20 Years of the Toyota Tacoma and Beyond: A Look Through the Years - Motor Trend
By 1969, Toyota started selling the first generation of the Hilux pickup truck, but it wouldn't be until 1995 that the Tacoma name would be introduced. When the Toyota Hilux first hit the scene, it was offered as a short wheelbase with a 1. 9-liter engine capable of producing 84 hp. Available only in rear-wheel drive with a standard four-speed manual transmission, the Hilux used the typical truck... However, it wouldn't be until the second generation that Toyota would offer the Hilux in a long-wheelbase version. The second generation offered a longer truck bed, a slightly larger 2. 0-liter engine that kicked up the power to 109 horses, and the same standard four-speed manual transmission. 4-foot truck bed became the popular choice in the U. S. , and the Hilux name was dropped from advertisements in favor of "Truck. Not only was the new Toyota Truck sporting a new design, but it was also larger than its predecessor and provided a slightly bigger engine. 2-liter engine only pumped out 97 hp, thanks to the weight increases in the engine and larger body. Source: www.motortrend.com
