How do the new hilux's preform off road??

[NO72HI]

Hi all I am currently looking at getting a brand new Hilux turbo diesel extra cab SR5.
I want to do a 3inch lift with 33 inch tyres.
I was wondering how they go off road, I want to do mostly touring but a bit of the tough stuff as well. If anyone could tell more bout problems they have come across with them or things that make them a good choice that would be great.
Thanks a lot

[tufflux88]

my mate has a new one and its shit.anything with ifs is terrible in the bush.itll lift wheels,have no clearance and those new luxs have a real round wheel arch which your tyres will scrub on.
my mate got bogged it wet grass

[daveo]

Depends on what exactly you want to get out of it.

I have a 09 dual cab with bar, winch, 31's and thats about it. for a touring car its great, did a 5500km trip to tas over xmas, got under 11L/100km fully laden without a drama, went everywhere we wanted to go. Also very good on the beach, I do a lot of beach driving at Fraser and Stradbroke and am yet to get bogged.

Yes my ute needs a lift as the front clearance is lacking and others have had clutch trouble (maybe consider an auto) but for what i do it it comfortable and economical.

Check out newhilux.net for heaps of info.

[gu town]

as mentioned they are pretty shiyt. i suppose if you went with a lift, bigger tires, lockers f+r and NOT the factory or TJM bullbar you might get where you wanna go.

i know the factory clutch is crap too.

i've also found out with a tub (well-body tray) they float too!

heres a few pics about why the bullbar comment was made and the river it floated in.
http://forum.darwin4x4.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3553

i also know the diesel motors are pretty much bullet proof having flogged them around as company cars.

[beinthemud]

Id like to say tonkatough
but more likley to say tonkacrap

maybe tonkasoft

[BeZeRK]

Typical answers from gronks in oversized rigs..
(excluding daveo)

Mate, If your setting up a tourer and just going to have a bit of a play the new lux will be fine.. I have a mate with one with the same lift and 33's and his goes just fine, just dont expect to go rock crawling..

I also have a 09 model and only going 2" lift and 31's (maybe 32's if i can squeeze em in there) that is currently being setup for touring and Im sure it will get me everywhere i will be willing to put it when on a trip..

If you want somthing to go stuffing round in then your better getting somthing with a solid front end, My play toy is a LC79 lifted and locked, but its usless as a tourer cause its uncomfy and chews fuel..

Not everyone needs to be a hero in their everyday car like so many seem to sugest, its what made me leave these forums years ago.. got sick of every idiot saying that ya have to SAS it or its crap..

[mmaaxx]

Regardless of what some of the people have said here, Id say my current 07 hilux is very capable and will only become more so in the coming months.....


3" lift, 33/12x16 muddies....front locker...and the rest of the usual stuff.

Have made it up tracks where my mates 80 series on 36" simex has struggles......

tyre size and front solid axle isnt everything.....being able to pick the right line and using your head not just your right foot will get you lots of places.

remember the current hilux has an 8" front diff centre, same as an 80series front diff from memory.....

the previous IFS hilux on 33's has the same diff clearance as a GQ patrol on 35's....the current ones probably more thou I havent been able to compare properly yet.

The clutches are crap in the current ones but I havent been able to fault my current hilux for anything yet, other than I wish it had a 5 speed auto instead of the 4 speed.

Went on a trip recently with the mud rhino forum to wombat and on one particularly steep and rutted track my hilux was the only toyota and one of 4 out of our group of 8-20 vehicles to make it up first go...the other 3 were GQ's on 35's.....

Heres the track -


Dont under estimate the current shape hilux...it is far more capable than it looks....

Im fitting a 2nd transfer case next month to it and all going well some 34" muddies or so later in the year.

[mmaaxx]

heres a vid of a new hilux with 31's and twin locked .....not a huge truck but would get you many places more than a standard one would -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GulMlf-xK60

[awsumdc]

I think the new Hilux is one of the best platforms to start from to build one of the best off road vehicles available. I've built a number of one off 4WD and if I had my choice I would have started with the new Hilux but we can't get them here in the States.

Go with the new Hilux. You won't be disappointed.

[McSumWay]

For the style of driving you want they are ideal.

Forget most of the the crap from the people on here who have not driven one of these.

I have taken my lux through plenty of places that patrol and cruider owners would never even consider.

A few mods is all it takes to transform there ability.

As for touring they are excellent. Can carry a good load seperately from the cabin and are smooth, quiet, economical and comfortable.

Head over to newhilux.net and get the real rundown of the NewLux.

[Steve9R]

I agree with what the guys above have said.. the New Hilux is definately an excellent choice of new model vehicle for touring or offroading with a couple of mods..

If you take into account all the problems the 3.0 patrol's / navaras etc have handgrenade engines, cracking chassis' etc etc..(nissan have even announced they're not making the patrol anymore.. there's confidence!)..
toyotas are really the only choice for any serious driving in a new model vehicle.

I mean if you had the $$'s and had to buy a NEW vehicle (not 2nd hand) what would YOU buy ...

I wouldnt trade my hilux in for anything else thats available..

Steve

[ISUZUROVER]

...anything with ifs is terrible in the bush...

Wow - you really do know everything there is to know about 4x4s.

I'm sure these guys would like to hear your words of wisdom - if they had only known how crappy IFS is!!!

[Jcas24]

I get tired of the whole 'shitty ifs sucks' brigade. Seriously I don't know if these people have driven them of not?!?

I had an 07 lux (work ute) drove it for 1oo,oookms trouble free, on mine sites, muddy pits everything. I nearly got bogged once cause I parked nose into a windrow and couldn't reverse out cause of the mud, but It got out with light throttle input. It had Bridgestone D694's a good tyre but not a muddy. No clutch problems and I drove it like I didnt own it (or pay for fuel) cause I didn't.

Only problem work had with em was a blown rear diff, due to not attending to a leak and a slight fuel problem when someone filled a petrol one with diesel.

There a great truck, just lack a bit of clerance in standard form.

[Jcas24]

Love the headlights on Shannon's truck too, awesome!

[chunks]

Factory gearing is way too tall, clutches prone to failure, the panels are very flimsy and dent easily...otherwise with aftermarket suspension, lockers and good tyres they should be as capable as any other equivalent IFS vehicle.

[rodw]

Don't listen to the Live axle naysayers mate, I would recomend you keep an eye on the 4WD action guys and this trip where you will see how the Current model Hilux I drive stacks up against the live axles.

http://www.4wdaction.com.au/forum/showt ... hp?t=83196

I really will be interested to see myself given that on a trip a while ago, one hill that was undriveable by all except those driving dual locked rigs with 35" tyres, my open diffed Hilux left the stock live axle cruiser about 300 metres lower down the hill. Next time I go there, I think the dual lockers and 4.1 Prado Diffs I am about to fit would have got me over the miserable 4" step that stopped me.



I don't think the panels are any lighter than any other current model vehicle, They do dint:



The drive train is plenty strong enough but there is no doubt the clutch is weak but they are a delight to drive. I woud get the auto over the manual.

They make a very capable tourer and you can follow my buildup at 4WD Action to see a fairly advanced tough touring build. There is also some excelent info on my website about modifying these vehicles. See http://www.vehiclemods.net.au . With 33's, a little bit more power might be appreciated and you might consider purchasing a VMN Chip to help out and even a body lift kit if you want to make room for your 33's. Both are available at my web site.

You can get them bogged like any vehicle



But then I did pull out a live axle Hilux and a live axle Patrool before I had a go here.

By the sound of what you want to go mate, I'd say go for it, the Hilux will fit your needs perfectly!

[thrashlux]

they are ok as a tourer but in the bush they do lift wheels the travel is not there

the power of the diesel is ok but its not that great
the fuel economy is ok but not that great either

for the same coin you can buy an 80 series pay some one to make it a dual cab
pay some one to put a 100 series 1HDFTE in
put a new 2 inch lift and put a set of 285 75 16's on it
it will do everything better

tyres will wear more evenly
more power,
same fuel consumption ,
stronger running gear
will tow better
be a great tourer
have longer range
better in the ruff stuff
supa comfy with live axles long, travel and 4 coils instead of leaves and short travel struts
less wheel alinements
no flimsy rubber cv boots
its quite simple really stick your head under the front of an ifs truck look at the the number of moving parts how big and strong they are then look at an 80 series or patrol with live axle there is no doubt they are stronger and travel better

only down side is it dont keep up with the jones's in how new it is

[Splitpin]

Don't forget they are made in Thailand and we all know how high quality the stuff they make is.

I have taken the hilux for a spin....an SR5 worth about 65k or something stupid. The first bit of soft sand we got to it sunk like a brick. My mate (who I had tried hard to talk into buying a landcruiser) had bought this piece of poo and he almost cryed this thing was such a let down as far as off road driving goes. He has now realised that its crap and he will be getting a landcruiser after his lease is up.

Sure there are examples of hiluxes (Arctic trucks) and other IFS trucks that do well offroad. All of them have had stupid amounts of cash spent on them.....the kind of cash that would even make a mazda 121 a good offroader as well.

Don't waste your money on one unless you have heaps of cash for suspension and drive train mods.

[popeyehj60]

Don't forget they are made in Thailand and we all know how high quality the stuff they make is.

All the dual Utes are made in Thailand atm and have been for a while.


also to your comment about the Ute sinking in the sand.
my mates 105 series tourer. first time on the beach he sunk to the axles and it took my 60 series and a 40 series to pull him out.

does that mean he should sell the 105 and buy a 60 series.

from this thread id only take notice of those who own the current model hilux and not those who are of the anti ifs crowd.

[thrashlux]

from this thread id only take notice of those who own the current model hilux and not those who are of the anti ifs crowd.

thats a good idea
stick your head in the sand so you cannot wake up and smell the coffee

its all about physics but if you tell your self something enough you begin to believe it

if enough people say the world is flat all pat themselves on the back does that make it true ?

[Splitpin]

I'm not Anti IFS ......IFS is great if you have the cash to make it great and get it raised higher than the standard commodore high it comes with.

I have taken both IFS and live axel offroad .....and in stock form I have found the Live axel to be the best. I'm sure in highly modified form the IFS would be better.

Yeah your right any vehical can sink in sand.......I guess my mate was expecting a little more from his $65k "Unbreakable Hilux"......anything is unbreakable if you can't take it anywhere to break it.

[ferrit]

Our bog stock hilux Dual cabs at work (with cooper ST's) will keep up and go everywhere the LC79's (TD6 and TDV8) and the GU 4.2TD utes will go.

[awsumdc]

they are ok as a tourer but in the bush they do lift wheels the travel is not there

the power of the diesel is ok but its not that great
the fuel economy is ok but not that great either

for the same coin you can buy an 80 series pay some one to make it a dual cab
pay some one to put a 100 series 1HDFTE in
put a new 2 inch lift and put a set of 285 75 16's on it
it will do everything better

tyres will wear more evenly
more power,
same fuel consumption ,
stronger running gear
will tow better
be a great tourer
have longer range
better in the ruff stuff
supa comfy with live axles long, travel and 4 coils instead of leaves and short travel struts
less wheel alinements
no flimsy rubber cv boots
its quite simple really stick your head under the front of an ifs truck look at the the number of moving parts how big and strong they are then look at an 80 series or patrol with live axle there is no doubt they are stronger and travel better

only down side is it dont keep up with the jones's in how new it is

OR.........

Instead of doing all the crap you just spoutted off about, if you want a solid axle and you want a newer truck, just get a used new generation Hilux, sas the thing and put some gearing in it and then bring on any other solid axle rig.

Kinda like this.....



OR this........



However, I think that the Newer Hilux is a great offroad platform. Ifs or not, it will get you to and from most places without drama.

[thrashlux]

they are ok as a tourer but in the bush they do lift wheels the travel is not there

the power of the diesel is ok but its not that great
the fuel economy is ok but not that great either

for the same coin you can buy an 80 series pay some one to make it a dual cab
pay some one to put a 100 series 1HDFTE in
put a new 2 inch lift and put a set of 285 75 16's on it
it will do everything better

tyres will wear more evenly
more power,
same fuel consumption ,
stronger running gear
will tow better
be a great tourer
have longer range
better in the ruff stuff
supa comfy with live axles long, travel and 4 coils instead of leaves and short travel struts
less wheel alinements
no flimsy rubber cv boots
its quite simple really stick your head under the front of an ifs truck look at the the number of moving parts how big and strong they are then look at an 80 series or patrol with live axle there is no doubt they are stronger and travel better

only down side is it dont keep up with the jones's in how new it is

OR.........

Instead of doing all the crap you just spoutted off about, if you want a solid axle and you want a newer truck, just get a used new generation Hilux, sas the thing and put some gearing in it and then bring on any other solid axle rig.

Kinda like this.....



OR this........



However, I think that the Newer Hilux is a great offroad platform. Ifs or not, it will get you to and from most places without drama.

EASY CAUSE IT WILL COST SHIT LOADS BE SLOWER USE MORE FUEL AND USE LOTS OF NON STD PARTS

MOST OF ALL IT WONT BE LEGAL

i would not call a bolt in engine change and a 2 " lift a lot
and body chop is done plenty these days no hassles

PS. awsumdc when was the last time you drove a 1hdfte powered truck ???or even a td hilux??

[toaddog]

Regardless of what some of the people have said here, Id say my current 07 hilux is very capable and will only become more so in the coming months.....


3" lift, 33/12x16 muddies....front locker...and the rest of the usual stuff.

Have made it up tracks where my mates 80 series on 36" simex has struggles......

tyre size and front solid axle isnt everything.....being able to pick the right line and using your head not just your right foot will get you lots of places.

remember the current hilux has an 8" front diff centre, same as an 80series front diff from memory.....

the previous IFS hilux on 33's has the same diff clearance as a GQ patrol on 35's....the current ones probably more thou I havent been able to compare properly yet.

The clutches are crap in the current ones but I havent been able to fault my current hilux for anything yet, other than I wish it had a 5 speed auto instead of the 4 speed.

Went on a trip recently with the mud rhino forum to wombat and on one particularly steep and rutted track my hilux was the only toyota and one of 4 out of our group of 8-20 vehicles to make it up first go...the other 3 were GQ's on 35's.....

Heres the track -


Dont under estimate the current shape hilux...it is far more capable than it looks....

Im fitting a 2nd transfer case next month to it and all going well some 34" muddies or so later in the year.

Trees generally grow straight up in the air not off at a 15 degree angle off of the vertical. Next time can the photographer hold the camera straight instead of tipping it.

[slowsurf]

I had an ifs surf alot older then what you are looking at but i had 2inch spring lift and 2 inch body lift and 33's.

It was ok off road but was never going to follow an 80 series or gq with the same mods they just had more travel then i ever did.

but in saying that it went alot of places and was great fun by the sounds of what you want to do the new hilux should suit you fine but as other have said just dont expect it to go rock climbing and just crawl up the hill with out a far wack of cash spent on mods.

and as for fuel economy my boss at work has a 08 3L TD and he gets 7.2L/100 on freeway and around 8 in heavy traffic. and when he tow's the horse float he said it never use's more then around 11L/100

but in saying all that i would still take a solid front end over ifs any day as i now have a leafs all round 1uz powered 92 duel cab

at the end of the day it all comes down to what you want and what sort of 4wding you want to do not what everyone else thinks.

Paul

[BeZeRK]

fark, you IFS haters annoy the SH!t outta me!!

For a tourer and everyday car they are fine if you treat them accordingly!... Ive got both, but if i was doing any sort of trip id take the new lux over my play toy...

Just cause they wouldnt make it up the old porters road doesnt mean it wouldnt make a good cape york tourer!!!!

[mmaaxx]

Trees generally grow straight up in the air not off at a 15 degree angle off of the vertical.

Did you work that one out by yourself...that trees grow straight......

Next time can the photographer hold the camera straight instead of tipping it.

If he held the camera straight all you would have seen would be the canopies of the trees.....the track was steep and needed him to point downwards to get the vehicles in the pics....here, let me add some more to satisfy your criticism of the photographer.....









Do the trees look straight enough there? Hold on, let me get my pertractor to check

Live front axle must be really good...that 60 had to get winched up.....good to see that the solid front axle helped him offroad.

[thrashlux]

Live front axle must be really good...that 60 had to get winched up.....good to see that the solid front axle helped him offroad.

HAHAHA yeah he probably has a carby petrol or a 2h diesel (both have no power on hills)
so that means the 25 year old truck had no power and no wheel travel with leaf springs front and rear (like on the back of the new hilux)
its got nothing to do with the fact its live axle its the suspension system that counts
thats what i have being saying all along 4 coils and live axles plus power is a sure bet as long as its a patrol , 80 ,100 or even rover

my great grandads horse wagon had leaf springs and live axle its cause of the live axle that it did not make it up that hill

not leaf springs and no power

[thrashlux]

fark, you IFS haters annoy the SH!t outta me!!

For a tourer and everyday car they are fine if you treat them accordingly!... Ive got both, but if i was doing any sort of trip id take the new lux over my play toy...

This is funny ,not one of the so called "ifs haters" has said they are no good on the road they are just saying thats what they are best at

whats your play toy i bet its not a TD80 ,100 or patrol
i dont know why people with ifs get so upset!! is it like a dick size thing or something???
all i am doing is telling it how it is in the real world
yeah heard i all before its not about the size but how u use it right