Tacoma Diesel (like the Hilux)

I was just in Nicaragua for a week and noticed almost every truck was a toyota Hilux. Has about the same size/look as the Tacoma but not as nice looking in my opinion. However, all of them I saw had a small diesel engin (2.5 or 4.0 liter options I think). They must be tough becuase the roads there were crap, when there were roads.

My burning question is.....why doesn't Toyota sell this engine in the Tacoma or offer the Hilux in the US? I would buy one for sure (even a larger diesel in the Tundra). Are there any GOOD rumors of this happening soon?

 

Short answer: Because US citizens do not like diesels. Doubt it will happen in the near future.

The Hilux is the overseas version of the Tacoma.

 

they had the tundra dually with diesel and 6 speed tranny set up like that for sema a few years back and is supposedly in the works.

sema tundra
http://www.truckblog.com/story-2411-toyota_tundra_dually


more info on diesel toyota
http://www.truckblog.com/story-2341...in_michigan_possibly_for_tundra_diesel_dually

 

^ I would be willing to bet all that is off the table with the huge losses Toyota is taking.

 

I was raised around diesel engine Toyotas where land cruiser, and hilux pickups were all diesel. They are much powerful but slow on speed and pickup. I think it plays a huge role in preventing air pollution also because diesel engines create smog on a bigger scale but this is just my guess nit a fact.

 

Light duty diesel engines sold in the USA have to meet different requirements for emissions than they do in other countries. Even though we switched to cleaner diesel fuel in 2006, it still is not a clean as the fuel in Europe, therefore Toyota would have to spend alot of money changing the engine to meet our requirements. Odds are the payoff would not be worth it right now, even though there would be SOME demand for the truck. JMO.

 

x2.......

 

When a diesel shows up in a Tacoma I'll definately take one.

 

Well the Jetta TDI has a clean diesel in it, why couldn't Toyota do that? Just wondering...

 

Toyota could easily do it. I don't know how many changes would have to be made to the Hilux diesel powertrain to make it legal here in the US. The question is if it is cost effective for Toyota to do it and if there enough demand for it. I sure would be interested.

 

I surely would be interested!

 

VW perfected their Diesel technology for the USA along time ago and continue to upgrade it....the old VW Rabbit got 50+ mpg( diesel was under $1@ gal) and the new TDI's still create amazing #'s....
That being said,I drive a Mack for a living and the new "emmisions" SUCK...trucks that used to get 5-7 mpg now are lucky to get 3-5 mpgs...
Now ad in that diesel and 87 octane are close in price,even 1 ton truck owners are splitting between both...diesel for torque BUT gas for "runners"..Plus all the BS like "re-gens",EGR's,DPF's and catalyic convertors ad $$$$ to the diesel while it comes fitted into a gas motor price......

Toyota has the "tech" for a diesel motor BUT will wait till "Uncle" finishes adjusting the "playing field" to mass produce state side...2013 should be the final EPA stage for awhile...

If you REALLY want a Toyo Diesel now....."pony up" $$$$$ and buy a Hino..the GM and Ford boys have class 4-5 p/u's ..Who will be the first to "Create" a bad a$$ HINO









Snoope

p.s. Hino just introduced an extended cab,no excuses now!!!!!

 

Most of it has to do with emissions. The standards here are so tough that it's not worth it for most manufacturers to produce them.

Last I knew the MB diesels even had cat converters.

 

Yes VW did well with the TDI but the service will kill you.

A complete timing belt change on a TDI is almost $2 USD and should be done every 60k.

When I had VW Diesels in the 80s, you could change a timing belt for about $50.

 

The newest TDI's are chain-timed. As far as I know, all new domestic US VW's are chain timed with the exception of the V8 FSI in the Toureg.

*edit*

You're right, Dave. The new 2.0TDI does have a spur-belt driven valve train .... that sucks! I don't know why they didn't chain time it like the 2.5 and 2.0T.

 

I think they did it for 2 reasons.

Weight and they want that service money.

 

Its because the government and the oil companies want to sell gas vehicles, not because Americans do not like diesel. Gas burns faster = more money at the pumps! 98% of all vehicles here in the UK are diesel. They get better MPG and laster longer. I have always wanted a diesel.

 

I don't think the emission thing is an issue anymore. If VW can make a monster twin turbo V8 Diesel, surely Toyota can make a nice I4 Turbo or V6 Turbo diesel.

 

Meant to say 2k, 2000.