Current model Toyota Hilux clutch problems ?

G'day Gazz,
Have a look here for info regarding Hilux clutches.
Hilux forums

The problem is not confined just to the Hilux. It's generally an issue with most vehicles that have a Dual Mass flywheel. Not sure if the Ranger has a DMF but I wont be surprised if it does't have similar issues if this is the case.
Its all come about because the manufactures want the car to "feel" more like a car instead of a light truck so consequently the clutches are not as robust as before.
My friends Nissan clutch only lasted about 70,000 km but he does tow a horse float with it on occations. He had a heavy duty replacement fitted some time ago & while it is a bit harsh in operation he is pleased with the result.

Just google "Dual Mass flywheel & you will find some good animation & descriptions of how they work.

Cheers
Stu

Hi Gazz,

I've done 40000km in my Hilux (In 3 months) some of it towing my 1200kg boat and dragging 2000lts of water for my lawn. I haven't had any probs as yet.

I dont think you'll have any probs which ever you choose.

Cheers Wilko

Try the auto in either the Ranger or Mazda BT 50 that may change your mind, and the BT 50 is some what cheaper than the Ranger.

We had a late 2005 Hilux and had the clutch replaced at 60,000 kilometres...... not because it was slipping or anything like that, every now and again it had a very low level metallic clicking noise when disengaging the clutch..... the dealer said new clutch.

Our Hilux was on the heavy side all the time (2900Kg) and for most of it's life we towed a Ultimate camper trailer on and off road, the Hilux did it with ease and reliably.

The only warranty claims we had over 5.5 years and 100,000 kilometres was a small plastic clip holding some fuel lines broke, the clock spring in the airbag failed and the clutch..... the Hilux was always serviced on time through Toyota and driven sensibly even though it did a lot of hard off road work.

When you hear the issues with other makes the Hilux is the pick of the bunch, we moved up to a Landcruiser 200 series TTD VX and not overly happy with it, the Hilux was a better honest 4x4 and was a pleasure to own and drive.

We run a fleet of mostly Toyota field service vehicles operating under full weight in harsh conditions with very little problems..... you can't beat Toyota build quality and reliability.

We have recently had a warranty claim on one of our Ford field service vehicles get rejected by Ford warranty claiming wear and tear (vehicle has only done 30,000 kilometres on bitumen)..... if it was one of the Toyota's it would of been repaired under warranty.

It's left a bad taste in our mouth and shocked the dealer making our next decision on vehicle not Ford.

Gazz,
I would seriously consider an auto as the modern ones are generally very good for towing and off road. For a long time I only had manual 4wds but my last 2 have been autos and I would not now switch back. I do have an old troopy for the rough stuff and of course that is old style manual.

My current LC100 TD is an auto and is without doubt the best tow vehicle I have ever had. I cannot comment on the particular vehicles you are considering but give the auto versions a test. Try to borrow or hire one and actually try it in the towing mode.

cheers

I have had over the years a Toyota FJ45, Toyota V6 station wagon 4x4 and now drive a Land Rover with Auto. The FJ45 needed work on the transfer case, expensive, the V6 (cannot for the life of me think what it was called but toyota's version of the pathfinder) I never had it long enough as life's circumstances changed but am totally happy with the landrover auto and it allows you to feed in power without burning out a clutch. Go the Auto's.

Jim

Time to move away from FJ Holden technology and move into the 21st century.
Get an Auto.
OJ

I bought a new model ute a few years ago - all good, thought it was the best on the market, but then the issues started as it did with everyone else. Needless to say I traded in on a Hilux for true and tested reliabilty ( or as close as you can get ) and no issues for me in 12 months. Ranger does look really good and if it works will be top of sales and many will switch to them before the other manufacturers can catch up. But if it starts showing problems with age - say 12 months your stuffed. The Hilux maybe a bit old hat but you know what your getting yourself in for.
For me the Ranger is a gamble at this stage.

Firstly - thanks to you all for your advice - Stu, Bill, Bruce, Olcoolone, gbc, Alastair, Jim, Oj, Pete C !

You blokes are doing my head in !! What happened to the good old days where you just took your hard earned down to the nearest car yard, bought a vehicle, went home and showed the missus and your mates and were happy for years to come ? Apart from the cheaper price, the main reason I was thinking Hilux over the Ranger was the availability of accessories that I need such as long range tank, suspension upgrade, canopy, bull bar, etc as both ARB and TJM are still working on goodies for the Ranger. History tells us that buying the last model in a series is probably the safest thing to do as the manufacturer has sorted all the problems over the years compared to a new release vehicle which could have some teething issues.
I agree with Bill about the older vehicles - Bought my old GQ Patrol new in 88 and when I sold it with 560,000 k's on it I had put 2 clutches in it - one alternator, one radiator, one indicator switch, one headlight and apart from servicing NEVER touched the motor. One trip across the Simpson Desert ( 96 ) we went east to west in February (50 degrees plus) and with one and a half tonne in the tray I towed a HJ 75 Landcruiser also with one and a half tonne in the back nearly all the way across as it struggled with the dunes ! Oh what a feeling ! (same tyres, same tyre pressure) The bloke I sold it to recently told me it's still going strong with nearly 900,000 ks on it ! My current vehicle - a 2004 Rodeo has 220,000 k's on it and apart from the sunvisor falling out, the tailpipe falling off in the Snowies, the tailgate latch breaking and needing a new ignition key it's travelling perfect - still has the original disc pads in the front ! Anyway - you all have some very valid and sensible points so I might just have to think things over for a few more weeks as I don't have to buy until June ! The way I see it - buying a new 4wd is pretty much the same as getting married - some blokes don't have any trouble at all and some blokes end up with a lemon !!

Thankyou all

And Happy Travelling no matter what you drive !


Gazz

I thought the hilux was unbreakable ;-)

Spoke to a mechanic at toyotaways today. They are replacing on average 3 clutches a week on hiluxs alone, and all have the same problem. More than 25% of them are police hiluxs. Apparently Toyota is working on an improved version, as you would expect, so hopefully a solution soon, and then no more short term failures.

Well I don't have a current model hilux 4wd but I have the 2001/02 cab chassis model with the 5SLE engine. Had a leaking rear main seal at ~40,000k replaced under warranty. Had the rear main seal replaced again at ~ 95,000km a few years later (2004 - before 100k warranty ran out) and no problems with it until last month, at ~ 270,000km when the rear main started leaking again! Decided to fix it and do a good job at it, so accordingly will replace the clutch and machine the fly wheel next week. Quoted over $1000 to have the job done and two days off the road : (

However, not a bad wicket I suppose, 11 years and 270,000km in the old girl before having to doll out the dollars, but still, the one thing with the hilux that has annoyed me over the years, has been the cruddy rear main seal. Constant dripping oil in the driveway. And reading these posts it appears nothing has changed in the design principles adopted by Toyota in over 10 years!

Mind you, if it had been a ford or a commodore, the entire car would of fallen to bits by now, and the engine would have probably thrown a rod, so I feel blessed to have bought the hilux.

Now if only they built Hilux gearboxes like they did for light truck Hiaces. I dont know if they share any similarities or not with a hilux, but I know for a fact that the old Hiace light truck drive train was virtually indestructible. In fact we had one at work that many drivers tried to destroy over the years with compression lock ups and other acts of stupidity that only young men can attempt. It survived all of the abuse. Of course, that's wandering off topic and a story for another time.