When we think about the most resistant off-road vehicles in the world, the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Toyota Hilux pick-up are undoubtedly at the top of the list. These 4x4s, famous for their durability and ability to overcome any obstacle, have not only conquered the toughest routes on the planet, such as the Dakar, but also many battlefields.
From the beginning, Toyota designed and conceived these military-inspired SUVs based on the iconic Jeep Willis, after World War II. And these vehicles ended playing a crucial role in several armed conflictsespecially in the clashes between Chad and Libya that gave rise to the so-called “Toyota Wars”.
What were the “Toyota Wars”: The military legacy of the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Hilux
More than 70 years ago, Toyota created a military vehicle that has ended up becoming an icon for all lovers of the purest off-road: the Toyota Land Cruiser, a model that has had tons of versions in all the markets where it is sold and It has sold more than 11 million units.
In our market it has been renewed this year, already being very different from its first generations, although it retains its indestructible 4×4 spirit.
Regarding the Toyota Hilux pick-up It arrived in 1968 as a perfect mix of power and versatility and, since then, we have seen the birth of seven generations of the model, all characterized by their resistance or durability. However, it was the fourth and fifth (80s and 90s, respectively) that really earned the reputation of being indestructible.
Both the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Hilux, robust and maneuverable 4×4 vehicles, were decisive in the war between Chad and Libya, which broke out in the late 1970s and escalated in the 1980s. In fact, the last phases of the conflict ended up being baptized as “Toyota Wars” or “Toyota Wars” for both vehicles, which ended forever transforming the way certain armed conflicts are fought in the most remote places of the globe.
The war reached its climax between 1986 and 1987. Libya, then under the command of Muammar Gaddafi, had a brute force that included a powerful troop of more than 8,000 troops, 300 Soviet T-55 tanksheavy artillery, helicopters and fighter planes. However, the Libyan soldiers were tired, unmotivated and disorganized.
The Chadians, for their part, had only 10,000 highly motivated soldiers, without air support or armored tanks. Of course, they had land support from France and a fleet of approximately 400 Toyota pickup trucks armed with missiles and machine guns. Some even wore ‘MILAN’ anti-tank guided missiles’ (‘Light anti-tank infantry missile), sent by the French Government.
Thus, against all odds, Chad emerged victorious from a long and bloody armed conflict that was unequal from the beginning. The Toyotas showed the world how versatility and agility could overcome the brute force of conventional war machines.
While the Libyan tanks had difficulty in arid terrain, the Toyotas moved with agility and efficiency. In addition, they could transport troops of up to 20 troops and their weapons at high speed, an advantage that Russian tanks lacked.
One of the most decisive confrontations of the “Toyota Wars” was the Battle of Fada in 1987. In this scenario, Toyota trucks managed to almost completely surround and destroy a Libyan armored brigade. The toll was devastating for the Libyans: more than 7,500 casualties, hundreds of tanks destroyed and planes disabled. In contrast, Chad lost less than a hundred soldiers and some vehicles.
Neither the Toyota Land Cruiser nor the Hilux were armored or prepared like conventional military vehicles, but their efficiency and ability to traverse difficult terrain gave them an invaluable tactical advantage.
Additionally, the fuel consumption of the Toyotas was minimal compared to the massive consumption of the tanks, allowing for greater mobility and less dependence on supply lines, something critical in desert environments.
The indestructible Toyotas: on Top Gear they subjected the Hilux to all kinds of tests
The resilience of Toyota vehicles is not just limited to African battlefields. He famous british television show Top Gear He wanted to prove it by subjecting a poor red Toyota Hilux from the 1980s to a series of extreme tests: it was hit with a wrecking ball, submerged in salt water for hours, set on fire, and even demolished along with a building. Despite everything, the Hilux survived.
These demonstrations highlighted why these vehicles gained so much popularity not only among off-road enthusiasts, but also between insurgent groups and militias around the world.
From Nicaragua or Rwanda to Yemen and Pakistan, passing through the offensive of the Daeshthe self-proclaimed “Islamic State”, in Mosul in 2014, Land Cruisers and Hilux have been very present in many conflicts over the years. Their reliability and ability to operate in the most adverse conditions have made them an unofficial military tool, difficult to control and regulate in conflict zones.
Today, the Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux have evolved significantly in terms of technology and safety. The modern versions that we find in dealerships comply with strict emissions and ADAS regulations, something that the models used in the “Toyota Wars” could not achieve.
However, in many parts of the world, where regulations are less strict, older versions continue to circulate and, despite the years, continue to demonstrate their reliability. In those places where conflicts seem to have no end, the old Land Cruiser and Hilux continue to be protagonists, adapting to a use that was never planned by their engineers, but that has already become part of their legacy.
Source: www.motorpasion.com
