Below are the basic features and options for Toyota pickups and 4Runners for each model year. This is a living document that is meant to be all inclusive, but certainly there are details that have been missed. Further information can be found listed by part or by VIN.

1979 Shortbed Hilux Pickup.

The Hilux pickup was first offered in a factory 4wheel drive configuration in 1979. This pickup featured a 20R 2.2L 4 cylinder motor backed by a L43 4-speed transmission and a RF1A gear driven 21 spline transfer case with the shifter on the top of the transfer case. Driveshafts were attached to the transfer case and pinion flanges with 8 mm bolts. Leaf springs and solid axles geared with 4.10 gears could be found at each end of the truck, the front controlled by a push-pull steering configuration. Both front and rear axles featured 8" ring gears and 1 5/16", 30 spline axle shafts. The two configurations offered were a shortbed with a 103" wheelbase and a longbed with a 109" wheelbase. These trucks can be identified by their round headlights and bench seat.

The only notable difference from the 1979 model is the use of 4.37 gears standard instead of 4.10s and the addition of a small gusset on the front axle housing.

1981 trekker.

1981 saw the first major changes in the Hilux model. A 2.4L 22R motor replaced the previous 20R and could be found connected to a L45 4-speed or a L50 5-speed. Both transmissions contained "top" shifters for the RF1A 21 spline gear driven transfer case. The standard gear ratio used in 1981 was 3.90 and the front end received a new grill and square headlights in place of the previous round lights. 1981 saw the introduction of trekkers made by Winnebago and trailblazers by Griffith. These were the predecessors to the 4Runner.

Few changes were made to the Hilux for the '82 model year. The only significant difference was the return to 4.10 gears.

1983 Longbed Hilux Pickup.

1983 marked the last year for the first generation Hilux pickup. A L52 5-speed transmission was the only option behind the carbureted 22R engine and in front of the RF1A "top" shifting 21 spline gear driven transfer case. Luxuries such as bucket seats, air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes were first offered this year. Otherwise, technical features remained unchanged from the previous model year.

1984 4Runner.

1984 brought a new body style for pickups and the introduction of the Xtra Cab and 4Runner. The shortbed pickup and 4Runner both had 103" wheelbases, while the Xtra Cab and longbed pickups had 112" wheelbases. The 2.4L 22R motor carries over from the previous model, but now contains plastic timing chain guides. The motor was backed by a G52 transmission mated to the familiar RF1A 21 spline, gear driven transfer case with a "forward" shifter. The front axle received additional trussing in 1984 and the driveshaft flange bolts were increased from the previous 8 mm to 10 mm, otherwise the axles and suspension remained unchanged. New options included a clinometer/altimeter in the dash as well as a rear heater on the 4Runner.

1985 Xtra Cab Pickup.

Electronic fuel injection was first offered as an option on 1985 models. A multitude of transmissions were first available in '85, including the existing G52 behind the 22R motor. The 22RE came backed with a W56 5 speed manual or A340F 4 speed automatic transmission. trucks and 4Runners equipped with a manual transmission contained 4.10 gears, while automatic rigs typically came with 4.30s. Another difference between the auto and manuals were the transfer cases; manuals came with "top" shifting RF1A gear driven transfer cases while automatics came with VF2A chain driven transfer cases. 1985 was the last year for a front solid axle with leaf springs and push-pull steering. Automatic locking front hubs came standard on SR5 Xtra Cab model only.

1986 Shortbed Pickup.

More new innovations were available from Toyota in 1986. The solid front axle gave way to a new independent front suspension (IFS) utilizing torsion bars and a-arms. This new suspension housed a differential with a 7.5" ring gear and 1 1/8", 27 spline axle shafts. A turbocharged 22RE was added to the available 22R and 22RE to compete with Nissan's new V6 powered pickup. The 22RTE was available with an R151F 5 speed manual transmission in the pickups only, or a 4 speed automatic A340H as an option in pickups and standard in 4Runners. The R151F came backed with a RF1A gear driven transfer case equipped with a 23 spline output shaft instead of the standard 21 spline shaft. This transfer case utilized a "forward" shifter in models with bench seats, while pickups equipped with buckets had a top shifting transfer case. 22R motors once again came backed by G52 or G54 5 speed manuals and "forward" shift RF1A gear driven transfer case. The 22RE was available with either a W56 5 speed manual and top shifting RF1A 21 spline gear driven transfer case or a A340F 4 speed automatic tranmission with a VF2A chain drive transfer case. Other mechanical changes for 1986 were optional automatic hubs and a standard 3" wider 8" solid rear axle with larger (10") drum brakes and axle tubes. The automatic used with models equipped with automatic hubs was the A340H 4 speed automatic transmission came with an electronically controlled integral transfer case. A digital dash was optional on the turbo 4Runner and all turbo models came equipped with a stronger four pinion rear differential.

No significant model changes were made for 1987.

1988 Xtra Cab Pickup.

1988 saw the introduction of the 3VZE 3.0L V6 motor and the demise of the 22RTE and 22R motors. The 3VZE came backed by a R150 transmission and VF1A 23 spline chain driven transfer case or the A340H transmission with an integral transfer case. Vehicles equipped with this motor inherited the previous turbos' stronger four pinion rear differential and featured larger brake master cylinders and front calipers. The 22RE was still offered with a W56 5 speed manual and top shifting, gear driven RF1A transfer case or a A340F 4 speed automatic transmission with a VF2A chain drive transfer case. Other features such as body style, wheelbase, suspension, and options remained the same as the previous year.

1989 Shortbed Pickup.

A new, rounder body style for pickups became available in 1989. Only the pickups received the new body style, not the 4Runner. With this body style came a much improved interior, galvanized beds, and a longer wheelbase for longbeds and Xtra Cabs at 122". Shortbed and 4Runners kept the same 103" wheelbase as previous years. Other changes included the optional 4.56 gears in addition to the to the previously available 4.10s and 4.30s and the location of the shifter used on the RF1A transfer case behind W56 transmissions changed from the top of the transfer case to the tailhousing of the transmission. While the basic suspenion and axles remained the same, the rear springs increased in length 3 inches to 51".

Rear ABS became standard on pickups in 1989, but is only activated in 2WD. Automatic Differential Disconnect (ADD), a vacuum operated four wheel drive system, was first available in 1989 as an option. 4 cylinder trucks equipped with this system utilized a 5 speed G58 manual transmission and a 26 spline VF1A chain drive transfer case or a A340F with a VF2A 23 spline chain driven transfer case. Starting in 1989 the 22RE received a revised intake manifold with an integral air control valve, otherwise the motor options remained the same as the previous year.

1990 4Runner.

The only significant change for the 1990 model year was the updated 4Runner, which shared the new, rounder body style that the pickups unveiled in 1989. The new 4Runner was available in a four door version for the first time, however a rare two door version was also available until 1992. Both versions of the new 4Runner came with integrated rooflines in place of the previous removable tops. All other features are basically the same as in the previous year. Note that starting in 1990 and continuing through 1995, the 3VZE motor was subject to special service campaign V06 for headgasket problems.

No significant model changes were made in 1991.

1992 Shortbed Pickup.

The only notable addition in the 1992 model year was the availability of 4.88 gears in pickups and 4Runners equipped with automatic transmissions. These gears came in a unique rear third member that is not compatible with other gears. A slight redesign of the front headlights, grill, and bumper also took place for the 1992 model year. Wheelbase, suspension, and drivetrain options all remained the same.

The two door 4Runner was discontinued in 1993, otherwise Toyota saw little reason to alter their rugged pickup line.

1994 4Runner.

Side impact beams, CFC-free air conditioning, and a third brake light became standard features in 1994, and four wheel ABS became an option on V6 models. These were the only changes to pickup and 4Runners from the previous model year.

1995 Xtra Cab Pickup.

1995 marked the last year of the venerable Toyota pickup before the introduction of the Tacoma in 1995.5. The 4Runner platform entered its third generation in 1996 also, sharing the drivetrain of the Tacoma.