For those readers that have ever watched Top Gear UK, you will know that the presenters tried their best to kill a Toyota Hilux, but it somehow managed to survive some of the most brutal torture that you can imagine. That means that any Hilux that has been treated with respect has the potential to provide its owner with years of faithful service. That appears to be the story with this 1980 example, which is in impressive condition for its age. Located in Canoga Park, California, you will find the Toyota listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding on this beauty has been nothing short of spectacular. Eighty-eight bids have pushed the price along to $18,100, although the reserve hasn’t been met.
The Hilux is finished in its original shade of Yellow, and the camper cap that it wears was fitted when the vehicle was new. The Toyota generally presents well, with a surprising lack of dings and dents for this type of vehicle. All of the panel gaps look as tight as you might expect on a Toyota of this era, and the freshly-painted FJ wheels and hubcaps add a classy and purposeful touch. Japanese classics of this era can have their share of rust issues, and this one has not been immune. The floors and frame are spotlessly clean, but rust is present in the bottom corner of one door and the usual spots on the bed. However, none of these are severe, and all could be addressed with simple patches. The distinctive SR5 vinyl graphics look surprisingly crisp and clean, while the trim and glass are in excellent order.
Toyota offered a couple of different engine options in the 1980 Hilux, and this one is fitted with the 20R 4-cylinder unit. This 2,189cc OHC engine would be pumping out 90hp in California and a reasonable 122 ft/lbs of torque. Neither figure is startling, but when coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission, a dual-range transfer case, and high ground clearance, it makes the Hilux an accomplished vehicle when the going gets rough. It isn’t going to break any land speed records on the open road, but it should be quite happy to cruise all day at 60mph. The first piece of positive information that the owner supplies is that this classic Toyota passed its smog test 4-months-ago. Equally important, he says that the Hilux is turn-key ready, so the wilds are beckoning the new owner of the SR5.
Most Hiluxs of this era tend to show their age once you venture inside, but this one is an exception. There’s a lot to like here and not much to be critical of. The pocket on the driver’s door has sagged, which is typical. However, fixing this can be easy with a bit of patience and a length of elastic. The seat upholstery has a couple of marks, but there’s no significant wear and no rips. The dash and pad are in excellent condition, as are the door trims. The biggest surprise is the carpet, because it is light-colored, making it a prime candidate for stains. However, it appears to be in good order, meaning that the buyer will feel no shame when anyone takes a peek inside the vehicle. There have been no aftermarket additions or modifications. While it might not be overflowing with luxury equipment, ice-cold air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, and a tilt wheel all help make life on the road that bit more comfortable.
The camper cap and bed have been lined, and while it won’t be to everyone’s taste, it is very typical of what you might have expected in 1980. It isn’t practical if the buyer is going to throw dirty or greasy items in the back, but it appears that the carpet can be removed to improve the situation. However, to carry the essentials and a mattress for a camping trip, it looks perfect. I believe that the cap is insulated, which would be a bonus. These can become quite oven-like on sunny days and quite cold on cooler nights. At least someone has thought about this, so it shouldn’t be a bad thing out in the wilds.
During the 1960s and into the early 1970s, British off-roaders like the Land Rover tended to dominate the 4×4 market globally because they were simple and relatively rugged. They were also quite “agricultural,” meaning that owners didn’t find themselves with many creature comforts. Toyota then lobbed onto the scene with the Landcruiser and the Hilux and proved that comfort and off-road capabilities did not need to be mutually exclusive. I could tell you all the reasons why this 1980 Hilux would be a good thing to own, and how popular they have remained after 40-years. I probably don’t need to convince you of that because I believe that the bidding action speaks louder than words in this case.
These old trucks bring serious money! I think this series is also the most desirable due to having a solid front axle. Later models with the independent front suspension are still really tough. I worked on one that had over 250K on the clock and the front ball joints were still good! You can’t say that for a Dodge or Ford. Every time one is listed on this site several people usually mention Toyota needs a small truck like this again. I’m in that camp. Mini trucks have grown up to become full size trucks. Toyota let’s get back to the basics and develop a small truck!
I’m with you all the way about there needing to be actual, small trucks on the market again.
I’ll take mine with a single cab and manual transmission, please.
I always thought that these looked sharp in that
shade of yellow.I’d be alittle bit concerned about the rust
starting to show on this one,especially at that price.
A: Way way over priced for the condition it’s in, however perfect the mechanicals and the interior is. B. The only engine available in the USA in 1980 was the 20R engine. C. Reminds me of a pickup my dad once bought, behind my step mom’s back. That was a fun day lol
Go on line and look at the prices of these old Toyota trucks. It’s not that over priced.
Please Toyota can we have an updated version of this truck for less than 20k?
You can’t even have this one for less than 20k
I owned a couple of these in the late 70s and early 80s. I’d buy another if they brought them back. They were great little trucks!
10 hours left, bid to $23,000? Really? Unbelievable.
A similar one sold for $30+k a few weeks ago
I am with those who think the prices of these are too high and I can only assume prices are because you simply don’t see anything like these anymore in a current sea of SUV and full-sized trucks. Add that some fools…errr… folks…are foolish enough to pony up $20k-$40k for one of these because they “want something diffferent”, or they have “deep pockets”, or possess “easily earned money” (stocks, trust funds, part of tech startups, real estate investors, import cheap goods for resale, invest in cyber currency, etc), or they are “economic idiots” who feel that since the prices of brand new trucks are now in the $0-60k (or higher) range than that means these old ones should cost as much as they do. This all does not even include those who say “go online and look at how much these are selling for” as if that logic of foolish spending analysis and behavior should be accepted.
I am with those who believe they should bring back simple trucks like these that feature modern drivetrains and handling but still maintain single cabs, lack of “options” (who needed power windows when you could down or even reach across the cab to wind down windows and reach back to open rear slider), and even for some of us “barebones guys” offer the manual transmission and even a vinyl floor covering (most have carpet today only to run own to but “premium floor liners” that cover all the carpet).
I will even go as far as saying, just like Toyota did with the “retro” FJ years ago as a niche vehicle to draw attention to the brand, Toyota needs to take a Tacoma chassis and put a “retro” Hilux looking body on it along with “period” colors and stripes and sell however many they can to draw interest towards the Toyota truck line while standing in the shadows of the multitude of full-sized F-150s, Silverados, Sierras, and Rams that fill up our roads which, yawn, is so boring these days.
I had a 1981 Toyota Hilux that I sold about 5 years ago that had 22R engine, 2wd, 7.4 ft long bed (drop the gate to get to 8 ft) and was rated for hauling 1 ton (same chassis that was used to put motorhomes on while keeping the cab). Used it to haul wood, mulch, and even loads of stone when needed and it would handle it all. Mine when sold had 330k on the clock and despite some minor rust through perforation on bed at wheel humps (due to single-wall truck bed and where debris would sit it would trap moisture and rot from inside out) the truck still had plenty of life in it.
Wish I could buy a new 1981 Hilux now or even my 1997 Tacoma or my 2002 Tacoma now that they are all long gone. “Survivors” hard to find and new ones like those old ones are non-existent in the U.S market in this 3rd decade of the 2000’s.
You miss the point. These old Toyota’s are now “classics” I had a 71 chevelle that cost $5000 brand new. How much would that be worth today? I have a 1984 sr5 22r that I bought off the show room floor in March of 84. Straight axel. I started restoring it but got busy. I may get back to it some day. I rebuilt the brakes had the transmission gone through new clutch. Professionally rebuilt engine. I may have it painted and see if you buy it. 🤣
I forgot to mention my truck only has 116.000 miles on it.
One bidder has bid 52 times, from $9700 to $18,000.
“Toyota offered a couple of different engine options in the 1980 Hilux…” no they didn’t. Not in America. It’s also not called a Hilux if sold in the US. BaT accuracy has got even worse that it already was, which is an achievement.
Very nice but ouch….
You can say all you want about these little trucks, may have been good for what they were worth, but I still own a 1990 GMC Sierra SLE K1500, with 252,000 miles that I bought new, it has the original ball joints and tie rods and tranny and transfer case and 350 engine, does not leak a drop of any fluid. I move to Ohio from Cal so it has some rust on it my fault. Still runs smooth as silk, shifts like butter, and goes into 4×4 like it was new. I made 1 payment of $16,000. These Toyota’s are not worth $20,000 maybe $ 2 or 3k.
Are there any photos available looking from the back with the back down?