2021 Dual Cab utes

BT50 and Isuzu now together, Bt50 would have a different ttansmission

Bt50, dmax, triton, hilux, Prado - all the same aisin 6 speed box.

Water in the bt50 is from roof racks being installed incorrectly. The ‘ageing’ 3l is actually mostly all new.

If you want current tech, the ranger is an XLT plus tech pack to keep up with base model new utes. It is basically a runout model now.

The new hilux drives nicely but the lane assist is braked because it doesn’t have electric steering. Hilux back seats are woefully small.

I chose the new BT50. Big on back seat ammenity, base model has all the tech - available in cab chassis which I wanted. It is actually quicker than the 3.2 ranger and the new hilux which defies the final output figures, and it drives like a car and uses little fuel - the hilux is good on fuel now too.

I had a 3.2 ranger. I don’t miss it. It was a good car, just old now in comparison.

LDV FOR ME.!


Cheers.

Axle
Are you learning Mandarin too? Have a chat with Kevin.

Re the Utes.
A Triton has a chassis which looks similar to my swiss cheese, plenty of holes in some areas. Loaded heavy they break. Shocks are not much, just watch the tails wag up and down on normal streets. Cheap to buy though.

Ford reliability and after sales support lacks somewhat.

As Gbc said, Bt50 and Dmax basically a new engine. Same trans, Lane departure system and auto braking may not be what you like though. It scares many. Can be switched off.
Josh is smart not looking at Navara.

Triton and Navara seem to suffer the most with resale value so will be the most expensive option over cost of ownership out of them all.

RMD, ..... Just trying to keep some humour in the works.


You know where this thread is going to end up..lol.


Actually the LD V is not to bad, had a bit to do with them working out of a Turf Farm, just you feel like your in a big drum when driving.

Cheers

Ranger transmission issues have not been a serious issue (any more than other ute issues) for about four years, the exception being the recall for the transmission oil pump. This is no longer an issue (according to Ford). Three years ago I chose the Ranger because it stacked up better for the features which mattered to me. Doesn't mean it was the best (even for me) in all areas. My vehicle, with rear locker, manages the rougher tracks (it's never going to be a modified Patrol/Cruiser/Gladiator hard-core drive) if that's an issue. Without the locker, traction control is very average. I have had nothing wrong with the ute, very happy, but Ford's reputation for aftersales, should something go wrong, is abysmal.

Toyota has better traction control and better features at each level (though you pay for them). DPF issues appear to have been rectified (though after huge pressure on the manufacturer). Overall, one of the best choices, apart from price- which you'll pick up with resale.

I dismissed the Triton, despite the value for money, because of the overhang (I carry a canopy). The new model looks to be a great vehicle, still the best value. If the overhang does not concern you, it would be a strong contender for best purchase.

The Isuzu was an ergonomic wreck, 5 years behind the opposition. The main thing going for it was the engine reliability. I hated it upon test driving (from dealer and with friend's vehicle off-road). Quite a number of those modifying suspension had chassis issues, though I believe that was mostly from anyone lifting over 40mm. The new model appears to be a huge improvement and, if choosing now, that would be one of my leading contenders. Don't listen to the guff about it being built more like a truck than the others.

Obviously if looking at the Isuzu you would also consider the Mazda.

I was also restricted as I wanted an extra cab, so not all models fitted the bill. Keep in mind, my research was three years ago. Your mileage may differ...

Cheers, Mark

I'm not a ute person, but I like the new MUX when it comes out. Reason I'd buy an Izuzu ...the motor. Even though the motor has been updated , it is still the same specs and I can't see them doing anything to affect it's reliability.

Lachlan
Many Navara's, D22 had poor paint finish and purchased with rust in the body when new. The tubs were made with around 20mm less height on the LHS than the RHS. The cam chains used to crap themselves before the OE tyres wore out. They overfuel on takeoff, simply observe one to see. Similar issues with the D40 model MANY of which were imported by Nissan with malformed chassis on RH rear corner. They had some auto problems too. Again blowing smoke under load or acceleration. A dealer in central NSW had 6 pulled apart at the one time because of warped cylinder blocks, not heads, Nissan refused warranty on them. dealer left holding the bag. If you can accept that, then the after sales service and provision of warranty will floor you with the company denying cam chain horrendous noise and never admitting the numbers of malformed D40 Chassis which were salted around Australia so none concentrated in one area. Knowing this, I measured two NEW red ones at my local dealer a while back and found Both, sitting side by side on the lot had 20mm+ drop on RHS rear wheel arch. Same as a problem I saw earlier. I still have pics of the Vin's. Maybe all the problems have disappeared with the new model they sell. Yeah, that is it!

I think just about every Navara I've ever driven behind has belched black smoke out of the exhaust to some degree, even seemingly newer looking vehicles / models.
Not sure if this was purely over fueling, but something amiss with the way they are tuned, or develop some sort of emissions problem (EGR, injectors / pump ?) over time.
Puts me right off them.

Hi Chris

Ive been a Isuzu fan for years especially with the commercial engines, but it is a worry when they change internal components as they have done with the latest 3.0 l

pistons
crankshaft
injectors

One just hopes their previous reliability standard does not falter

Cheers.

Amaroks can only be serviced in the major centres. Have any issues and you can be up for a very expensive tow. Chris

Kier & Margaret
Happiness isn't a factor is it? reliability and ease of accessing serviceability if problems arise is perhaps a tad important, "cos if nothing ever goes wrong everyone is happy with any brand. I thought of buying a new 2L dual cab Amarok a while back, but during a test drive and returning to yard, when changing down outside the dealers AND crossing safely time wise in front of oncoming traffic it suddenly stalled. Knowing the KEY HAS to be OFF then ON to restart, which I did extremely fast, saved me from being there in front of two lane traffic which I had allowed for. The auto V6 is different and would want to be. Later after towing vans, 3 of 2L variety burned after stopping roadside. I went right off Amaroks.

I've just completed a trip down South WA in my V6 Amarok. Its now done 24k km and so far the only issue has been a leaking rear diff pinion seal which was repaired under warranty.
Very nice to tow our 2 tonne camper with and it did well in the sand dunes and beach run. The extra power and 8 speed auto are very well suited to touring and offroad the hill descent did a great job. No low range but the short 1st gear and electronics make up for it.
I service it myself so not concerned with dealership coverage.
No ute is perfect so you just have to weigh up the positives and negatives for each.
I like the Amarok's wider stance and the extra stability, tray width and seating room it offers. Also the engine/gearbox combo is excellent as are the chassis size and larger brakes.
Friends of ours had their Ranger blow an engine on their way back from Coral Bay. It had done less than 100k km. Also where I worked they had shifted away from Rangers after numerous engine and gearbox issues.

Hi mate, thanks for the reply.
With the hilux, do you know who on here worked with the hilux. Luv to know more about the dust issue. I assume it was from the intake, does it change anything if you haveva snorkel etc.

I did have a quick look for the thread on Hilux dust before I posted my comment Josh but no luck. I started a thread on the topic myself but it wasn't on that one. I'll do a more in-depth search tomorrow and post a link if I find it. Wrt a snorkel- been a while since I read about it but I suspect anything which reduces the amount of dust-filled air getting into your air filter box would be a help. The problem is both MAF sensor issues and longer term potential wear iirc. There is plenty of detailed info on the problem if you google, including one article which qoutes a university expert on fine particles. Seems a perfectly clean filter actually lets in finer dust so Toyotas suggestion to maintain a near pristine filter was poor advice.

Finally (phew) located the comment I remembered Josh. Gbc is the user, not sure how you'd contact him. Towards the bottom of the thread you'll see my question about dust and his response. Not exactly what I remembered. I presumed he was talking about Hilux utes.

"Yes dusted MAF sensor (Airbox leak) presents at highway speed, floor it to get around a truck and it drops into limp home. Dangerous. Changing filters regularly achieves nothing because the dust is bypassing the seals, not the filter media."

This is the forum thread : Good News For Toyota Diesel Owners With DPF Issues

My other thread on Toyota dust problems with some links worth reading is here: Toyota Dust Problem

Found this comment on 200 series dust issues (similar to Hilux I gather)
Reply By: Blown4by - Friday, Dec 18, 2020 at 05:03
Pity they won't acknowledge that the LC 200 series air cleaner housings allow unfiltered dust to bypass the air filter element. The dust entering the engine leads to poor performance when the MAF sensor becomes coated with dust. Additionally, sufficient dust will cause 'dusting' of the cylinder bores, pistons & their rings, as well as potentially premature wear on the crankshaft, main & big end bearings & any other components lubricated by the engine oil. Not happy Jan!
AnswerID: 634459

All that said there are probably (must be) plenty of Hilux owners with no obvious dust/MAF problems, otherwise it would be a hot topic on social media forums. Just something to be aware of and perhaps ask more about before outlaying your $$$$$.

hi
The dust issue is obvious to the people who are in the no .

Basically
1/ the airfilter has no xtra dirt capacity to allow for plugging = to small
[if u look into industrial stuff they have way bigger filters than they actuaally need .Look into the design /selection criteria ] .
Engine then sucks air from anywhere it can .

2/ The air filter housing is pathetically flexible with a very small seal area .

3/ The filter seal is rubbish , to small

4/Toyota claim snorkels amplify the problem , to restrictive on a poor system to start with .

dust catcher pre cleaner
larger air filter
A secondary filter
optional oil bath ontop of the engine
Some Ag machine are done this way and work in dusty enviroments all the time

Hey Bazooka,

Thats interesting. Everything i can find is that they haven't changed the air intake. It probably wouldn't be a concern if I wasn't thinking of a WA kimberley trip next year which would subject it to a lot of dust.

Seems all the new utes are having a few issues. Been following a lot of FB pages.
Dmax juat takes too long to get. Even though the same the BT50 guys seem to be getting a few engine lights come up, most say they are just simple things like seat belt sensors or something.

Only one that hasn't really done a big change is the Ranger.