Hilux single cab or similar

Ive been involved in selling many pick ups and commercials in my short time but I have never personaly used a Hilux 2.4 single cab extensively.

What are they like to own? Any Problems? What would the fuel economy be for a cautious driver?

Thanks.

Jas

They are a commercial vehicle and insurance premiums can be high as insurers assume they will be used for commercial purposes and levy premiums accordingly, there are two options, insure through a specialist broker or through a Toyota club, but check premiums before buying.

Off road they are not that good unless they have weight in the back, they lack the weight over thr driving wheels if unladen and can lose traction earlier than normal 4X4's.

Driving wise they are a lumpy ride unless laden, they are a commercial vehicle designed for work, but if you can live with the ride quality they are inherently reliable if you get a good one, parts are reasonable, and theres plenty of availability at varying prices. Back up is good as they have a large following so information is good, and they have no major issues associated with them.

Fuel consumption is something i would not like to comment on as those we used would never get out of 4L as they were working all the time, so not reflective of what you would get.

The problem I have in the 2.9 auto is stop, start driving in traffic, accelerating around town this is all hampering my fuel economy and 70% of the time I am in town due to relocation. Its fine on the motorway and b roads with the cruise control on, getting 30mpg but Im on the motorway once a month....

Previous to the Terry I had a Mazda bt50 single cab, from what I recall it was alot better stop starting and town driving.

I am hoping that a 2.4 Hilux or similar Nissan D22, Mazda b2500 could get me better fuel economy as the vehicle engine is smaller, the vehicle is lighter and it would have a manual gearbox.

I am aware of the at times limited off road ability, Im pretty sure that most Pick ups have a rear LSD to help and I do recall that 4work models of L200 have a rear diff lock.

But im sure with the hard top on the truck and all my kit in there, their should be enough weight over the rear axle to gain traction.

But at the moment I am looking for 4wd vehicle that is highly efficient on the road.

Jason

It looks like a Smart car then, if there are two of you in it you can pick it up and carry it over the rough stuff.

Hi just a couple of thoughts and suggestions.

Look at buying manual terri slightly better fuel consumption, and certainly cheaper tax. Still got good offroad ability.

Two other suggestions one is suzuki Jimny if you need to carry more buy a trailer, used extensively round here by farmers/off roaders/and seen them towing good size trailers behind them, good fuel economy on petrol, which is cheaper at the moment and suspect cheap to insure, and I suspect by buying a single cab you do not need to carry to many passengers.

The other one is slightly madder and suggest a Lada Niva Cossack, again practical and cheap good offroad and newer version for sale at the moment.

Hope the suggestions help

mugwump wrote:

Hi just a couple of thoughts and suggestions.

Look at buying manual terri slightly better fuel consumption, and certainly cheaper tax. Still got good offroad ability.

Two other suggestions one is suzuki Jimny if you need to carry more buy a trailer, used extensively round here by farmers/off roaders/and seen them towing good size trailers behind them, good fuel economy on petrol, which is cheaper at the moment and suspect cheap to insure, and I suspect by buying a single cab you do not need to carry to many passengers.

The other one is slightly madder and suggest a Lada Niva Cossack, again practical and cheap good offroad and newer version for sale at the moment.

Hope the suggestions help

Great motor Lada Niva Cossack, when they first arived in this country, we had one on test for 3 days, me and my next door neighbour set up some tasks on our farms, hills decents gullys mud run runs rock crawling, it passed all eventually.
Took it back a bit dirty, and told sales men how great it was, but because we have 5 children had to say it did not have 7 seats.

I did look at getting a manual Terry, it is an option.
The Lada Niva is a bit too small, like the jimny. I have owned a jimny before and it is great as a little run around, but i found the fuel was not that good and I could just fit my fishing gear in the vehicle let alone anything else.

I will keep looking around, and looking at fuel figures for lo ratio 4x4's. If only the Government would remove the 85% fuel tax.

Sod it!

I will attempt to make my own fuel and possibly destroy my engine in the process before I let the Governments high fuel prices defeat the Terracan!

Glad to hear you are sticking with Terri, but was looking on some for sale on ebay and was surprised in the difference of fuel consumption between manual and auto, so thought you might like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Hyundai-Terracan-2-9-Diesel-CDX-CRTD-/270678040940?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f05ab216c

mugwump wrote:

Glad to hear you are sticking with Terri, but was looking on some for sale on ebay and was surprised in the difference of fuel consumption between manual and auto, so thought you might like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Hyundai-Terracan-2-9-Diesel-CDX-CRTD-/270678040940?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f05ab216c

There is a notable difference. Like I said its fine is I travel anywhere that the over drive kicks in, 45mph+ basically. Its just stop start etc.

& Thanks for the link, A manual would probably be the way to go if the fueling is still an issue. Cos they really do work well IMO.

Thanks all

Jason

See my post in newbie section. Long history with the Hilux though mine were petrols. Awesome reliability. Top Gear did them the biggest favour, a fair assessment of their capability.

I concur with the traction problems when unladen.

I fitted a rear diff locker and never looked back. Ran it for years no hassle. Didn't have to use it very often, selecting the right tyre pressure for the expected conditions was far more important. And having the best compromise tyre type.

With rear diff locked, unlocking the front hubs would stop spinning at the front wheels and got us out of bother every time.

Ta for that.


Being winter, the 4x4 and commercial prices at auction in the trade and the private sectors are at a high. So I will be waiting until next year after winter to buy.

As for Terry fuel consumption, a swap from the MT tyres to M&S have led to much improved fuel around town. When I drove to Exeter, I achieved an average of 38mpg to and fro on my Journey.

Update to follow in new year.

Thanks all.