Where/when did these OEM wheels come out?

Saw these wheels and couldn't remember seeing them on a Tacoma before. What is the story behind these?

 

Those are basic steel wheels. I had some like that on my Honda civic. Although they were pained black.

Those are most likely the cheapest wheels Toyota could possible buy. They also rust VERY fast and usually have cheap plastic wheel covers on them.

 

Google 'Toyota steal wheels' and hit images.....

They've been around forever and have many different variations of them. You get those on just about all the 'bare bones' trucks and they're used for spare tires also.

 

I've never seen any trucks like ours with these steel wheels. Did any trucks come like this from the factory?

 

I've seen many of them here in California. Usually on base model Tacomas used as service vehicles.

 

I've seen those on one or two early 2nd gens 5 lug base models. Saw them back when I was shopping for mine. I have no idea where the trucks originated since they were used.

 

Saw some on a less than cared for taco up the street. I kinda like the rugged simplicity of their look. Not so sure about the off-road toughness, though. I hate those bare bones all white CA fleet Tacos. Took me 5 months to find a "not white", AT, 2 dr. base model with SRW, down there...

 

My 05 is a mid year model (January 2005 made) and it has one of those wheels as the spare. It's a California truck btw.