80 series or D4D hilux

Hi Drew,
Very much a personal decision, my personal choice was between spending about 60 grand and buying a new V8 diesel Cruiser ute or re-powering my ageing HZJ75
with a 1HD-FT. After near on 12 months of agonizing and looking I have come down in favor of a re-power (took that long to find an engine) Also recon radiator new clutch, rebuild g/box and t/case replace all hoses etc etc.
As said just my personal choice but the thought of spending all that dough for a ute that doesn't look all that different to what I already have and some misgivings regarding the common rail electronic management system tipped the scales.

Cheers
Pop

2 different vehicles. The Hilux is a great rig, I have an 06 model with a Steinbauer module and it is nice to drive. The Hilux is small in comparison in terms of interior, you swap out the back for a ute etc. I wouldn't be doing engine swaps, bleep ing money down the drain don't care what anyone says.

If you don't mind the Ute vs the Wagon thing buy the $35k Lux and move on but otherwise consider a low K 100 series..?

Id go for the repower.Your 80 series is as tuff a vehicle as you can buy, the Hilux has nothing on it.The hilux is electronic everything, the D4D is reletively new and not proven(still a young engine), is a common rail injection system which needs an extremely clean supply of diesel or its gunna cost lots to repair.
The 1HD-FT is classed as one of the best diesel engines ava., ultra reliable and a proven preformer.Thats why they demand a high second hand price and engines are hard to pick up.
Im not bagging the hilux, all new vehicles are like this.If I was in the market for a new 4wd ute, I would have a hilux no questions asked but believe an 80 with 1HD-FT is the second best ultimate vehicle behind only a 105 series with 1HD-FTE.

Hi Drew,
Here's my two cents worth mate.
I've been asking a lot of people, a lot of questions about in the near future updating my 1HD-T 80(310000K) to maybe a 2002ish model cruiser. A vast majority of cruiser owners have told me to spend the money on a rebuild of my 1HD-T as well as gear box/transfer case rebuild & new clutch, all the running gear. A few of these guys have had 80's and now regret getting rid of them. I do a fair bit of towing, a Heavy camper, Horse float and work trailer. I've been told to spend the money on it and not to update and she'll last a long time yet to come. So I think thats the way I'm going to go.
As you said, $35000.00 against $16000.00, there is a big difference, there's a lot of interest to pay if you've got to borrow the money to update, besides it sounds like you've got your cruiser setup up the way that you want it. Dave, you'll also have to buy all your accessories over again, so it's not just the cost of your rig, it's all the bells and whistles that go's with it.
The choice is yours, As I said just my two cents worth.

I would keep the 80 and repower, you know the truck you have / love and you may be buying someone elses probs in the lux. I have had 2 D4D luxes for work and I wouldn't own one, they just aren't built to last. Done 210,000km in the D4D's in the last 2 years and I've owned 46 cruisers and used them for commercial tour operations throughout Oz.
Give me a cruiser anyday.

Cheers
Dave

So many different opinions here I don't think Drew will be better off..! To me re-powers are a risky exercise and they always cost more than you budget without a return so if you plan on keeping the vehicle forever then fine.

I have a '97 1hz trayback (same engine spec. as yours, before things were made lighter, less friction?)
I installed a low boost turbo, no extra bells or whistles and it went, still goes and compares to 1hd-t, very nicely after ~75000km (now 260000km.)
Tows our 2t. van with ease at ~16l./100km.
With an exchange recon. block, pump/injectors, a/market turbo plus fitting you could be looking at something well under $10g.
If the transmission is ok, why get concerned.
My opinion is the new Hilux just aint worth the money.
just my 2 bobs worth.
mike

mostly depends if you are going to do the work yourself?
Id hesitate to pay someone else but when its a labour of love, theres great satisfaction to be derived also.

Hi,

I previously owned a nice 1996 80 series Gxl auto pet/gas wagon.
Sold it to update to a 2004 GU 3ltr wagon.

I really liked both these wagons however living with the GU and ever present worry of motor issues made me decide to sell it.

Now I own a new Isuzu Dmax dualcab which I also like and is proving reliable and economical. But I also find it the 4wd equivlent of a white good.(maybe a bit harsh but parked next to my previous locked and lifted 80 it's how I feel).

Now my point is I park next to my old 80 series everyday at work and wish wholeheartedly I had not sold it to my mate.(or to anyone)

The Dmax will never have the charizma or presence of the 80 i'm afraid.

If you love your 80 series keep it. I have spent nearly 30k and wish i hadn't.

Good luck with your choice.

Regards Alan.

I just love my 80 and I will be rebuilding the engine and fitting a turbo to my HZ-1 along with performance bearings. I can do the work myself so that will be a huge saving.

I figure it will not be worth what it will cost me in the end but what the hell I don't plan on selling it anyway and to replace it with something newer and as good would cost twice as much.

Cheers
Wayne B

Family, kids, grandkids (and if you are that way inclined - your God) is what I 'love' - never had those sorts of feelings about a great lump of metal......no matter who made the bloody thing. From my shorty 40, series 2 landy, gq and gu nissans, a range of holdens and yotas (cars)....and now to my current D40 - all have served the purpose with varying degrees of reliability and comfort.....but 'love' - com'on folks!

Thanks guys (I think....)
Now just to confuse things I am looking at a second hand 100 series factory turbo diesel...........
Drew

Keep the 80 series, invest in it, and enjoy it.
Just because it has higher kms, is not an issue, you know the kms, and how they were put down, and how its been cared for.
Keep it.

My next vehicle would be an 80 series non turbo, rebuild the motor, trans etc and keep it as a new car.

Trains