2017 Toyota Hilux

If you are a Hilux fan you'll buy one no matter what is said here, if not there are better vehicles out there

I decided on a Ford Ranger after having Landcruisers since 1975. My decision was based on a 5 cyl versus a 4 cyl. I don't like the idea of squeezing high power out of a small engine. My Ranger is a 2016 3.2 auto and have just taken delivery of my new Jayco.
The Jayco weighs 2250 loaded and I am so tremendously happy with the way the Ranger handles it.
The van was purchased from Jayco Sydney where everything was really thoroughly explained then we set off down the coast to Batemans Bay then up the mountains to Bungendore. For anyone unfamiliar with this road it is not only steep but seems to go on forever.
Anyway the fuel consumption was impressive at 14.2 l/ 100ks checked over 860 kilometres by the filll and maths method which turned out to be very close to the cars computer reading. This was sitting on an average speed of 90 k.
Engine and gearbox temperatures when driving without the van are 88 and 100 respectively these temps didn't change much except on one very long steep section the engine reached 90 deg and the gearbox 108. I think this shows that the Ranger could pull a caravan up one of the most challenging highways with ease.
I know Ford and other duel cabs claim to be able to tow 3500 kg but I am from the old school where it was said that the loaded weigh of the caravan should not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle.
I am equally pleased with my Jayco, everything on it worked as intended. Around caravan parks I heard horror stories from people with more expensive vans than the Jayco who claim they had long lists of problems with their new caravans.
I hope this info may be of interest to anyone considering the purchase of a vehicle to tow a caravan.

Pop, I bought a 2013 Hilux with 27,000kms on it, about 5 mths ago, an ex-Hanson service ute. It's got the 3.0L D4-D. Hanson traded a small fleet of Hiluxes of this age on a replacement Hilux fleet. They bought 2.8L motors.

I spoke to Angelo, the maintenance boss for Hanson, and he spoke of how pleased they were with the overall performance of the previous fleet of Hiluxes - but he said the new ones were definitely better.
Despite the smaller displacement engine, he talked of how much more power they had, along with improved fuel consumption.

I'm afraid I just can't bring myself to buy a Ford - it's simply because they are a Ford, and I've had too much experience with Fords highly variable build quality, extremely expensive spare parts prices, and poor resale values.

However, I know, in the luxury dual-cab section of the market, the Ranger is steadily overtaking Hilux in sales.
No doubt, this is due to Fords slick marketing, extensive range of high-tech (and thereby, potentially troublesome) features - and Fords well-designed interiors and seating.

But when it comes to the rough stuff, such as mining, you won't find Ford making much inroad on Toyota sales. Make of that what you will.

Cheers, Ron.

G'day Pop,

I have recently upgrade from a 15 y/o Prado to the current model Hilux. Mine is a 2016, 2.8 diesel Auto SR5 dual cab.
I spent 6 months procrastinating and test driving all the dual cabs (except Amarok-not sure why, just never got to it) and found that for me the Hilux had the best mix of comfort, performance and drive-ability. Some I drove had better engines, some were more comfortable and some were cheaper or drove better, but for me the Hilux suited me better overall. Once I decided on the car I found a one y/o Hilux for a good price.
There are a couple of issues known to the model :

1. Fuel tank distance to empty is not accurate in some models, fixed by adjusting the fuel tank float (Toyota will do if you complain enough)
2. Some have a clunk through the drive train (auto models), known issue to Toyota and if affected Toyota will fix under warranty (currently 2 different fixes in place), I had mine done and all good since.
3. You cant get the claimed fuel economy figures, mine sits just under 10/100 through town and around 9/100 on the highway. Sorry haven't towed yet so no figures for that.

Apart from that they are as described, a good honest Toyota ute. I have had the suspension changed and noticed a marked improvement in the way it drives and the comfort level.

As with most cars there is a forum for Hilux lovers, this is (newhilux.net) you do need to become a member to view the forum chat but there is a lot of info, mostly one sided, on that site.

In summary, the Hilux in my opinion, is a good buy if you can get a good deal, it does what it says it will, has a few known issues that are fixable if it happens to affect you and hopefully will provide years of good service. But do yourself a favour and drive all the popular utes, there will be one that suits you more than the others, it may even surprise you as to which one it is.

Cheers.

Simon

Good discussion everyone. I will be in the market in a couple of years looking for a replacement for my 2007 Hilux and its good to know others' experience. I place a fair bit of value on reliability and reputable long mileage as I like to keep my vehicles for a long time.
I like the D-Max, but then there is a transport mob here saying they are having trouble with diffs; and they run a lot of them.
By the way, does the new Hilux have the same injector issue as the older D4D motor as in my ute? Well that cost me $4K to have injectors replaced (at 70000 km), and thrust bearing replacement was another ouch.
I tow a small van; about 1.5 tonnes loaded.

Hi Pop

I do not personally have any experience with the new 2.8 Hilux, but a friend of mine does.

Prior to his new Hilux, he had the new BT50, and only changed up for business reasons.

I asked him why he went form the Mazda to the Hilux.

The only thing he misses from the Mazda is the extra power, but other than that, he said the new Hilux beats the Mazda in ever other compartment hands down which I was very surprised to hear. He said that he has not regrets at all and knows it will do everything he wants it to do.


Cheers


Stephen

Pop
My wife and I have also been looking for a 4x4 ute to tow a van.
Our main criterias have been reliability and the ability to tow a 2.5/ 2.6 tonne van safely.
After considering all the Utes already mentioned we have decided upon the D-Max.
The seats are an issue but we believe we can overcome the seat comfort with additions to the seat, easier than trying to find a more reliable tow vehicle.
That is, first ensure the vehicle basic are right and Then go about to solve the other issues.
I would be interest to hear how other D-Max owners have dealt with the seat comfort issue.
Juneeboy.

I have the current model 2017 Hilux SR5 auto diesel dual cab fitted with Toyota tow bar and bull bar plus ARB canopy. I also have dual battery fitted under bonnet to run Engel in rear tub where there is also a slide out drawer. I have just returned from around oz trip starting east to west from Tin Can Bay Qld travelling about 19,000klm towing a 19'6" Franklin Arrow which has an all up weight capacity of 2600kg. The Hilux performed faultlessly and comfortably. We had it's 20,000k service in Karratha with no problems presenting. I did have a new fuel filter fitted out of caution. I might add Pilbara Toyota in Karratha were excellent to deal with.As well as towing a van we also unhitched in places where we required the 4wd component to sight see e.g. the 260k return trip to wolf creek crater(left van at Halls Ck) on the Tanami Rd which was shitty in parts and even shittier in the rest of it!! Corrugation and bulldust, 440 klm around the Flinders Ranges also on some pretty rough tracks, (left the van at Rawnsley Pk) which the Hi lux handled with no trouble. Be aware that the automatic version as mine is has a reduced towing capacity of 3200kg.Fuel consumption was a bit ordinary with a bit over 5klm/litre whilst towing and the 80 litre tank meant filling up often .I did have some weight in the tub with a spare jerry of diesel and two of water plus generator and usual stuff, (beer!!). I hope this may be a more pertinent reply to your query . In addition the HiLux was fitted with the factory fitted tyres which were rotated in Karratha the rear two being 1mm more worn than the front, luckily with no punctures. The van however cost us two tyres!

Check this out pop
http://newranger.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10095

Pop, something that can be worth doing when contemplating a new vehicle purchase, is to go and hire an equivalent current model of the vehicle for a week, and give it a bit of a workout, along the lines of what you might want to be doing with it, if you bought one.

Admittedly, a hired unit is not going to be setup the way you plan to - but a hired vehicle can give one a decent opinion of whether the vehicle is suffering from annoyances that are not easily overcome - and also give one an idea of what has not performed in everyday hire use (items showing early wear).

Cheers, Ron.

http://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=72680&p=1064012&hilit=Hilux#p1064012

Couple of posts here for you pop, take a look at the Kedron gall boys video.