Advice about Hiluxs

[Brodes]

G'day folks,

I've been needing a cheap runabout ute for a little while now and I've kinda half decided on getting an old 1995-2000 model 2nd hand Hilux 4 banger, 2 wheel drive, single cab & it has to be auto as I can't drive manual with my bung arm/leg.

From what I remember where I used to work these were pretty reliable, but I thought I'd ask anyone on here if they knew more about 'em and could pass on some advice for when I do go an look around to buy. Any common problems they have? Any typical major rust spots? What price these are normally worth? Or even any similar but better alternatives?

Any advice would be great thanks.

[Racecraft]

Originally Posted by Brodes

G'day folks,

I've been needing a cheap runabout ute for a little while now and I've kinda half decided on getting an old 1995-2000 model 2nd hand Hilux 4 banger, 2 wheel drive, single cab & it has to be auto as I can't drive manual with my bung arm/leg.

From what I remember where I used to work these were pretty reliable, but I thought I'd ask anyone on here if they knew more about 'em and could pass on some advice for when I do go an look around to buy. Any common problems they have? Any typical major rust spots? What price these are normally worth? Or even any similar but better alternatives?

Any advice would be great thanks.

I've only come across the 5 speeders... but they are built DAMN tough... Cannot comment on the Toyo autos :(

I've seen a little cancer apear in the bottom of the doors, but not from the inside out like you would expect... If you can't see it chances are the water hasn't got past the window rubber and been left to fester.

[2011G6E]

Petrol or diesel, auto or manual...the advice is pretty simple when it comes to Hiluxes...
It's simple:

1: Buy the best one you can afford. There's so many around that you're sure to come across one fitted with most of what you already want.
2: Don't buy an ex-mine vehicle.
3: Be prepared to have it for a long time, because like they say in the old battery adverts..."They keep going, and going, and going, and..."

[dave351cid]

i used to do a bit of rust proofing and i have seen some pretty sad hiluxs. they seem to attract rust around a lot of the body seams , in the floors , etc. i would be looking for one that has come from the country (away from the salt air).

[Brazen]

you are wasting your time with a auto 2wd Hilux. You are MUCH better off with a similar vintage Falcon ute. For ride, comfort, space, towing, braking, handling, performance. Even little things like highbeam lights, stereo, seats, dust sealing are so much better on the Falcon and they last forever.

[Brodes]

Originally Posted by Brazen

you are wasting your time with a auto 2wd Hilux. You are MUCH better off with a similar vintage Falcon ute. For ride, comfort, space, towing, braking, handling, performance. Even little things like highbeam lights, stereo, seats, dust sealing are so much better on the Falcon and they last forever.

I'd love a falcon ute but I'm looking at fuel savings too, this will be a work hack too, a light weight 4 banger ute will serve the purpose as well as a work horse when I need it.

Cheers for the info folks, Hilux looks definately the go. Can anyone tell me what model auto tranny these old hiluxs have in 'em? I'm tryin to research how strong they are as well as common probs. Googleing it came up with little

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Brodes

I'd love a falcon ute but I'm looking at fuel savings too, this will be a work hack too, a light weight 4 banger ute will serve the purpose as well as a work horse when I need it.

No experience on the 2.7 petrol but I'll bet my money that you wont be saving any on gas as opposed to a falcon ute, especially if the Toyota is an auto.
We ran heaps of 2.4 and later 3.0 n/a diesels at my old work, returning around 10l/100km highway. My AU ute does 8.5, at a guess I'd say a 2.7 auto would be worse than all of them. Personally I'd go for a VU 3.8 or AU 4.0, then you aren't paying a premium for a badge, especially if you have to compete with any potential yuppie city slicker hilux posers.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by Brodes

I'd love a falcon ute but I'm looking at fuel savings too, this will be a work hack too, a light weight 4 banger ute will serve the purpose as well as a work horse when I need it.

Dont kid yourself that the small 4 cylinder hilux auto will be that cheap to run
Yes they are nimble , but try putting any half decent load and get up any decent hill
To keep to speed in that situation your fuel bill will be crazy
I sold a mid 90s 4 banger hilux as i was totally disgusted on its economy and its lack of power when it was required
Comparing it to say my mid 80s diesel patrol ute
The patrol is the same economy wise, will out accelorate from any speed over the hilux and best will stick to speed when loaded,and pull a fair size trailer

A big 6 IF driven right can get economy near enuf to a 4 pot being flogged

[mik]

i used to drive diesels of that era hilux now and again for work, non turbo version(rentals), did`nt like them much, good for a farm vehicle, i`d be wary about buying a second hand diesel anyway, costly if they go wrong.

[Brodes]

Yeh can't say I'm a diesal fan myself either, I'd be looking at ULP fed.

[Gavin Thomas]

I drove a work shop supplied 4x2 hilux for a few years. Was a 1995 22R Petrol with 4 speed auto. I believe from memory that the auto trans is a Asain - spelling ? - branded box. It's a very reliable NON electronic controlled auto box - much like a jap version of a borg warner, ie very basic & long lasting, even if not serviced. ( I know the ute i drove for those many years took almost 200,000 k of it's fair share of abuse & mis-treatment, not by just me but also the other mechanic's, apprentices, spare parts guys & detailers that drove it during it's day to day use as a workshop ute ).

I think the auto trans had only 1 fluid change in that whole time & was still changing well when it was eventually sold. Was purchaced by our boss when about 4 years old with approx 70K on the clock - then sold about 8 years later with about 260K on the clock. So it really stood up to a decent test.

Most major items that were replaced during it's work life were the alternator, fuel pump, rear wheel bearings and the hi pressure power steer hose - and all seemed to go around the 200k mark. So i suppose they could be considered as "normal" wear & tear type items for the age & klm's under the use & conditions.

The auto's are a little harder to track down, but well worth getting hold of if you find one. Obviously the lower the k's the better, but the main thing is good service history & overall apperance that might suggest light work only.

Also the older 22R petrols are pretty thirsty for a 4 cylinder - i would look for a later 2.7L EFI petrol - 3rz ? 4 cylinder engine i think. From about 1997 / 1998 onwards. Plenty of power & much better on fuel than the earlier 2.4L carby engine. I think i've seen maybe 1 or two with Diesel & auto - but would be as rare as hens teeth. Petrols are all good for 2wd.

If you can track down a good 1998 onwards EFI 2.7L auto with service history & under 150K then it would be hard to beat as a long term cheap, reliable & low maintainence rig.

Cheers, Gavin.

[IDT]

I've had Hilux's as you have described but all manuals. The diesels run like tractors but if you get a good one they run forever, the pertol versions are guttless to the point they will drive you nuts. I have also owned an old triton early 90's model. That was a real basher but you couldn't kill it if you tried.

[Gavin Thomas]

Originally Posted by WAForce8

.... the pertol versions are guttless to the point they will drive you nuts....

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Maybe you mean in the 4x4 versions ?

In 4X2 versions the petrols are fine for power - in fact the 2.7L EFI 4 cylinder goes very well - which i suppose you would expect for a realitively large capacity 4 cylinder.

Cheers guys.

[tankclare]

You can pick up 2wd hiluxs with commodore v6s and autos pretty cheap these days. Just more fuel for thought.

[chevypower]

Deleted

[chevypower]

The 2.7 is a torquey engine for its size, but no powerhouse for acceleration. In fact, a friend of mine has a Tacoma single cab with the same engine. He had to try to keep up with me while I pulled a travel trailer/caravan, when I wasn't trying. His was unloaded.

[Brazen]

the 4 cylinder Hiluxs are too short geared, fine for Bangkok traffic, pointless in Australia. A lpg Falcon will murder it for economy.

[2.8L Hilux]

I have a 4x4 2.7L 3RZ Hilux manual and love it. It is fairly slow as it is a 4x4 however I have driven a 2x4 2.7L (manual) and it would easily keep with with an AU in a straight line, probably even beat it. Not sure how the auto models perform.
They are very cheap and easy to service, easy to get parts for and the fuel economy is OK.
80% city and 20% highway I get a constant 12.3 - 12.5 L/100kms. I imagine the 2x4, even in auto format would be better.

I would definitely steer clear of the 22r Hiluxes, very very thirsty and tend to blow head gaskets.

Good luck mate, let us know how you go.

[2011G6E]

The point is that with a Hilux you can go a lot of places a low-slung Falcon ute won't...and the Falcon doesn't have a solid full chassis. Mix in the rego savings of a four over a six and the amazing level of knowledge about modifications and fixes for Hiluxes anywhere you go in the country and it starts to make a lot of sense.

[blackf6]

Nissan navara's are good ute's too. I had a d21 2wd. it was a 1.4 tonner. ka24e engines last forever. Look them up. Just my 2 cents, toyota's are very overpriced in my opinion.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

The point is that with a Hilux you can go a lot of places a low-slung Falcon ute won't...and the Falcon doesn't have a solid full chassis. Mix in the rego savings of a four over a six and the amazing level of knowledge about modifications and fixes for Hiluxes anywhere you go in the country and it starts to make a lot of sense.

Good points
But the falcon will have a bigger payload than the hilux
The rego savings arent that great in the overall picture
Full chassis utes are good if ya use them for serious loads and towing alot,general weekend prunings to the dump ,anything will do
Even if i was after just a ute as a ute (not to tow loads like the patrol ute) i still wouldnt buy a 4 pot ute

[LightningStrike]

I was shopping in a similar price range for similar circumstances (needed a ute to do actual work with including tip runs, something I would never do with my FG) and ended up with an AU series 2 egas manual, canopy, racks, 1 tonne susp. and HD towpack. It owes me about 4k after regoing and a big cleanup.

In comparison, my neighbour just offloaded a neat looking white 92 Hilux 2wd extra cab auto with chrome bumpers and 18s for $5.5k.
This thing had 340,000ks!!!

If my money stretched I would have been in a BA or BF for not much more, but I wanted to get something I would not be tempted to do up. Best of luck!

[FOMOCO 1]

I own a 2003 Hilux 2.7 5spd. I will happily sell it to you............
Yes it has been bulletproof so far (130kms on the clock) BUT poor economy, terrible ride and handling, GUTLESS, nothing past 3000rpm, the auto version would be even worse. Typical Toyota, functional but hardly inspirational.
My advice would be to find a second hand Falcon Ute on gas. That's what i'm doing now.

[Brodes]

Hmmmm..... definatley some interesting thoughts now I've heard a few more opinions, especially in regards to fuel economy which is one of my aims.

Hilux with a commy v6 driveline sounds interesting I'd def be keen on one of them. But also a falcon ute on gas makes sense too.

I wish I could avoid autos because I know they help suck the juice but unfortunatly I have no choice.

If I do still decide Hilux post 1998 model will def be the go then. But I might go hunting for some gas 6 falcs & navaras and see what I come up with too.

[XR Martin]

Safety wise they are pretty shocking also. No airbags, abs, etc.
You also wont get cruise, power windows, power mirrors, intermitant wipers, adjustable seat, no space behind the seats. A base Hilux ute isnt much better than an XF ute equipment wise, and that includes the current model.
A Hilux of that vintage may not even get A/C, but the ones that do will be shockingly slow in auto.

You could also try a Commodore ute, they arnt bad. Engine and trans may not be the most sophisticated, but they last forever.

[XR Martin]

This



vs this

[mistermxer]

don't even bother.. Hilux are over rated, if you wanted a 4x4 get a land-cruiser. if you don't want a 4x4 get something else...

[irish2]

My old man has a 2.7 petrol Hilux. It is very harsh when unloaded and chews more fuel than my V8 carbed mustang.

[stev3n]

Test drive an AU lpg then test drive a hilux, compare the prices then make a decision. The AU is much more comfortable, powerful, economical and has more features. But some people like Toyota badges. You will also be hard pressed to find an auto hilux

[Brodes]

I just found a 2003 BA 6cyl ute auto dedicated gas for only $6200, very tempting but I'm very suspicious at why it's so cheap. These normally sell for more than that eh?