Diesel Hiluxes

[RU55ELL]

I don't know why all you Tacoma owners are so ga-ga over them. I drove one for ~ 3 hours in the Tunisian desert today and don't see what the big deal is. Yeah, they have marginally better torque but the power is terrible. You have to downshift for any hill and all that was in the truck was me, a passenger and my luggage. I was longing for my 4.0 gasoline badly.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I don't know why all you Tacoma owners are so ga-ga over them. I drove one for ~ 3 hours in the Tunisian desert today and don't see what the big deal is. Yeah, they have marginally better torque but the power is terrible. You have to downshift for any hill and all that was in the truck was me, a passenger and my luggage. I was longing for my 4.0 gasoline badly.

Grass is greener syndrome. It's not available in the US therefore it must be superior.

It would be like if Toyota offered the 70 series in the US. All the people who talk about how awesome the 70's are would not be able to afford them, and the people who could afford them would say "I'd rather have a Tahoe with dual DVDs and a big V8."

 

[Pskhaat]

I like calling Hilux in plural Hiluxen.

 

[Dipodomys]

I think the improved mileage with close to the same amount of power/torque is the big appeal. At least it is for me. The 17.5 mpg average I get in my Tacoma is nothing to write home about, but the power is good so at least that's good. Getting 25 mpg or so would be a lot more to my liking, even if the power isn't quite as good.

Going to Australia in three weeks and will have a chance to drive a diesel Prado for a few days: http://www.toyota.com.au/prado?DCSext.LPLink=other|4WD-SUV|LCPrado|VehicleClick.

Looks to essentially be an SUV version of the HiLux, kind of like their version of the 4runner, and has the same 3.0 TD engine a the HiLux. Will be interested to see how it goes.

And I'll definitely be checking out those 70s...

 

[Mr. Leary]

I like calling Hilux in plural Hiluxen.

:coffeedrink:

Hiluxi???

Sounds like a town in Alabama.

 

[Pskhaat]

I save that for the Toyota trickery we call Lexus = Lexi.

 

[RU55ELL]

Grass is greener syndrome. It's not available in the US therefore it must be superior.

It would be like if Toyota offered the 70 series in the US. All the people who talk about how awesome the 70's are would not be able to afford them, and the people who could afford them would say "I'd rather have a Tahoe with dual DVDs and a big V8."

I saw a few 70 series trucks myself. I don't think the Tunisian guy I was with understood why I reacted with excitement. It's not like I could have explained myself anyway; I don't know French and he doesn't know English.

Now that solid front 100 series, that is a different story. Manual tranny, bigger diesel. That sounds much more appealing. Of course, I guess gears could be added to the Hilux to improve acceleration. But that would also reduce your fuel economy.

 

[TangoBlue]

I don't know why all you Tacoma owners are so ga-ga over them. I drove one for ~ 3 hours in the Tunisian desert today and don't see what the big deal is. Yeah, they have marginally better torque but the power is terrible. You have to downshift for any hill and all that was in the truck was me, a passenger and my luggage. I was longing for my 4.0 gasoline badly.

Kill-joy! I can have my dreams, can't I? Seriously, I drive a 2.7 3RZ AT. It's a sturdy, reliable engine but a little more torque would be a nice addition; good news is that at 4,600 LBS I'm still managing 20 mpg highway.

The 3L TD, D4D, runs at about twice the HP and torque as the 3RZ. Let me have my illusions of sweet Toyota diesel power... please...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Which model were you driving? I spent a few days in a D4D powered Hi-Lux in Aussie last summer, it seemed as peppey as my 3.4l supercharged 5VZ, granted it didn't have the weight or tires but the fuel economy is well worth the minor hit.

 

[TangoBlue]

Whew! Thanks Kurt - you restored my faith in Toyota diesel power...

 

[esh]

I'd like to hear what model too. There is quite a difference between a 2L or 1KZ-T or the 1KD-FTV in a hilux, drivetrain not withstanding.

In american speak, the 22RE is a much different animal than a 1GR-FE.

 

[RU55ELL]

It was not a D4D. I know this much but I do not know what diesel engine was in it. Heck, I thought they all used the same engine. I rode to the rig from camp in the Landcruiser this morning and it felt much more powerful than the Hilux.

 

[tacollie]

MPGs for me. My 4.0 taco rarely saw over 14mpg, but that was with my flippac, 255s, and lift. Before the lift it never saw over 16mpg with the 255s.

 

[Hilux_Max]

Theres a big Difference between the 3litre 1KZ turbo diesel Hilux.....
3 litre 1KD D4D in the current shape hilux and the 3 litre 1KD in the current shape Prado.....the Prado has the most torque and power and is absolutley awesome for towing.......not to mention the unbeleivable fuel economy and 150 litre fuel tank size in the Prado...cruising range over 1300km.....

 

[luangwablondes]

You see a lot of diesel hiluxes(used as overlanders) running around East and Southern African. Has a reputation for being very reliable. But for the places I prefer to go, the clearance sucks. Deep sand can end all forward momentum. A few inches more of water to ford, and it isn't going anyplace. A few track obstacles and it gets hung up. Heck, I've seen one screw the pooch coming off a ferry. I've assisted quite a few for those very problems. Otherwise, its a great vehicle for the $$.