Thoughts on new model hilux

Agree with your comments Hound. Have done 20,000 in mine, but will add up a few more on 16 week trek this winter.

Not a 'real' offroader. But does well all the same, and more comfortable than most for touring.

I've bashed my bash plate around so much with off roading, I've stripped it back, primed and repainted it. With all the painit rubbed off it was starting to rust after the last trip to Fraser Island. Looks like new, except for the dents of course.

267/75/16s. Those a big tyres. Close to 32 inches?? I was looking to upgrade to 31s next time.

What sort of winch have you fitted?

G'day hound,

I agree with you completely. My new diesel hilux is my first experience with owning a 4WD. Have done a basic 4WD course and learnt heaps. Next course is a notch or 2 up in the high country with Jim Kennedy at SafeTrek; very professionally run outfit.

Also, have fitted ARB bars back & front, Warn winch plus airlocker on the rear diff, although still agonising over the suspension. Have been told anything over 30mm or so lift on the front upsets the front-end geometry and may play havoc with the CVJ's etc. I like the idea of big rubber but VicRoads tells me anything over 15mm will get me booked if pulled over, plus possible insurance complications.

What have you done with the rear leaves? I am considering polyairs although believe they are not designed to lift beyond a load-created sag; only retempered or extra leaves will do that properly....maybe I need both.

Any opinion on Koni shocks; I am told they are the benchmark.

Anyhow, I do love my new lux and consistantly got 7.9 ltrs/100 driving around town. Even with all the new gear and a fair load in the back, still get 8.2 litres/100. I should add, my adult children reckon I run-in my cars forever....last time I was booked for speeding was in 1966.
Cheers,
Sheps

Shame all you guys got your Lux's before the Navarra D40 came out. Read the specs and reviews and see what you could have had!!!
Oops no offence meant - just couldn't resist it!!!!
Seriuusly its good to see that segment of the market really competing with each other and bringing out some real choice of vehicles. Hope it works it way through to other 4WD models.

. Appwardo and Hound,
I must attempt to leap to the defence of GMH.
. We're on our third Rodeo diesel. 2.4, 1984 2wl. drive (strictly honest worker), 2.8, 1994 4wd dual cab (bloody near bullet-proof for a young family),and now a 3l 2002 with 116000 km.
. Very nice ride etc etc, but fuel consumption has dropped from 8.7 L/100 in the 2.8 L to around 10L/100 in the 3L.
. People say more power = higher fuel consumption, which, to my mind, is false logic. Hopefully someone with the "new" 3L Rodeo can come up with good reasons to buy one.
. I shan't be buying another "little" big car any time soon,, but if I did, it would be a Navara.
Sorry GMH. Rodeos gave us 690,000 km of trouble-free travel, but now,IF you do stuff up, a wizzkid is needed for the heart-start.
. And I suspect all our new generation 4wd's are tarred with similar brushes.
Collyn R. & my mate BJ may be right with their OKA's
Hey, aint it nice to drive/not fight, the Mighty Midgets?
. In (some) despair
. Jeff H.

Hey hound, very happy with mine, i like the power and economy of the T/D.
Not bad offroad, nice and smooth onroad. The hilux is what it is, a one tonne ute.
I love driving mine.

Dave.

Following inspection plus a trial run in the new Hilux (and after talking to fellow Kimberley users) my wife paid almost the new price for an ultra-low mileage 3.0 TD that was about the last of the previous model (she is selling her 1996 2.8 litre).

I think her choice was a very good buy.

I suspect that, with this new model, Toyota is seeking a somewhat different market. This does not mean it is not a good 4WD - but it certainly is a much softer one. A suspension lift is essential if used up here.
Collyn Rivers

What about the fugly thing?????????? Don't any of u lot care about driving around in the only vehicle on the road that makes a Citroen look good??? :)