So, who's buying a Hilux ute?

[rodgerd]

After watching Top Gear attack one with trees, wrecking balls, 5 hours in the sea, setting it on fire, and finally blowing it up on top of a building, is anyone convinced these things are indestructable?

[James Deuce]

After watching Top Gear attack one with trees, wrecking balls, 5 hours in the sea, setting it on fire, and finally blowing it up on top of a building, is anyone convinced these things are indestructable?

Not after the In-Laws experience with the one they had on the farm. Lasted about 5 years and spent more time being repaired than working. It was a flat deck version of the one on Top Gear, and was constantly blowing seals in about every part of the transmission and drive train.

[vifferman]

After watching Top Gear attack one with trees, wrecking balls, 5 hours in the sea, setting it on fire, and finally blowing it up on top of a building, is anyone convinced these things are indestructable?

Nup.
We destroyed a 3-month old one simply by trying to use it for what it was intended for, and rolling it (sideways, and end-over-end) down a 300m bank.
It wasn't driveable afterwards, as not only was the body severely 'redesigned', but the drivetrain was broken. Reduced its value by about $20,000 in about 30 seconds.

[Dr Bob]

In the eighties my parents asked me to drive my sister over the 309 from Coromandel to Whitianga. On the way back I could here some distinctive revving so I parked the ute on the side of the road (on the 309 this 'is' the road) and a rx2 came around the corner doing about 80k and slammed into us. The rx2 had it's front wheel tucked up under its engine and various parts strewn around. There was a small crease in the front of the hilux and the lead had popped off the battery. We had to crowbar the bonnet open and reconnect the battery before we could go.

I personally don't have a hilux but I have a 1983 Mazda B2000 ute, and there can't be too far from indestructable.

[Hitcher]

and was constantly blowing seals

An eskimo pushes his snowmobile into his local Yamaha dealer.

The dealer lifts the snowmobile's seat, looks at the engine and says "Looks like you've blown a seal."

The eskimo says "No, it's just the frost on my beard!"

[The Pastor]

I got one at work, never breaks down and is a real work horse. Its got about 180 on the clock - another 200 left easy

[Motu]

I've had a few Austin 1800 'landcrabs' over the years,not something I'd go out of my way to own,but misfits find their way to me.These things are one of the toughest cars I've ever come across,tough guys aren't pretty.One day I feel a bump behind,and when I get out to look I see a Hillman Hunter buried into my boot...the front tyre was touching my rear tyre,shit,that's all I need,my car written off.When we pulled the Hunter off the Crab I found a broken indicator lens and a small mark on the boot lid.Owning these things againt my better judgement,they me gave good service.

Hah - they came to me....one day doing a WoF on one the guy says 'this is the last time I get a Wof,it goes to the tip after this runs out'...ok,bring it round to my place after you're finished with it...and he did,drove down the drive,took off the plates and walked away.Another time a mate found one parked over his drive,but the council wouldn't take it away because it still had WoF and rego,so I took it home...it was the same colour as mine.One day the wife was acused of stealing our 1800...'we've had this thing for years'...''no it's ours,you stole it!''...it was all sorted out,but we didn't tell them I had their car at home.I winched them onto the back lawn with a Landcruiser,but 6yrs later when I needed to get them out it was a bit more dificult.Useing the same Cruiser I winched the first out,but then couldn't get to the other - so I ran the cable around the other Landcrab,using it as a pulley block to change the direction of my pull...then dragged the other out,locked brakes and flat tyres...the pulley block took the strain and there was hardly a mark on the body from the effort,one strong car,even after sitting outside for 6 yrs.Then we towed them to the dump behind a J1,with no brakes,slamming into the back of the truck on down hills.Say what you like about a Landcrab,but they are tough for one thing.

[jrandom]

I got one at work

What, an Eskimo, a snowmobile, a Yamaha dealer or a seal?

[The Pastor]

A hilux, you know what the topic is about?

[vifferman]

Say what you like about a Landcrab,but they are tough for one
thing.

I learned to drive in one, my Dad's second ever car. It needed a good cut'n' polish and the carpets needed shampooing when he bought it, as it had belonged to a farmer who used it as his farm hack - carried everything from hay to bobby calves in it.
It was a good car when my Dad owned it - no problems at all - but when he sold it to my sister, she had lots of grief with it.

[merv]

Whatever, you got to love the programme Top Gear. No matter what they do it is a laugh. Never owned a Toyota ute but I do have a Landcruiser and I hope it lasts as well.

[KATWYN]

We have a 1990 kingcab hilux. We brought it in 1996.
after 18 months-2 years, it blew a head gasket which
was replaced then about 6 months later did the
same thing again. It cost us all up around $2,500

after 5 years the diesal motor was completely poked. So
Chris took it out and converted it to a V8 (327 chevy motor)

No problems now after 3 years.

[Velox]

I was watching it on video but the last 5 mins cut out. What did it look like after they demolished the building?

[James Deuce]

I was watching it on video but the last 5 mins cut out. What did it look like after they demolished the building?

Better than new.But seriously it was still recognisable, but the chassis had almost broken right through just behind the cab.

[merv]

Barry Crump must be smiling from his grave. The mechanic was only allowed to reconnect things and apply a bit more diesel - no new parts were allowed. He cranked it over a bit and away it went. Magic.