Thread: Need a 4x4 Ute

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Reads more like advertising. The one comment it not too good either.

Probably a Ford or Toyota dealer trolling.

I think your buggered either way these days, there are bad stories about every brand out there. Touch wood I've had a bloody good run out of my Toyota's (landcruisers 80, 100, 200's and Hiluxs), The Mitsi seems to be going strong and I was hesitant about buying one, it's only done 60K, had a good run out of my holden utes (V6 & V8's) and probably going to end up with a ranger by the end of the day (never thought that would happen). My sisters Wildtrack actually just shat it's self over the weekend @ 130,000k, not sure what yet.

They are all much of a muchness now, to me it comes down to the deal that they will do and dealer relationships, never thought I would have anything but Toyota's. My last Hilux I only done 3500k in it and got rid of it.
If you don't want to loss money on vehicles, buy a pushbike.

Damn I'm starting to miss old smokey now. She was slow and I think the injector pump was starting to die but it cost me fuck all to keep running over the 9 years I had it.

what ever late model ute you buy its worth extending the warranty or buying a warranty for peace of mind. just my opinion shouldn't have to but it seems every brand has its issues.

The only complaint I've heard about the Isuzu D Max is they're fairly agricultural in comfort. As in engine noise, and the ride isn't as nice as the others.But isn't that what a tough 4wd is. Other than that, no mechanical issues that I'm aware of
I'd prefer something that'll get me there and back in one piece, rather than broken on side of the track

I reccomend the pre 2006 Ford Couriers and Mazda Bountys.

Only real problems they have are a weak 5th gear, clog radiators and chew glow plugs.

Get one that has already had gearbox and/or head replaced or has low KMs and change the radiator, glowplugs are a non issue.

Those utes are pretty close to bullet proof, as bad as the above reads.

......glow plugs are a non issue.........

Until one breaks off in the hole apparently

That's also not a major, snapped one off in a courier 6 or so years ago, it's still in there and the ute is still being flogged, 475,000km so far

Originally Posted by Savage1

I reccomend the pre 2006 Ford Couriers and Mazda Bountys.

Only real problems they have are a weak 5th gear, clog radiators and chew glow plugs.

Get one that has already had gearbox and/or head replaced or has low KMs and change the radiator, glowplugs are a non issue.

Those utes are pretty close to bullet proof, as bad as the above reads.

They don't have a weak fifth gear, the problem is the gear sits high in the box so when towing or lugging it up hills etc in fifth it can get hot as its not submerged enough in oil, extra 500ml of oil in the box over reccomended and its a non issue

Originally Posted by MSL

That's also not a major, snapped one off in a courier 6 or so years ago, it's still in there and the ute is still being flogged, 475,000km so far

Truck twins!

extra oil in the box you say....now thats interesting i was always told it was a weak gear also, mine hasn't popped yet at 213,000 maybe i'll change the oil and over fill like you say, how did you find this out? also i love my bounty just find it abit gutless mid range sometimes, looking for a galv flat deck for it at the moment if anyones knows of one?

good truck here, if i didn't already have one id buy it Mazda Bounty Dbl Cab Td 2000 | Trade Me

Originally Posted by turner nz

extra oil in the box you say....now thats interesting i was always told it was a weak gear also, mine hasn't popped yet at 213,000 maybe i'll change the oil and over fill like you say, how did you find this out? also i love my bounty just find it abit gutless mid range sometimes, looking for a galv flat deck for it at the moment if anyones knows of one?

Bought truck off my dads buddy who is a diesel mechanic and he rebuilt the box before I bought it, he mentioned that he had done a few of them for a mine company on the west coast and first one he opened he knew it was a design flaw straight away and all the failed gears he had seen had signs of extreme heat stress, run an extra 500ml and the problem goes away

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Of everything available these days, the pick for towing of the utes would have to be the BT50/Ranger with the 3.2L motor. They have issues, same as anything but get the extended warranty. The issue with everything else, is either the engine is too small, the gearing is too high or the power comes in at far too high an rpm.

The ranger and bt50 have the most driveable powerband for towing and off road work, the downside with them is the suspension is utter crap from the factory and the electronic gizmos tend to die young, very young.

And dont ever take the battery out or leave it flat for more than a few mins......can get real messy apparently.

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What are the '04 Hilux's like? Before they went to the new shape and engines?

Originally Posted by Beavis

What are the '04 Hilux's like? Before they went to the new shape and engines?

Nice

Push button 4wd on the gearlever and decent articulating suspension for the average hunter

Quiet at highway speeds and good gearing/torque curve for tight back country roads.

Have owned a few of them, now using the new ones and no problems at all, but the suspension is much firmer on the new ones.

I'd use an 04 again in the blink of an eye