Hilux_Max's New D4D Hilux from OZ

[frgtwn]

25% import tax.

The early Japanese import trucks were saddled with a 25% import tarriff. This was to make them more expensive for US buyers, and to give the domestic truck manufactureres a fighting chance in the marketplace.

As I recall, the first Hilux Toyota's were not a bargain, dollar-wise. The 6 cylinder, three speed 1/2 ton domestics were very close.

It is very likely that the cab and chassis trucks came in under another classification, and would save Toyota and others a few pennies. Conjecture on my part, but that is how the world works, both then and now.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Regarding the bed with the hooks: I have seen quite a few of them on the 84-88 generation trucks.

However, those beds are a single-wall design, which means that a dent on the inside shows up on the outside. The smooth, non-hook design was a double wall type.

I also noticed the single-wall beds do not have a central handle for opening, they have a latch on each corner. My guess is that Toyota figured that the double wall and central latch, though more expensive, would appeal more to the recreational truck user than the work truck user.

Finally, of the 84-88 Toyotas that had the single-wall bed with the hooks, I don't ever recall seeing a 4wd model with that bed.

 

[Hilux_Max]

Heres an updated pic of my hilux fella's. Its got the flares fitted and wheel/tyre combo on it.

Next is to decide on what bullbar, and fit under body protection plates -

 

[Ryanmb21]

Oh man that truck is the real deal!

 

[datrupr]

I don't ever recall seeing a 4wd model with that bed.

My brother used to have an 86 4wd with that bed. That was many moons ago, but they did exist.

 

[Martinjmpr]

My brother used to have an 86 4wd with that bed. That was many moons ago, but they did exist.

Did it come that way or did he put it on himself, from a 2wd truck? If you look at the 2wd and 4wd trucks of that era, they didn't even share the same front and rear fenders (the 4wd fenders had a bit of a flare to them.)

There were some odd combinations, too. Some company bought a bunch of 4wd Toyota trucks, cut them behind the cab and inserted a fiberglass or plastic "half cab" that turned the Toyota into a "crew cab" long before the Japanese companies started selling 4-door mini trucks in the US. They were sold as new by the Toyota dealers but it wasn't Toyota that did the conversion. Every now and then I see one on the road. Of course, between the additional 30" or so of length and the full-size 6' bed, these things are about as long as a freight train and probably have the same turning radius!

 

[Jacket]

Nice truck! How long has that generation/style of Hilux been available from Toyota? It seems you have a lot of accessories available to you - the late model Tacoma on the other hand is still pretty limited (no bolt on skid plates, no snorkel, 1 option for front locker, ....).

 

[DaveInDenver]

Nice truck! How long has that generation/style of Hilux been available from Toyota?

The Hilux was revised at the same time the Tacoma was, in 2005.

 

[Jacket]

^that's what I figured.....only reinforces my gripe that the new gen Tacoma is slow to develop in the aftermarket parts world. It's that damn marketing machine with the FJ Cruiser.......

 

[ntsqd]

Regarding the bed with the hooks: I have seen quite a few of them on the 84-88 generation trucks.

However, those beds are a single-wall design, which means that a dent on the inside shows up on the outside. The smooth, non-hook design was a double wall type.

I also noticed the single-wall beds do not have a central handle for opening, they have a latch on each corner. My guess is that Toyota figured that the double wall and central latch, though more expensive, would appeal more to the recreational truck user than the work truck user.

Finally, of the 84-88 Toyotas that had the single-wall bed with the hooks, I don't ever recall seeing a 4wd model with that bed.

[HIJACK]
Something like 100 years ago I did a survey on the ORC yota ML.
I concluded that there are 4 different beds that could have come on the US '84-'88 trucks. At the time I was not aware of the double walled beds so that wasn't included in the survey. Inclusion could conceivably double the number of beds produced.

The "Japanese Bed": Hooks and rails with two tailgate latches. (rare, IME)

The "Canadian Bed": Hooks and rails with center latch tailgate.

The "Federal Bed": Rails (NO hooks) with center latch tailgate.

The "California Bed" Smooth (no hooks or rails) with center latch tailgate.

My '84 4x4, "Patch" is a Canadian built truck first purchased in Washington state and has the "Canadian Bed" and is single walled. A friend had a 2wd truck of this vintage with a double walled "Federal Bed" & my '86 turbo 2wd is a double walled "Calif. Bed".
I've never seen a double walled Japanese bed or a double walled Canadian Bed, but that doesn't mean that they don't exist.
[/HIJACK]

 

[DaveInDenver]

The "Japanese Bed": Hooks and rails with two tailgate latches. (rare, IME)

The "Canadian Bed": Hooks and rails with center latch tailgate.

The "Federal Bed": Rails (NO hooks) with center latch tailgate.

The "California Bed" Smooth (no hooks or rails) with center latch tailgate.

My old (now sold) '84 regular cab 4WD had smooth side, double wall bed (with the bolt-in panels), center latch and was a CO truck and my buddy Dean's 1985 XtraCab 4WD also has the smooth side double wall and is a CO truck. I don't know the final assembly, but I'd have thought Japan. They both lack locking cylinders on the fuel doors and I assumed they were US-built beds. Here in Colorado, it seems most '84-'88 4WD trucks are smooth sides. Only see external rails and hooks on the '79-'83 4WD trucks and only double latches on the very early ones ('79 & '80). The '81-'83 trucks here typically have hooks and center latches. Usually 1983 or later 4WD trucks here that have external rails are 2WD and they have no hooks and center latches. Sounds like there might about like a dozen combos of 2WD, 4WD, double/single wall, smooth side/external rail, center/double latches, etc!

 

[ntsqd]

The names assigned each bed type don't necessarily indicate their true place of origin. Can't recall how exactly they came about.

My '84 has the locking filler door. My '86 does not.

 

[DaveInDenver]

The names assigned each bed type don't necessarily indicate their true place of origin. Can't recall how exactly they came about.

My '84 has the locking filler door. My '86 does not.

Gotcha. I assumed the name just meant intended destination. Early NA-made beds would presumably have been made at TABC in Long Beach, at least until NUMMI and TMMC came online in the mid 1980s. I do wonder if there is a correlation between bed style and place of manufacture? IOW, the double wall beds were made locally and the outside rail and hooked beds made in Japan. All speculation in the end, I guess.

I was also told once that pre-1992 the lock on the fuel door indicated that the bed came with the truck from Japan. I dunno, my 1991 has a locking fuel door and is a Japanese truck (the source I guess for a 1991 could be either USA or Japan).

 

[Martinjmpr]

Only see external rails and hooks on the '79-'83 4WD trucks and only double latches on the very early ones ('79 & '80). The '81-'83 trucks here typically have hooks and center latches. Usually 1983 or later 4WD trucks here that have external rails are 2WD and they have no hooks and center latches. Sounds like there might about like a dozen combos of 2WD, 4WD, double/single wall, smooth side/external rail, center/double latches, etc!

These are both in my apartment parking lot. Both are 4wd, 80-83 body style (I think 80 was the first year for the Toyota 4x4, correct?)

Notice that while both have the external rails, one has the two side latches, the other has the single center latch.

 

[kcowyo]

(I think 80 was the first year for the Toyota 4x4, correct?)

Close. 1979.