Hilux 4x4 Forum

I am in the market for a Hilux Double Cab. I see that from 1995 - 1998 there was a 2.8 Diesel. Can anybody tell me how reliable they are and what their fuel consumption is. I see their trade value is much lower than the Petrol version, is there a reason for that?

These 2.8 diesel Hilux engines are very strong, but very slow, you have to make sure that the radiator cooling system is in tip top working condition and if there is a visco fan fitted, you have to make sure that it is working properly, we have a 2.8 diesel in the one 1996 Hilux, it has not given us any problems, the fuel consumption is excellent, but we do not go tearing around the country side at high speeds, when we do use the vehicle on longer trips we keep the speed at between 100 and 110km per hour, but another reason why we do not try and go faster is due to the 33" x 1250 x 15" Bridgestone All Terrain tyres that are fitted to the 10 J rims, thus yes the 2.8 diesel engine is a very fine engine, but do not buy one that has had an after market turbo system fitted, these engines with these turbo's give lots of problems and some of them you cannot even buy a new exhaust manifold, the reason been they tend to crack.

Thus depending on what application you want to use the vehicle for, this will also determine which engine will best suit your requirements, some people fit the 3L engine which just bolts straight in, you have to just fit another radiator and change the radiator hoses, I can give you the number of a friend down in East London who had done this mod to his Hilux a few month back and he says that he is very happy with it, his name is Gary Miles.

I have got a few photo's of the various engine will post them here when I find them for you to compare.

You must also remember that if you buy a Hilux that has the 2.8 Diesel engine fitted, these type of vehicle's normally have the local Gearmax rear axle fitted which are much more prone to giving problems, to be able to see this, climb underneath and if you see a rear cover on the diff pumpkin that can be removed by loosening the bolts then you have a gearmax diff, the imported diffs are much stronger and hardly give problems, the only time that they do is when people drive their vehicle through or under water and they get water contamination this is when the water mixes with the oil and bearing failure will happen, this is why extended breather pipes must be fitted, I will do a brief thread on this else where or maybe somebody else can as well.

Thus tell us what application you want to use your "new" Hilux for and then we can give you more advise :)

pietpetoors wrote:I am in the market for a Hilux Double Cab. I see that from 1995 - 1998 there was a 2.8 Diesel. Can anybody tell me how reliable they are and what their fuel consumption is. I see their trade value is much lower than the Petrol version, is there a reason for that?

Piet,

Have a look at the '89 Hilux that Insane is selling, picture in another thread "My Rides".

Don't think it's a diesel though, probably a 4Y.

-F_D

Have you considered to have a look in The Autotrader.

http://www.autotrader.co.za My other friend told me that there were a few in last weeks issue, but he is not sure if they were Diesels, there is a 2000 model for sale in East London, with stacks of modifications done to it, it is the 3 liter, colour ugly green, contact Gary at 043 736 6149, this model does not have the solid front axle, it has independent front suspension, but they are verrrry slow.

What a great explanation Simoan my seun. I also was considering fitting a diesel on my 22r. But now I won't.

This is a very old thread that you've resurrected, Wandile, and the motors being referred to are old diesel technology. A lot has happened with diesels since then. The 3lit KZTE motor that followed was a great improvement IRO performance but they did not take kindly to overheating and tended to crack heads - the fitment of an after-market AMC head sorted the cracking problem.

Although not Toyota, the Ford 2.5 WL diesel motor is a good option but if you wanted to keep it all Toyota and have the extra bucks, then consider a 2.5 or 3.0 D4D, both excellent motors but pricey (even 2nd hand).