The Toyota Hi-Lux is a compact pickup truck built and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. The Hi-Lux name was adopted as a replacement for the Stout in 1969, and remains in use worldwide. In the United States, the Hi-Lux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck or Compact Truck, and this name was replaced by Tacoma in 1995. One popular option package, SR5, also became synonymous with the truck, even though it was used on other Toyota models as well.
1935
The original Toyota pickup was the 1935 G1. It shared many components with the company's A1 car, and was a 1.5-ton stake-bed commercial truck.
1947
After the war, Toyota returned with a compact pickup truck, the Toyopet Model SB. This was the true ancestor of the Hi-Lux, and remained in production from 1947 through 1963.
Engine:
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)
1969
The Hi-Lux name was coined in 1969, but it was a highly-luxurious vehicle only when compared to the Stout. 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.
Engine:
- 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)
1973
In the middle of 1972, the 1973 Hi-Lux was released. 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.
Engine:
- 1973-1974 - 2.0 L (1968 cc) 18R SOHC I4, 108 hp (81 kW)
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 Hi-Lux name was dropped in America in favor of "Truck" the next year.
Engine:
- 1975-1978 - 2.2 L (2189 cc) 20R SOHC I4, 96 hp (72 kW)
1979
The next generation appeared in 1979. This time, the SR5 package included an updated torsion bar suspension as well as the usual trim upgrades.
Another important addition was the 4x4 model. It used solid axles and leaf springs front and rear and skid plates to protect the transfer case and fuel tank.
Engine:
- 1979-1980 - 2.2 L (2189 cc) 20R SOHC I4, 96 hp (72 kW)
- 1981-1983 - 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R SOHC I4, 96 hp (72 kW) at 4800 RPM and 129 ft.lbf (174 Nm) at 2800 RPM
- 1981-1983 2.2 L L Diesel I4, 62 hp (46.2 kW) at 4200 RPM and 93 ft.lbf (126 Nm) (SR5 long bed only)
1981
The 1981 model year saw a vehicle development deal between Toyota and Winnebago (primarily) and two other aftermarket customizers. Toyota was attempting an entre into the SUV market. The vehicles which resulted from this collaboration were the Toyota Trekker, the Toyota Wolverine, and the Toyota Blazer. All 3 emlpoyed the toyota Hi-Lux 4x4 RV cab & chassis and an all fiberglass rear section. There were at least 1500 Trekkers and a much smaller, unknown number of the other two models sold in North America. Research and Development work on the Trekker lead to the development of the Toyota 4Runner (called the Toyota Surf outside north America) released in 1984.
1984
The big news for the 1984 redesign was the introduction of the Xtracab two-row extended cab option. 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 automatic locking front 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 Nm) at 2800 RPM
- 1984-1986 2.2 L L Diesel I4, 62 hp (46.2 kW) at 4200 RPM and 93 ft.lbf (126 Nm) (SR5 long bed only)
- 1985-1988 - 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R-E SOHC FI I4, 105 hp (78 kW) at 4800 RPM and 137 ft.lbf (185 Nm) at 2800 RPM
- 1985-1987 - 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R-TE SOHC FI turbo I4, 135 hp (101 kW) at 4800 RPM and 173 ft.lbf (234 Nm) at 2800 RPM
- 1988 - 3.0 L 3VZ-E V6, 150 hp (112 kW)
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:
- 1989-1988 - 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R-E SOHC FI I4, 105 hp (78 kW) at 4800 RPM and 137 ft.lbf (185 Nm) at 2800 RPM
- 1989 - 3.0 L 3VZ-E V6, 150 hp (112 kW)
1995
Part-way through 1995, Toyota introduced the new Tacoma in the United States. It is named for Tacoma, Washington, a city that is located near the Cascade Mountains, and particularly Mount Rainier, and is thus associated with the rugged, outdoor lifestyle used to market pickups.
This, 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 2001. A new Double cab (crew cab) option was added, and a flashy S-Runner was offered as well.
Engines:
2005
The Tacoma/Hi-Lux will be updated in 2005.
This new version won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Pick-up award and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 2005.
See Also
