Longbed Shortfuse: 1978 Toyota Pickup

The HiLux is legendary for its rugged chassis and bulletproof R-series engines...that's certainly part of the reason it is the favorite for lawn care workers in the USA and militias around the globe. Toyota released in the first HiLux back in 1968 as a replacement for their Stout pickup, and production of the little machine lasted through 1995 for the US market, but it continues to be built in various other markets and we get the larger Tacoma pickup. Today's Pickup looks in great shape, but it needs a new headgasket -- how hard can that be? Find this 1978 Toyota Pickup offered for $2000 in Gilbert, AZ via craigslist.

Wheeeeeeel Base: 1980 Toyota Pickup

The HiLux is legendary for its rugged chassis and bulletproof R-series engines-- even the nay-saying blithering idiots guys over at Top Gear are fans of the simple pickup and it isn't built in Britain.  Toyota released in the first HiLux back in 1968 as a replacement for their Stout pickup, and production of the little machine lasted through 1995 for the US market, but it continues to be built in various other markets and we get the larger Tacoma pickup.  Today's example is an EXTRA long wheelbase version that should be good for a double take (or two). Find this 1980 Toyota Pickup offered for $2000 in Shingletown, CA via craigslist. Tip from Terry B.

Swap 'Em If You Got 'Em: V8 Yoda, H22A Turbo EK Hatch, Electric Dino Replicar

I love a good wacky engine swap as much as the next guy (probably more, to tell the truth) but Matt C delivered the good stuff with these next three tips that came in as a trifeca of tumultuous tire shredding transplants.  Matt's words and links below.

Auction Watch: 1983 Toyota HiLux SR5 Pickup

Find this 1983 Toyota HiLux SR5 Pickup here on eBay bidding for $10.800 reserve-not-met located in Hollister, CA. 

Celicamino: 1985 Toyota Turbo SR5 2WD Pickup

Turbocharged gasoline powered pickup trucks haven't seen much popularity until the until the Ecoboost Fords. Given the state of the technology up until now, perhaps that's not surprising. No one wants to sit at the boat ramp with their foot to the floor for 45 seconds, waiting for enough turbonium to snatch their pontoon boat out of the water. Find this 1985 Toyota Turbo SR5 2WD Pickup for sale in North Charleston, SC for $3,200 via craigslist.
Tip from Jon

Gone to Plaid: 1980 Toyota 4x4 Pickup

 Toyota pickups from the 1980's were pretty cool.  Spartan and diminutive, these trucks were great for getting things done as well as fun basic transportation.  We wish we could buy something like them off the lot today.  Find this 1980 Toyota 4x4 Pickup for sale in Leavenworth, KS for $6,500 via craigslist.

Auction Watch: 1988 Toyota HiLux SR5 Pickup

Take a look at this 1988 Toyota HiLux SR5 Pickup here on eBay bidding for $8,100 with auction ending Wednesday at 7:17PM PST.

Almost A Classic: 1986 Toyota Hilux

It is ironic that while Toyota won't use photos of RPG toting Guerrillas piled high in the bed of an 80s Hilux, there is no better advertisement for Toyota durability & ruggedness then the worldwide use by impromptu militant groups.  The guys out in the desert fighting for who knows what (for who knows why) aren't going to put out an RFQ to multiple contractors and do a scheduled pilot build study -- they are just going to use their cousin's car, you know, the one that never breaks down.  The Hilux. Find this 1986 Toyota Hilux here on eBay bidding for $1,675 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go, located in Cookeville, TN.  Tip from DM.

Even Closer! 1985 Toyota Pickup, 4x4 w/ XtraCab

DT's Editor-in-Chief Vince found a sweet 1981 Hilux and scheduled it a few days back, and I don't want to rain on his parade, but... this one is better. It's a faithful reproduction of the original movie truck, down to the black paint, front and rear tubular bumpers, show bar with KC Daylighters, and the wheels & tires. The seller shows a bunch of BTTF celebrities posing with the truck (I believe that's Claudia Wells aka Jennifer in the pic below). Find this 1985 Toyota (Hilux) Pickup for sale in Hill Valley, CA for $16,900 via craigslist.Tip from Safety Fast.

Close Enough: 1981 Toyota Hilux SR5 4X4

In the first Back To The Future movie, Marty McFly is obsessed with a black 1985 Toyota pickup, and (spoiler alert!) he gets the car (and the girl) at the end of the movie.  The pickup in the movie is a 4th generation XtraCab with a "show bar" setup in the bed replete with KC Dayliters, but the best Hilux I could find for sale was this 3rd generation example, so the past is the future in this next Back To The Futurismo feature.  Find this 1981 Toyota Hilux SR5 4X4 here on eBay bidding for $9,300 with 2 days to go located in Puyallup, WA.

5k: Garage Or Street? 1994 Toyota Pickup

Just how old does a car need to get before it be priced as a classic?  Older Toyota Pickup (Hilux) models have seen some appreciation recently, but a high mile pickup from the 90s is still a workhorse unworthy of a collectors garage...right?  Find this 1994 Toyota Pickup offered here at a Toyota of Fort Worth, TX for $3,482. 

15k: Diesel Duke's DC: 1988 Toyota Hilux Double-Cab Diesel

There comes a time in every car enthusiast's life where something different is really all that's needed (or desired). Forget that belly-button '32 Ford highboy with SBC power, sell the '57 Chevy, dump the Miata trackday car; it's time for a unicorn. In the US Toyota sold a diesel version of its Hilux briefly in the '80s to a few spendthrifts who are likely still clattering around in them, because of their legendary unkillability. However, the double-cab was never sold here in any form until after the Tacoma replaced the Hilux on our shores and by then the diesel option had vanished. If you want both, plus 4WD, the only way to go is importation. Find this 1988 Toyota Hilux Double-Cab w/ 2L diesel for sale in Gardena, CA for $16499 via craigslist.

2k Roadkill: Holy Guacamole: 1976 Toyota Hilux

Time for another of DT's "finds" from the street...aka Roadkill. This one really hits close to home, and I was torn about whether to share it or covet the find and entertain ideas of adding vehicle number 1,204 to the fleet...but cooler heads prevailed and here it is on the site. Just yesterday I found myself reminiscing about my dad's old avocado green 1975 Toyota Hilux, and I said to myself: "self, if I ever find a decently clean green '75 Hilux short bed, I'd like to turn it into a sleeper with a later engine swap, kind of like the Toyota version of Gary Narusawa's Datsun 620 pickup named Walter." Then not one day later I see this avocado green Hilux short bed for sale...but blast, it's a '76! Khaaaaan! Anyways, click through the jump to find the details on this nice 1976 Toyota Hilux, spotted for sale on the street for $2200 o.b.o. in Torrance, CA.  Car is sold.

15k: Classic Pickup: 1984 Toyota HiLux 4WD

The Toyota Hilux Pickup is known for its frequent use by militant groups all over the third world as an impromptu tank/troop-carrier/apc/goat transporter.  The HiLux is legendary for its rugged chassis and bulletproof R-series engines-- even the nay-saying talking heads over at Top Gear are fans of the simple pickup and it isn't built in Britain.  The market for used HiLux models has been pretty tame and simple running/driving examples can be had for nothing...but...signs of an impending explosion of nostalgia from folks who remember them from their youth and now have money are starting to show.  Find this 1984 Toyota HiLux 4WD currently bidding for $15,400 on ebay with a few hours to go, located in Tempe, AZ.

1k: Long Wheelbase: 1982 Toyota Hilux Pickup Crew Cab

The last time we featured a 4-banger powered crew cab pickup it was met by our readers with a combination of equal parts awe, consternation and befuddled exasperation. But that was a Plymouth Arrow with a dually setup in the rear...this on the other hand is built from the lauded Toyota Hilux platform and will surely be met with more positive accolades from our dear readers. Find this 1982 Toyota Hilux Pickup Crew Cab for sale in Los Angeles, CA currently bidding on ebay for $255 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go.  Tip from Andy L.

5k: Seller Submission: 1980 Toyota Hilux 4X4 Pickup

The Toyota Hilux Pickup is known for its rugged chassis and bulletproof R-series engines.  There is no greater testament to the Hilux than its frequent use by militant groups all over the third world as an impromptu tank/troop-carrier/apc.  Find this 1980 Toyota 4X4 Truck for sale in Reno, NV currently bidding for $4,000 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go.  Seller submission from Andrew M.

5k: Pop Up Style: 1976 Toyota Chinook Camper

The Toyota Hilux pickup truck is one of those classics that is cool because it is the anti-Ferrari.  The Hilux is cheap to buy, cheap to own, reliable, slow and totally un-sporty - pretty much the exact opposite of something from Maranello, but somehow this makes it cool.  Who are we to deny the Hilux its moment of fame - in fact it could only get better if it was slower, more functional, more horrible to drive, etc...such as this 1976 Toyota Chinook camper for sale in Salina, KS for $6,500 via craigslist.  Tip from Rod S.