In 1970, Toyota began manufacturing the LiteAce (M10), a light-duty ute. In 1971, the Japanese automaker produced wagon and van versions of the LiteAce. Five years later, it released the TownAce (R10) wagon/van, a slightly larger version of the LiteAce wagon, followed by the TownAce ute in 1978. Both started as cab-overs classed as light commercial vehicles, although they later changed to semi-cab-overs.
Toyota produced these two vehicles separately in the 70s but merged them in 1982 with LiteAce trucks (M20) rebadged as TownAce. The reverse happened in 1992 when LiteAce vans came out as rebadged TownAce. There were three series to these two models, the M, R, and S series.
The 'Ace' in their names refers to ToyoAce, Toyota’s medium-size cab-over truck. With the ToyoAce’s medium-duty capability, the Lite suggests that it is light-duty in comparison, while 'Town' suggests suitability for town or urban use.
M-Series (1970-2007)
1970-1979 (M10, LiteAce)
Toyota developed the LiteAce under its subsidiary, Toyota Auto Body, releasing the first generation in November 1970. It filled the void between larger light commercial vehicles such as HiAce and the smaller MiniAce. This generation came out in 2-door ute, 4-door wagon/van, and 5-door wagon/van body styles and used a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The ute had a 750-kg payload capacity and had three seats in one row. The wagon could seat nine passengers, while the vans could sit three or six, depending on the variant chosen.
Just a note about the TownAce during this period: In 1976, Toyota introduced the R10 TownAce van/ute.
1979-1985 (M20, LiteAce/TownAce)
The M20 models were released as LiteAce wagons/vans and utes in 1979. They were widely exported, reaching Australia in 1980 in two variants but with one powertrain.
- LiteAce Commercial wagon/van, Base model – 2 doors/2 seats; 1.3-litre 4K-J inline-4 petrol engine (40 kW, 91 Nm) paired with 4-speed manual gearbox
- LiteAce Ute tray, Base model – 2 doors/2 seats; 1.3-litre 4K-J inline-4 petrol engine (40 kW, 91 Nm) paired with 4-speed manual gearbox
Both variants had the same wheelbase, but the truck/ute was longer, higher, and heavier than the wagon/van. In 1982, a high-roof people-mover variant also arrived in Australia.
- LiteAce People mover, Base model - 2 doors/5 seats; 1.3-litre 4K-J inline-4 petrol engine (40 kW, 91 Nm) paired with 4-speed manual gearbox
Referencing the TownAce again, Toyota introduced the R20/R30 wagon/van in 1982. At this point, the M-series was still exclusively a LiteAce lineup, but not for long. The next TownAce R20/R30 ute would be based on the LiteAce M20 ute. In Australia, the TownAce has not yet appeared in the market. No more trucks/utes from either LiteAce or TownAce came after the LiteAce M20 ute tray, although Toyota produced them for the third-generation M-series.
1985-2007 (M30/M40/M50/M60/M70/M80, TownAce/LiteAce)
The third-generation LiteAce M30/M40 wagon/van had four roof configurations, namely, Standard, High, High with a panoramic moonroof, and High Roof SW grade. Its width increased at the expense of the body length. It received other improvements, including a new 4-link rear suspension with Panhard rod and rack-and-pinion steering.
The commercial wagon/van and people-mover variants entered the market in 1985 with the following powertrain and specs:
- LiteAce Commercial wagon/van, Base model – 2 doors/2 seats; 1.8-litre 1C-II inline-4 diesel engine (41 kW, 103 Nm) paired with 5-speed manual gearbox
- LiteAce Commercial wagon/van, Base model – 2 doors/2 seats; 1.8-litre 2Y-U inline-4 petrol engine (61 kW, 143 Nm) paired with 5-speed manual gearbox
- LiteAce Commercial wagon/van, Base model – 2 doors/2 seats; 1.3-litre 4K-J inline-4 petrol engine (40 kW, 91 Nm) paired with a 4-speed manual
- LiteAce People mover, Base model – 2 doors/8 seats; 1.8-litre 2Y-U inline-4 petrol engine (61 kW, 143 Nm) paired with either 3-speed automatic or 5-speed manual
- LiteAce People mover, High roof model – 2 doors/5 seats; 1.3-litre 4K-J inline-4 petrol engine (40 kW, 91 Nm) paired with a 4-speed manual
In 1986, Toyota released the LiteAce M50/M60/M70/M80 utes and its TownAce rebadge but not in Australia. New engines for the LiteAce models also became available in addition to the 1.8-litre petrol and diesel powerplants from the previous year. The 1.3-litre engine, however, was discontinued, and a 4-speed automatic transmission replaced the 3-speed version paired with the 1.8-litre petrol engine. Toyota also introduced a 4WD variant in addition to its previous RWD models.
- LiteAce Commercial wagon/van, 4x4 – 2 doors/5 seats; 2.0-litre 3Y-U inline-4 petrol engine (65 kW, 165 Nm) paired with 5-speed manual gearbox
- LiteAce Commercial wagon/van, Base – 2 doors/3 seats; 1.5-litre 5K-U inline-4 petrol engine (48 kW, 115 Nm) paired with 4-speed manual gearbox
- LiteAce People mover, 4x4 – 2 doors/8 seats; 2.0-litre inline-4 3Y-U petrol engine (63 kW, 155 Nm) paired with 5-speed manual gearbox
The M-series production ran until 2007 but was available in Australia only until 1992. After which, the TownAce R20/R30 replaced it in the market.
R-Series (1976-2007)
1976-1982 (R10, TownAce)
Like the M-series, the R-series also started as exclusively RWD vehicles, later expanding to include a 4WD variant. This generation, called R10, is M10-based but wider and longer. It featured the same body panels and doors that the M-series had. They come as 2-door trucks and 4-door wagons/vans.
1982-1992 (R20/R30, TownAce/Tarago)
Toyota introduced the 4WD variant in this generation, which is also called MasterAce Surf van in some markets. This generation was the first TownAce that reached Australia albeit under a different name – Toyota Tarago – named after a town in New South Wales, Australia. The R20/R30’s mechanicals and suspensions are HiLux-based. Read more about the Tarago in this article.
1992-1996 (R20/R30 rebodied, TownAce/LiteAce)
This generation is practically the same R20/R30 underneath a restyled body, thus, the same chassis codes. This time around, it was the TownAce’s turn to be rebadged as LiteAce (van variant). It was at this point that Toyota unified the entire range of LiteAce and TownAce models. While the two nameplates were almost identical, they differed in cosmetic features, such as the extra headlamp and air intake slit, which the TownAce had, but the LiteAce didn’t.
In 1992, Australia saw the exit of the LiteAce and the entry of the TownAce for the first time. For the entire period, only one engine and one trim were available. The first TownAce in Australia was a 2-door, 2-seat commercial van powered by a 2.0-litre 3Y-EU inline-4 petrol engine (64 kW, 158 Nm) mated either to a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed auto transmission.
1996-2007 (R40/R50 TownAce/LiteAce)
Toyota released the fully redesigned TownAce and LiteAce (chassis codes: R40 and R50), but these nameplates would now be used exclusively by the vans. The Townace and Lightace differed in the frontal grille's design. The wagons, on the other hand, would be marketed as TownAce Noah and LiteAce Noah. Vans would also have either a DX badge (cargo-purpose van) or GL badge (dual-purpose van). The Noah wagons would have ABS as standard and twin moonroofs as optional equipment.
Australia continued to receive the commercial van body style, but now with four doors and still with two seats. Its standard equipment included cloth trim, engine immobiliser, power steering, and radio cassette with two speakers. A 1.8-litre 7K inline-4 petrol engine (60 kW, 142 Nm) powered it, teaming up with a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed automatic.
The 8-seat TownAce passenger van was introduced in Australia under a different name, the Toyota Spacia and, thus, would not be tackled here. The R-series was produced until 2007, but it was dropped from the Australian market in 2005. No other variant or generation with the LiteAce or TownAce nameplate, including the S-series, came after 2005.
S-Series (2008-present)
The S-series is badged-engineered from Daihatsu Gran Max and is offered in 5-door van and 2-door truck/ute body styles, but this series was only available in Japan and other export markets. The Tarago meanwhile continued to sell until 2019, both the TownAce-based versions and the latter models based on Toyota Previa but in different periods.
It’s important to know how these various models and rebadged versions are related. That way, it would be easier to find their replacement parts. At Carpart.com.au, we provide educational information and links to direct sources for these replacement auto parts and accessories. Try us now, or send us a parts request message today!
-JMSL