Is the Ranger the Hilux we've been wanting?

[DorB]

There is also a tremendous difference in the quality of the roads in North America compared to the rest of the world. We don't have cities and towns connected by unmaintained dirt roads, nor do we have water crossings on highways.

Europe doesn't fall behind NA regarding quality of roads and you can buy Hilux/equivalent size pickups, and you rarely see Tacoma's or other US specific models.
It's something else.

More like combination of culture and industry strategy.
First of all, it's not about "Hilux" but more accurate as a mid-sized pickup with heavy load capacity, around 1 metric ton, with small diesel engines.
It's important to understand this issue because the Hilux is not the only pickup in its class, it is one of the more dominant.
While the NA Toyota "Minitruck" lost the front live axle about 1988, it was sold worldwide with double cab, solid front axle, Diesel engines and HD components (some mutual with 70 series) into 1997.

When the Minitruck/old 4runner was sold in the US, the "rest of the world" got a more robust version of the Hilux, for example, the v6 driveline and brake components where a basic feature with the most basic Hilux, while the interior was super simple and basic.

In parallel, the Tacoma started selling in NA, with high trim cabin and refined suspension and lighter frame (someone did research what NA customers really want.. and what would sell..)=Culture.. and the sulution supplied by Toyota for that demand.

At the same time, the rest of the world got a refined and bigger Hilux, that kept the HD combination of Toyota off-shelf parts and load capacity (different culture..)

The Tacoma is a specific NA product, for the demands of the average NA customer, while the Hilux and other similar spec pickups are a worldwide preference=what sells and where.

Tacoma is a hot product for NA Toyota, they don’t really need to invest in promotion, it sells itself.

It would be stupid of Toyota to start full scale import of Hilux trucks into US because it will affect their own factories in the US, why would they do that?

Those of you who want a Hilux or equivalent capable truck are not enough to tip the balance point needed to shift the corporate selling strategy.

Same for other worldwide brands with successful models in the same category as the Hilux.
There will allways be a place and need for big trucks, but the showing of new mid-sized pickups in NA is a shift in culture for those who dont need or "want" full sized pickup, due to understanding that you can have a smaller yet capable and economic option.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

40k economical small trucks lol. Fullsize trucks that run circles around them with equal interior trims are cheaper due to rebates and discounts. Even mpg is equal in a lot of cases.

 

[tacollie]

40k economical small trucks lol. Fullsize trucks that run circles around them with equal interior trims are cheaper due to rebates and discounts. Even mpg is equal in a lot of cases.

They literally run circle around them with their larger turning radius ?

 

[nickw]

Europe doesn't fall behind NA regarding quality of roads and you can buy Hilux/equivalent size pickups, and you rarely see Tacoma's or other US specific models.
It's something else.

More like combination of culture and industry strategy.
First of all, it's not about "Hilux" but more accurate as a mid-sized pickup with heavy load capacity, around 1 metric ton, with small diesel engines.
It's important to understand this issue because the Hilux is not the only pickup in its class, it is one of the more dominant.
While the NA Toyota "Minitruck" lost the front live axle about 1988, it was sold worldwide with double cab, solid front axle, Diesel engines and HD components (some mutual with 70 series) into 1997.

When the Minitruck/old 4runner was sold in the US, the "rest of the world" got a more robust version of the Hilux, for example, the v6 driveline and brake components where a basic feature with the most basic Hilux, while the interior was super simple and basic.

In parallel, the Tacoma started selling in NA, with high trim cabin and refined suspension and lighter frame (someone did research what NA customers really want.. and what would sell..)=Culture.. and the sulution supplied by Toyota for that demand.

At the same time, the rest of the world got a refined and bigger Hilux, that kept the HD combination of Toyota off-shelf parts and load capacity (different culture..)

The Tacoma is a specific NA product, for the demands of the average NA customer, while the Hilux and other similar spec pickups are a worldwide preference=what sells and where.

Tacoma is a hot product for NA Toyota, they don’t really need to invest in promotion, it sells itself.

It would be stupid of Toyota to start full scale import of Hilux trucks into US because it will affect their own factories in the US, why would they do that?

Those of you who want a Hilux or equivalent capable truck are not enough to tip the balance point needed to shift the corporate selling strategy.

Same for other worldwide brands with successful models in the same category as the Hilux.
There will allways be a place and need for big trucks, but the showing of new mid-sized pickups in NA is a shift in culture for those who dont need or "want" full sized pickup, due to understanding that you can have a smaller yet capable and economic option.

Not sure where your coming from relative to "culture", but in general it's simple logistics. They sell a HD Hilux over there as a work truck, who cares about what parts are on it, they repackage it for the average consumer since all the parts are the same, comes from same factory, etc. They don't sell a HD Tacoma here so they have free reign to specifically design one for our market that's lighter, rides better and more aligned to our driving enviro.

I don't think any parts interchange between the true Land Cruiers 70's and the Hilux/mini trucks....besides the PZ / LJ series, which are basically Prado's, aka mini-truck chassis with LC body, not traditionally considered a "Land Cruiser" in the true sense. I'm out of the loop when it comes to Toyota stuff though....

They lost their live axle in 1985 and are better off for it.

 

[nickw]

40k economical small trucks lol. Fullsize trucks that run circles around them with equal interior trims are cheaper due to rebates and discounts. Even mpg is equal in a lot of cases.

Thats exactly the issue....

 

[Deleted member 9101]

40k economical small trucks lol. Fullsize trucks that run circles around them with equal interior trims are cheaper due to rebates and discounts. Even mpg is equal in a lot of cases.

My f150 was cheaper than a similarly equipped Tacoma and it uses less fuel. It also obliterates the Tacoma in towing.

 

[DorB]

I don't think any parts interchange between the true Land Cruiers 70's and the Hilux/mini trucks...t.

I own a 1997 hilux, it share some axle and mechanical parts.
For example, When you use a disc brake that’s design for a 4ton truck, on a 2.5 ton truck with smaller engine, you get extensive durability.. this wasn’t an option in NA as I understand.

The newer hilux share with the LC120-150

I’ve used other brands and sizes to be able to compare.






Slowly..

 

[DorB]

. Even mpg is equal in a lot of cases.

Not even close in Diesel engines.

And when you can get have a 1 ton truck with 20+mpg real world numbers (more then 20 years ago..), that’s a huge difference.



Slowly..

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Not even close in Diesel engines.

And when you can get have a 1 ton truck with 20+mpg real world numbers (more then 20 years ago..), that’s a huge difference.



Slowly..

Actually, the new Silverado 1500 Diesel is close.

Also... That. "One ton" with 20 MPG from 20 years ago offered mediocre performance... And that's being generous...haha.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My f150 was cheaper than a similarly equipped Tacoma and it uses less fuel. It also obliterates the Tacoma in towing.

But as a long time F-150 driver the newer ones are land whales to sit in, see out of and all around drive.

Midsizes are appealing to me because they are about like an older half ton in size and performance. If I wanted a big truck I would just get a 3/4 ton for the same money as a half ton.

In the case of the Ranger they are new, so they don't have rebates on them yet. F-150 has the same problem every time they get redone. All of the sudden a F-250 is cheaper.... until they get a few out the door and start having rebates on them again.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Not even close in Diesel engines.

And when you can get have a 1 ton truck with 20+mpg real world numbers (more then 20 years ago..), that’s a huge difference.



Slowly..

a 1 ton hilux overseas is not a 1 ton america truck, its a toy.

 

[DorB]

a 1 ton hilux overseas is not a 1 ton america truck, its a toy.

1ton is 1ton everywhere on planet earth.




Slowly..

 

[DorB]

Also... That. "One ton" with 20 MPG from 20 years ago offered mediocre performance... And that's being generous...haha.

I mentioned “20 years ago” as a proportion for the different approach between NA and the rest of the world regarding 1ton truck.

A 2019 1tom truck outside NA are way refined machines.




Slowly..

 

[nickw]

I own a 1997 hilux, it share some axle and mechanical parts.
For example, When you use a disc brake that’s design for a 4ton truck, on a 2.5 ton truck with smaller engine, you get extensive durability.. this wasn’t an option in NA as I understand.

The newer hilux share with the LC120-150

I’ve used other brands and sizes to be able to compare.






Slowly..

LC120-150, aka the Prado.

What axle parts? Birfs? Didn't the 70's have 9.5" front diffs?

Why would Toyota put 2.5 ton brakes on a 4 ton truck? Seems silly.

 

[calicamper]

I recall its like $30 and a little time to put dampers on a tailgate. If its that big of a deal.