Money Blog -The Toyota Hilux R, RZ, and VZ Engine

Apr

2nd

The Toyota Hilux R, RZ, and VZ Engine

Files under engine | Posted by Bret Jeppson

by Danney Jessup

The Toyota Hilux engine has changed many times since it first debuted. In 1968 it was powered by a 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine. It has since evolved many times over. Some models retained a 4-cylinder engine while some models made a transition to larger V6 engines. Read on for information of the Toyota Hilux engine.

Toyota R Engine

The first family of engines used in the Toyota Hilux were the R engines. The R engine was a 4-cylinder petrol engine. It came in various forms from 1968 to 1995. The 2R, 3R, 8R, 8R-C, 8R-E, 12R, 18R, 18R-C, 18R-E, 20R, 22R, 22R-E, and 22R-TE were all different generations of the R family of engines to be used in the Hilux.

In the beginning, the 2R was a 1.5 litre that grew and had various factory modifications through the 2.4 litre 22R-E used in 1995. The 22R has a reputation as one of the best Toyota Hilux engine ever used for longevity and reliability of easily being able to clock 500,000 kilometers (300,000 miles).

Toyota VZ Engine

The VZ was the first generation of V6 engines used in the Toyota Hilux. The VZ engine ran on petrol (gasoline) and all versions featured electronic fuel injection. From 1988 to 1995, the Hilux used the 3VZ. After 1995, it used the 5VZ. Displacement increased from 3.0 to 3.4 litres and power jumped from 112 kW (150 hp) to 142 (190 hp), respectively.

The 5VZ (5VZ-FE to be exact, since it had EFI and DOHC) has been touted as the best V6 Toyota Hilux engine ever used because of its power, fuel economy, and weight. Hilux owners with the 3VZ engine often seek out a 5VZ to install rather than rebuilding or replacing a 3VZ with problems or high kilometers.

Toyota RZ Engine

After the R engine was last used in 1995, in 1996 some models of Hilux used a new 4-cylinder engine called the RZ. The RZ was a family of 4-cylinder engines that consisted of the 1RZ-E, 2RZ-FE and 3RZ-FE. Their displacements were 2.0 litres, 2.4 litres, and 2.7 litres respectively and they produced 78 kW (105 hp), 106 kW (142 hp), and 112 kW (150 hp) also respectively.

The 1RZ saw limited production. It was primarily used in Japan and select parts of Asia. The 2RZ first came to life in 1995 and ceased production in 2004 (2004 being the last model year this engine was used in a Hilux). Like the 2RZ, the 3RZ also came to life in 1995 and it’s still in use to this day.

About the Author:

These were just a few of the many engines that have been used in the Toyota Hilux. You can find a thorough list of Toyota Hilux engines including diesel and petrol versions and where they were available at HiluxParts.com. In addition to information about the Toyota Hilux engine, you can shop for engine parts and research further information about the Hilux.