The 1985 model year holds a particular place in the history of the fourth-generation Toyota Hilux: it was the final year in which the 4x4 variant retained live axles at both ends, a configuration that off-road purists have prized ever since. KK Scale captures that specific moment in a 1:18 die-cast, rendered in Grey Metallic — the cleanest, most unadorned expression of a truck that spent the decade redefining the working pickup market worldwide.
The Fourth-Generation Hilux Xtra Cab
Toyota's N50/N60/N70 series, produced from August 1983 to August 1988, introduced a significant body innovation: the Xtra Cab, which added approximately six inches of enclosed space behind the front seat, separating this variant from the standard single-cab line-up. The 1985 4x4 measured 4,675 mm long, 1,690 mm wide and 1,755 mm tall, and was powered by the 2.4-litre 22R-E SOHC fuel-injected inline-four producing 113 bhp at 4,800 rpm. From 1985, a turbocharged 22R-TE variant rated at 135 hp was also available, offered for model years 1985 and 1986 only.
1985: The Last Solid-Axle 4x4
From 1986 onward, Toyota replaced the front live axle with an independent torsion-bar setup. The 1985 Hilux Xtra Cab 4x4 therefore represents the end of a lineage: the last year a buyer could leave the showroom with a ladder-chassis Hilux riding on solid axles front and rear, built from stamped steel on a steel ladder frame. Outside North America the truck carried the Hilux name; in the United States and Canada it was sold as the Toyota Pickup, with the SR5 sitting at the top of the trim hierarchy. Grey Metallic is a stock civilian finish — no competition provenance, no special edition — which is precisely what makes it the reference-condition replica.
KK Scale's 1:18 Die-Cast Construction
KK Scale produced this model in die-cast metal at 1:18, releasing it as part of a three-variant launch that also covers a Red example and a Black variant tied to the Back to the Future franchise — all sharing the same casting. The Grey Metallic version is listed as a limited edition. The body is sealed with no opening parts; detail is concentrated on the exterior surfaces, working wheels and functional suspension. A display base is included in the box.
In the Display Cabinet
At 1:18, the model measures approximately 26.0 cm in length — a substantial footprint that demands a shelf depth of at least 12 cm to sit correctly. It pairs naturally with other Japanese 4x4 icons of the same decade, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 or BJ40 in 1:18, and sits coherently within any collection focused on 1980s Japanese utility vehicles. The Grey Metallic livery also provides a neutral contrast alongside the same casting in Red or Black, for collectors who want the full three-colour run on a single shelf.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the 1:18 scale model?
The real 1985 Toyota Hilux Xtra Cab 4x4 measures 4,675 mm in length. Divided by 18, that gives a model length of approximately 26.0 cm. Allow a shelf depth of at least 12 cm and roughly 27–28 cm of horizontal space to accommodate the truck comfortably.
Does the model have opening parts?
No. This is a sealed die-cast with no opening doors, bonnet or tailgate. Detail is focused on the exterior body work, working wheels and functional suspension. The model is supplied with a display base.
What material is the model made from?
KK Scale produced this model in die-cast metal at 1:18 scale. It is a limited-edition release, not a standard production run.
Why is 1985 considered the definitive year for the Hilux 4x4?
1985 was the final model year in which the fourth-generation Hilux 4x4 used live axles both front and rear. From 1986, Toyota switched the front axle to an independent torsion-bar arrangement, making the 1985 specification the last of an era for solid-axle Hilux trucks.
