Offroad-Express

Hi guys

Interested in some opinions - 2001 Hilux extra cab 4wd manual essentially vs a 2004 Courier 4wd manual?

Does a bit of off road but is mainly a work vehicle and would do a fair bit of towing...at times towing a large chipper etc.

My main concern is going from a turbo to non turbo motor, I've seen a bit of feedback online that they are really slow.....not overly concerned about acceleration or anything, but is it likely to feel like a pig compared to the courier?

Km's are HIGH - I can't find a lot of info on the engine, what engine would it have if we needed to replace it? Iv'e seen NA 5L mentioned?

Cheers
Andy

my 1c worth, The 5L (NA) seems to tow pretty well, yes they are slow, but likely more dependable than the fordaza WLT for towing dutys. Friend had one new in '03-04 and couldn't tow his boat with it because it overheated at the first sight of a hill. Cracked heads are common

you could always turbo the hilux.
surf turbo bolts on tho aftermarket kits would be better.

nakimud wrote:my 1c worth, The 5L (NA) seems to tow pretty well, yes they are slow, but likely more dependable than the fordaza WLT for towing dutys. Friend had one new in '03-04 and couldn't tow his boat with it because it overheated at the first sight of a hill. Cracked heads are common

Must have been something wrong with it, I had two and towed lots for 150,000km and no problems with engine. Both had gearbox issues but they towed really well. Cracked heads are common, yes just like almost all other small diesels.

my 2c is I wouldn't touch another 5L. I have one in one of my work vans and so far it has snapped a crank resulting in a whole new block and we are now onto the 3rd head we have replaced the entire cooling system with the first 2 heads and now I just go screw it. If it wasn't for the fact its a 4x4 12 seater which is rear as I would have ditched it. We are just rebuilding an old 2.8 to drop in to it

Suza wrote:my 2c is I wouldn't touch another 5L. I have one in one of my work vans and so far it has snapped a crank resulting in a whole new block and we are now onto the 3rd head we have replaced the entire cooling system with the first 2 heads and now I just go screw it. If it wasn't for the fact its a 4x4 12 seater which is rear as I would have ditched it. We are just rebuilding an old 2.8 to drop in to it

crank failure is common with the 2.8 to. more than likely poor oil, poor maintenance and lead feet. with the rpm they do at cruise they are hard on the oil.
head is probably due to the cooling issue.
my guess is you will eventually end up with similar issues with the 2.8.

tweake wrote:

Suza wrote:my 2c is I wouldn't touch another 5L. I have one in one of my work vans and so far it has snapped a crank resulting in a whole new block and we are now onto the 3rd head we have replaced the entire cooling system with the first 2 heads and now I just go screw it. If it wasn't for the fact its a 4x4 12 seater which is rear as I would have ditched it. We are just rebuilding an old 2.8 to drop in to it

crank failure is common with the 2.8 to. more than likely poor oil, poor maintenance and lead feet. with the rpm they do at cruise they are hard on the oil.
head is probably due to the cooling issue.
my guess is you will eventually end up with similar issues with the 2.8.

We imported it from Japan done 80,000km and have always serviced every 5,000km. This one replaced our old one which had the 2.8 and it never missed a beat.
The cooling difference between the vans and the utes I should say is that radiator has more crap and bumper in front of it compared to the ute

5k service dosn't mean much. grade/make of oil, replacement filters or just blown out etc. atmo diesel run hot egt's and for longer. thats hard on the oil. dirty air filter means they run rich more, more crap in the oil.
those hiaces have a lousy air intake position, i used to clean my air filter out weekly.

the cooling between the two is not much of a difference. the point was if the cooling is stuffed its going to blow the head regardless of what engine it is.

i don't think either problem is only a 5L problem.

They are on par for reliability, very similar off road ability but the courier will eat a 5L hilux on the road. The only plus side to the hilux is the over inflated resale value.
Personally I would buy the courier.

Thought about a QD32 powered Navara? Lot cheaper than a Toyota.