Toyota Hilux - First Generation

First Generation

The Hilux started production in March 1968 as the RN10 in short-wheelbase form with a 1.5 L engine, producing 77 PS (57 kW) in Japanese market spec, and in Japan it was available at Toyota Japan dealership retail chains called Toyota Store and Toyopet Store. The modification to the engine was enough for a claimed 130 kilometres per hour (81 mph) top speed. This was upgraded to a 1.6 L I4 engine in February 1971.

In April 1969, a long-wheelbase version was added to the range. The short-wheelbase version also continued in production for many more years. The long-wheelbase version was not sold on the North American market until 1972. The Hilux was offered as an alternative to the Toyota Crown and Toyota Corona based pickup trucks in Japan, as the Crown and Corona were repositioned as passenger sedans.

In spite of the name "Hilux", it was a luxury vehicle only when compared to the Stout. The Hilux was engineered and assembled by Hino Motors to replace the earlier vehicle that the Hilux was derived from, called the Briska in the niche beneath the larger and older Stout – it replaced the Stout fully in some markets. For the North American market, 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 four-speed manual transmission was standard.

Global markets:

• 1968–1971 – 1.5 L (1,490 cc) 2R I4
• 1971–1972 – 1.6 L (1,587 cc) 12R I4

North American markets:

• 1969 – 1.9 L (1,897 cc) 3R I4, 63 kW (86 PS; 84 hp)
• 1970–1971 – 1.9 L (1,858 cc) 8R SOHC I4, 72 kW (98 PS; 97 hp)
• 1972 – 2.0 L (1,968 cc) 18R SOHC I4, 81 kW (110 PS; 109 hp)

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