New HI-LUX what`s the verdict ??????????

the new hi-lux looks pretty good on paper even it has looks only a blind mother could love. a bit over the top for $ but then again so are all toyotas - and they have a good resale so maybe it balances out. the engines are really good. the suspension is not so good but arb have apparently already got a fix for that. they will sell well and there are a few around the place. on the road and the gracvel by all accounts are very good and 'refined'. maybe wait until the new navara is out in a couple of months and compare. one thing the new navara will have is the rear opening doors on the king cab ala mazda/ford - great idea and very practical especially if travelling with 2. if you have the readies then the toyota will do exactly as it is designed to do. have a look at the hand brake cable though - what on earth were they thinking...... rgds

I had my heart set on a dual cab sr5 but after reading the specs I bought a new Prado.
I didn't like the 15 inch wheels and the age old drum brakes on the rear. Didn't look any further than that so bought the Prado last week and couldn't be happier.

Makes a volvo and even the early citroen look good.

Very happy with my 150 series, plenty power from 3lt turbo and good economy, plenty of room inside the cab and in the tray. Traded standard tyres 255/70/15 bridgestone's for 31/10r/15 bfg's at's. Gave the front a 40mm lift with h/d king springs (weight of steel bar and winch and duel batteries).I think it will make good workhorse and tourer. There is a picture of the my Ute at www.outbackproven.com.au

Lots of opinions on this one. My choice came down to the current model Prado or the new Hilux (both in TD). Have a friend with the current Navara. He doesn't like it a lot. Didn't want to wait to check out the new one. Chose the Hilux, despite being offered a cheaper price on a Prado. Picked it up the day they were released. Main decider was the new motor, but I liked the separate load area in the tub as well.

Overall it is a great vehicle. Very comfortable. Excellent on road. Quiet, powerful, easy to drive. Good (but not great) off road. Ramp over and departure angle are average (but that is true of all dual cabs). IFS is a compromise, (better on road, but not off road), but I think it is good.

I've already removed the alloy side steps (which were ridiculously low) and replace them with custom made steel ones up under the sill. Also removed the shiny rear step to get a tow bar on which is not even lower than the factory step. Will add a custom steel rear bar in due course.

I've loaded it up a fair bit (Carryboy canopy, drawer unit, fridge, water, aux battery, and I always carry recovery gear, tools etc). I reckon it has sagged about 20 to 30mm in the bum as a result. I'll eventually fit the OME suspension and possibly air assists at the rear as I have about 190KG of ball weight on CT when fully loaded.

In summary, ex factory it is a great vehicle for on road and a bit of easy to medium off roading. If you want to do some real off roading (particularly if you load it up), you'll need to spend a few grand more to get it ready.

I've still got a fair bit to do, but I'm planning on some serious trips.

A final point, If you plan on fitting a bull bar, skip the Toyota one. It looks crap, does little for approach angle and provides little protection to radiator and underneath. The ARB one (not yet available, but pictures of prototype are) looks heaps better.

A second final point. Scrap the factory tyres before you leave the show room. They are crap. I rang around and got a good deal from Bob Jane to do a changeover to Cooper ATRs before I collected the vehicle (about $700 for 5).

Hope this all helps

Thank god the hilux don't come in hot pink

Did somebody say "DRUM BRAKES"???????????

hi guys,

New here so bear with me!

Have also brought a new SR5 bishop blue hilux and don't take delivery until end of August. I am trying to legally fit BF Goodrich rubber, but can't due to this 15mm rule.

I have the factory OD from bridgestone as 744mm, or 738mm - depending on who you ask. The 245/70/16 BFG A/Ts have a OD of 764mm - so I am wondering how newlux as above has fitted them legally.

David B that truck looks fantastic...

Cheers

Well the Hilux used to stand out as being the best but now it's just the same as all the other pansy utes, take your pick.

There's a vicious rumour going around that the new 'Lux doesn't like water crossings.... at all. The rumour states that there's a fording sensor of some kind that kills the motor if the depth reaches (500mm, or whatever that reported depth was).........

Is this true?

I've had water up to just below the bonnet as I entered, then above the sills once level during at least one crossing. Went like a dream. Lots of other crossings with about 400 to 500mm depth.

Vehicle is 05 TD.

This must be a silly rumour started by Nissan owners. No one would be silly enough to set up a vehicle to stop in deep water.