Hilux Lovers are everywhere....

Submitted: Monday, May 25, 2009 at 15:51
ThreadID: 69160 Views:3824 Replies:9 FollowUps:9
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Hilux owners get heaps of flack, and are seen as good sport, for the rest of the 4x4 owning community.
We have all heard the stories, and laughed along with the full size 4x4 owners, as we perpetuate the popular myth.
But ask a bloke that has actually been in a hilux, and you almost always hear a different story. Once you have driven one for a while, you start to understand the passion owners have for them. It's hard to put your finger on it, they are just different. How many members are Hilux owners? Lets hear some of their stories.

Credit goes to Ozzie Nomad for writing the above before I edited it.
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Reply By: Brian B (Brisbane) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:03

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:03
Hi Mate,

I have a 2004 SR5 dual cab with the 3.4 litre petrol and I think it is very good. It has 70000 klm on the clock and we have had it to the Cape, Fraser and a lot of other great spots.

It tows our 17" Avan pop top with no problems at all. It likes a drink of fuel and when we replace it in the next 12 months I will go for the Hilux again but in turbo diesel format.

We had a rear canopy installed as this suits us with travel etc and the car has not missed a beat since new.

Only limitations for my model are fuel economy, a bit of body roll at times and a small towing capacity of 1800kg. The SR5 variant we have has all of the fancy stuff so if you like that type thing then it is all there.

We had a Toyota bar installed along with side steps and the original tyres were replaced with BFG all terrains. Otherwise it is stock but all in all despite the couple of earlier mentioned issues I am really happy with it.

Have a good one.
AnswerID: 366637

Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:07

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:07
Thanks Brian,

They say they were the best of the Hilux's and the Petrol apparently goes like stink. The 3.0 D4D is a great engine and the fuel economy is a strong point. I can't believe the power they get out of diesels now.



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Reply By: _gmd_pps - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:23

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:23
"with the full size 4x4 owners" what size are you referring to ??
roflmao - you got me with that one ...
what is a "full size 4x4" ?? Certainly Australians make good "full size owners" roflmao ..
sorry can't help it
gmd
AnswerID: 366638

Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:39

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:39
I knew I would get some bites with this.
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Follow Up By: _gmd_pps - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 18:54

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 18:54
all in good fun ... :))
gmd
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Reply By: Wherehegon - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:37

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:37
We had a 89 hlux D/C 2.8D, was a great vehicle. It did 3 trips around oz and must say didnt break a thing on it. We sold it 300k I only just changed the front leaf springs on it before we did our last high country tripin it. The shockies needed doing but proved the reliabiity of the OME suspension. Use to get 10L per 100 all the time, sand, city driving etc, use to jump to 11.5 roundabout towing camper and we were fully loaded, including a 170L water tank in the rear was fantastic. Slow ?? Pain in the arse sloooow, but reliable. We have since changed to a prado 2nd one now, second time round we got the T/D 01 grande, I would have got another lux but needed auto and didnt have the extra $$$ to buy current shape with D4D in it in auto, will probably be the next one.Still very restricted with luggage space compared to lux with canopy on it plus now we have little on so carry even more as most with little ones would know.....WHG
AnswerID: 366641

Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:44

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:44
Wherehegon,

The 89 lux was bullet proof, like you say a little slow, but they would just keep on going. I dunno if mine would last like that but they are now comfortable and powerful. I do love the flexibility you have with a dual cab ute as I have dogs, kids, motor bikes, go diving etc you can use it for anything. They are expensive and I choked at that but I knew I was going to keep this a while and with the resale on Tojos the way they are thought it a good compromise.
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Follow Up By: ctaplin - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 18:50

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 18:50
From looking at Toyota's website it seems that if you can't get the diesel with auto in an extra cab only in the dual cab or basic cab chassis.
Does anyone know if you can order one especially?

Chris
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Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 19:00

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 19:00
Chris,

I looked myself and asked the question. They don't do it. Not too sure of the reasons why.



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Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:45

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:45
Nothing wrong with the Hylux 4x4, used them in my Plumbing Business, towed vans up the beach with them, they are and honest 4x4 truck, I heard the earlier one's had the same chassis and running gear as the Landcruisers minus the big motors, they were a little bit rough to ride in with the Front Leaf Springs. now I'm talking pre 97 models.

Cheers
Daza
AnswerID: 366643

Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:52

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:52
I think the model you are talking about is the one the ran on Top Gear. Never had one, seen a few weekend warriors around as they are cheap and very easy to do up and they keep going.
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Reply By: wild dog - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:53

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:53
Had an old Hilux ute with a 253 in it. Bit heavy on juice but went wherever I wanted to go.
Sold it to my eldest son and he did the round Australia thing, got one puncture on the Plenty Hwy but no other problems.

Used to go particularly well on soft sand and had heaps of torque low down.
Not original I know but it was a great ute.
Since then have had a 2.8D 2wd and it never let me down.

In some places they're called Rolluxes, other 4wd owners think they they have a tendency to roll over.

Toyota must have done something right because a lot of tradies still have them.
AnswerID: 366645

Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:57

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 17:57
I always wanted to put an old holden V8 into a hilux but never went out on a limb. I bet it went like the clappers.
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Follow Up By: wild dog - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 19:22

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 19:22
SR509:- Gearing has to be changed and you need to treat the gearbox fairly gently.
I put it on LPG and had a reserve petrol tank as well, in some ways I think now it was just a light ute with the biggest engine that would fit under the bonnet and as much fuel on board as I could get away with.
Would have been a decent fire if it ever caught alight.

Towed a 16ft van with it and used to easily sit on 100kmph without any dramas.
Don't know if WA transport authorities allow major modifications to vehicles like they do in the eastern states. From the looks of some of the 4wds getting around Cairns it full steam ahead with modifications here still.
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Reply By: Members Paul and Melissa (VIC) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 19:54

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 19:54
i had a 98 diesel dual cab, wasn't the quickest thing around(non turbo 3.0 diesel) and loved it,it pulled huge trailers with backhoes and all sorts of machinery around without a problem,good fuel economy and reliable,was sad too get rid of it but one thing with it, twas way too light in the bum.a loaded trailer would push the back around on gravel roads too easily.apart from that i would have it back in a flash
AnswerID: 366677

Reply By: Member - Prickle (SA) - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 21:13

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 21:13
Yep, we had an 89 2.8 D dual cab lux, decked out to our likings, was a great vehicle and we miss it. If we could have afforded it would have kept it as well at the newy.
Russ


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AnswerID: 366700

Reply By: Member - Porl - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 21:37

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 21:37
Got a 2000 3.0L EFI non-turbo last year, luv it. Got a computer chip in it, front and rear true tracs, and I love it. Had a Nissan Terrano II before that, then prado 3.4L v6 before, but the hilux is better on economy and seems to get up and go just as well (except when I put the foot down) and I love it. I've bashed it and bounced it and surprisingly haven't been able to bog it. Does spit too much black smoke on steep hills and when i go over the 3000 rev mark.

I don't use it much, the wife uses a toyota echo, I ride a bicycle to work, so it's my play vehicle and my go to the dump vehicle and my holiday fishing camping vehilce and I just live it the ride and the space and the plastic floors and the fact that the parts are everywhere and cheap.
AnswerID: 366710

Reply By: ozwasp - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 22:49

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 22:49
Hi All

I've got a 2000 Hilux RZN174R - A 2.7L Petrol Extra Cab 4 x 4. It's a great vehicle - it's really versatile having the back seat, a 2m tray and 4 x 4 all in one

Had it now for 8 years. It was an ex WA government vehicle that i picked up for 2/3 the new price, 18months old with 50,000km

Been up to Exmouth quite a few times, out to Alice Springs and up to the Kimberleys and Kakadu. It's great having the extra cab, as it's a longer wheelbase than the single and dual cab models (the latest ones all have the same wheelbase now).

Had to rebuild the head a few years ago (burnt a valve or 2 on way back from Darwin). I'm pretty sure my mechanic at the time didn't do the valve clearances at 80,000km and this lead to the problem (I get Toyota to do main services now)

Put it on LPG, as I had hardened valve seats put in when I had the rebuild and not long after the LPG rebate came in - bonza!!

Can't see myself selling it anytime soon. It's done 190,000km and doesn't miss a beat. Had some slight wear and tear from 4WDing you'd expect. I think I'll still have it at 300,000km - let me know if there is anything that looks as good and drives as well

Cheers, Will
AnswerID: 366895

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