Utes, wonderful stuff

[Timber020]

My 87 hilux has done 329,000kms. Its an ugly, diesel, bench vinyl seat, no stereo, no power steering and with the amount of rust that falls on my lap if I hit a bump I think its time to upgrade. So I start investigating. I need a deck, diesel, 4wd and now with the arrival of our first child yesterday, a double cab.

I do alot of cold running and tow chippers etc around hilly wellington so I am taking it for granted that I would be a little to hard on a turbo. (or are the new ones bombproof to constant hard cold running?)

What have you guys got, love the hilux series but would like ot hear about others. From my understanding the rodeos are trouble. (read about a few that did an engine every 40kms!)

[MisterD]

and now with the arrival of our first child yesterday,

Well, congratu-bloody-lations!

[Trudes]

Congrats!!!
And we had a Hilux that was indestructible so I'd recommend one. I've heard the Nissan's are good too.

[JimO]

here is mine it aint as clean as this now........

[Flip]

Congratulations.

I have a work Hilux, my bro has a Nissan which he uses for work as an arbourist so far it has been 100%.

Still a V8 Landrover fan but thats just for fun now. Sounds a bit like your old Hilux, had it forever and been everywhere in it.

[Timber020]

the 2.7 nissan diesel is fantastic, but im not so sure about the later 3.0 and 3.2. There big achilles heal is there rear seatbelt mounts that are on a double skin bit of metal than gets water in it and rusts, then requires a new floor.
I do like the navaras though, have been seriously considering them.

[MaxB]

Congratulations.

Mates got a HiLux just like Jimjims, got it at Field days for a bargain price. Hes a sparky and does a lot of stop-start work shuttling between jobs.

Pretty much bulletproof. Goes well too.

If there is only the three of you maybe its time for a family wagon for the missus and a single cab for you? Still get three in across the bench for when you need to.

[marty]

Navarta ST-X. Best rig by far.

[smoky]

Navara - for all round value for money and reliability

Toyota - any ute with a Prado motor 3ltr turbo D, bullet proof rock solid reliable

[Timber020]

Congratulations.

Mates got a HiLux just like Jimjims, got it at Field days for a bargain price. Hes a sparky and does a lot of stop-start work shuttling between jobs.

Pretty much bulletproof. Goes well too.

If there is only the three of you maybe its time for a family wagon for the missus and a single cab for you? Still get three in across the bench for when you need to.

I know where your coming from and have thought about it alot. We have a station wagon suzuki baleno 1.8 that works so well. you can do any speed (up to 160) and it averages over 12kms to the litre on long trips. (does so well I cant believe it at times)

The double cab would work well for my job as an arborist and allow me to carry gear secure and load up the back with mulch or logs. And modern baby seats are bloody HUGE and wont fit on a bench seat and leave much space. Gotta have more cab space.

Nice dog and lux jim jim!

[MaxB]

the 2.7 nissan diesel is fantastic, but im not so sure about the later 3.0 and 3.2. There big achilles heal is there rear seatbelt mounts that are on a double skin bit of metal than gets water in it and rusts, then requires a new floor.
I do like the navaras though, have been seriously considering them.

Navaras have some issues with the transfer case. Seals and internals. Mostly by owner neglect but it would pay to get the transmission checked out.

[jafar]

My brother has the Mitsubishi L200 4X4 & seems happy with it.
I can't fault it either.

[Motu]

rear seatbelt mounts that are on a double skin bit of metal than gets water in it and rusts, then requires a new floor.

Just on D21 Terrano's and 4 door R20 Mistral's.

What is your budget? Any of the late model direct injection common rail diesels would be good,they make a hell of a noise,but are mostly powerful and reliable.But high tech and you lose the ability to fiddle yourself...if you are that way inclined.Also they are not as rugged as the old models,with plastic bumpers and all that crap - but you would be surprised at how they hold up to some serious rough use.

[HRT]

Toyota - any ute with a Prado motor 3ltr turbo D, bullet proof rock solid reliable

If you end up with a Surf/Prado/whatever fitted with the 1KZ-TE, make sure you look after the cooling system and preferably fit a trans cooler. Abuse the cooling system and they do heads. Better exhaust on them helps too

[Timber020]

Just on D21 Terrano's and 4 door R20 Mistral's.

What is your budget? Any of the late model direct injection common rail diesels would be good,they make a hell of a noise,but are mostly powerful and reliable.But high tech and you lose the ability to fiddle yourself...if you are that way inclined.Also they are not as rugged as the old models,with plastic bumpers and all that crap - but you would be surprised at how they hold up to some serious rough use.

I dont like the new stuff, your spot on, its to "delicate" and just to prone to snapping bits rather than bending them (which can be bent back with a hammer).And some of the common rail stuff has been less than perfect. The power isnt that important as anything after my turtle of a 4wd tip truck will feel like a sports car. To be practical I would be looking at up to 20k as I dont want to have to much money tied up on a vehicle that is going to have a rough life.

HRT- your right about the cooling systems and looking after them, its the reason alot of the bountys and courier 2.5d's tended to do heads.