I have attempted to note enough major differences so that you can determine the age of your truck. There are other
differences that are very minor but I have not listed them because there are other major differences that are definitive.
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I am looking for Tonka Toys in terrific Original Condition like the ones shown on my website.
What year Tonka Toy Truck do you have?  How can you determine what year it was made?  I have created an easy chart to use for identification fo your Tonka Toy Trucks. Start with the Cab type to determine the range of years your truck was made, then look for minor changes like the Logo and grill type used. Little things like a hood scoop can tell you the year quite quickly. Please let me know If I can make this Identification chart for your Tonka Toys any friendlier or easier to use!
CAB STYLE: CABOVER (1949-1952)
 Year
1949 - 1952
1953
Hub Caps
None
None
Tires
Plain*
Plain
Bumper
Smooth
Smooth
Grill
Simulated 
(3 lines of equal length)
Simluated 
(1 Short, 2 Long)
Headlights
None
None
Hood
None
None
Glass
None
None
Trailer Hitch
None
None
Decal
Decal Wording
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound Metalcraft
Mound, Minn
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound Metalcraft
Mound, Minn
Other
No Distinguishable Difference among 1949, 50, 51 & 52
* No Tonka ID on tires 49-52
 

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CAB STYLE: ROUND FENDER (1954-1957)
 Year
1954 - 1955
1956
1957
Hub Caps
5 Round Holes
5 Round Holes
 5 Round Holes
Tires
Plain
Plain
 Plain
Bumper
Smooth
Smooth
 Smooth
Grill
One Piece With Bumper
Seperate Grill
 Seperate Grill
Headlights
2 Large, Smooth, Metal
2 Large, Smooth, Plastic
2 Large, Smooth, Plastic
Hood
1 Ridge
1 Ridge
1 Ridge, Hood Scoop
Glass
None
None
None
Trailer Hitch
None
Trailer Toungue fits 
in slot under bed.
Same as 1956.
Decal Colors
Decal Wording
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound Metalcraft
Mound, Minn
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound, Minn
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound, Minn
Other
The bottom of the 54 doors are flat and on the 55s, there is a small " flip-up."
 
Front Roof supports are straight up & down

CAB STYLE:  SQUARE FENDER (1958-1961)
Year 
1958
1959
1960
1961
Hub Caps
5 Round Holes
5 Triangle Holes
or Solid Disc
 5 Triangle Holes
or Solid Disc
5 Triangle Holes
or Solid Disc
Tires
Plain
Plain or White Wall
 Plain or White Wall
Plain or White Wall
Bumper
Smooth
Smooth
 Smooth
Ridges with 
embossed 'T'
Grill
Seperate Grill
with embossed 'T'
Seperate Grill
with embossed 'T'
 Seperate Grill
with embossed 'T'
Seperate Grill
Headlights
4 Small, 
Smooth, Plastic
4 Small, 
Smooth, Plastic
4 Small, 
Smooth, Plastic
4 Small, 
Smooth, Plastic
Hood
4 Equal Ridges
4 Equal Ridges
3 Ridges, 
thin, thick, thin
3 Ridges, 
thin, thick, thin
Glass
Windshield only
Windshield only
Windshield only
Windshield only
Trailer Hitch
Same as 1956.
Same as 1956.
Mushroom shaped tab on truck fits through hole in trailer toungue.
Same as 1960
Decal
Decal Wording
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound, Minn
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound, Minn
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound, Minn
Tonka Toys (script)
Mound, Minn
Other
Last year for 
tailgate chains.


Dual-dash on 1961 cabs

 
CAB STYLE: GENERIC SQUARE FENDER (1962-1966)
Year
1962
1963 - 1964
1965 - 1966
Hub Caps
5 Triangle Holes
or Solid Disc
5 Triangle Holes
or Solid Disc
 5 Triangle Holes
or Solid Disc
Tires
Plain or White Wall
Plain or White Wall
 Plain or White Wall
Bumper
Ridges
Ridges
 Smooth
Grill
One Piece with bumper
with embossed 'Tonka'
One Piece with bumper
with embossed 'Tonka'
 One Piece with bumper
with embossed 'Tonka'
Headlights
4 Small, 
Smooth, Plastic
4 Small,
Faceted, Plastic
2 Large,
Faceted, Plastic
Hood
2 Ridges 
(recessed in the middle)
2 Ridges
(recessed in the middle)
2 Ridges 
(recessed in the middle)
Glass
Windshield only
Windshield only
Windshield and
Side and Rear Windows
Trailer Hitch
Same as 1960
Same as 1960
Same as 1960
Decal
Decal Wording
Tonka (Block style)
Mound, Minn
Tonka (Block style)
Mound, Minn
Tonka Toys (Block style)
Mound, Minn
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Do you have Tonka Toys to sell? Please Contact me at Micah@tonkatoys.com