Hilux took me by supprise!

[mikeb]

Good afternoon lads

I got my hilux about 2 weeks ago and I am battling to come to terms with my emotions. I have never felt this way about a car and this is the 11th vehicle I have owned. My wife and kids are feeling a bit neglected, all I can talk about is my lux. I'm finding myself looking for excuses to drive it.

I never thought I'd be into these type of vehicles, I've been more of a sports car man up to now. Then about 15 months ago we bought a new house and I had to sell my Nissan 350Z roadster to afford the deposit. I bought a little bantam to see me through the rough patch and get me to work and back. Then 2 weeks ago I was offered this hilux at an excellent price. I was all over it and the bantam is history. I didn't even know about the extra kit on the lux, for the price I didn't care.

I did notice that is was pretty high off the ground as I have to slip out of the seat and fall about a foot before I hit the ground. I checked under the vehicle and saw some yellow shocks that said "made tough in Australia". A quick search on the net and I found this forum and the answer - Old Man Emu.

The next discovery was a bit more of a shock. I went to fill up. The needle was just over half. So the guys starts pumping. When the pump showed 40L I was getting ready to pull my wallet, but no, it kept going - 50L, 60L, 70L WHAT THE HELL? I got down on my hands and knees, this tank must have a leak! It took 103L. After I got to work, I had a good look under the car - there it was, additional fuel tank.

The only change I have made is to the sound system. I installed a decent Sony head unit, Hertz ESK 6.5" co-ax in the front doors, Sony 10" flat sub behind rear seats and a JL Audio 4ch amp under the passenger seat.

Anyways, sorry for the long story, I just wanted to say Hi and thanks for an excellent forum.

Vehicle: 2006 Hilux D/C 2.7VVTI (non 4x4)
Milage: 184,000km

OK - I tried to upload pics but it says they may only be 800 pixels wide? Even tried to make them smaller and didn't work.

Links:

[Traveler]

Welcome to the forum Mike. And congrats on the best vehicle you have ever owned.

[Rebel 4x4]

Welcome to the forum!

Can't seem to see pictures.... Says service unavailable...

[Royco]

Hi Mike, and welcome to the forum!

[CasKru]

Welcome to the forum Mike. Hope you enjoy it here. Your van looks awesome

[george]

Welcome to the forum Mike. Hope you enjoy it here. Your van looks awesome

Sies Cassie.Show us dem pics

[AM Racing]

some things you cannot explain to the unbelievers. Thats why, just smile and wave...

[GeorgeJvR]

Hi and welcome Mike! Nice Lux pitty its not a 4x4

[JJBotes]

Welcome Mike !!

[mikeb]

Thanks for the welcome.

I would have loved a 3.0L D4D in 4X4, but beggars can't be choosers

With careful driving the consumption is arround 11.5L/100. I was a bit dissapointed when my Durban trip averaged 12.5L/100. Must be due to the speed - over 3000 revs must be very uneconomical.

I took the car to the Pilanesburg the first weekend I had it and it handled the worst dirt roads I cound find with ease. I'm not really a big off-roader, but I have seen the light now. The OME suspension is awesome.

[mikeb]

Thanks for fixing the pic links Cassie.

I'll get some better pics soon.

[dalkill]

Welcome Mike.

Now that you have been bitten, do you have any plans to upgrade some more

[jacques kotze]

Welcome Mike,
Now you sound like a true Hilux believer

[ChrisF]

GELUK met die mooi wa, en welkom by die Hilux familie. :)



and YES, it DOES put a smile on your dial when that wagon eats up the long miles .....

[Sebata]

welcome Mike you are the MAN got the same as yours, 4x2 BUT WTH she's got attitudes & rides nicely hope to see you in the next Gauteng meet & greet

[Thunder02]

Nice van Mike,i guess theres no arguments about who's going to the shop for bread and milk.

[mikeb]

Hey thanks to all for the great welcome.

I still have a lot to learn about the upgrades I already have before I start thinking about more.

I also like the wheels and tyres it came with. Other small features are leather interior and the bonnet and headlight guards.

I am eager to learn more about these vehicles and their capabilities. I will be doing a lot of reading over the next few months!

[Mud Dog]

Welcome Mike! Beautiful van! .... we'll wait and watch the upgrades to the point where you get that 3.0 D4D 4x4 ! .... Just sell the house, man!!

[Donkey]

Welcome Mike - now you're bitten, enjoy.
Stuff s'addictive - your wife must be strong
There's many okes with 4x2 you just need to learn your truck's capabilities and get over your own limitations. 350Z's may be quick but now you can use em as jack stands for oil changes

From us in the south - the name is Donkey.

[mikeb]

Thanks all. You guys are bad news looks like joining up here is going to be costing me quite a bit of loot in the near future!

[CasKru]

Thanks all. You guys are bad news looks like joining up here is going to be costing me quite a bit of loot in the near future!

Jy wou mos

[mikeb]

Some more pics from the weekend:

[andrevt]

welkom van ons in die vrystaat

[Ali3n]

[Donkey]

Hope to see you soon with one of our GTG or sundowners

[OOOOMS]

Late but not never....welcome Mike, nice looking Lux indeed

[ROOFER]

Welcome from all of us down in the wet Cape ,ENJOY!!!!

[mikeb]

Thanks very much for the warm welcome.

I am slowly trawling through the different sections of the forum. I enjoy the trip reports.

It's gotten quite bad now - I have started looking for places to take the family on weekends that involves driving on dirt roads!

[Witblits]

Welcome, Mike. I'm afraid the infection is incurable, but if poorer in pocket, you and your family will gain far more in spirit.

[mikeb]

Haha André, I see you have found a good one liner to justify the "infection". Nice.