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The Tonka Mighty Dump was first started in 1964 and through the years there have been changes but not drastic changes easily seen but they are there and this section should help the collector with some of the changes through the years. Not all the information may be entirely correct due to midyear changes and of course failure on my part but it is a true effort to help the collector or person who needs the knowledge to resell one of the trucks. Photos will be posted with each year as I am able to secure one.
One has to remember these changes as they took place each year were permanent until they were changed in later years. example would be the cheaper grill put in place in 1973. So if you have a mighty dump with the cheaper grill it still may not be a 1973 model but a later one.
| 1964 | Introduced at the New York Toy Fair in 1964with model # 900.Major ID factor is the Decal on the nose of the cab above the grill. "Tonka" written on black block letters with no background. This was the only year the decal appeared in this configuration. Also decals were placed above the wheels that read "Mighty-Tonka" without background color. The side decals would remain the same through 1966. Tires were another ID factor for 1964. made of solid rubber each tire had 14 holes 3/8 dia. drilled on the back side to reduce weight. |
| 1965 | The model number was changed to # 2900. The decal over the grill was changed to the letters being yellow block letters with a black background with the shape of a pentagon. The side decals remained the same as the 1964 models. The tires did make a change in 1965 with the first 3 months of the year using the same heavy rubber tire as the 1964 model then changing to a two piece injection molded tire still the same size and appearance. |
| 1966 | The Model 2900 was carried over from 1965 without any changes |
| 1967 | The only changes were to the decals. The front decal was changed to a oval shaped decal with multi colors with the word "Tonka" in block letters in the top half of the decal and "Mound, Minn. in the lower half. The side decals were changed from Mighty Tonka to "Mighty-Dump". |
| 1968 | The model number changed from 2900 series to 3900 series. The only identifying change in 1968 was the tires shape and size. Tonka named the new tire the TX-500 deep threaded balloon tire. It was 1 and 3/8 inches larger in diameter and 1/8 inch wider with smooth side walls, NO LETTERS OR NUMBERS. |
| 1969 | No changes were made in the 1969 model remained the same as the 1968 model. |
| 1970 | The identifying changes were in the decals for this year. The front cab decal remained the same shape with "Tonka" in the top half but U.S.A. was placed in the lower half. The side decals changed from Mighty Dump to "Mighty Tonka Dump" |
| 1971 | The only change and it was a significant one was the removal of the saddle fuel tanks on the mighty dump. Everything else remained the same. |
| 1972 | Since the start of he mighty dump in 1964 the truck had vinyl bumper blocks on the front bumper. For the year of 1972 only the blocks were stimulated blocks molded into the front bumper. everything else remained the same. |
| 1973 | The major change in 1973 was the replacement of the grill with a cheaper one piece plastic grill/bumper. The only separate parts where the headlights, they were white in color and inserted into the grill part. |
| 1974 | The major change was the decal on the front of the cab. The letters U.S.A. were removed and replaced with a yellow section only. |
| 1975 | The 1975 model was the same as the 1974 model |
| 1976 | Changes for 1976 were the removal of the decals on the front of the cab and the decals on the doors. Replaced on the doors with a decal with the word Mighty in black letters followed by a red oval with a white border and the word "Tonka" in white letters inside the oval. |
| 1977 | The 1977 model was the same as the 1976 model. |
| 1978 | A decal was added above the wheel wells that said "Tonka" in bright red letters on each side. |
| 1979 | The 1979 model was the same as the 1978 model |
| 1980 | The 1980 model was the same as the 1979 model with the exception of changes in the grill with the headlights being molded into the black grill. |
| 1981 | The 1981 was the same as the 1980 model |
| 1982 | Graphics were the major change for 1982 with decals located above the front wheel wells. he decals included teh name "Tonka" in red letters and in smaller letters Turbo Diesel. This decal was used for only one year. |
| 1983 | The 1983 model was the first to be manufactured in the Texas plant and was changed to a more sleeker, leaner, more modern model. |
| There is very little use of continuing with the descriptions as from 1983 to now the differences are minor and not worth mentioning.. |