The Toyota family of minibuses called Lite Ace/Master Ace/Town Ace were the progenitors of the large Emina minivans that came later. The Ace family has conquered all of Asia, as well as North America and the Pacific region. And in our country, a whole generation grew up on Aces imported by private owners, and hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs “rose up.” The reason for the popularity of cars is their widest choice in terms of versions and trim levels.
Cars were offered with different roof heights, different wheelbase lengths and other nuances. There were also completely “naked” cars, even without upholstery, and there were also luxurious configurations with several sunroofs and luxurious sofas. I would like to dwell in more detail on the “Town Ace” subfamily.
Toyota Masterace
Second restyling of the second generation Toyota Town Ace
In its established form, the Toyota Town Ace dates back to this generation in 1988. We will not consider what happened up to this point. It was a small blown barrel-shaped “trailer.”
Many different engines were offered for it. The smallest petrol engine is the 4K-J with a displacement of 1.3 liters and a power of 58 horsepower. This engine was also installed on such Toyota car models as:
- Corolla;
- Lite Ace.
Another engine running on gasoline, but a little more powerful, is the 5K, its displacement reached 1.5 liters and its power was 70 “horses”. This powertrain could also be seen under the hood of the Lite Ace. An even more powerful gasoline engine is the 2Y (2Y-J/2Y-U), its power was 79 “mares” with a volume of 1.8 liters.
Toyota Town Ace 2000
These engines were also installed on:
- Hiace;
- Hilux Pick Up;
- Lite Ace;
- Master Ace Surf.
The top-end “gasoline” is the two-liter 97 horsepower 3Y-EU, which was also equipped with such car models from Toyota as:
- Lite Ace;
- Master Ace Surf
There were also diesel power units, the 2C-III is a two-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with a power of 73 horsepower; in addition to the Ace family, such an engine was also installed on:
- Corolla;
- Corona;
- Sprinter.
Its one two-liter “diesel” is the 2C-T with a displacement of the same two liters, but with a power of 85 “horses”; it was also installed on other car models from Toyota:
- Caldina;
- Camry;
- Carina;
- Carina E;
- Corona Premium;
- Lite Ace;
- Master Ace Surf;
- Vista.
Reviews from car owners
Motorists note that due to the fact that in Russia the production of light-duty trucks is practically undeveloped, the Toyota Town Ice truck is the best option - purchasing a Japanese analogue. The Toyota Town Ice car is quite well suited for this, both for its practicality and for its technical characteristics.
- The first thing domestic drivers pay attention to is the thickness of the body metal. It is quite small, which is why even a small application of force can leave a dent in the car, bending the outer shell.
- The technical characteristics of the Toyota Town Ice do not disappoint - the car accelerates quite quickly and easily. The performance drops a little when the car is loaded, but overall they are quite good.
- Toyota Town Ace is a truck that is well suited for the conditions of summer, spring and autumn in Russia. But taking into account the presence of only one stove in it, the question arises about the comfortable operation of the car in winter, when the air temperature can drop to -40 degrees Celsius.
- The speedometer of a vehicle is quite large, which is why the driver can easily navigate the speed readings and other data while driving. This significantly increases the level of security. Switching from first to second gear occurs at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour, if we talk about an automatic transmission.
- In the city, due to the size of the car, driving it is a pleasure. The car handles maneuvers well and can go in places where many other cars cannot do this under any circumstances.
- Also, some drivers note that the windows on sliding doors do not go down completely. This is some of the ideas of Japanese developers, which are not entirely clear in Russia.
Third restyling of the second generation Toyota Town Ace
The model was updated in 1992, externally it was refreshed, making it more modern. The body lines have become smoother and calmer, new optics have been installed. The interior decoration was also redesigned, but less significantly.
Toyota Town Ace Noah
There are some changes to the engine lineup. The petrol 4K-J was removed, as well as the 2Y-U sub-variant of the engine (2Y and 2Y-J remained). The diesel 2C-III had a version 2C (the same parameters) and one new “diesel” appeared - this is the 3C-T (displacement 2.2 liters and 88 “horses”). This engine was also installed on:
- Camry;
- Estima Emina;
- Estima Lucida;
- Lite Ace;
- Lite Ace Noah;
- Toyota Vista.
Not only for roads, but also for directions
Town Ace minibuses were produced with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The latter are especially popular with us, because the all-wheel drive system here is the same as on serious SUVs: Part-Time with a rigidly connected front axle, lowering, and hubs on the front hubs.
Body with integrated frame. The layout is mid-engine, which has a positive effect on weight distribution. The geometry is not ideal, but more than suitable for off-road use.
There is also a good margin for installing large wheels, although the stock clearance is decent - 190 mm.
Third generation Toyota Town Ace
The new generation came out in 1996. It was a new car, judging by its appearance. Little was seen from the old versions. There was a new semi-cab-over cab, a large front overhang and a completely new GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) body design; it was safer than its predecessors; in general, the third generation was very impressive in terms of safety.
From the old gasoline engines, 5K migrated here, and two new gasoline engines appeared. The first of them is 7K (1.8 liters and 76 horsepower), this internal combustion engine was also found under the hood of the Lite Ace. The second new internal combustion engine is the 7K-E (1.8 liters and 82 horses).
This motor was also installed on the same Lite Ace that was just mentioned.
Of the old diesel engines, only the 2C remained in this generation, but an engine marked 3C-E was also added (79 “mares” and 2.2 liters of displacement), this engine was also installed on:
- Caldina;
- Corolla;
- Corolla Fielder;
- Lite Ace;
- Sprinter.
Description of Lite ACE Noah
The Toyota Lit Ice Noah minibus, the technical characteristics of which are excellent for driving in urban environments, has a 2-liter unit (a separate package includes a 2.2-liter engine). When buying a minivan, you can choose between a 4-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual. The body is equipped with a special sliding door, which is equipped with an automatic opening and closing system.
Fourth generation Toyota Town Ace
These cars were released in 2008 and are still being sold today. The appearance acquired purely Japanese features, which are typical for the domestic market of this country. There are no fewer trim levels and versions of the model; the interior has been redesigned, adding comfort, which was already sufficient.
Toyota Lite Ace
All the old engines were abandoned, now the car was equipped with one single gasoline internal combustion engine, which was called 3SZ-VE, its displacement was only 1.5 liters, and it could develop a power equivalent to 97 horsepower. It was also installed on such Toyota models as:
- bB
- Lite Ace
- Lite Ace Truck
- Passo Sette
- Rush.
Fifth generation Toyota Town Ace Noah
At the same time, such a car existed. It was produced from 1996 to 1998. It was some kind of modified version. Under the hood there could be the already familiar 3C-T diesel engine, but with a power of 91 “horses”.
Of the gasoline internal combustion engines, there could be a 3S-FE (exactly two liters of volume and 130 horsepower).
The same engine could be seen on such Toyota models as:
- Avensis;
- Caldina;
- Camry;
- Carina;
- Carina E;
- Carina ED;
- Celica;
- Corona;
- Corona Exiv;
- Corona Premium;
- Corona SF Curren;
- Gaia;
- Ipsum;
- Lite Ace Noah;
- Nadia;
- Picnic;
- RAV4;
- Vista;
- Vista Ardeo.
Restyling of the fifth generation Toyota Town Ace Noah
This car was sold from 1998 to 2001. Among the external changes, the new optics catches the eye. There were other updates, but they are minor. The 3S-FE petrol engine was transferred here from the pre-facelift model. At the request of customers, a “diesel” engine also appeared. It was 3T-TE (one of the modifications of the previously discussed engines). This power unit developed a power of 94 horsepower with a displacement of 2.2 liters.
2008 Toyota Town Ace
The same version of the engine could be seen on such Toyota models as:
- Caldina;
- Carina;
- Corona Premium;
- Estima Emina;
- Estima Lucida;
- Gaia;
- Ipsum;
- Lite Ace Noah;
- Picnic.
General characteristics of the S 4WD G Section vehicle
The Noah car is a minivan that entered the market in 2001. Considering its technical and external characteristics, we can say that the car is the successor to the Town Ace model, which will be discussed below. That is, in essence, the manufacturer replaced the model range. The rear-wheel drive chassis was replaced by a full front-wheel drive one. Another new feature was sliding doors, which were installed on both sides of the body.
Among the installed modifications there is a basic X, a sports S, a comfortable L. The Toyota Noah S is distinguished by the following equipment: discharge headlights, fog lights, a spoiler and aluminum wheels.
Toyota Town Ace Truck sixth generation
This cargo version has been produced from 2008 to the present. Some experts believe that the car’s appearance resembles the Italian Fiat or Citroen of a similar period, but I think that this is a subjective opinion and nothing more.
The car is very practical and comfortable, the body is quite roomy.
Such a car is purchased both as a commercial vehicle and as an option for the home. This car is produced with one single 3SZ-VE gasoline engine, which has already been discussed above.
Technical characteristics of Town Ace, Town Ace Noah, Town Ace Truck engines
| Engine model name | Engine displacement | Engine power | Type of fuel consumed |
| 4J-K | 1.3 liters | 58 horsepower | Petrol |
| 5K | 1.5 liters | 70 horsepower | Petrol |
| 2Y | 1.8 liters | 79 horsepower | Petrol |
| 2Y-J | 1.8 liters | 79 horsepower | Petrol |
| 2Y-U | 1.8 liters | 79 horsepower | Petrol |
| 3Y-EU | 1.8 liters | 97 horsepower | Petrol |
| 2C-III | 2.0 liters | 73 horsepower | Diesel |
| 2C | 2.0 liters | 73 horsepower | Diesel |
| 2C-T | 2.0 liters | 85 horsepower | Diesel |
| 3C-T | 2.2 liters | 88 horsepower | Diesel |
| 7K | 1.8 liters | 76 horsepower | Petrol |
| 7K-E | 1.8 liters | 82 horsepower | Petrol |
| 3C-E | 2.2 liters | 79 horsepower | Diesel |
| 3SZ-VE | 1.5 liters | 97 horsepower | Petrol |
| 3S-FE | 2.0 liters | 130 horsepower | Petrol |
| 3T-TE | 2.2 liters | 94 horsepower | Diesel |
There are quite a few engines offered for the series, as can be understood from the table above. There is a choice among gasoline engines, and there are also diesel engines to choose from. All power units are reliable, like everything that Toyota produces, most of them are simple in their design and can be repaired independently without any problems, without having any specialized equipment or tools at your disposal.
Components for these motors are sold freely at affordable prices, due to the high prevalence of engines, in addition, you can always buy the required motor assembled, there are even offers for contract motors that do not have mileage in Russia, I’m glad that all this is also worth it relatively affordable.
Toyota Town Ace Truck
We mentioned above that engines can be found very quickly, but we also emphasize that such a need arises extremely rarely, since most old Toyota engines are so-called “million-dollar” engines, of course, in the case of correct and timely maintenance of the power unit. For this reason, when purchasing a Town Ace, Town Ace Noah, Town, you should pay special attention to checking the engine, so that later you do not have to make serious repairs for the previous owner of the car, but at your own expense.
