which hilux?

dont buy the 3.0 V6 under any circumstance except if the motor is already cactus and you are going to swap to a 3.8 V6 or similar.

They are very thirsty for not much power, notorious for blowing heads, and not good for much.

Fuzz I had the 22r (ohc 2.4 petrol) which was a great vehicle but a bit low geared for long distance cruising and underpowered for towing my 4.2 m boat. The 22 r are extremely long lived with the item needing replacement being the timing chain at about 250000ks, after which they will do that again. They do go better then the 2.8 na diesel. We had a 93 nh Paj at the same time(wifes) which killed the runner off road, much better traction.
When it come time to replace the runner, the best value vehicle by far with the best power to weight ratio was the 3.5 v6 Jack. The Jack is quicker up hills towing my boat then the runner was empty. And it burns about 1l100 more fuel.
So far after covering 57000ks the Jack has been more trouble free then the runner was. Only major expenses have been a inlet manifold gasket and timing belt at 150000ks.
You can pick up very good 3,2 Jacks with less then 200000ks for about $6000. The 3.1 td is also a very good engine but the latter 3lt diesel is a complete dud with lots of issues,This engine alone gave Jacks a bad name.
Cheers Pete

Have you looked at other dual cabs? For the price of a 1996 Hilux you could get a later model rodeo, navara, courier etc. I haven't heard many bad things about the rodeo, built by Isuzu who are the largest manufacturers of small diesel engines in the world.

Wouldnt touch any of the surfs, rust (major issue) check out the size of the radiator compared to our hilux's/4 runners, one of the main reasons for over heating, personally any of the hilux's sold here in Aus (still imported but designed for aussi conditions) are great vehicles. The 2.8D tough as nails providing they have had 5k oil changes or they will go bang, useless for towing if you want to do the speed limit but off road brilliant low range the solid front ends are the best for wheel travel, ifs ok but had week diffs, the V6 four runners, head issues on the first of them but would have been rectified by now, thirsty 400/450k per tank, and really quit gutless for a V6, never heard of overheating issues just early head gasket issue, personally I wouldnt have one. The 2.4 petrol is also a bit heavy on fuel and HATE water if playing in mud or water is your thing. As mentioned above have a look at the rodeo's very reliable, great on fuel (t/diesel), the only thing I didnt like about them when looking was the high reving at freeway speeds 3400 at 110k in 5th, but surprisingly still economical 8/9L per 100k. Pajeros cheap, not bad on fuel tow well, similiar in design to 4 runner, the 3 litre V6 was a tough old thing but would have a few k's on them now so you would need to try a find one with lower klm's heaps around mostly used for school/shopping trips, the RV6 prado or the RV2.7p might be in your price range ?? V6 thirsty like the 4 runners, 2.7 go great quit a strong motor and if serviced well will get very high klms out of the motors, DONT put on LPG or guarantee the valve stem seals will go, the 2.7 only has the one tank 90L but the RV6 has 2, the 2nd been a 69L. Regards Steve

Hi Fuzz.
I owned a 92 Hilux with 2.8L diesel from new for 15 years. Fantastic vehicle - 340000km, never a problem, ultra reliable and economical. I changed oil and oil filter (Z9 - cheap as) every 5000km - this is vital. Check the service record.You wouldn't win many races at the traffic lights but it would cruise at the speed limit if you really wanted it to.
Cheers, Rodge

I've got a 91 4runner with the 3vze v6 motor matched to an auto gear box, if you want a drag car then don't buy a 4runner buy a commodore.

Whilst it is not the fastest thing on 4 wheels it does 110kmph comfortably and fully loaded I can get about 420 kms from the 60 lt tank.

I have mine matched up with a set of extractors with a high flow cat and a full 2"" exhaust system, sitting on 32" muddies most of the time.

If you get a runner get one that has already had the timing belt done as they are prone to having the pulley and bearing seize on the dummy housing cover and it this happens you are up for about $$$$.

If you get an auto and plan on towing or doing a lot of sand work you would also want to fit an after market tranny fluid cooler.

Parts are getting more an more difficult to get and forget about sourcing parts from wreckers as they send any they get staright to auction.

If you plan on goind ballistic and want to go exxtreme 4wding get a solid axle hilux instead as from about 89 they strated going to IFS suspension.

Overall I love mine with all its faults and am on the look out for a new body to swap all my goodies over.

For a tourer with good off road capabilities they are a pretty good unit.