hilux had gained in terms of luxury as well as size. At this point, it came out with the 20R engine as well as an upscale trim package – the SR5. Even a 5-speed manual was offered as an optional. The very next year, in 1976, North America chose the name ‘Truck’ over ‘Hilux’, a change that was even reflected in owners’ manuals!
