4x4s.org BASE MODEL · 1979–83
BASE MODELJapan

Hilux 4WD (N30–N40)

The first four-wheel-drive Hilux, from 1979: the third-generation pick-up with a leaf-sprung front beam axle, the 20R/22R petrol four and the L diesel, on the 2,585 mm (101.8-inch) standard and 2,835 mm long wheelbases. The basis of the Hilux Surf and 4Runner.

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Sources & evidence
Hilux 4WD (N30–N40) — 2016 HiLux Invincible D-4D 4WD 2.4 Front Taken in WarwickVauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
MODEL LINEHilux 4WDBUILT BYToyota Motor Corporation, Hino Motors (Hamura plant)PRODUCED1979–83PRODUCTIONNot published separatelyLAYOUT4 wheels · 103″

The record

Toyota added four-wheel drive to the Hilux in 1979 with a solid front axle and a divorced transfer case, and the model quickly became the light pick-up of choice in Australia, Africa and the Middle East. The 1983 fourth generation kept the layout; independent front suspension came in 1986, and every later Hilux generation has had a 4WD version.

Research status: draft — identification, dates or figures could not all be pinned down; the summary says what is unresolved.

Specification

MANUFACTURED1979–83 (third generation 4WD); later generations continue
ENGINE2.2 L 20R and 2.4 L 22R petrol; 2.2 L L dieselToyota 20R · Toyota 22R · Toyota L diesel
PRODUCTION RUNNot published separately
COUNTRY OF ORIGINJapan
STATUSsucceeded by each later Hilux generation
RECORD KINDBase model
MODEL LINEHilux 4WD
FAMILYHilux 4WD
WHEELS4
NOMINAL WHEELBASE103″
BODY STYLEPick-up
VARIANTS2

Catalogue fields describe the vehicle's structure and body as this registry records it. They are not certified factory measurements, and no performance figures are published here.

Body styles & colours

Body style

Factory colours

  • White
  • White
  • Dune Beige
  • Beige
  • Yellow
  • Yellow
  • Freeborn Red
  • Olive
  • Rustic Green
  • Olive
  • Green
  • Light Olive
  • Sky Blue
  • Medium Blue
  • Beige (60 Series)
  • Copper
  • Blue
  • Blue (60 Series)
  • Silver Metallic
  • Beige Metallic
  • Light Blue Metallic
  • Dark Blue Metallic

Codes on hover. Hex values are representative approximations of period paint unless a source states a measured value.

AI rendering impression

An AI rendering impression starts from a 3D model of this vehicle, which an image model then paints into a scene. It is an artist's impression of the type, made to give a feel for the vehicle in its element — not a photograph, and not a record of any particular vehicle.

Proportions, fittings, markings, colours and the setting can all drift from the original in the process. For the vehicle's actual details, rely on the specification, the photographs and the cited sources on this page.

Sources

  1. 1Toyota Hilux ↗Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-22SOURCE

Registry record updated 2026-09-22 · status: draft