Member - Blue (VIC) replied:

I can't substanciate it but have been reading in various places that the new TD Hilux is averaging around 14l/100km. If these figures are true, they are using more fuel than my V6 Triton(12l/100km) and more that your 78 series(assuming it's diesel & based on my step fathers 75 series troopy with turbo'd 1HZ getting 12l/100km running around Darwin), perhaps another DC Ute would better fill the void...

Of course I'm happy to stand corrected, as previously stated it's all about what I've read and NO 1st hand experience...

Member - Norm C (QLD) replied:

I've got the SR5 TD. Great vehicle. Already done 10,000 km.
If I had my time again, I'd probably get the SR and option it up. I've removed the sports bars and fitted a conopy. Will remove the rear step and replace it with steel. Have already removed the alloy side steps and replaced with custom made steel. Removing these SR5 items is my reason for the comment.

My only problem is ramp over, which I have improved with the new side steps and will improve further with a small lift. Departure angle is not great (but no problem so far). I will improve with removal of the current chrome rear step and the lift.

You will also want to change the factory tyres. They are cr@p. I fitted Cooper ATRs.

Otherwise a great vehicle. Vey comfortable and well finished. Very quiet on road. Great power; drives like a petrol. Got about 11km per ltr until I fitted the canopy, drawer unit, fridge and deep cycle battery. Now get about 10.7, which is still very good.

Wife loves it too and enjoys driving it. Kids are grown up and have own cars. Rear seats are OK for young kids, but a long trip with adults in the back would not be good. We did the Condamine Gorge today with 4 adults and no one complained, but I think son (6 ft 4) was a bit cramped. I was in the drivers seat, so I was OK.

garrycol replied:

Fine car if you are happy driving the most 'dog ugly' car around at the moment!

Glenn (VIC) replied:

Have you considered possibly converting the 78 series into a ute?

troy replied:

Check this site out about $10,000 to convert the 78 series to a dual cab.

http://www.creativeconversions.com.au/

If going for the new hilux just go for the SR as all your really missing out on are cup holder.

Troy

Bonz (Vic) replied:

I have seen the exact vehicle you need, for around $10k over the price of the Cruiser wagon, try www.griersonengineering.com.au or www.askLynda.com.au or alternatively just member message her sweet Purple Husband Al.

slydog replied:

best economy for my cruiser is 7.2km per litre with the worst being 5.3km per litre with that second figure with the canopy on going across the nullabor @120km/hr so 10.7km per litre is sounding pretty good,
as for modifying my existing vehicle not interested as I have had experience with that sort of thing before,

and as for the bloke who wants to buy my ute well you well have to tell me how much it is worth
2001 diesal 145000km
snorkal
dual batterys
overhead console
lightforce spottys
uhf radio plus cb
steel bullbar and sidebars
aluminium water tank
longrange tanks plus extra 220 litre tank
canvas canopy

time waster replied:

i have the sr d/cab td auto with factory ball bar warn 9 winch d/bat and a full roof rack on the canopy and i get 9.5 km per litre i had to lift the front as it droped 40mm from the weight now its sits 30mm above srandard slightly lower than the front i went the sr as it has most of the usefull options of the sr5 anyway

muzzgit (WA) replied:

If Nissan put a 5 speed auto in the Navara, they would sell bucket loads of 'em.

That's the reason I almost bought one, instead of actually buying one !!

The V6 hilux isn't that bad on fuel if you drive like grandma. And I recon it would be the ducks nuts in sand.

time waster replied:

i lifted the front with h/d coils from king springs at $170 for the pair the front still sits lower than the rear so i have left the rear at the moment we tryed it out the last long wend fully loaded off road ct 150lt fuel tank in the ute engel babybleep40lt of water and it sat very well and drove just as good if anything it drives better with the front springs in.
the factory s/bar is a fair lump but for the price and to change it to the sr5 is only a matter of changing the plastic side bits were as the arb bar you had to chose the sr or sr5 bar now that the front sits 30mm higher the approch angle is a lot better