New Hilux

Submitted: Monday, May 05, 2008 at 11:02
ThreadID: 57291 Views:2844 Replies:13 FollowUps:11
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Hi,

This is not intended to start a flame war or the normal Patrol vrse Cruiser debate, just some observations.

A mate that's owned a number of hiluxes just brought a new one and came around to show me. He was pretty disappointed in how they've evolved to an on road car compared to past models. The heat shrouds are little thicker than alfoil barby trays and all the under body appears to be pressed components spotted together. Certainly looks far weaker than his previous models, hope it bods well for him as he likes to travel far afield.

Hope the new patrol doesn't go done this route though judging by all the others it probably will.

Regards
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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 11:13

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 11:13
Gday,

"This is not intended to start a flame war or the normal Patrol vrse Cruiser debate"

"Hope the new patrol doesn't go done this route though judging by all the others it probably will."

HaHaHa.....

Sounds like a bit of a contradiction, doesnt it?

Cheers
AnswerID: 302110

Reply By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 11:29

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 11:29
One look at the ground clearance side by side will show you the difference. One will go straight offroad the other needs a 2 inch lift. Its the same with all the duel cab style utes more car than 4by. I would park the work triton next to the missus hilux and the difference in clearance was substantial
AnswerID: 302113

Reply By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 13:13

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 13:13
HI Austravel,

Your mate is not alone unfortunately. A few weeks ago I went to visit a mate who does radiator repairs. He had just picked up his new Hilux 2 days earlier. I asked him how it was and he was also very disappointed.
He said if it was possible he would give the new one back and get his older model he had traded in. As you say a lot of parts poorly made, I think he said many plastic parts now as well - shrouds, radiator top etc (just going from memory here).
Apparently the rot started when they began to make them in Thailand. Not a patch on his older model he reckons. And these are comments coming from someone who has owned Toyotas for decades. So its all a bit sad. But probably all manufacturers are heading down the same path.
If you have an older model Hilux (pre Thailand) its probably worthwhile keeping it repaired and on the road maybe.
Cheers,
Glen
AnswerID: 302124

Reply By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 13:13

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 13:13
Perhaps if the new Hilux handled badly, was noisey, had bad egonomics people would be more happy...just like the old ones.

The new Hiluxs are just as capable as the old ones just that they do it easier in some areas.

Anyone who says the new Hilux is rubbish compared to the new ones proberly hasn't driven one!

They are very capable off road

Give me the new one over the old one any day.

Why are the new ones so bad?

Regards Richard

AnswerID: 302125

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 13:33

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 13:33
I never said they were crap just they would need at least 2 inches before you could safely follow the old hilux. One look at your rig pic compared to the picture i posted confirms this. And that hilux is runing small tyres. if it was running the usual 31x10.5 that would add another inch and more again if the standard 16 inch twheels with 235x85 or 265x75s.
This would contribute to them not handling as well as the new hilux - as i said there a dedicated offroader not a crossover
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FollowupID: 568156

Follow Up By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 15:35

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 15:35
Ours already has 300mm ground clearance and runs 31x10.5.

The phote was taken in soft sand with 18psi tyre pressure.

Do you think Toyota would build something worse then there previous model?

Regards Richard

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FollowupID: 568186

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:23

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:23
You must have agreed then improving the standard hight tyres(255/70x15) and suspension to raise the clearance from 215 to 300
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FollowupID: 568215

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:31

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:31
OK just researched the specs and while they dont always tell the story in this case they do
05 on hilux ground clearance 215mm
Hilux as picture 225mm
= 10 cm
meaning I was a bit out you would need closer to a 4 inch lift for the latest hilux to safely follow the old one in standard form
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FollowupID: 568217

Follow Up By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 19:08

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 19:08
So alot of people think, Davoe have a look at the specs for the 2000 model Hilux SR5 4x4.

The 2000 model had ground clearance of 200mm and the current one has as you said between 215 to 225mm.


Engine
Engine Type Four cylinder, in-line, OHC
Capacity in Litres 3.0L
Induction Turbo, EFI, indirect injection
Fuel Recommendation Diesel
Claimed max. power 85 kW at 3600 rpm
Claimed max. torque 295 Nm at 2400 rpm
Power (kW per 1000kg) 285

Transmission
Type Manual / Five speed manual/Transfer case

Wheels
Alloy Steel
Dimensions 15
Tyres
Steering
Type Power assisted recirculating ball
Turning Circle 3.8

Dimensions
Mass 1746
Length 4855
Width (including mirrors) 1960
Height 1805
Ground clearance 200
Seating capacity 5
Fuel capacity 66

Towing
Max. towed mass (trailer plus load) 1800

NRMA Theft Rating

Acceleration - Test results
Speed @ 1000RPM 44.6

Fuel Consumption
Best recorded during testing 9.2
Worst recorded during testing 9.5
Average on test 9.4

Noise
Interior noise at constant 80km/h 68
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FollowupID: 568223

Follow Up By: TD100 - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 19:11

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 19:11
Davoe,

215mm to 225mm is 10MM not CM!!! ooops i hear.cheers Paul
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FollowupID: 568226

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 19:14

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 19:14
Ah yes but I still say park them side by side as i used to see them often at work and - Well lets just say the stats dont tell the whole story
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 20:40

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 20:40
I could type somthing but I think the pic says it all

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FollowupID: 568261

Follow Up By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 22:43

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 22:43
Yeap your right....fit after market side steeps and you gain 50mm ground clearance on the sides on the new Hiluxs.

The factory side steeps do sit a little low,easier to get into the vehicle with them instead of the after market ones.

This has been discussed before on other forums.

Regards Richard



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FollowupID: 568295

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 23:00

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 23:00
Ill say it again im not bagging them - ive never driven one they dont make it onto the sites much these days but I see alot of 4bys in the carpark. The Hilux carrys the same ground clearence as the navaras, rodeos, tritons. The tritons i certainly have driven and the fact is
- In stock form they are low.
I didnt make it up, a quick stroll through the mining company carpark and there is no way in heck when you see all the 4bys side by side this discusson would be taking place
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FollowupID: 568298

Reply By: gmac - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 13:55

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 13:55
Hello

Ihave a 06 hilux ute diesel model.In 07 did a trip WA to Queensland over 6 weeks.08 have just done a trip to NSW towing our Semi off road Nova caravan with about 400 kgs in the back.Caravan tares at 1970 kg.Hilux tows easily although I do have a Dp chip fitted.Before this I had a stadard 01 75 series Landcruiser and I can assure you the Hilux out performs it hand down.The older hiluxes were great we used them on mining sites etc but as a touring vehicle or for towing you needed a cut lunch and a water bag just to visit the local supermarket.Try parking the new BT 50,Tritonor or Navara next to one and look athe dfference in chassis etc.The new v8 cruiser is the ultimate vehicle for touring and off road if you have 60 plus grand to spend.

Regards
AnswerID: 302129

Reply By: John R (SA) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 14:57

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 14:57
He'll get over it! The new Hilux is excellent.

Mine spends half its life off road, and I've not had any issues with it requiring more height (I guess there is always the odd situation where more would be nice, but quite frankly I see more occasions where the driver's skill and placement of the vehicle has a much greater baring than the clearance of the machine).

Given the better handling, ride, comfort, power, and towing that I get from this over the old ones, I'm quite happy. The ride is certainly better than the Prado I used to have!

I'd much rather take this on my forthcoming 7000km (roughly 60% bitumen, 40% dirt) trip than an old hilux.

Hopefully once your mate spends some time in it, he'll be right.
AnswerID: 302134

Reply By: lakedge - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 15:46

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 15:46
Have to agree with most of the responses - Her Indoors and I love the new Hilux, but then we haven't had the pleasure of years in an older style 4wd to soften us up. We did a demanding training course in Newcastle run by a very professional group, Out of town 4wd, and the Hilux was fine with the difficult bits - got as far up the climbs that stopped all participants including Cruisers, Prados etc.
As for the modern bits that appear flimsy - guess what? Heat shields don't need to be 2mm thick to function as designed. I mentioned to my mechanic that the plastic fuel tank looked a bit out of place on a 4wd and he said it's much better than a metal one which, over time, will deteriorate feeding crap into the fuel system. It does, of course, have a metal shield.
We can drive all day at 100km/hr getting 8l/100km, and it pulls like a train if required.
Move on folks.
John
AnswerID: 302138

Reply By: The Landy - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 16:46

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 16:46
Sydney Morning Herald article today..can't paste link for some reason.

The Toyota HiLux utility was Australia's top selling vehicle last month, toppling both the Toyota Corolla and the Holden Commodore.

It is the first time a utility vehicle has taken the mantle of Australia's top seller.

Ute sales have grown strongly in the last couple of years, fuelled by the resource boom, a break in the drought in some rural areas and a trend towards utes being used as recreational, private vehicles
AnswerID: 302147

Reply By: Austravel - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:01

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:01
Just some further comments.

Hairy- Not sure if it's worth it but I made my intentions very clear if you choose to thinking I'm lying so be it.

I don't have dramas with the Hilux as I choose not to by one, doesn't mean I think the Patrol or others are faultless. I'm the first to pass on the problems I've had with my vehicle.

Mate also said better ride and better power not sure about the fuel economy as yet.

It sits much lower his first addition is a 50mm lift. Heat shield doesn't have to be thick to work but will probably be destroyed from sticks etc. Fuel tank is plastic and so is the stone guard for it. Not flash if you ever need repairs, though safety wise it would have to pass all the same drop tests. Fuel cooler looks very, very under the vehicle. Virtually no rust proofing or sound deadening under the vehicle. Again the pressed parts including chassis looks very thin and poorly finished compared to previous models.

I'm sure though it'll be suitable for 90% of users and that's why they've built them like this. He tends to do 80% on road but the 20% off road can be serious and I guess this is what's now concerning him. Plus he tends to keep his vehicles for a long time and he's wondering if it'll last as well. That is whether or not it'll take the abuse underneath from long distances on bad roads that the previous one did.

Remember they are only observations for discussion, if you think the new Hilux is the best thing going and everything has improved then so be it.


AnswerID: 302162

Reply By: Member - Reg T (WA) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:02

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:02
It the same with the Nissan Navara STX low clearance plastic fuel tank
made in Spain. Drives great but I went for the re released STR 2.5lt doesn't drive as nice but sure look more solid unit for off road.
AnswerID: 302163

Reply By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 19:03

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 19:03
*He said if it was possible he would give the new one back and get his older model he had traded in*





This STATEMENT is quite common really from what i hear,I could have afforded the 06 secondhand model Hilux or the new Navara for about 32k with ABN etc etc...

After looking for 8 months or so i decided on the late 04 SR5,which i think is a model or two before the newer one.



I also wish the current model owners well with there choice of vehicle

Cheers
AnswerID: 302178

Reply By: Member - keith P (VIC) - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 21:30

Monday, May 05, 2008 at 21:30
if the new patrol ends up being the US equivalent with independent all around I'll never buy another one again
and yes the hilux is s#@t
AnswerID: 302226

Follow Up By: Austravel - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 08:56

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 08:56
I hope not, while the current one has it's faults, I at least feel pretty comfortable taking it to very remote locations and back. Might have to fork out the extra dollars to get a cruiser next time if it goes down this path.
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FollowupID: 568318

Reply By: Confucious - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 11:53

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 11:53
To add my two bobs worth,

The mine I work at has purchased lots of the new model hilux's and we have had nothing but problems. The older models may be rough but they still keep going. The ground clearance is defn an issue, too low always hitting the sidesteps. Also check out the front suspension and the gaping hole which collects dust, dirt, mud and eventually results in CV joint failure. There also appears to be some sort of fault (Toyota are yet to confirm) with the engine management system which suddenly derates the engine.

Not sure if this helps, but might be worth considering when buying.
AnswerID: 302300

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