Hilux Newbie from Canada Questions

[Samwise4]

Hi Everyone :)

I am seriously considering importing a double cab Hilux from Japan into Canada and was hoping to get some input from everyone regarding them as I am very green with Hiluxs as we only have the Tacoma in Canada.

The vehicle has to be at least 15 years old so the newest model I can get is a 2008. Therefore i am looking at 5th generation, 6th generation, and the first few years of the 7th. My goal is to import one with less than 150k kms.

About my usuage:
-Live in the mountains and we have colder weather/snow in the winter where it will get down to -25 degrees celcius.
-I own a boat and would like to be able to trailer it and haul loads and/or put on a small camper
-daily driver to work/apptox. 30 km at highway speeds of 100km/hr
-off-road use, not used in sand or rock crawling but would like to be able to get up mountain off road trails.

Questions:

-Should I stick with a diesel motor? I am leaning towards one due to the low end torque and better fuel economy.

-Of the diesel engines, what would you recommend? Any to stay away from in the respective generations?
5th generation: 2L, 3L, 2L-2?
6th generation: 2L-T2, 2L-TE, 5L, 5L-E 1KZ-TE?
-and years to stay away from here? pre-facelift, post facelift?
-Ive-read about the issues of this 3000D being an issue, what years was this on?
7th generation: 2.KD-FTV, 1KD-FTV?

I ve read about the heads cracking on the turbos, which engine models/years were more prone to this problem?

regarding rust, any years more prone to frame rust? In the tacoma, we had a mass recall on the frame from years 1997-2004? Does the hilux have the same issue?

In regards to part availability, any models/years to stay away from due to availability? i understand that it will be more difficult with me being in Canada sourcing parts but don't want to import something that is even more difficut.


Apologies for the thousand questions, I am new to the Hilux and any input would be greatly considered!

Cheers,

Sam

[niclemaitre]

Hi there

Good luck with your purchase.

The old naturally aspirated diesel (the "L" series) are donkeys. Slow and steady. I had a 2.8 (3L) and it struggled to maintain 100km/h. We'd joke that it would go anywhere at 80 though. They do tend to have an overheating issue, so an EGT gauge is highly recommended.

The 5th gen had a solid front axle, which is amazing for off road ability, but sucks for ride comfort. The 6th generation had independent front suspension and a much better ride. The AC in the 5th is just a button, that does nothing but sap performance.

The KZ-TE was a great engine after around 2002, where they fixed the head issue. It only came out in the 6th generation, along with a much better ride and working AC.

I've had friends who owned the D4D engines, both the 2.4 and the 3.0, and they are full of praise for them.

[Samwise4]

Thanks for the reply Nic!

Upon some further research on jdms, it looks like I can only get the 5L, 3L, 2L-TE in the diesel models from Japan, not the KZ-TE. Any experience with the 5L vs the 3L or 2L-TE?

Where do the models with the KZ-TE typically come from?

In regards to petro, looks like the main jdm versions are the 3Y-E or 3RZ-FE engines.

Any preference between those options, 3RZ-FE vs 5L ? maintenance intervals, reliability, fuel consumption, overall performance?

[niclemaitre]

For the "L" series engines I don't think that there is much difference in performance between any of them. My 3L was hard pressed to maintain 100 km/h on the flat, and forget about uphill. It was incredible off road, in technical, rocky terrain with great low down torque and amazing engine braking. Epic for a farm toy, not such a great daily. Got 10 l / 100 km.

We have the KZ-TE in South Africa and Australia, but all right hand drive. Maybe they never made the left hand drive version?

The 3RZ-FE I have now is a super engine, reliable and much more accomplished daily driver (and the AC works!). Fuel consumption is around 13 l / 100 km. I service mine every 10 000 km, same as the diesels. It'll do 120 km/h fairly easily, about 3500 RPM in 5th. The 4.0 l V6 in the next generation is a very nice engine too, same consumption, more power. The 3RZ-FE is not as good in technical off road as the diesels, with less low down torque, but it is much better in sand/mud as it revs more readily.