Which Truck to buy,

[Macca]

I am looking to upgrade from two vehicles to one multipurpose truck.
We currently have a 1996 ln 106 twin cab hilux and a 2000 commodore aclaim v6.
I would like to spend 20 to 25 and have been looking at Landcruisers and hiluxs as i have always had a toyota.
If you had to choose between a newer vehicle eg a d4d hilux or prado with higher k's(over 250k) or an older(96 prado with 80K) lower k' vehicle that both are in reasonable condition for same price what would you do.
Ideally would like a 24valve 80 series manual with low k's but im not going to get one for 20,000.

[KIWI_TERRANO]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =538289044

I would grab this, cheap buying for how set up it is,

Sheepshagers i would stay away from manuals go through clutchs and autos crap out, and d4d are hard on injectors, better getting a 02-04 shape and doing exhaust and manual fuel pump to get some power out

[tow99]

i wouldn't touch a new or newish hilux/prado with the d4d motor.they are having major problems with fuel system components and repair bills getting close to 15k are common.

[rangimotors]

Dont be affraid to check out a ford ranger

[rokhound]

Dont be affraid to check out a ford ranger

But only the current one (and good luck for 25K).
If you could stretch a bit more then you are almost in 100 series teritory, but I struggle to get my head around 30 - 35 grand on a 10 yr old vehicle with 200 000ks on it.
If you can find a good 24v coozer that would be a good choice. The other option (and I shudder to say it) is a 4.2td GU pootrol. Not quite as good on road as the toy gear, but still a bloody good wagon and fairly tough.

I have a 90 series Prado and I don't rate them really high for a solid all rounder (they have a crap ctr diff and there are some stupid thing that have been done re strucural ball joints etc).

[rangimotors]

Dont be affraid to check out a ford ranger

But only the current one (and good luck for 25K).
If you could stretch a bit more then you are almost in 100 series teritory, but I struggle to get my head around 30 - 35 grand on a 10 yr old vehicle with 200 000ks on it.
If you can find a good 24v coozer that would be a good choice. The other option (and I shudder to say it) is a 4.2td GU pootrol. Not quite as good on road as the toy gear, but still a bloody good wagon and fairly tough.

I have a 90 series Prado and I don't rate them really high for a solid all rounder (they have a crap ctr diff and there are some stupid thing that have been done re strucural ball joints etc).

im going to regret asking this but why only the current one? Just bought a 2007 as a tow car for boat / work vechicle seems pretty good and value for money compared to the hilux. As i understand it they fixed the problems with the d4d hiluxs after 2008 when they changed the injector seats.

After test driving all of the newer (2006 and above) common rail diesel turbos I just couldnt bring myself to buy something older with way more k's and heaps less power/driveability.

[rokhound]

There is an inherent issue with the ABS system (well I have spoken to 5 owners who have issues with brakes any way, that makes inherent in my special world). Might only be in the XLT though, but after driving all the current utes and an older lux and ranger, I just couldn't go past the current 3.2L. But pricey though.

[rangimotors]

There is an inherent issue with the ABS system (well I have spoken to 5 owners who have issues with brakes any way, that makes inherent in my special world). Might only be in the XLT though, but after driving all the current utes and an older lux and ranger, I just couldn't go past the current 3.2L. But pricey though.

ah well ill look forward to that with the boat on the back heading down the kaikora hills it is an XLT and i would of loved the new model but my budget was 25k (had to leave some money to work on a trailer queen) so it was never going to happen.

[1justin]

get a new great wall for that haha

[red-devil]

this is easy

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 17&t=33953

[NJV6]

What are these brake issues you talk of rok? Sometimes I get a hard pedal in mine, usually if I'm chopping off a abit of speed entering into a corner. Its never happened going straight. Otherwise a great ute, ride quality of all ute's is poor, ranger no exception, the grunt and economy is great.

[rangimotors]

What are these brake issues you talk of rok? Sometimes I get a hard pedal in mine, usually if I'm chopping off a abit of speed entering into a corner. Its never happened going straight. Otherwise a great ute, ride quality of all ute's is poor, ranger no exception, the grunt and economy is great.

Did a bit of googling after he mentioned that, it seems very commmon for them to bring up the abs fault code, apparently they have a bit of a weekness in the front hub abs sensors so it pays to keep them clean and they also run a seperate abs computer that dealers want thousands for when they fail, do a bit of reserach and you will find it is a capacitor worth about $1.50 that fails and can be replaced. Im not stressed about it from what i have read so far, if i get the abs light of death ill pull the fuse and things still work fine (just no abs) and then trace the fault.

[rokhound]

What are these brake issues you talk of rok? Sometimes I get a hard pedal in mine, usually if I'm chopping off a abit of speed entering into a corner. Its never happened going straight. Otherwise a great ute, ride quality of all ute's is poor, ranger no exception, the grunt and economy is great.

Did a bit of googling after he mentioned that, it seems very commmon for them to bring up the abs fault code, apparently they have a bit of a weekness in the front hub abs sensors so it pays to keep them clean and they also run a seperate abs computer that dealers want thousands for when they fail, do a bit of reserach and you will find it is a capacitor worth about $1.50 that fails and can be replaced. Im not stressed about it from what i have read so far, if i get the abs light of death ill pull the fuse and things still work fine (just no abs) and then trace the fault.

Cool, if it is an easy fix like that. The guys I spoke too had had them back to dealers to sort them out and it hadn't worked. Admitedly these are all work trucks and 3 of them knock over up to 1000kms a week. But these ones were the ones that were having the most issues and from what I was being told, it was quite hair raising. Also admitedly though I am getting the info 2nd hand.

There was a local leasing outfit in chch who had all the major brand utes lined up and you could test drive them all one after the other. The new Ranger was head and shoulders above all the others. The new Dmax is a good look but not quite as refined as the Ford and the VW is nice as well, but I reckon you are pushing your luck expecting a small capacity drizzle to perform at new peak output rates for any lengthy of time (ie 150K kms down the track).

[Lchundy]

100 series
ks means nothing on these and ute will never compare...

[Macca]

Looking at some 80's. Have a compresion and leak down test from one, What do you think this shows in terms of engine condition?
1 94 480
2 92 475
3 94 475
4 94 480
5 90 470
6 92 470
This truck is listed as 180 000 km. seems very low for a truck this age

I realise that these trucks are getting old and wont be "as new" but am unsure of what they should be.
thanks again for the comments, has allowed me to confirm i what i should be looking for

[crazyclark31]

as far i know thats not bad. pretty consistant across the six. I'd be checking for regular servicing and the big end bearings have been done.

[Macca]

heres one for the gurus? how many kms would you say is to many for this http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=565372626&open_homes=&region=&district= seems like an ideal compromise for us but am just unsure of the amount of k's. We do about 30000 a year and want it to last for 5 years, so will these trucks handle 400000km plus with regular servicing??