1987 Toyota Pickup Specifications
by Rob Wagner
The 1987 Toyota compact pickup—known as the Hilux or Hi-Lux except in North America—is the progenitor of the contemporary Toyota Tacoma pickup. Toyota produced the Hilux from 1968 to 1994. During much of the 1980s, the Hilux featured the largest engine of any compact pickup in North America and exploited General Motors' failed attempts to manufacture a diesel engine by offering a reliable diesel with exceptional towing power.
Engines
Three engines powered the 1987 Toyota Hilux pickup. The standard model featured an in-line four-cylinder engine displacing 2,366 cc with a 3.62-inch bore and 3.50-inch stroke to wield 116 horsepower. A turbocharged version delivered 135 horsepower. More common, however, were the 2.2-liter four-cylinder generating 93 horsepower and 132 ft.-lbs. of torque. The 2.2-liter had a 3.58-inch bore and 3.38-inch stroke and a 8.8-to-1 compression ratio. A diesel 2.4-liter four-cylinder developed 74 horsepower and 212 foot-pounds of torque with a 3.62- by 3.62-inch bore and stroke. The diesel’s compression ratio was 22.3-to-1. The half-ton 1987 Toyota pickups powered by the gasoline 2.2-liter four-cylinder were capable of towing up to 3,500 lbs., while the one-ton model had a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.
Size
Trim levels on the 1987 Toyota models were the base Standard model, the mid-level DeLuxe and the top SR5. Body configurations were the regular, extended and dual cab models and the one-ton truck. The 1987 regular and extended cab model had a curbside weight of about 3,140 pounds. All 1987 models sat on a 111.8-inch wheelbase. The regular cab version was 184 inches long, 66.5 inches wide and 69 inches tall. The frame cleared the ground by 8 inches. The dual cab version featured a curbside weight of 3,141 pounds. It measured 191.7 inches long, 66.5 inches wide and 69 inches tall. The dual cab’s ground clearance was 8.6 inches. The dual cab diesel model had a curbside weight of 3,328 pounds with the same body dimensions as the gasoline-powered dual cab. All 1987 models rode on 16-inch steel rims and 205RX16C tires. The fuel tank on all models carried 17.1 gallons.
Chassis
The 1987 Toyota pickups employed power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes and rear drums. The front suspension consisted of an independent double wishbone torsion bar assembly with a live axle and leaf springs in the rear. A five-speed manual transmission was standard equipment and a four-speed automatic was optional. The final drive ratio of the rear axle of the four-wheel drive model was 4.875-to-1. The diesel-powered standard pickups had a 3.909-to-1 rear axle ratio and the gasoline-powered versions had a 3.727-to-1 gear ratio.
Features
The 1987 pickups benefited from a number of features added to the pickup lineup since 1983. The SR5 Sport trucks, for example, featured a heavy-duty “camper-grade” chassis, reclining bucket seats, full carpeting on the floor and a carpeted back panel inside the cab for noise reduction. SR5 options included black paint accents, chrome front bumper and tilt steering wheel. Options on all models included cloth upholstery, side vent windows, sliding rear window, power steering, chrome wheels and chrome grill.
Writer Bio
Rob Wagner is a journalist with over 35 years experience reporting and editing for newspapers and magazines. His experience ranges from legal affairs reporting to covering the Middle East. He served stints as a newspaper and magazine editor in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Wagner attended California State University, Los Angeles, and has a degree in journalism.
