2000+ 4wd ute options.

[dvk-kp]

Gidday,

I’m looking at getting a 2000+ ute soon and I’m after people’s thoughts on what’s good and what’s not.

4wd obviously, I want to be able to lift and put 33s, and a bumper of some sort etc so want to avoid something with obvious flaws (eg the weak front factory earlier terrano steering, or break an axle all the time etc) with such mods like bigger tyres etc. I intend to use it off road occasionally and drive it daily.

Any particular engines to avoid out there? Need something that with the right care can stand up to a bit of abuse. Any powerful ones of note?

Double cab or xtra/king cab, flat deck or wellside are all options to me. Petrol or diesel. V6.

I’ve had a look at alsorts; 3rz, v6, and 1kz 2000+ hilux, 2008ish bt-50s, d40 navaras with the 2.5 diesel, 2006+ hiluxs, so have an open mind, just no rangers

What’s your thoughts

[mudsurfv6]

hey bro

you didn't mention the budget, already lifted.

[Crash bandicoot]

Any particular engines to avoid out there? Need something that with the right care can stand up to a bit of abuse. Any powerful ones of note?

.engines to avoid...almost all of them from that era. one that can take some abuse...nothing after 2000 will take abuse like the ole ladder chassi live axle museum pieces did, so dont expect it too, ironically any of these new utes id pick a d max engine when it comes to power

[dvk-kp]

I’d love a Ute like that Andrew!

Cheers crash, good to know.

Took a 70 series cruiser for a drive yesterday with a 1kz and manual, definatly not for me, I’d get frustrated with the lack of power. Just drove the 70 to see what that engines like.

Now I’ve been looking at 2000+ hiluxs with the 3rz 2.7. A mates old mans got one in 2wd and it goes quite well, pretty peppy. Heard thy respond well to a bit of boost as well.

Near impossible to find a 3.4 v6 hilux in manual. Same with the later 4 litre ones.

[BlakeNZ]

don't touch the 2.5 litre nissan(or the 3 litre) Junk Motors.
My 3RZ in a 1996 hilux Surf was a bit gutless when towing, the 2.7 litre mistral Tdi is significantly better.
Perhaps look for a 2000 model Navara with the QD32 motor, great motor, but lack power in NA form, so turbo charge it(easy to do with either TD27 T parts or QD32 T parts. After this point they went to a 3 litre motor which was a time bomb.

[dvk-kp]

Yea heard really bad things about the zd30 motor.

Thanks for your input, given me some food for thought.

[Crash bandicoot]

Have you thought about going all out on a V8 diesel cruiser or would that be a bit too much for the wallet. Another thought a mate of mine has a 2010ish Triton with the 4m41 common rail that has had a stage three chip put in it and Dyno tuned, the thing is stumping up over 700NM mated to a 5speed auto(same jatco trans as the 370z etc he uses it to tow a 6 meter box transporter with his trials truck and all the gear, tools spares etc around the country... A halfway descent one can be had for between 14-22 grand depending on kms etc.

[dvk-kp]

Yea I did think about one of thos but way out of my price range. I liked thos tritons too, even the new 4d56 seems like a good engine,

But I ended up getting a good deal on a 05 hilux with a 1KD engine, gees they arnt a powerhouse! Big change from a 6 litre v8. Like the truck itself, just the lack of grunt will get to me pretty quick.

A 4.5 turbo diesel v8 from a land cruiser could make for the hilux toyota should have built? Or an LS1 adaptor is available from marks adaptors, so who knows what the future holds.

[MihiT]

Y61 Safari. Job done.

TB45/8 will be more comfy on road, TD42 for real work. I believe the 4.8 petrols aren't as well matched to the box, (haven't driven) (4spd vs 5) but 4spd auto's not too bad.

If you don't need to pull big stuff the TD27 terrano's go good as well, but not sure about post-2000 models.
ZD= grenaders. I've only road driven a QD, goes alright.

I've driven a 4m series mitsu, factory diff locker, manual. Pretty competent.
Amaroks reviewed well, but haven't driven, Seen some pretty decent work out of a d-max.

I'm not at all a fan of toymotors so can't offer any advices on them.


All my humble opinion, of course!

[MihiT]

Oh yeah, the D40 narvas have a good bit of pull, not sure about getting 33s on though. Also Not much clearance underneath, much more of a car.
Know a guy (engineer) who runs a fleet of them with no complaints.