keep the 80 or get a hilux

No one can tell you what to do really, deep down you will know.IMHO If your cruiser has a good service history and is running well now, keep it.Lots around coming up to 500000kms and going strong.Your old rig will be built alot stronger than a newer vehicle, what ever the brand.Plus you already have all the gear you want on it.

Hi There lostinwauchope, check out thread 63188. this was relating to a Sahara 80 series I was hoping to get hold of. It will give you a rough opinion on what people think of the engine and reliability of the diesel. Not sure if yours is turbo or not but the question I asked was relating to the turbo model. If you have serviced it regulary from the answers I received you will get many more klms from the trusty old girl. Hope this might help you on your decision. WHG

The new breed of diesel engines today are so much more responsive ,powerfull and economical today than the old heavy 6's that we are used to....coupled with auto transmissions they are hard to beat....the Hilux has a towing capacity of 2300kg compared to your 3500kg and the change over price would buy a lot of fuel and repairs........but eventually we will all have to go that way sooner or later.....the Hilux is a pleasure to drive.

Eventually you will make the change.

Keep the 80.

With the mods on the 80, it sound like you like to get off road a bit. The 80 Series is way better than the Hilux for that sort of work. With it's IFS front and leaf back, wheel articulation is a bit limited.

Lots more leg room in the back of the 80 as well.

If the 80 Series has been regularly serviced and well maintained, I wouldn't be too concerned about the 360,000 KM.

The Hilux is a good vehicle though. I had a 2005 (new model) for 3 years and just upgraded to a new 79 Series as I wanted more load carrying and towing ability. It was very comfortable and served us well on a number of long trips.

Only you can make the choice, but if the 80 Series is a good vehicle, it could well last you many more years.

Norm C

I went from a newer, flash-as-michael jackson, zippier 4wd back to the 80 and I would not get rid of for all the tea in china - it is a very trusty, capable & tough 4wd.

Sure the old straight 6 is gutless, but it's reliable if looked after and they don't make 4wd's like that anymore (IMO). Upcoming cost might be the fuel pump/injectors if not already done.

Keep it.

Cheers.

well guys/girls thankyou all for your advice i think you have convinced me to hang onto the old girl for a while longer yet cheers.Ron

The 80 would be the best option, if you change over to a Hilux it won't hold resale vale like the 80 for a start.

As said the 80 should be good for well over 500.000ks so even if you run it into the ground you will get more from it than what you will get on a trade in.

When the 80 first came out a salesmen told me that the 80 is a pass me down vehicle [Father to Son etc} after a rebuild they will do anther 500.000 plus K's

Comes down to your MASTER PLAN!
How long do you intend on keeping the vehicle?
I've seen 80 diesels to 600,000kms! when they are looked after, so you have much life and capability left in the car you have.
On the other hand, that hilux has low KM's and if your not planning on rock crawling it'll be nearly as good as the 80, and will last maybe another 5-8 years long becuase of its KMs.
Either way, both are Toyota, so you cant really go wrong ;-)

Cheers
NUTS!

KEEP IT

I agree. If the only reasonn you are thinking of changing is because of 360 000km then Keep the 80. Even if the engine did blow up after another 150 000 km, get a recon engine for $8-10 000 and you'll probably get another 500 000km out of the 80 series. You are still in front rather than "upgrading" to a newer hilux.

If it's a dual cab you want then convert the 80 to a dual cab.

Barnesy

keep it! keep it! KEEP IT!!

Options.

As someone with a 92 Model 1 HD-T with 300,000 km's in a similar position to you - I've been researching the options.

1. IF - you swap to the larger disc rotors brakes, AND to the 2 inch solid barstock draw bar, you should be able to get it engineer re- certified to 3500 tow capacity, these were about the only real changes from the 96 model onwards.

2. Buy a 97 - 99 model 80 series 4.2 TD thats rated to 3500 Kilos, and swap the goodies from your 91 model over to the newer ehicle with less KM's - then flog the 91 model

3. It is possible to shoe horn the later 24 valve 4.2 TDeisel, engine and box from the 96 model onwards 80 series or the subsequent 100 series, into the earlier 80 series.

An advantage being the electronicaly controlled ECM type engine to add a aftermarket chip to the ecm and get either mor epower or better economy etc etc - over the older model 12 valve 1HD-T engine.

Also - if you source and engie and box from a wrecker etc - you can spend the time & $ having it rebuilt to as new standard - ready to just drop in as soon as the old enine does give trouble.

The old engine being the factory turbo model is highly sought after for just such rebuild projects so likely if you swap it before it craps out majorly and does serious damage you might get say $5 K or more back for the tired engine and box to someone looking to do a similar excercise but not interested in the electronic wiring upgrade required to run the more modern engne.

Also - with the newer 24 valve engine and chipped ECM - you COULD add LPG injection to the diesel, gaining you a 30HP increase in power, and the $3000 Govt LPG rebate will get you the extra ponies for only about $1400 out of pocket - which you can get back in fuel savings in less than 12 months

Lastly - you could add a denco type air / water intercooler or the Safari air to air intercooler for another 20-30 HP increase.

The stock 4.2TD puts out about 150 HP roughly

If you add:-

50 HP with a after market ECM chip
30 Hp With the LPG
30 HP wth the Intercooler.

That would bring you up to about 260 HP for little extra weight!

Out of interest - all these bragsters, with their 6.5 liter (397 Cubic Inch) Chev V8 Brunswick diesel conversions - only put out 170 HP stock standard according to the specs at their website!

The standard, 80 seris you already have with LPG puts out the same HP with less weight!

The modded newer model 24 valve engine with LPG and an intercooler wll blow a stock standard Chev 6.5 out of the paddock for power AND fuel economy!

Driven sedately such a modded cruiser will return over 10 KM's/liter highway cycle without towing. (10 liters/100KM's) based on our 92 model 1HD-T with LPG which does this easily.

I reckon withthe intercooler and chip - you'd get even more!

So...

You have a few options - our choice is option 3 because we are already half way there with the LPG conversion in place already and all the goodies already on the vehicle and the body in neat shape,

They don't build them like the 80 series any more.

I reckon you'd regret going to the Lux compared to the 80.

Cheers

Keep your 80.

With what you would loose getting a new car regarding costs of onraod etc. put that towards future repairs you may require.

If you have looked after what you currently have then keep it, and look after it, and enjoy it.

80 vs newer model lux.

80 wins hands down.

Trains

come on lost in Wauchope keep the 80 it a good truck, your would be made to go the hilux,anyway i know i good mechanic qld if your starting panic about car repairs bills.