4x4 Dual Cabs - $5k to $10k - Hilux vs. Triton vs. Rodeo vs....

[shifted]

Any recommendations?

Looking for something that can be used as a daily but is good at off road tasks as well, wondering what opinions are on vehicles from around 1997 to 2003 (roughly fit into that budget).

Any pros/cons of each? Which models are better (engines are better, easier to maintain etc.) Anyone owned either previously? What to watch out for?

Basically want something to chuck the dog in the back, do a little off road driving, use as a daily, carry shit. Not sure which vehicles would be best and have better capabilities for what you pay for.

Hilux
Courier
Rodeo
Bravo
Triton
Navara
?

Figured this would be a fitting area of the forum to ask due to 4x4.

Looking for info at the moment - not so much cars for sale (though feel free to PM).

Cheers,
Paul

[ben351]

i'm not as experienced as some of the guys on here but all i can add is with 4wd's stay away from Holdens and Fords ... its not their forte`

stick with Toyo and Nissan - Hilux / Patrol and you cant go wrong !!!

Earlier Nissans like Pathfinders and Terranos are shit and Early Toyos like Surfs are also shit.

my experiece as i said is limited but with Hilux's make sure you get a TURBO diesel as the n/a ones are fucking sluggish and with Patrols the petrol ones can be massive fuel guzzlers

for 10k you could land yourself a fucking clean GQ Patrol or an average GU Patrol or a late 90's early 2000's Hilux ( i think with Hilux's dual cabs hold their value more )

Guys like slugwrx and PANIC can offer advice on what motors are the best for the Patrols and Hilux's - pingpingpingpings have had about 100 of each cars :)

[DanWA]

If you dont want a slowass car, dont get a hilux... this is why i went for a v6 one in the end

i'd be looking at the tritons for sure

[shifted]

Cheers for the info - was thinking a Turbo Diesel or a V6 (am leaning to Triton & Hilux) - definitely don't want a turtle. :)

GQ Patrol - as in 4WD wagon or is that still a dual cab?

[DanWA]

Trition V6's are great, father in law swears by his, hes recently upgraded to 09 model aswell.

GQ do come in a ute, dual cab versions are extremely uncommon.

Wagon might not be good idea for a dog, my dog hates being in the back of mine even with the sliding windows open

[ben351]

the turbo kits off the Toyo Surf bolt onto the Toyo Hilux ... so if you do find a nice Hilux thats N/A Diesel you can slap the turbo on and it livens it up ... turbo setups usually go for around 500 bucks

[200FURY]

dude i got a v6 rodeo tray back 4x4 bullbar, spotties, snorkel, 31inch bridges at's 7k its yours

0403713106

[Lasoya]

Im looking at buying a Navara turbo diesel soon, they would be my pick of the bunch

[ben351]

Im looking at buying a Navara turbo diesel soon, they would be my pick of the bunch

just got a 2010 model one ... awesome car

[shifted]

2002 Hilux V6 was owned by ex's dad - awesome car as well but a little out of price range I think - will have to check Quokka.

How good are Rodeo on off road? They were made joint with Isuzu weren't they? So they should be good? Or just the name leased to Holden?

[Steppo_GT]

goodluck trying to change sparkplugs on a v6 triton the whole intake has to come off. They also have a common problem where the fuel tank leaks and also breaks gearbox mounts. Personally I'd go a Navara or Hilux.

[Lasoya]

just got a 2010 model one ... awesome car
Unfortunately my budget will only be enough to get an 04-06 ST-R turbo diesel

[Passage GT]

nothing wrong with rodeo's, they're just a rebadged isuzu and good cars, can't really go wrong with any of the above choices really, look more towards what's in your budget with lowest km and service history etc, find one that's been looked after, anything with a toyota badge will carry a decent price premium over the rest
personally i'd go with a turbo diesel, 2 inch lift in the rear and wind up the torsion bars, some decent 31s and they'd make a great all rounder

[shifted]

Any common problems/servicing issues with either then?

Circled a couple Hilux/Rodeo/Triton in the Quokka from last Thursday, will have to buy tomorrow to see what is for sale. :)

[joshg123]

a nice 5L (LN106R) hilux are a N/A diesel but they actually have a bit of poke, sure they are no v6 but are quite simple in design and parts are well priced.

I dont see good runs with the rodeo's, especially the diesels.

Tritons are pokey, but they are starting to get a bit tired in that price range. Youd be 200+km and a bit ratty tatty around the edges for 7k ish. Stay clear of the 2.8D triton.

If you can get a D22 ZD30 navara, awesome. But i think you will struggle for that coin

Ben - wait till that navara gets 40,000 on it, you wont be calling them good cars then. is yours a manual?

Youd only get a RD28T or a TB42 powered GU and it will be a bunky for 10kish, you could get a very clean GQ

[[Jacek]]

Jimny/Sierra? or is that too small?

[Lump]

i could be wrong, but something tells me he's after a Dual cab

[shifted]

joshg123 - thanks mate - will look into!

And yes, looking for a Dual Cab preferably. Hilux in the Quokka is overpriced severely - found some Rodeo to look at, and some Triton.

[JAM3S]

id go a hilux mate look for a solid axle front they stopped making these in 97 i think then changed over to shitty ifs they will piss on your tritons, couriers, rodeos etc offfroad only problem as mentioned are they are slow as fuck but plenty of solutions to this eg commo v6, turbo from a surf or for the ultimate
1uzfe !

[2jzlux]

joshg123 - thanks mate - will look into!

And yes, looking for a Dual Cab preferably. Hilux in the Quokka is overpriced severely - found some Rodeo to look at, and some Triton.



There is a reason they are severely overpriced its because they are not shit.
Like there is a reason you can buy a Great Wall 4wd brand new for 20k because it will last for 20kms before it breaks down.

[shifted]

There is a reason they are severely overpriced its because they are not shit.
Like there is a reason you can buy a Great Wall 4wd brand new for 20k because it will last for 20kms before it breaks down.

$12k for a '97 doesn't seem worthwhile for me - $6k gets you an '00/'01 Rodeo.

I would prefer a Hilux, just have to find the right one. Going to look at one on Monday. :)

1997, Manual, DualCab, 2.8L, 272,000kms, a/c, 31" AT Tyres, 2"Susp Lift, LRFT, Bullbar, Scrub Bars, Side Steps, Spotties, Canopy, Clearance Lights, Roof Rack, UHF, $9000ono.

Any problems with this model/motor? I THINK it is a Diesel.

RedBook Link (http://redbook.com.au/used-cars/details.aspx?R=105555&__Qpb=true&Cr=1&__Ns=p_Make_String|0||p_ClassificationType_String| 0||p_Family_String|0||p_Year_String|1||p_SequenceN um_Int32|0&SearchAction=N&__N=2994%204294942755%204294842769%204294965290%20 4294962555%204294864976&silo=1300&seot=1&__Nne=15&trecs=8&__sid=12D144EAB3A5)

I think it is the one above - what joshg123 mentioned.

[Passage GT]

There is a reason they are severely overpriced its because they are not shit.
Like there is a reason you can buy a Great Wall 4wd brand new for 20k because it will last for 20kms before it breaks down.

this used to be true, but i regularly drive brand new cruisers and hilux's in rough conditions and they're pieces of fucking shit
toyota has seriously lost it

[Boza]

this used to be true, but i regularly drive brand new cruisers and hilux's in rough conditions and they're pieces of fucking shit
toyota has seriously lost it

anything thats had the shit kicked out of it it's whole life isn't going to drive very nicely, whether a mine vehicle or not & regardless of badge on it..

what are the others like in comparison in your opinion ?

90% of the mine navaras shit turbos and still have probs with the notorious zd30s....(current zd30 patrols included)

i'd have another 90's era hilux over a d22 navara anyday of the week, whether 3L, 5L or 3rz, solid front or ifs...(22r's excluded) i'd hardly say toyota have lost it...

rodeos & triton of similar era are turd also imo, whether diesel or petrol & had more than there fair share of problems...

for the money old mate wants to spend hilux would be the pick of the bunch hands down..

if the budget was more than double then would be a totally different ball game..

[shifted]

@slugwrx - 5L Hilux is the 1997 yeah? Have you had much experience with those?

[Boza]

yeah 84-88 was 2L, late 88-early 97 were 3L (2.8) & late 97-early 05 went to 5L im pretty sure...

not had much experience with although other than the usual hilux clutch/centre bearing/uni probs im sure they're fine..

[shifted]

yeah 84-88 was 2L, late 88-early 97 were 3L (2.8) & late 97-early 05 went to 5L im pretty sure...

not had much experience with although other than the usual hilux clutch/centre bearing/uni probs im sure they're fine..

Ah took me a little to catch on, didn't realise 5L actually was for the literage of the engine, was thinking it was model number of some description. Cheers!

Will note down for when I check out the '97 on Monday.

[Boza]

Ah took me a little to catch on, didn't realise 5L actually was for the literage of the engine, was thinking it was model number of some description. Cheers!

Will note down for when I check out the '97 on Monday.

nah 2L is 2.4 litre, 3L is 2.8 litre & 5L is a 3 litre...

[Dalspec]

Had a 96 TF dual cab turbo diesel. It was cheap, good on fuel (10L/100 freeway), and I never had a day's issue with it. I sold it with 286,000 on the clock and apparently it's still going strong in Broome. In the scheme of things it probably had a reasonably gentle life, but I was still impressed by it.

[shifted]

nah 2L is 2.4 litre, 3L is 2.8 litre & 5L is a 3 litre...

My bad - I was wondering cos I could only see 3litres!! haha

TF = Rodea yeah, think the old man had one for a work car, was good - will look into. :)

[DanWA]

tad off topic but yeah we been a nissan site for years, trialed cruisers for a year due to the amount of zd30 fails and it was a waste of time

make sure you get a really nice hilux for your money, there is lots of dreamers out there, if its done 300k dont pay anymore then 4-5

[Dalspec]

Yep. The 3.2 and 3.5 V6s are a good thing too. Plenty of modded 3.5s in dune buggys and colleagues are currently making a supercharger kit for them.

RE the diesel, there was a crowd over east (possibly CAPA?), making a power up kit for the 2.8 including an air/water intercooler. Looked pretty flash and dyno results were reasonable.


TF = Rodea yeah, think the old man had one for a work car, was good - will look into. :)

[joshg123]

If you can, id try to find a standard ish one rather than a lifted, torsion bars wound up, big muddies spec vehicle. I know your chances are slim, but the IFS hilux's with a 5L drive like a pooper when lifted and wound.

The car youve listed is a 3L, perfectly fine but a little sluggish especially if you have it loaded up. the 5l and 3l are very simmilar in design.

Id much prefer a 98 hilux over a 2001 rodeo for various reasons.

Also dont discount the petrol hilux, many clean examples of those around in the 2.7.

[shifted]

make sure you get a really nice hilux for your money, there is lots of dreamers out there, if its done 300k dont pay anymore then 4-5

Specific year range?


Id much prefer a 98 hilux over a 2001 rodeo for various reasons.

Also dont discount the petrol hilux, many clean examples of those around in the 2.7.

Anywhere better to look than just Quokkka/Gumtree?

[DanWA]

your price range a 96~ should be easy to get

a bloke here just bought one that was put on its side for 2k with an aftermarket turbo kit fitted...

[Passage GT]

anything thats had the shit kicked out of it it's whole life isn't going to drive very nicely, whether a mine vehicle or not & regardless of badge on it..

what are the others like in comparison in your opinion ?

90% of the mine navaras shit turbos and still have probs with the notorious zd30s....(current zd30 patrols included)

i'd have another 90's era hilux over a d22 navara anyday of the week, whether 3L, 5L or 3rz, solid front or ifs...(22r's excluded) i'd hardly say toyota have lost it...

rodeos & triton of similar era are turd also imo, whether diesel or petrol & had more than there fair share of problems...

for the money old mate wants to spend hilux would be the pick of the bunch hands down..

if the budget was more than double then would be a totally different ball game..

i agree with you, i'd gladly have a 90s model hilux or cruiser, but the new ones just aren't up to scratch, especially compared to how tough the old ones are, you can't even breath on a panel without denting it, so leaning against a car while chatting to your mates is a big no no, not to mention interior pieces falling off, constant clutch problems and a million minor electrical gremlins, the 08 model cruiser ute i was using last night had one dash light working, out of the whole lot, was the one on the far right showing the second half of the speedo and the water temp etc, until recently we had a 105 series with over 500,000km that still had everything working perfectly and drove mint

granted the problems with the zd30 are well documented but it's also well known that those problems were from the series 1 and 2 and either the engines have been replaced already or everyone knows how to avoid them in the future, i know 10+ people with zd30 gu's and not one has had a problem, including a s1 with 250,000km on it
it's a tough environment the cars are in and i'm not badmouthing toyota for the sake of it, when i whinge about them, i'm comparing them to the older toyota's we used which were as tough as anything

[joshg123]

The new KUN26R hilux's are fucking shite compared to the LN series lux, they now manufacture in thailand and are having big problems with injectors and centre bearings. No where near the durability the old ones have.

The new 79 series is a bit the same, good suspension in rear but have gone a bit wayward in the engine department with the new v8. I believe ASG sean has been through a stack of alternators in his? The 200 series are now having piston issues, a little birdy told me toyota have now woken up to the oil burning issues they have and are now replacing pistons under warranty. After changing the standard 'acceptable' rate of oil burn up something chronic.

Id go a TD42 GU over a 79 anyday, ZD30's noises still scare me, especially the diesel knock the latest GU's are producing.

[Patrick]

We got a 01 TF LX Rodeo off pickles about 3 years ago with around 280,000 on the clock. Checked it out, well as best as we could and bought it for a very good price. Still going strong at 360,000 i think and has a fair bit of go for a 2.8 td. Hasnt exactly had an easy life either haha

Mate has a GQ with almost half a million k's on it with denco turbo kit on it (ithink) and thats still going awesome! front locker and 2 inch suspension lift and makes most things piss (single cab but just thought i'd mention it).
I would definatly sway to a patrol if i was in your position.

[blaize]

Go a hilux man.
You can pick them up with pretty low km for quite cheap.
Only thing is they are a bit slow. But in saying that though i have struggled to get mine bogged. They are good on fuel and pretty bulletproof too. I would definetly go a diesel if your going hilux though.

I got mine out of the quokka and so did my mate so that would probably be the best place to look.

[Passage GT]

We got a 01 TF LX Rodeo off pickles about 3 years ago with around 280,000 on the clock. Checked it out, well as best as we could and bought it for a very good price. Still going strong at 360,000 i think and has a fair bit of go for a 2.8 td. Hasnt exactly had an easy life either haha

Mate has a GQ with almost half a million k's on it with denco turbo kit on it (ithink) and thats still going awesome! front locker and 2 inch suspension lift and makes most things piss (single cab but just thought i'd mention it).
I would definatly sway to a patrol if i was in your position.

member of my family sold a tb42s (carb) patrol a couple years ago with 780,000km on it, blew the hg and he got it fixed and sold it to a local, still goin strong with 850,000km on it now, original running gear, bottom end, axles etc
she's a lil rusty though, been on the beach a fair bit