Old or new shape 2005 Hilux

[BajanFeroza]

I have the oppertunity to buy (second hand) either a new 05 Hilux (also called the vigo) or the old shape 05 Hilux - none Turbo, both diesel.
I dont know which to buy, one person has told me if the old shape is a Solid axel hilux, to buy it as it is better suited to off road.
On the other hand the new shape hilux is a VERY nice, turbo fully loaded vehical and is a lovely road jeep as well as very capable off-road.
The costs are indeed different about a 10K difference.

Hope you guys can help.

[v6hilux]

The older one is better, by far. $10K is a lot of fuel money and money for a turbo and intercooler.

[chunks]

Well the old shape won't be solid axle, they run an IFS front.
I have had a fair bit to do with the current shape hilux's as both my bosses have them. They are a great on road vehicle but in standard form they are pretty dismal offroad due to bugger all ground clearance and usesless tyres. They go really well with an aftermarket exhaust system and chip. The most annoying thing i have found about them is that the gearing is really tall, so when you fit larger tyres to them they don't particulalrly like it and can be a dog down low. That siad i would probably still go with the newer model over the older one.

[v6hilux]

I also heard the new ones flood inside when water is over the sills.

[macneil]

go the old one.. with the 10k fit a turbo lift and tyres use the rest of the change for fuel..

[booflux]

Go the new one better all round vehicle imo.

[mmaaxx]

the new one is a pretty good truck allround as bood mentioned. with abit of money thrown at it, it is a pretty good offroad machine.

That said, I dont expect to get flamed for it. Im not comparing them to solid axled GU Patrols or mid 80's hilux's, but for a new vehicle, with a suspension lift and better tyres, and some common sense, it will take you almost everywhere that you want to go offroad, within reason, nothing stupid. It is softer than previous models, but the suspension design is far better than the torsion bar fronts of the previous hilux, both round town and offroad.

The engine is a far better performer, both in economy and torque delivery.

How much do you want to spend at the end of the day? and what will you be doing with it?

10 grand difference can go abit of distance on an older hilux, but if you plan on keeping it for a while, your better off in the long run going for the newer one, and save your pennies while researching whats the best thing to do with them.

Just my 2 cents worth, PM me if you got any more questions regarding the new model and Ill try and help ya out as much as I can.

[vSAHARAx]

Mate i would deffinately go the new one. Obviously its something you are going to keep for a few years. The D4D goes alot harder, more room in the cabin and alot nicer vehicle. But at the end of the day you need to decide what you want the vehicle for and if the $$$ will stretch the extra 10k.

Troy

[Sic Lux]

I'd go the older one Could twin lock and turbo it for 10G and have some left over 2in cab and torsion bar wind and lifted rears spings and wack some 33 under it tiddy truck that give you alot of good times.

[spongerx]

I'd go the new one.

If the 05 old shape one is non-turbo (ie not an SR5) and was sold new from Nassco it's going to be a 2.8 like mine and that is slow as fark compared to the new 05 2.5 turbo ones. Mine also drinks diesel like there's no tomorrow.
There's a lot more mods out there for the old shape ones that are pretty easy to get (4" lift and lockers outta the US) whereas the new ones you're going to have to get lift kits and other mods out of Australia.
The 05 older shape one will not be solid axle up front unless someone's done a conversion on it which I don't think anyone's tried down here yet. The last year the solid axle ones were sold new over here was 97.
The new Vigo's ride is soooo much better on our potholes too. They don't seem to be too bad offroad in our conditions either as evidenced by Roger Hill in the last June Safari.
You'll be able to get bigger tires under the older shape ones.

If I had the option to get either of them and I was going to be using it for mostly onroad driving I'd go the new one.

[BajanFeroza]

As I agree with most points put out there by all of you the only concluion I can come to is.

old shape is better cost, upgrades, off-roading & mods
New shape is better on speed, comfort and road driving.

Same decision I had when I started.
one more note is the old shape will be available early in 09 while the new shape about 8 months later.

Will see if there is something I can do about the cost.

[nastie]

I also heard the new ones flood inside when water is over the sills.

I have a new model lux and I haven't had any problems with leaks or anything doin pretty insane river crossings (water well over bonnet and passed windows and still nothing)

The new hilux standard tyres are pretty poor but fit a decent set of rubber and they are fine.
I have a petrol one and even with 33's still drove fine.
Got 35's on there now and now changed ratios.

Had a few older models and theyre not bad but the latest model is a huge leap forward.

[spongerx]

I also heard the new ones flood inside when water is over the sills.

I have a new model lux and I haven't had any problems with leaks or anything doin pretty insane river crossings (water well over bonnet and passed windows and still nothing)

The new hilux standard tyres are pretty poor but fit a decent set of rubber and they are fine.
I have a petrol one and even with 33's still drove fine.
Got 35's on there now and now changed ratios.

Had a few older models and theyre not bad but the latest model is a huge leap forward.

How did you get 35s on a new model Hilux??

[mmaaxx]

I also heard the new ones flood inside when water is over the sills.

I have a new model lux and I haven't had any problems with leaks or anything doin pretty insane river crossings (water well over bonnet and passed windows and still nothing)

The new hilux standard tyres are pretty poor but fit a decent set of rubber and they are fine.
I have a petrol one and even with 33's still drove fine.
Got 35's on there now and now changed ratios.

Had a few older models and theyre not bad but the latest model is a huge leap forward.

How did you get 35s on a new model Hilux??

Solid axle swap mate, 80series front diff instead of IFS front.

[nastie]

As mmaaxx said!
But I did trial on 6" lift with IFS. Not too many issues. Bit of rub behind the front wheels and when ya tramp it the rears hit the side steps.

[mmaaxx]

Nastie, please explain for me the 6" IFS setup you had, Im interested.....dont suppose you got pics of it?

when you had this lift and 35's did you change the diff ratios or only when you did the live front end swap?

if not, how'd she go with the 35's and stock ratios?

thanks mate.