1992 JDM Toyota Hilux LN107 D/C SSR 3L Diesel 4x4 - The Lost Fraternal Twin Brother of the Tacoma -

Behold the mighty Hilux diesel. My daily driver which just happens to be RHD.



I have owned this truck for over 8 years and have spent thousands in maintenance and repairs. It's an adorable looking money pit that is constantly threatening to rust. Krown rust protection is my preferred method of prevention. A JDM Hilux was never designed to be driven in crazy -40 Celsius Canadian winters.

The best way to describe owning a JDM Hilux in a country that is only LHD would be that it's really cool and really weird, all at the same time. Since these trucks were never intended for sale in North America, the corrosion resistance of the metal sucks and they are very poorly insulated for cold winters.

I have a special cold weather block heater installed that simultaneously keeps the coolant in my rad and the Mobil 1 in my oil pan toasty warm for those nasty cold as hell winter morning starts. This allows me to turn on the heater and warm up the interior much quicker than without and it genuinely makes a huge difference when it's bitterly cold.......

Its only real options are power mirrors, air conditioning, aluminum alloy wheels, cloth seats instead of vinyl, and a rear manual sliding window.

It's also a 4WD with manual locking front hubs, so in the winter it can tackle anything you throw at it. I rarely off road it in the summer, even though it's more than capable of doing so. Virtually every major component is mechanical. The only items electronic are the aftermarket radio and digital clock. Even the fuel pump is mechanical, for which I recently ordered genuine Nippon Denso parts for and then patiently waited weeks to arrive all the way from Japan. I then spent more money to have it professionally rebuilt.......

IMHO, these old JDM diesel engines miss the higher sulphur content and the higher cetane rating from 1990's era diesel fuel. Currently, Canada’s voluntary national standard recommends a minimum cetane value of 40. This value is significantly lower than the standard in every other jurisdiction.

The higher a fuel’s cetane number, the quicker it ignites — and that carries a variety of benefits for diesel equipment. From increased fuel economy to fewer emissions to better power output, fast combustion is key to a diesel engine’s performance.



Diesel engines do not take kindly to cold winter starts, especially when it's -40 C. That's why I always use an additive called XP3 Diesel Winter Extreme to my fuel each time I fill the tiny 50-liter tank.



It increases cetane, adds extra lubricity, prevents fuel from freezing (an additional 35 degrees of pour point protection to the pour point of fuel being used), cleans and maintains fuel injectors, and lowers the size of the choking clouds of black exhaust soot whenever I punch my "accelerator pedal", a highly wishful term when referring to a LN107 Hilux of this vintage.



Most diesels for standard vehicles and general highway usage normally require a cetane rating that falls between 45 to around 55. The table below outlines the different grades of cetane numbers that correspond with various diesel fuels that are compression ignited.

Types of Diesel Cetane Numbers
Regular Diesel 48
Premium Diesel 55
Biodiesel (B100) 55
Biodiesel Blend (B20) 50
Synthetic Diesel 55

Cetane number is a measure of the fuel oil’s volatility; the higher the rating, the easier the engine will start and the smoother the combustion process will be within the ratings specified by the engine manufacturer. Current 1D and 2D diesel fuels have a cetane rating between 40 and 50.

IMHO, these old JDM engines require 1D diesel (hard to find) plus an additive to help them live longer lives. The extra cost is worth it. Moreover, the last thing you want is for your diesel fuel to freeze up in the winter.

The length of the box bed is only 5 feet long which means that my dirt bike barely fits with the tailgate down. It stands tall on 31.5x10.5 tires with a mild 2-inch lift. The notorious box frame on this truck is the exact same as the one's used in the North American model Tacoma from 2000-2004. If these frames get too rusty you might as well throw the truck away, as many Tacoma owners have discovered already. Combined on an international scale, Toyota lost hundreds of millions having to compensate owners under warranty claims.

I recently custom ordered and installed these cool looking 100% washable cotton seat covers that have large map pockets on the back for extra storage and the TEQ logo on the headrest......


All of this 4WD diesel fun costs money, and you have to be a semi masochist to own one. Despite all this, I still love almost everything about it. A labor of love and dollars on my part, everything still works on this 30-year-old truck, despite its age. Toyota quality and durability, despite its faults and quirkiness.

They have always been way overpriced because of the brain damage and expense involved to source and then import. Used Hilux prices have become even more crazy as of late, as if they weren't already.......



Toyota Pickup / Hilux - 5th Gen Market - CLASSIC.COM

Bring A Trailer



It took me 5 years, stubbornly searching just about every day for an hour or two on the internet to find this truck. When it was originally imported from Japan it lived somewhere in the interior of B.C., where its second owner then brought it to northern Alberta where it was mostly used a farm truck on a big acreage. I bought it from the second owner, who repainted the entire truck and installed the 2" lift kit on it.

Good fucking luck finding parts. Ditto for a decent diesel mechanic that isn't afraid to work on it. Just some of the joys of JDM Hilux ownership.......

A very rare truck in my neck of the woods, yet common place in Asia and Australia. Most Canuck LN106's (live front axle or LFA) & LN107's (independent front suspension or IFS) are mostly found in the B.C. interior such as Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Penticton.



Powered by a completely gutless yet fuel efficient 3L diesel (2779 cc - 4 banger) that cranks out a jaw dropping 90 bhp. I've recorded some amazing gas mileage, as much as 6.8L / 100 kms. on the highway. It produces better fuel mileage from winter diesel as opposed to summer diesel.

JDM and Asian versions of the Hilux offered the 3L engine. Central/South American and Euro version Hilux came with the 2.4 LTE.

It's most comfortable environment is freeway/highway cruising rather than continuous stop and go city driving, where its fuel economy will drop significantly.



It does crank out 130 ft. lbs. of torque @ 2400 RPM, but that still isn't enough grunt because it weighs over 3700 lbs. dry without fluids or any kind of extra gear. Because these trucks were never intended for use in North America, it desperately needs a sixth gear while driving at freeway/highway speeds.

It's a 1/4 ton with a 3600 lb. G.V.W. that in person looks like a Tonka toy truck, and it's tremendously challenging yet fun to drive with the hand shaker. Inept drivers that cannot handle driving a hand shaker let alone something that is RHD will experience immediate embarrassment and confusion when driving this truck...... Its small size makes parking easy peezy when compared to a huge domestic crew cab.



Have your left arm ready because you are constantly shifting gears while city driving, and it especially does not like steep hills. Lead foot drivers really hate driving behind me..... If you haven't figured it out yet, it's painfully slow but my A/C still blows out ice cubes in the summer heat.

Why drive fast anyways ? Enjoy 3L diesel life in the slow lane while absorbing the ambiance of all that "HiLux" luxury and comfort......

With all these strange quirks, one might ask why would you want to own a Hilux? For me, there are multiple reasons why.

* Very Unique with that cutesy Hilux styling
* Legendary Toyota durability & ruggedness - box frame
* Never loses its resale value, only goes up in value because of its rarity
* Great fun to drive with a diesel and 5-speed manual transmission

North American spec Tacoma's up until 2004 shared the same chassis / platform with its overseas reverse twin brother the Hilux. This means that all 6th generation North American spec Toyota Tacoma's, Pre-Runner's, 4Runners and T-100's share the same platform (frame) as the 5th generation Hilux that were sold in Japan, Asia, Latin & South America and Europe.

All suffered from the infamous rust problems, especially on their frames. Some parts fit back and forth, but some yet most don't. It can be very tricky figuring this out, so caveat emptor. None of the body panels are the same and/or interchange- able. The transmissions and engines are totally different as well.

Sold as a "double cab" in Japan and a "cabino" in Europe, here in North America it's called a 4-door crew cab. They are very popular in Australia and are called "utes" or "bakkies".

Known for its legendary toughness and durability, the Hilux has been the subject of many YouTube videos.





They survive and perform better in dry/mild climates, but what car doesn't. Moisture is their enemy. Having owned many different domestic trucks, especially GM & Ford, I am well aware that they can make a decent 4x4 pickup truck as well. Nonetheless, I still prefer a Toyota. Speaking of which, you would have to buy a 3/4-ton truck with a North American domestic brand to duplicate the same driving feel that you get when behind the steering wheel of a Hilux. This probably has to do with the weight, clumsy power steering and the stiff box frame of the Hilux.

This custom-made 200+ gram weighted billet steel shift knob I installed greatly improves shifting on the clunky old 4.30 gear ratio gearbox and looks way cool with its color matching transfer case shifter!!




Did you know that Hilux is short in Toyota speak for " High Luxury " ...?????

Newer Hilux models are light years ahead in design / engineering / construction vis-a-vis older models. Toyota is always very conservative when making any major design and engineering changes with their most popular cars and trucks.

Toyota was embarrassed and unable to explain how thousands of brand spanking new Hilux trucks ended up in the hands of terrorists in the middle east.



If you neglect maintenance on these trucks, especially the engine and frequent oil changes, your wallet will curse the day you ever saw one. Mobil 1 high performance diesel oil is essential.



The 3L diesel is a high compression diesel (22.2 to 1) that is an interference engine which usually sustains big damage if synchronization is lost. Disrupted synchronization allows the piston and valve to collide causing damage and very expensive repairs for the vehicle owner. Damage can occur to valves, pistons. or heads, and in some cases, completely ruin the engine. Most import (with higher compression engines) and most car and light truck diesel engines are interference.

Oh, and one more thing........stay far far away from ever taking one for service at a Toyota dealership. And good luck in finding a competent diesel mechanic to work on it. It's anything but a space shuttle technology wise, but still difficult to find anybody knowledgeable that is willing to wrench on them. It's all such nonsense.




The above Toyota advertisement spells "HiLux" with a capital "L" and shows a RHD "HiLux", probably referencing back to the original meaning (High Luxury) of its name in Toyota speak. This same truck was once sold here in North America in LHD but was never offered in a 4-door crew cab. Regular Cab and Xtra Cab only. Take note of the live front axle suspension (LN106), often preferred by hard core off roaders. I prefer the IFS front suspension on the LN107 because it offers a surprisingly plush ride.

IMHO, this old LN107 Hilux has a more comfortable and plusher ride than my old 1997 Chevrolet Z71(Bilstein) Ext/Cab S/B 6.5 TD I once owned. At speed going over train tracks for example, the Hilux front suspension believe it or not is much more composed and refined in absorbing the impact.


The 12 digit JDM frame number serves as the registered "VIN" number, as opposed to a regular North American 17 digit VIN.

Toyota could offer a diesel engine in a pickup truck if they wanted to, but the demand simply isn't there, AND it would cost at least $5K extra to certify a D4D diesel for North America, a price most consumers are unwilling to pay.



Despite being a humble 1/4 ton, the LN107 still has an impressive 3600 lb. GVW. It's way easier to maneuver and park in the city, yet it's still a 4-door crew cab 4WD pickup....... When parked next to a Tacoma, the Hilux is visibly slightly smaller.

When driven, everything happens in slow-motion, from shifting gears to steering, and especially acceleration. Its steering feels slow and vague. If you are in a hurry and like driving fast, this truck is not for you.



Hilux ownership is truly a complexing exercise and display of self-masochism. These trucks were meant to be used as delivery / work trucks for inner city Japanese industrial areas. They suck on the highway and if you have long steep hills to climb, they don't have anywhere near enough power without shifting down one, two or even three gears while simultaneously belching out copious black clouds of exhaust. Maintaining your momentum is the key. Freeway/highway best cruising speed is only 100-110 kph, so get used to enjoying the right lane.

The ideal vanity plate for this truck would be "SLOWRNU".....

Driving a RHD truck can be very weird and challenging to own and operate. Everything on this side of the pond is LHD. Insurance companies don't like RHD vehicles, and some refuse to insure them. Even though I've owned it for many years now, I still find myself attempting to enter the truck on the left side simply from force of habit.....

All the floor pedals are the same, but the control switches on the steering column are opposite to LHD, so switching back and forth between LHD & RHD vehicles can be confusing. Female passenger's either love it or absolutely freak out. It is different sitting on the passenger side being closest to oncoming vehicles...



IMHO, as nice as the Tacoma is, Toyota keeps on making it bigger and heavier, something I don't need or like. The North American mind set of "bigger equals better" sells trucks, something the corporate suits in Toyota marketing have very much taken notice of.

Now VW is going to bring over the Amorak crew cab with a diesel engine. Interesting, but I'm still not a big VW fan, having owned one in the past. Hyundai offers one as well, without a diesel. Newer smaller domestic trucks? No thanks. None of the alternative options interest me.

The Hilux LN107 is the equivalent of a diesel pickup lover's wet dream, yet it's an old piece of shit at the same time.............. but it's a TOYOTA........

A genuine "HiLux" oxymoron if there ever was one.



Rocky Mtn Hilux

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld and nice rig! Really love those wheels!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome.....

They are the upgraded OEM wheels that most LN107's (5th Gen) of this vintage came with. Because they are JDM, they are apparently quite rare and would be expensive to source and replace.

Rocky Mtn Hilux

 

Yep - very, very similar to a wheel that was offered on the extremely rare "SR5 Chrome Package" offered on the 2002 4Runner. Have always had an eye out for those wheels. You can see them in the linked PDF.

Some pics of it -





The 96 Surf also had wheels which were similar. These look closer to yours.

 

I'm not sure who actually manufactured and supplied these rims for Toyota. If you notice on the "Toyota Hilux Durability test #3" video, the rims on that Hilux are the same as mine.

They are genuine JDM 2-piece x 15-inch wheels mounted on 31x 10.5's., vis-a-vis the North American wheels which are one piece.

I remember a local Kijiji ad about 5 years ago that had some for sale cheap, just like mine. I should have bought them.....

I've been looking for 8 years to find the center caps that should be on both rears but still cannot find them.




Rocky Mtn Hilux

 

I think this is pretty close. Personally, I like it without them.




Bet it would look sharp with a black center cap in the rear to match with your manual lockouts in front. Not sure if this is for a 15" wheel though.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165647924805

 

Interesting. That manufacturer stamp on the upper right hand side of the rim in your photo bucket pic is the exact same stamp found on my rims.

Rocky Mtn Hilux

 

Yep, it appears on all of the Toyota wheels. JWL - Japan Light Alloy Wheel

https://cartype.com/pages/2101/jwl_stamp_on_alloy_wheels

 

Welcome! Awesome write up, I've always been curious about the actual practicality of owning one of these diesel hilux. I got a lot more interested lately as there is one for sale local to me. Way too much money though.

https://easternshore.craigslist.org/for/d/easton-hilux-pickup/7543431053.html

 

Awesome machine!

 

I have a set of JDM Hayashi Racing 3-piece wheels on my AW11SC and they have the same stamp.



The Hilux is actually a very practical truck to own, despite all of its quirks and nuances.


Rocky Mtn Hilux

 

I've worked on diesel hilux's at my dealer, you're kinda right, we don't want to work on them due to lack of clear cut parts catalogs.

Last one I worked on had huge headaches with its power steering pump. Miserable.

Looks like Calgary to me, but I could be wrong. I worked on mostly 2.4's when they started arriving and they helped me swear off diesels.

 

I've been a diesel junkie for decades and have owned many different makes and models. IMHO, a proper pickup truck should have a diesel engine.

Toyota diesels especially older ones are a pain in the ass to work on. It's easy to find an old hack mechanic willing to wrench on one and over charge you. It's way more difficult to find a competent diesel mechanic that knows wtf he's doing, and wont blatantly try and rip you off on parts and labor.

I call such a gifted mechanic a "DMM".......Doctor of Moving Metal...... someone who can fix anything, including a diesel......




RMS

 

truck is indestructible lol

 

Lately, I've been searching the web for a nice low mileage 2008 model year Hilux diesel pickup with a D4D. Imported vehicles have to be 15 years old in Canada.

As always, it's very difficult to find one that isn't rusty, tortured and/or spun back.



Rocky Mtn Hilux

 

What type of transmission does it have? Code? and what type of ATF do you use?

 

Just awesome, I love these trucks

 

My Hilux is now for sale. I hate to let it go and want to see it go to a good home.



Feel free to contact me with any serious purchase inquires.

Rocky Mtn Hilux

 

Awesome truck! I’m sure you won’t having any issues finding a new home for that beauty!!

 

You sure the frames are the same as Tacomas? I thought they were sturdier? why did you sell?