Toyota’s reputation for quality seems to have been eroded almost overnight due to concerns over unintended acceleration and the subsequent recalls involving millions of vehicles worldwide. Despite the scrutiny, the legendary Toyota quality is not entirely gone, and the one vehicle that has become synonymous with reliability, durability, and strength, continues to be the Toyota pickup truck.
Around the world, Toyota built its reputation for quality on back of the stellar performance of its pickups. The Japanese brand began building pickups in 1935 with the 1.5 tone Type G1 which was built for commercial use. Following World War II, the Toyota Model SG compact truck was produced between 1947 and 1957 and was later named the Stout. This truck was redesigned in the early 1960s and became larger than competing trucks from Datsun and Mazda.
In 1969, Toyota began production of its all-new compact pickup truck. Known worldwide as the Toyota Hilux, this compact would become the predecessor to the popular Tacoma here in the U.S. and served as the benchmark for the entire segment.
This first generation pickup featured a 1.5-liter four cylinder engine. In 1971 the displacement was increased to 1.6-liters. For several years both a short and long wheelbase version was produced. In 1972, Toyota began selling the truck in the North American market.
When it reached North America, the Hilux was only available in a regular cab configuration with rear-wheel drive. The available engine in this model was a 2.0-liter inline four cylinder that produced 108 horsepower and was mated to a four-speed manual transmission. It’s suspension was basic, featuring A-arms and coil springs up front and a live axle with leaf springs in the rear.
The second generation was introduced in 1973 and included a number of improvements to the interior. North American truck buyers could also opt for a long bed configuration for the first time. A fully-redesigned model appeared in 1975 that was larger and offered more amenities. The top of the line SR5 trim also became available for the first time. Power was supplied via a 2.2-liter four cylinder that produced 96 horsepower. During this generation, the “Hilux” name was also dropped in North America and it became known simply as the Toyota Truck.
During the late 1970s, the third generation Toyota truck was introduced and offered four-wheel drive for the first time in North America. This generation also began to offer an automatic transmission. Available options included cruise control, power steering, and air conditioning. A partnership with Winnebago also resulted in aftermarket fiberglass cabs for the truck’s bed.
With the introduction of the fourth generation Toyota truck in 1984, the truck offered more bodystyles and configurations than before. An Xtracab extended cab option was introduced, and for the first time an independent front suspension/torsion bar setup became available in the 4×4 model. A 145 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 also became available.
The Tacoma name first appeared in the fifth generation Toyota truck. This generation and subsequent generations saw increased size and power from the late 1980s through the 1990s. The Tacoma’s chassis differed slightly from the Hilux truck, but both featured similar exterior styling.
Throughout each generation, the Toyota truck continued to solidify its reputation for reliability and ruggedness. Its exceptional sturdiness was also put to the test when the BBC show Top Gear decided to see what it would take to kill a 1988 Toyota pickup. After punishing the truck through extraordinary abuse, it continued to run test after abusive test with only the assistance of a wrench and some WD40.
The guys from Top Gear didn’t stop there. Jeremy Clarkson used a Toyota truck as a platform when be built an amphibious vehicle. Later, both Clarkson and James May used a highly modified Toyota pickup to reach the magnetic North Pole – a historic first for any car.
While Toyota quality may have been called into question in recent months, Toyota trucks have continued to be as tough as nails generation after generation.
