Thread: Toyota Hi-lux engine fault

See what happens when car makers stuff about with a perfectly good design just to make them more high tech
I have owned several Hilux 4WD's ranging from the original model to a 2004 model and these were pretty much Unbreakable and they certainly didnt have an easy life either

Originally Posted by trout1105

See what happens when car makers stuff about with a perfectly good design just to make them more high tech
I have owned several Hilux 4WD's ranging from the original model to a 2004 model and these were pretty much Unbreakable and they certainly didnt have an easy life either

Agree a few mates have them. Locked and loaded. They are pretty impressive vehicles. Pretty much unbreakable i agree.

So, don't drive your Hilux through dusty areas and don't drive your Ranger through tall dry grass - got it, don't take them where they were supposed to be designed to go...

Does a hilux have any power to lose ?

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Does a hilux have any power to lose ?

The 2.8 in the current models is a very good engine IMO, and well matched to the 6 speed auto behind it - done over 100,000KM in 2 years in mine now with heaps of towing involved - easily handles 2 tonne trailers with no fuss, I do tow a 3000Kg genset behind quite a bit too and it sure notices that, but I don't travel faster than 80 with that on (company policy) and it just makes sense even though it tows fine. I doubt there are too many vehicles in thisnsize range that wouldn't feel 3 tonne hanging off the back to be honest.

Without a load it's actually quite nippy and maybe it easily does 150 but I can't comfim that personally... 😉😇

We all like to bag out Toyotas (I sure do) but I may well buy this vehicle when it comes out of lease if it continues as it has done (still 2 years to go so a big if). I like my Hilux. 😊

Originally Posted by DAMINK

Agree a few mates have them. Locked and loaded. They are pretty impressive vehicles. Pretty much unbreakable i agree.

I had a 2001 model dual cab hilux that I bought new in Malaysia (before I bought my current dual cab defender new in 2013). Definitely was NOT unbreakable.
- in the first year I took it easy on it under warranty. No mods, and "offroad" would have been defined as shopping centre carparks and mild dirt tracks on building construction sites.
- "Articulation" it was subjected to would have been defined as crawling one wheel at a time over kerbing to get "offroad" as that term is described above

In the first 3 months of its life (whilst taking it easy as defined above) the rear leaf spring packs got a bit twisted. (Must have been the "articulation" the vehicle had been subjected to as above.)
- mention it to Toyota at service time, wanted it fixed under warranty.
- "has the vehicle been used offroad?", asks they
- "yes", says I
- "ok... not covered under warranty", says they.
- 6 mths of argument later they offered to pay half the cost of parts and replacement
- "no thank you", says I. I decide the warranty is worthless, so no harm in wholesale upgrades. Replaced all suspension, had the fuel pump tweaked, and fitted all manner of bars and winch etc.

Wanted a reliable vehicle because of my penchant for going deep into Malaysian rainforests for fun weekend and week long trips.

After breaking 4 CV joints on successive trips and (at the time) no HD items to be had for love nor money - decided to offload the vehicle.

Notes:
- I should have researched better. Turns out all hilux drivers at the time knew of weak CVs and wheelbearings that can't handle even 32" tyres for long.
- I attribute the Hilux CV and wheelbearing fails to them being plain and simply weak.
- My Hilux had the rather horsepower deficient 2.8l NA diesel engine. So even exhuberant throttle application could only result in an asthmatic wheeze of power.
- And none of the breakages were due to the way the vehicle was driven at the time. (e.g. no wild wheelspin breaking things when the wheel touches down - all knew that breaks axles, so can't do that)
- After the first two CV breakages I resorted to extended steering stops, enduring a Defender-esq turning circle equating to two postcodes - in a useless attempt to avoid the next two CV breakages.

Not that its relevant to hiluxes being unbreakable but:
- it has to be noted that much later, in 2013, I bought a new Defender. (because I had been advised Hilux CVs and wheelbearings were no better than before)
- in the 3.5 yrs before I brought said Defender with me to Oz I took it in and out of the same Malaysian rainforests that I had taken the hilux
- I can attest to having had NO breakdowns in or out of the Malaysian rainforests or urban jungles
- [edit] nor any breakdowns in the 1.5yrs the vehicle has been in Oz.

So, what chance the new defender is a dud?

Originally Posted by bob10

So, what chance the new defender is a dud?

If you're looking for a rugged, utilitarian go anywhere no fuss vehicle, it will be 100% dud from your eyes. If you're after a luxo barge to drive around town in that looks like every other new Land Rover but with a Defender badge on it, then it will probably be fine.