new HILUX 4x4 ?

Mate of mine has a 3.0td with 10,000km. So far he has had a new diff, new gearbox and new clutch. Car had been off road more than he has driven it.

Rockman

I also have a mate who purchased the new Navara. He's had a few problems with the diff which also effected the brakes. Had to take it back to the dealer twice.

Apparently everything is fine now. He's very happy with the car apart from:

1. Ramp over angle
2. No room under the bonnet for anything (diesal)

I'm catching up with him for a drink tomorrow and will get the full story for you.

The new Hilux does'nt do much for me, even though I'm a Toyota owner.

Regards

Kim

I drove a new Hilux 3lt Turbo Diesel last week.

I drove it on bumpy station tracks in the Flinders Ranges

It is a nice little truck full of plastic stuff. This one was shod with Desert Duellers 205x16's.

1. My thoughts are that the Hilux is too low for serious 4x4 driving
2. With its leaf sprung rear end it gives a very bumpy ride over rough terrain
3. The bullbar scraped through many creeks crossings; so approach angle isnt good.

No doubt if you make some changes such as larger tyres and suspension mods you might get a better ride out of it.

I am 190cm tall and I will say that entry to the drivers seat for the Hilux is much better than getting into the drivers seat of a Navara.

Cheers

Thanks for the info . Like i said , i drove a current Navara this morning ( 2.5 turbo diesel auto ) and a last years ( 3.0 turbo 5 speed ) , good comparision . The auto was nice to drive , but up there in price , $48K , lots of inside room , good power , looks very low but is actually the same height as the last years model . Last years was a little rougher to drive , but its a 4x4 , right , not a town car , $ 36k . I like the look of last years and it gives a bit of change to do add a few bits and pieces . I see on the members rigs , there's not that many people that own Navara's . Any reason , or just personal ? .

G'day Rock-man
Local bloke has one....just over 12months old...just came back a few months ago from a big trip towing the off roader caravan....the chassis is bent believe it or not!!! ..... oh no hang on its a holden version....my mistake...sorry.....but true..chassis is bent ...on the whats it called....rodeo...!!!

Travelled with Bucky (vic member) - has a Nav ... few yrs old.....Nav travelled great...height good and towd easy...his is a td 3lt from memory....

The hilux to me looks very plastic and fake for "real" travelling.....plenty around our town that have big huge massive mags under them with the latest slim line rubber on them pumping out loud bass music...i think thats all they are good for really....

Laura

Rock-man,

Have had my '06 3.0TD ST-R for just over a month now. Not a long time to give a true unbiased opinion, I know, but so far, I am more than happy with it. Plenty of power/torque for what I need. Has enough creature comforts that suit my purpose - around town and moderate off road fun. I had a look at the Hilux and ST-X Navara, but both being in the high $40K range, could not justify the huge difference to the ST-R. Would have gone for the ST-X 2.5 common rail TD but shelling out an extra $13k plus put me off - could not justify it. Sure, the ST-X rides a bit better, is bigger inside etc, but for $13k, I can put up with that. Back seat room in the ST-R is very ordinary, but i did not buy it for that, kids are old enough to drive themselves around. Am now in the process of spending that extra dough I saved on bull bar, snorkel, tubliner, towbar etc. The canopy is next, then Lightforce 170's and all those little extra bits and pieces etc etc and I will still have heaps of change left over from the base price of a Hilux or ST-X.

P.S. - Each to their own, but even though the Hilux might have a great reputation etc, I reckon the new 4x4 is butt ugly !!

Cheers,

DaveO

G'day Rock

I've got a 3.0 litre Diesel Hilux (July 06). 19,000kms & never had a problem. We've got numerous 2WD dual cabs at work all around 10,00kms also with no probs that I'm aware of. My only complaint was the lack of clearance but I fixed that with a suspension job.
The previous model Navara utes which have been on special are worth a look though (one of my kids has one). Maybe not quite as good as hilux, but good value for money.

cheers

Waz

I have had my Hilux 3,0td SR for 18 months now and done 30,000km. Rear suspension was crap could not even carry 350 kg so I had Old Man Emu all round (see my spec sheet on members page). Great vehicle getting 12.5l/100klm with 500kg camper on the tray. Been off road on numerous occasions, beach etc Have not had any problems so far.

Cheers
Jack

i found a new Hilux SR 4x4 crew cab 4L V6 with 5 spd auto, has CD player, elec mirrors and windows, AC - everything it SHOULD have i guess. 100km on the clock, at the dealer. That was $35,000 at the Sunraysia Toyota in Mildura, so my father bought it without even looking at it, and got it delivered to Melbourne, and couldnt be happier with it. Why spend $50,000 for the same thing? SR5 has alloys and some sporty body moulds and chrome bar, but i dont think they add up to $15k worth

SR5 TD Auto D-Cab. Love it. Kicks the Rodeo we also have out of the park. Goes like a bat out of hell.

Recent Flinders trip; thought the approach/departure angles would kill me, but had no dramas. Happily carried 5 blokes + gear, comfortably, over rough roads.

No mechanical issues, all standard suspension etc.

Everyone who gets in the back is impressed, largely becuase they're used to no room at all I guess, but a 6ft mate jumped in the other day and was quite happy.

My brother-in-law & his brother both run half a dozen between them and think they're christmas.

As a farmer, half my work is off road & pretty rough at times. The 15" rims initially concerned me (and I still don't see why they're that size), and I thought I might have to put some bigger rims on. The issue hasn't really come up - I get the hilux into less predicaments than a rodeo cab chassis.

test

Rock man

Further to my earlier post, I spoke to my mate last night re his Navara:

Had it back to the dealer twice to fix the diff housing seals. Apparently this also caused oil contamination on the rear brakes.

On an unrelated matter, he is also experiencing ABS problems which will be looked at during the next service.

There also appears to be some oil leakage on the universal joint immediately in front of the diff housing.

Apart from that he's very happy with car after 30,000K.

Regards

Kim