Toyota Hilux trucks from the ’90s came with bed-mounted cranes installed from the factory.
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Browsing X/Twitter and a one-of-a-kind Toyota listing from Bring-A-Trailer popped up on my timeline sporting a practical and uncommon optional factory accessory, a bed-mounted electric crane.
As of this blog post, there is a 1993 Toyota Hilux SR Diesel 4×4 5-Speed w/ Factory Crane for auction (auction listing here.)
For the record, this isn’t the only Hilux with a factory crane to have sold on BAT, let alone this year as a ’95 Hilux with a Factory Crane sold earlier in January for an eye-watering $20,500.
According to my research, this factory crane was available on 5th and 6th gen Toyota Hilux trucks.
In a press release for the 1997 Toyota Hilux, Toyota says this option was available on Active Base Hiluxes.
“A crane is mounted on the rear for lifting sports gear, such as off-road motorbikes.”
Although this factory crane could be used for commercial work like lifting large amounts of fruits and vegetables or heavy boxes, according to the above, Toyota engineered this crane more for recreational use.
And, as these videos and screenshot show, its operation backs up that premise.
While the lifting function is operational by wired remote control, the swinging and lowering function is manual, something that would’ve also been automated had it been engineered for commercial use.
While Toyota could’ve easily engineered and bolted on a crane, serious thought was put into its design.
From 10 feet away, it looks more like a roll bar which, theoretically, can provide some level of roll protection in the event of an unfortunate rollover.
According to an Instagram post from Tokyo Motors DC highlighting the aforementioned BAT listing of their ’93 Toyota Hilux, the integrated factory crane has a lift capacity of 450 KG/992 lb.
To put that in comparison, a snowmobile weighs up to 700 pounds and a Suzuki Hayabusa Superbike is around 500 pounds.
Here’s a 1992 Toyota Hilux “Active Base” Edition with a factory Totota integrated Electric Crane owned by Shawn Mayo with the crane in action hoisting a jet ski.
Keen eyes will notice outriggers for stability which probably swing out of sight.
Seeing how Hiluxes were the most popular pickup in the world and how rare it is to come across this optional factory accessory, it’s safe to say this crane wasn’t all that popular.
Aftermarket cranes meant for commercial work were probably a lot cheaper to buy, install, and maintain.
Toyota didn’t leave the commercial Hilux buyer without enticing options as that ’97 press release also listed an optional power gate with lift function good for 400 KG/881 lb and an all-wooden deck to prevent cargo from sliding easily and being damaged.
Regardless, this shows how Toyota adapted its already popular truck to appeal to a younger, sports-oriented demographic by offering a well-designed and useful accessory.
It’s a design ethos and attention to its target market that’s made the Hilux and Tacoma one of the best-selling trucks in the United States, not to mention the world.
