Anyone been overlanding in a Hilux pickup?
 

After much deliberating in the last few months, I'm finally gonna take the plunge this June / July and buy me a 4x4.

I'm pretty set on a Toyota Hilux Pickup for it's lightweight, simple and rugged engine, storage capacity for extra fuel and availability of parts in Africa. I envisage being aone for most of the time, so interior space is not an issue.

I was just wondering how good they really are off road? I want to gop through most of Africa, and whilst I'm probably not going through major ergs, I want to be prepared for some pretty crappy roads. I also don't want something that's going to break down too much.

Are there any major things I shoul look out for when buying a HiLux? I'm looking at a 1992ish model, maybe 80,000 miles at around the £2500 - £3000 mark.

I have a few possible alternatives in mind:

(i) 2.4TD HiLux Surf - how good are these? Are they just a poorman's LC? Underpowered? Overcomplicated? Look nice though...

(ii) 2.4TD TLC VX (75?) SWB - I've heard these are not as rough and ready as the real 4L jobs?

(iii) the 4.0L TLC 74 Diesel. In comparison to the Hilux, is the fuel consumption much worse? I'll be alone with a minimum of extras. (i.e. no fridge or nonsense like that!)

Cheers

Dan

The Hi lux are great trucks I’ve had personal experience with 2 of them (they tagged along on long off-road excursions) and they both performed great. I tried one of them, late 90s, with the stock suspension and then again with an Old Man Emu suspension. The upgrade was worth it and highly recommended. As long as you don’t overload it and take care of it, it will take you wherever you want.

The 2.4 engines might be a bit on the week side but can take you all around Africa no problems. You’ll only wish for more power in few situations like crossing steep dunes and such.


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A.B.

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Im driving Hilux 2.4D for about three years and never had any problems with it.
My hilux have 180.000km and everything works like new.
Its very simple vehicle with pretty impressible storage capacity (up to one tone)
Now Im using it with stock suspension but next week I gonna change shocks for GAS Sachs (front) and GAS Gabriel(rear) so then I can tell you more about that.
But even with stock suspension Hilux is very nice to drive, you feel like you're driving corolla or so http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif
The engine and transmission works very good, and the consumption is about 10l/100km (city) and about 8l/100km (90-100km/h)
The only dark side of Hilux is quite weak engine but off-road when you engage L4 on the transfer case it helps a lot.
So buy Hilux! Im sure you will be very happy with it!

PeterB

Ive never used one but Ive heard bad reports from South African drivers I respect, especially with regard to durability of wheel bearings and transmissions under load offroad for long periods. Mind you some places are full of them and they are so light they can get across soft sand with only 2wd in some cases.

I'm selling my 3.0L Toy 4Runner (Hilux Surf for all you plebs!) if you're interested and even if you#'re not you're welcome to come by for a beer and a chat as I have other bits of kit for sale as well.

enzo

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Enzo
BUNDUBASHER.com

What else you selling Enzo? I was tempted by that fridge.....