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    Toyota HiLux 1981

    Toyota HiLux 1981

    FROM
    $2,640

    The 1981 Toyota HiLux range of configurations is currently priced from $2,640.

    The Toyota HiLux is also known as Toyota Pickup (US) in markets outside Australia.

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    Single Cab
    4 Speed Manual
    Leaded Petrol
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    Reviews For Sale News Pricing & Specs Towing Capacity Q&As Dimensions Wheel Size VS The Competition Fuel Consumption

    Toyota HiLux 1981 News

    UPCOMING MODELS
    2025 Kia Tasman price and specs comparison: How does the bold new ute shape up against the popular Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max? 
    25 Apr 2025
    OPINION
    Too many ute options in Australia? From the Ford Ranger and BYD Shark to the upcoming MG U9 and Foton Tunland, how many pick-ups is too many? | Analysis
    19 Apr 2025
    SPECULATION
    Two-speed 2026 Toyota HiLux strategy revealed as Australia's former best-seller is set to encircle Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and other hybrid utes
    19 Apr 2025
    SPECULATION
    2026 Ford Ranger to evolve, expand: what's next for Australia's best-seller as it fends off the facelifted Toyota HiLux, Kia Tasman, next-gen Nissan Navara and MG U9 ute
    13 Apr 2025
    UPCOMING MODELS
    2026 Toyota HiLux GR Sport 2.0! New hardcore HiLux appears to rival Nissan Navara Pro-4X and Isuzu D-Max Blade - but will it come to Australia?
    9 Apr 2025
    SALES
    Toyota was right: Australia's best-selling diesel dual-cab utes have a big China problem 
    6 Apr 2025
    OPINION
    How Ford, Holden and Aussie-built Toyotas could have not only survived but thrived if the Australian government had introduced tariffs again | Opinion
    6 Apr 2025
    INDUSTRY NEWS
    Ford Ranger is back, BYD Shark 6 bites and Toyota LandCruiser Prado powers into frame as new-car sales level out in April in Australia
    3 Apr 2025
    INDUSTRY NEWS
    'It's hard, but in reality, you've got time': Why Toyota veteran says effects of tough new emissions laws won't impact HiLux or LandCruiser in showrooms for years
    23 Mar 2025
    See all Toyota HiLux 1981 News

    Toyota HiLux 1981 Pricing & Specs

    The Toyota HiLux 1981 prices range from $2,640 for the basic trim level Single Cab Base to $6,160 for the top of the range Dual Cab (4X4).

    $2,640
    Based on third party pricing data.
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    Toyota HiLux 1981 Towing Capacity

    The 1981 Toyota HiLux has no towing capacity for the selected year. Some models also offer heavy-duty or towing option packs which can increase towing capacity, as well as options which can hamper towing capacity. Towing capacities can vary wildly on a large number of factors. These include engine, transmission, model, and options chosen. Always check with the manufacturer or in your vehicles handbook before attempting to tow anything.
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    Toyota HiLux 1981 FAQs

    The windows in my 2014 Toyota HiLux won't go back up

    The first thing to check would be the fuse or relay that protects the power-windows’ electrical circuit. Designed to protect wiring from an electrical spike or short-circuit, these fuses and relays can also fail for no apparent reason apart from old age.

    If one window went south on its own, you’d be looking for a problem specific to that door, but since they all went out at the same time, you need to look for a fault a little deeper into the wiring. Which is where a blown fuse or dud relay comes into the reckoning.

    The first job is to find the fuse or relay in question. The owner’s manual (which should still be living in the glove-box) will have a chapter that shows the location(s) of the fuse boxes in the vehicle. You might find there’s one under the dashboard near the steering column, and another under the bonnet. The same chapter in the handbook should also identify which fuse and relay does what, but this info should also be printed on the inside of the fuse-box cover.

    Once you’ve identified the fuse or relay, you can check the fuse visually, or have an auto electrician check the relay for proper operation. If that component is the problem, a quick, simple and cheap replacement will restore the windows to full health.

    If that doesn’t work, then an auto electrician is probably your next stop, as you could be searching for a broken wire or a failed switch-block or some other obscure fault.

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    What tow vehicle or hybrid camper should I consider for after retirement?

    The last decade of dual-cab four-wheel-drive utes have emerged as the tow-vehicles of choice, and you see them everywhere filling roles exactly like the one you have planned. Popular models include the Ford Ranger you’ve nominated, Toyota HiLux, Mazda BT-50, VW Amarok, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and Isuzu D-Max. But there are also cheaper alternatives including makes like the South-Korean made Ssangyong and various Chinese brands like LDV and Great Wall.

    Just make sure you know exactly how much you need to tow before making a decision as some of the cheaper models don’t have the same outright towing capacity and even if they do, some of them don’t have the engine performance to make towing as easy as it should be. For parts availability, the Toyota would be king in really remote areas, but any of the major brands are pretty well covered in Australia.

    Meantime, don’t rule out ute-based wagons such as the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuna. These offer better ride comfort when unladen thanks to more sophisticated rear suspensions and most have as much or almost as much towing capacity as their ute brethren.

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    My 2001 Toyota HiLux has been overheating when I use the air-conditioner

    Air-conditioning can really add another layer of stress to an engine. Since the air-con compressor is driven off the engine (via a belt) it's just another thing for the engine to deal with. And since the engine has to make more power to run the air-con and travel at the same speed, it uses more fuel. And more fuel burned equals more heat, it's pretty basic physics to that point.

    Any vehicle with a cooling system that is already a bit marginal can easily be made to overheat by switching on the air-conditioning. So the first thing to do is make sure there are no leaks in the cooling system, the radiator is not clogged internally or covered externally in dead bugs, the radiator hoses are not collapsing when you rev the engine, the water pump is working efficiently and the radiator cap is holding pressure (the boiling point of the coolant rises as you pressurise the system. Again, basic physics: Water boils at 100 degrees-C at sea level, but at the summit of Mount Everest, if you set up your camping stove, you'd boil water at just 68 degrees-C due to the lower atmospheric pressure).

    The other thing to check is the condition of the cooling fans. The engine will have its own fan, but cars with air-conditioning usually have a second cooling fan that starts up when the air-con is switched on. You can tell if this second fan starts up by listening for it when you hit the A/C switch. If it isn't coming on (or the engine's fan is broken, slipping or doesn't have the correct shroud fitted) than this can easily lead to overheating.

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    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. CarsGuide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

    Toyota HiLux 1981 Dimensions

    Dimensions for the 1981 Toyota HiLux are dependent on which body type is chosen. The maximum width and height is 1690mm x 1770mm and can vary on the basis of model.
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    Toyota HiLux 1981 Wheel Size

    Wheel size for the 1981 Toyota HiLux will vary depending on model chosen, although keep in mind that many manufacturers offer alternate wheel sizes as options on many models. The wheel size available will alter the range of tyres available to be fitted.
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    Toyota HiLux 1981 Fuel consumption

    Fuel consumption for the 1981 Toyota HiLux is dependent on the type of engine, transmission, or model chosen.
    See all Toyota HiLux 1981 Pricing & Specs