I wouldn't try that with any new vehicles regardless of what brand they are. They just aren't built like they used to be.

 

I hear you. I threw a rear tractor tire in the bed of the pickup yesterday and then wondered if I had just split the tailgate. I hadn't, but that fact I checked said a lot about my opinion that 'they don't make 'em like they used to'

 

Sweet find!

 

Thats not the same truck we get here in the US. But amazingly well built. It has no power options, just a straight real truck. Watching the entire show, that same truck was left out in the ocean under water for the day, it took a mechanic a couple minutes to restart it and drive it out less windows that broke. they demolished a 10 or 12 story building, the truck was parked on top and drove it away after the tracker pulled it out and rolled it over, sprayed gas inside and lite it up, burned out interior and still drove away. nailed it with a wrecking ball and bounced it around and it drove away, then dropped the trailer on top and drove off. Pretty funny show.

 

It was a great series on that Heliux, too bad those trucks aren't available here in the US containing a diesel engine like that model. Its like over seas you can buy a ford ranger with actual 4 doors like the tacoma, but you can't get that in the US. Well you can't even get a ford ranger anymore, but that aside, different markets have different vehicle styles, and personally I'd take that Heliux any day over the electronic controlled vehicles we are stuck with now.

 

Diesel

It's sad that we don't have very many diesel options here in the US... especially in the smaller 4 cylinder size... (besides audi & VW)

 

Its funny how there are so many models of truck we don't get. The first time I ever saw a small 4 door truck (Nissan) was in Honduras in the early 90's and it shocked me.

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Everything today has electronics out the whazoo... even the trucks we don't get.

We (USA) did get the very truck that Top Gear beat up. In 1984 a 4x4 regular cab long bed non turbo diesel could be purchased, and in 1985 it gained a turbo.

Today, the modern 2nd gen Tundra holds true, in some ways, to what helped make Toyota Trucks tough back then, oversized components and smart designs that don't get reinvented for every model redesign. While there are corners cut today, there's still enough Toyota in it for me.

 

Was had the hilux in the states as early as 1972. The third gen started in the states in I think 1981. Tiny cab, narrower axles, 22R engine. The series on this show is the fourth generation. (at least I think it is through the dents, maybe third?)

1986 was turbo time, 22R-TE. The sad part, diesel was offered before this engine. The even more sad part is 1986 was the first year of IFS and the solid front axle went the way of the dodo bird. 1984 had the 22R engine, carbureted. In 1985 you could still get the 22R but mostly the 22RE was available with fuel injection. I had a 1985 Toyota 4x4 Hilux 22RE with 680K miles. Hard, 16 year old driver miles. It was stolen, never died on me. I had a 1989 Hilux that I decided needed to go for a swim, cab high water. Pulled that sucker out, pulled plugs, fired right up.

1986 the turbo was introduced and that was the only year for the 22RE to be pumped, introduced a V6. The 22RE stayed around even into the first year of the Tacoma. A hard fox to catch, but they are out there.

Even more bullet proof of a design was the engines in the 60 series Land Cruisers. I had a buddy with 890K. Doesn't even seem reasonable.

There are very good reasons you see Toyota in some of the harshest conditions on earth. If I'm going to be traversing a desert or outback somewhere, you'd be damn I'd be in American junk.

We had a family friend who worked at FoMoCo in design. Ford in the 80's and part of the 90's engineered failure INTO the vehicles. It seems they made more money on replacement parts and labor than on the actual vehicle. Resale value to this day shows that fact. It just a given that you will need to dump 2-5K into a late model Ford, thus the price is reflected.

 

I would love to get a hold of an early 80's toyota pickup with the straight axle in it just for pure backroads and hunting use because as everyone knows you can't beat a straight axle for severe use, the IFS is ok for ride but doesn't hold up well being beat on daily.

 

If Hillux was sold here, it would have a MANY BUYERS with the diesel motor.

 

Ditto WildBill! Give me a diesel Hilux w/ straight axles and ARB lockers, a Warn winch, Warn manual hubs on all four corners, and some ramps for my quad...the elk would not sleep well, and the trails would be blazed with my mud terrains.

 

My father has a 96 Toyota Tacoma with 226,000 miles. It's still kickin!

 

My grandfather had an 89 2wd he used to carry his tools that got passed down to an Uncle when he died. It was traded in 94 or 95 with an oil leak. It probably would have cost next to noting to fix the leak but he wanted something with more cab space. I wouldn't be surprised if that little truck was still pluggin along somewhere out there.

 

I had a 99 Tacoma with the 22RE 4 cylinder. It was part of the frame perforation recall so Toyota bought it back from me. Had almost 300k on the clock and only ever asked for oil changes and brakes.

Thus far, that has been the most reliable and dependable vehicle I've ever owned. When my Tundra hits 300k, we'll have this conversation again.

 

My commuter is a 95 Lexus ES 300. It's got 368,000 miles in it. Starts right up, blows cold air, everything still works. Still uses no oil and gets 24 mpg. Can't beat it.

 

Nice! I love BBC Top Gear.

I'll look for that episode tonight.

 

Well, they might not make bodies like they used to. But, that's because gas isn't 40 cents p/gallon and we can't have tailgates and body panels that are practically armor plating and painted with 1/8" thick lead paint.
The tundra would weigh 8000 frikkin lbs if they made it like they used to and get about 6 mpg.
I'll agree that I'm not that enthusiastic about the foil bodies and misting of water color paint. However, it's one of the reasons they can keep weight down. And with the reduction of weight, they've also improved design. As flimsy as the bodies seem, they are safer in an impact. As well as frames, glass, seat design, etc.
I'm kinda torn though. As much as I appreciate the efficiency and advanced design of newer vehicles, there is something nostalgic about the old, simple work horses. Even if they had half the power and burned twice the fuel. You could usually work on them with a hammer and a screwdriver and you had to hit a tree at 40, to put a dent in the fender. You'll break some ribs, but at least the car wasn't totaled.

 

I would gladly trade 8 of my air bags in the cab for a little more steel in the body of the truck.

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I would gladly trade 8 of my air bags in the cab for a little more steel in the body of the truck.

I wouldn't. But, I would like thicker, more durable paint and clear coat.
Actually, I wouldn't mind if there were no steel in the body at all. I wouldn't mind a body made entirely of CF. But, that's not exactly cheap.

 

Cycle, now we're talking, 368,000 miles. I've owned several Toyota diesels in Japan, not trucks, but 8 passenger vans that you can't get here. I had an '85 that the turbos went out on, but the thing kept going but less powerful. I've driven the small truck diesels too, but you don't see many of those even in Japan.

 

I've heard stories of our soldiers shooting the crap out of Toyota vehicles only to watch the bad guys get into them and drive off when they retreat.

 

A new tundra would self implode after two of those tests lol

 

This is an old clip but wow....
Worth watching and being amazed at how over engineered these trucks are!
Top Gear - Toyota is Invincible (GM Sucks) - YouTube

I think this clip was taken after the truck was through high tide sea water and swamped for 6 hours. I'd like to see a ranger do that. If only there was a diesel.

 

I have an '88 Toyota Pickup with at least 300,000 miles on it. The odometer stoped working at 215,000 and that was around 15 years ago. The truck runs great but the body of the truck has cancer (rust).