Japanese pick up truck

[ratboy69]

I need to know when was the last year that toyota manufactured their toyota pick up truck in Japan. I'm trying to buy a used Toyota pick up truck 4x2 4 cylinder but want to buy one that was made in Japan and not in the USA. I'm located in the USA. Thank you ---Bill

[martiniracing]

just look at the vin numbers of the trucks.. if the vin starts with J, then it's made in japan.

you can find out what was the last year they made trucks in japan by searching your local autotrader since most people list their vin numbers on their ads as reference

[CraigW]

Yes - J It has been a while though. But maybe ??....

I saw a brand new Corolla the other day, Made in Japan. I was happy.

[ratboy69]

For what it is worth, I think the Toyotas made in the USA are inferior to the ones made in Japan. The last year may have been 1995 so that's the year I'll try to get. Thanks

[slacker]

Tacomas were the first of the trucks made in the US ... before that it was just the beds (fleetside) on th 84-88's .

[Sidney]

Originally Posted by ratboy69

I need to know when was the last year that toyota manufactured their toyota pick up truck in Japan. I'm trying to buy a used Toyota pick up truck 4x2 4 cylinder but want to buy one that was made in Japan and not in the USA. I'm located in the USA. Thank you ---Bill

These are Toyota VIN decoding sites which help in decoding other facts:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ToyVIN.shtml
http://www.sr5.net/sr5axles.htm
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/vin/
http://www.4runners.org/articles/vin_code.html
http://4crawler.cruiserpages.com/4x4/ToyVIN.shtml
http://www.autoinsurancetips.com/toyota_vin.htm
http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html

Sidney
Repairs tv's,vcr's,home/car audio out of my home
E-mail:sidneybek(at)yahoo.com
Dartmouth,Nova Scotia
Canada
1985 Toyota 4-Runner,22R-E,W56,RN60LV-MSEK,rusted rear step/towing chrome bumper with 242 000 KM

[Rycam]

I am not going to disagree that overall, a Japanese built pickup (with a USA bed added later to avoid 25% import duty taxes) may be a better pickup. But in all honesty, it makes FAR more difference how well the pickup has been treated and maintained than the country of origin. Would you rather have a thrashed Japanese pickup, or a garaged USA pickup that has been the pride and joy of the previous owner? I will add that some quality may been sacrificed by later USA offerings, but this was due to bean counting as a result of a less favorable yen/dollar ratio. The result is a less than stellar interior. The metal goodies like the running gear have not suffered.

By the way, I have only owned Japanese built Toyotas...because I am poor of wallet. I would jump at the chance to get newer Toyotas made ANYWHERE, but I am too darn stubborn!

[Greasygreg]

Rycam, dont feel bad to be poor of wallet.I used to have an 85"x- cab with 22re and solid axle.That truck was way more solid and dependable than the tacoma I drive today. I could beat my 85,tear off bumper ends,hit stumps hard enough to bent the wheel where it wouldn't turn anymore,put on the spare,and drive home at 70 without whabbles.that truck ran strong at 245,000.My unbeat taco has eaten both inner tie rods,3rd member,clutch,u-joint,waterpump.PLACTIC front bumper...at 80k.Im thinking that if i see another old 85,I'll trade mine in while its still worth something.There is something to be said about the quality of OLDER toyotas