Offroad-Express

Ok so i haven't been able to convince the mrs that we need a 'family wagon' 4x4 beast;-( but atleast she's convinced that we now need a ute (hey, it's better than nothing!!)

Looking at a single cab flatdeck diesel hilux of the late 80's vintage (would like newer but the funds won't quite stretch that far... pending this post)

Question is: were there any big (or small) changes or differences between the 2L diesels from say the 86 through to say 1992-1992? There's a nice looking one for sale that goes sweet is tidy and rust free 1986 with 270kms or so on it but a couple of mates are telling me to fork out for a 1991-1992 coz they are gruntier and more reliable etc etc but i don't know if they are right or not 'coz i've never owned any (but neither have they, it's just hearsay at this stage)

I know that whatever 2.4 diesel toyota i get is not going to be a grunter but i don't want to end up with something and regret not saving up that extra grand or two if it gets me something that's considerably better;-)

How good are the injector pumps are they prone to leaking or not too bad?
Do they have any of the cracking head issues of the 2LT?
I've heard that the column shift boxes are weaker than the floor shift ones... any truth in that or just an old wives tale?
Is there anything in particular i should look out for when looking/driving one?
A couple i've seen have got rust showing under where the drivers foot rests on the floor, is that common? becasue they have a chassis and the floor pan is not structural does that still affect a WOF or are they more leanient on that being basically just a body panel?

And does anyone have one they'd like to swap for a 1992 ford fairmont?? hahahahaha

Cheers guys
Ike

i don't know a lot on them. afaik there is 2L (1) and 2L (2), different heads on them.

proberly the biggest thing to watch is becuase of there age is the low sulphur deisel will make any old seals leak. check or leaks or of its had a injection pump reco. at ~$1k for pump reco that could be more than the vechile is worth !

rust is always a problem reguardless of vechile. just remember that strucal repairs requires pro welder to sign off on it to get WOF.

Beauty cheers for that mate, any idea when the changeover happened between the series one and two?

Yep the pump seal repairs can be bloody expensive had that happen on a diesel nissan avenir a few years ago, ended up just dumping it haha

What's the best way to check if they are ok do you just feel the bottom of the pump for wetness? Any other tips?

Any idea of running costs ie what are they like on gas? ballpark figure on cammbelt waterpump cost? shocks cheap or expensive? I'm expecting on an oldish ute like that i'm going to be having to replace them at some stage just trying to make sure i'm not going to find out how expensive parts are once i already own the thing and need them;-)

Don't worry about big rebuild if ya seals leak due to the new fuel, L series engines only require 2 new seals and could be changed by any one with basic tools in about 1/2 an hour with out removing the pump off the engine

any 2l is a good old motor really. less prone to blowing up than a 2L-T etc. No ball of fire in any terms. If you're gonna be doing any sort of towing, I'd be looking for something big however.

Awesome thanks guys,

Oh and before i forget... do you know if all bench seats are created equal?? The one i am going to look at on Thursday has a scummy ripped brown vinyl seat in it and i'm liking the look of the grey fabric ones do you know if the mounts/rails are the same and will let me straight swap them over?

The Fabric bench seats bolt up but the SR5 seats don't but there are plenty of options for seats just remember the bench is usefull if you need to squeeze 6 ppl in but make sure it is a girl in the middle just to go round corners oh the corners of any seat wear out pretty fast in a 4wd I have got some Subaru seats (had them almost a year) to go in mine nothing flash but 3 mounting points match just the one to the tunnel wall needs work (folding and weld a bit to it).

Another thing about the bench seats, if you have one you tend to have to get a few boxes and seatbelt things in as it slides into you quite nicely.