New Hilux

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

*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

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

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.