Toyota · 1979-1983
Pickup (3rd Gen)
The third-generation Toyota Pickup (1979-1983) was the first Toyota truck with factory four-wheel drive in North America. It introduced the 2.4-liter 22R, torsion-bar front suspension and the limited Mojave edition.
- Years
- 1979-1983
- Drivetrain
- RWD · 4WD (from Jan 1979)
- Engines
- 20R · 22R · L diesel
- Sold in
- US · Canada · Global
Spec sheet
- Generation
- 3rd Gen
- Production
- 1979–1983
Built in Japan from August 1978 to October 1983.
- Assembly
- Tahara plant, Toyota City, Aichi, JapanHamura, Tokyo (Hino)Long Beach, California (TMM, final assembly)Samut Prakan, Thailand
- Sold in
- USCanadaGlobal
- Codes
- N30 (SWB)N40 (LWB)RN34/38/44/48 (22R)LN (diesel)
- Body styles
- Regular cabLong bed
- Bed lengths
- Short (6 ft; 72.2 in)Long (7 ft; 87.4 in)
- Drivetrains
- RWD4WD (from Jan 1979)
- Transmissions
- 4-speed manual5-speed manual3-speed automatic4-speed automatic with overdrive (optional on SR5, new for 1981)
- Trims
- SR5Mojave (1983.5, 3,500 built, $8,308)
- Wheelbase
- 101.8 / 102.2 / 110.2 / 110.6 in
- Length
- 169.5 / 170.1 / 184.6 / 186.2 in
- Width
- 63.4 / 66.5 in
- Height
- 58.1 / 58.9 / 65.6 / 65.9 in
- Curb weight
- 2WD 2,315-2,600 lb; 4WD 2,820-2,910 lb (Wikipedia, global spec)
- Payload
- 1,400 lb incl. occupants (1981 2WD and 4WD standard and long beds); 1,950 lb (3/4-ton long bed); GVWR 4,100 lb 2WD / 4,550 lb 4WD / 4,650 lb 3/4-ton
- Launch MSRP
- Mojave list price US$8,308 (1983.5)
Engines
- Displacement
- 2.2 L
- Config
- I4
- HP
- 90 hp
- Torque
- 122 lb-ft
- Years
- 1978-1980
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Config
- I4
- HP
- 100 hp
- Torque
- 129 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm
- Years
- 1981-1983
- Notes
- 1981 US brochure: 2,376 cc SOHC, 100 hp @ 4,800 rpm SAE net (Federal), 96 hp California and cab/chassis
- Displacement
- 2.2 L
- Config
- I4 diesel
- HP
- 62 hp
- Torque
- 93 lb-ft
- Years
- 1981-1983
- Notes
- US: Long Bed Deluxe with 5-speed manual from the 1981 model year; not sold in California
Highlights
- 01
- First factory 4x4: live leaf-sprung front axle, RF1A gear-driven transfer case (can be stacked for very low ratios)
- 02
- Front suspension changed from coil springs to torsion bars on 2WD
- 03
- Wikipedia: first Hilux with an automatic in the North American market
- 04
- Mojave limited edition: bucket seats, chrome bumpers, no Toyota logos on grille or tailgate
- 05
- Double cab was never offered in the US or Canada
Photos
Toyota Pickup (3rd Gen) 1979-1983, image 1 of 2
Toyota Pickup (3rd Gen) 1979-1983, image 2 of 2
Related
Overview
The N30/N40 Hilux appeared in Japan in August 1978, with the four-wheel-drive version arriving in January 1979. Toyota moved to torsion-bar front suspension on 2WD trucks, while the 4WD used a live leaf-sprung front axle and a gear-driven RF1A transfer case, borrowing some technology from the Land Cruiser.
US trucks started with the 2.2-liter 20R (90 hp) and received the larger 2.4-liter 22R (100 hp SAE net Federal, 96 hp California) for 1981. A 62-hp 2.2-liter diesel joined the US line during the 1981 model year as a five-speed Long Bed Deluxe (not sold in California). Wikipedia says this generation was the first to have an automatic transmission available on the American-market Hilux.
In mid-1983, near the end of the SR5's run, Toyota built 3,500 Mojave trucks with bucket seats, chrome bumpers and deleted Toyota badges, listing at $8,308. A double cab was never sold in the US.
The 4WD cab-chassis also underpinned the Winnebago Trekker and similar RV conversions, which paved the way for the 1984 4Runner.