NewHilux.net

Hi,
I have been looking for my dream car to buy for the last 6 months (diesel extra cab) and I cant seem to find any info on when the last Hilux was made in Japan and put together in Australia? I hoping to pick one up second had that was manufactured in Japan as the build quality seems to be a bit better then the thailand models. I think its around the 93-94 years?

If anyone has any good resources they can direct me to that would be great.

Cheers,
Marz

I had the same view as you, and picked up a February 2005 Jap built Hilux. Drove it around and did it up a bit, but was never happy with it. Sold it and went back to my "94 RN85, which I wound up giving to my son because his Mitz ute blew up.

Drove my spare Sierra for a year or so, then went looking for another hilux.

Bought an MY08, (Thailand build, 4.0, auto) and have not regretted it for a minute.

gen7xtracab wrote:I had the same view as you, and picked up a February 2005 Jap built Hilux. Drove it around and did it up a bit, but was never happy with it. Sold it and went back to my "94 RN85, which I wound up giving to my son because his Mitz ute blew up.

Drove my spare Sierra for a year or so, then went looking for another hilux.

Bought an MY08, (Thailand build, 4.0, auto) and have not regretted it for a minute.

Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear you ended up with a good ute. So did they still make them in Japan in 2005? I thought they stopped around 94?

Marz685 wrote:

gen7xtracab wrote:I had the same view as you, and picked up a February 2005 Jap built Hilux. Drove it around and did it up a bit, but was never happy with it. Sold it and went back to my "94 RN85, which I wound up giving to my son because his Mitz ute blew up.

Drove my spare Sierra for a year or so, then went looking for another hilux.

Bought an MY08, (Thailand build, 4.0, auto) and have not regretted it for a minute.

Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear you ended up with a good ute. So did they still make them in Japan in 2005? I thought they stopped around 94?

I've got a 1999 Ln167r that was a Thailand build. I've heard, not concrete facts though, that the last Jap buils were around the 2004ish mark.

I wanted a '90s truck cause i though they were Jap built and i ended up buying a Thai. Not entirely happy with it (only had it 12 months). But, i still have so much work to do with it.

Cobba7490 wrote:

Marz685 wrote:

gen7xtracab wrote:I had the same view as you, and picked up a February 2005 Jap built Hilux. Drove it around and did it up a bit, but was never happy with it. Sold it and went back to my "94 RN85, which I wound up giving to my son because his Mitz ute blew up.

Drove my spare Sierra for a year or so, then went looking for another hilux.

Bought an MY08, (Thailand build, 4.0, auto) and have not regretted it for a minute.

Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear you ended up with a good ute. So did they still make them in Japan in 2005? I thought they stopped around 94?

I've got a 1999 Ln167r that was a Thailand build. I've heard, not concrete facts though, that the last Jap buils were around the 2004ish mark.

I wanted a '90s truck cause i though they were Jap built and i ended up buying a Thai. Not entirely happy with it (only had it 12 months). But, i still have so much work to do with it.

Ah ok. Do you guys identify them with the VIN number on the engine? I heard anything with a VIN starting with a J was japanese built. Any truth to that?

Marz685 wrote:
Ah ok. Do you guys identify them with the VIN number on the engine? I heard anything with a VIN starting with a J was japanese built. Any truth to that?

My VIN starts with a 'M',so i dunno about the Jap builds starting with a J. My Model plate says that it is a Toyota Thailand build.

I have an 04 Sept model and it was made in Japan, I believe around Jan 05/Feb was the last one built in Japan...

nicovdw wrote:https://www.autoevolution.com/news/how-to-read-your-toyota-vin-code-80056.html

Thankyou...

I have a Feb 2005 KZN165R. Made in Japan. Same month as the first KUN26. Awesome ute. Over 300000kms and only ever changed consumables, still drives like new. 1KZTE engine 3.0TD (same as Prado without intercooler). Not SR5 but came standard with ABS, electric windows, central locking and airbags. Also has no quarter windows. I think you have to check for J in VIN No: as some have K. J=Japan K=Korean. Find a J, THE LAST INDESTRUCTIBLE HILUX

The better engines in 2005+ (V6) were Japanese made but the cars were assembled in Thailand. My 2011 SR5 had one of the last lot of engine/transmission to leave Japan before the Tsunami hit that damaged that reactor. Not sure if the V6 engines used in the 2015+ are still the same Japanese made or not.

I also just noticed this appear on Wikipedia: "The Hilux was re-introduced in Japan on 12 September 2017, after 13 years of hiatus. The initial units are imported from Thailand."
I wonder if this means they'll start assembling them there again or if they'll just use the Thai made ones ongoing.

Hilux was made in Japan until early 2005, February I think, easiest way to tell is the 17 character VIN number starts with JT, Thailand built hilux' s start with MR. The Japanese built utes were much better quality at the time, we used to have a lot more warranty issues with the Thai ones, mostly small stuff like trims, seat belts etc. I've owned 2 Japanese built hilux's, one from new and they have both been fantastic vehicles.

Get stuck into your build and call it Aussie built


Cheers
Crit