Whats the new Hilux 3LTD like?

Hey Babs
I own a td prado and I serviced at my workshop a TD Hilux October 06 model today. My Prado has a safari D Tronic fitted. Both autos.
The hilux definetly pulled better and had quicker pick up on acceleration than the prado.
Noise inside is considerably more but the hilux was the base model. The engine is not as quiet as I thought it would be but is a smooth unit.
As for suspension I don't think you will get a 4" lift. My Prado has a 50mm lift in rear and 40mm in front, lovells and bilsteins and considering the hilux front is identical, it will be great with a lift.
The only thing I didn't compare was wheel rolling diameter. With smaller wheels you will have heaps more pick up off the mark. The hilux has 16' wheels and the prado 17". I will have a look at the next one as this company just bought a heap for their fleet.
Hope this answers a few of your questions.
120scruiser

Babs,

I have just traded a 3lt GU on a new dual cab Hilux 3lt TD. So far very happy with Hilux, IMHO out performs the GU in every way except in outright offroad suspension travel. It has a much more user friendly gearbox, with much better gear ratio spread. The Hilux uses about 35 - 40 % less fuel than the GU in all forms of driving. The engine is quieter, smoother and less turbo lag than the Patrol. Just got back from the Grampians and the vehicle returned 10.4l/100km, fully loaded with camping gear. GU would have been anywhere around 13 or 14l/100km.

I looked at the 4" lift and it is very expensive and needs an engineers certificate, way too much hassle and in IMHO not worth it. 40mm lift with any other setup would be enough for anyone but rockhoppers. I reckon you would get better value getting front and rear diff locks!

A couple of things to think about with the Hilux - the speedo is very inaccurate about 8k out at 100k, there are two alarm chimes that annoy the hell out of me, one is the seatbelt chime (not good if you are plodding around a paddock spotlighting) and the second chime is the door open with keys in ignition and motor off. They are my only beefs with the car.

I wouldn't go back to a Patrol.

Batman.

There's a forum out there for the new Hilux's. I'm afraid to say I've got no idea what it's called.

Check out www.newhilux.net

Heaps of info on the new hilux there including instructions on disabling those two annoying beepers.

Go the new lux!!!

Mick

I have over the last six months have driven and towed a 3T trailer with a 3L new Hilux from Maralinga to Port Lincoln, Leigh Creek, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Sydney etc and have been impressed by the sheer grunt, fuel economy and general comfort. As long as you remember they are not a hardcore 4WD due the limited ground clearance, I have grounded it a few times from Ceduna to Maralinga, but was due to the nature of the track in places. it is an ideal vehicle for what it is designed for and that being a powerful, competant average duty 4WD with car like handling and comfort. We are also using a 78 series Toyota ute as well and the driving difference is like night and day. It is unstoppable off road but by comparison with the Hilux is a pig on road. Horses for courses or what tickles your fancy
Cheers Graeme

One thing to remember the hilux is a 1ton ute.
Power to weight is good.
I'm very happy with mine.

http://www.sydneycitytoyota.com.au/WhatsNew/downloads/toy1524_060_001.mpg

Dave.

mate of mine bought a 4wd 3.0td ute. Done 12000km and had new diff, new clutch and 2 new injectors. Make up your own mind.

I don't know a lot about them , have to be better than the 2.8 , yjey look good but If I were in the market for a Dual Cab i would give a good long look at the Mitsubishi Triton

How to disable the alarm for the seat-belts. Ofcourse you should allways wear the seatbelt when driving, but on occasions it seems terribly annoying

This is how you do it:

Turn power on and set counter to "ODO"
Turn power off
Turn power on, within 5 seconds, press and hold the trip-reset button
After 10 seconds, fasten the seatbelt
Release the trip-reset button

.. the display should now change to "B-off", turn power off and release the seatbelt.

The alarm is now disabled. To enable it again, you have to disconnect the battery for a period

Cheers
Jack