Updating the Hilux

I have 2 main uses for the Hilux. First, I have a 300 acre farm with very steep (and rocky) slopes. I'm thinking that it would be best to hang on to the old Hilux for a farm ute, as it seems to have much better clearance than any of the new models.
Second, we like to go away in the bush on our annual holidays and spend a lot of time in the Victorian mallee country. We tow a camper trailer on these trips and the old Hilux is really starting to struggle with this.
I expect to have to put some money into modifying the vehicle, as they never come with everything I want.

Hi ctaplin, ""they are virtually a softroader but with a few mods"" except the ground clearance issue which I aggree with, all the other things you have added is some thing you chose you needed which you would have obviously added to any vehicle, long range tank, old hilux had a small tank as well, rear diff, yes most toyo lsd diffs are crap, etc, What I mean is if you had chosen a nissan, mitsi, you obviously wanted all the extras added for your use which is fine but most utes are the same except mitsi which gives you the option of diff lock and Nissan as we know have great LSD anyway. Maybe not as strong as the old girls but still a great vehicle.........

Madfisher, I haven't looked at that. I thought the current 3L turbo hadn't changed that much since it was introduced. Anywhere I can get a history of motors in the Hilux?
I'll do some more digging anyway, thanks for that.

D4d came out in 05, previous motor was the 1kz 3lt td. Bear in mind the cost of injectors and pump for a d4d is $10000, and all it takes to wreck them are dirtry fuel or water. On the 1kz it would be $3000 MAX. We have a work d4d that got a gutfull of water thats how I know.
Cheers Pete

Water in any diesel engine is going to be expenive (and a long walk out)!
I know the D4D has a power chip; does the 1KZ? If so, are there aftermarket alternatives?

I phrased that wrong, the water was in the fuel which was brought from a servo.
Chips are available for both motors. Wherehegone on this site is the expert on chips and the 1kz motor which he has in his prado.
Cheers Pete

The best way to gain height is to stick with the 15 and put 31s on it.
Cheers Pete

There maybe a few Tritons on the road nowadays but they are way smaller than the Hilux interior and ute space. The Triton would be too cramped for my liking. On the soft roader aspect yes true but you can always buy an SR and do the suspension etc and you'll have yourself a better vehicle than the older model by a MILE IMO.

I agree, the Triton has the looks and specs but we test drove one (the pre 2010 version) and weren't as impressed with the inside as the outside (lack of visibility over the bonnet and out the back window etc). I guess it was a bit too "modern" shape wise for our liking. Also as you pointed out the back isn't all that large which for our purposes (camping etc) kind of defeats the point of a dual cab ute, may as well drive something else if we have to tow a trailer anyway.
The BT 50 was more impressive in all the above regards though and felt nicer on the road probably because of the firmer suspension, there was much more space in the back (especially with a canopy) and it was more "old style" I suppose. But I have a sneaking suspicion that they might change the styling sooner or later to be in line with most modern cars anyway.

I guess my main point was not to rule the other brands out, I personally might have ruled out the BT 50 without even considering it, but after test driving the two it would have been the main contender. As hard as it is, sometimes it's worthwhile to try and put any brand bias aside, if not only to say that you did consider and try some of the others even if you still go for the Lux in the end.