Advice required - 2006 Fortuner & rolling

Die$eL · Post by **Die$eL** » Mon May 27, 2013 9:32 am

Hi all,

I may have an opportunity to buy a 2006 Fortuner 4x4

Now I know that there are stories that the first gen Tunas are prone to rolling over.
Is it really that bad?
What was done to reduce the chances of it rolling?
Is it worth considering or should i just buy a later one?

WayneSchalk · Post by **WayneSchalk** » Mon May 27, 2013 9:49 am

I have read up about this myself, I came across an article about it where Darryl from Mikem Suspension has the solution. Give him a call he will surely tell you better what is the story

Hangover · Post by **Hangover** » Mon May 27, 2013 9:51 am

I might be wrong but I think i saw a article that related the problem with the tires they originally fitted the tunas with... Tyre drifting or something.... Bridgestone deuler HT's... I know of few people with older tunas that don't have any problems most of them running BF's and bridgestone deuler AT's...

ThysdJ · Post by **ThysdJ** » Mon May 27, 2013 1:06 pm

Either they all got rolled or the problem got fixed, because I havent heard about them rolling lately. I still think it was more a question of driver error than vehicle error. These vehicles drive so smoothly that you dont realise you are doing 100km/h + on a dirt road, I experienced that with my Vigo as well. And at that speed, when things go wrong, they go horribly wrong.. quickly...

Rianc · Post by **Rianc** » Mon May 27, 2013 1:31 pm

I think I will go with Thysd on this one. As far as I can remember most reported "rolling" happened in Namibie. Their gravel roads are in great condition, refering to connection roads (mains). Although high precaution must be taken, since there are plenty of soft spots near natural dry stream crossings which will definetaly have a sudden impact on the vehichles steering. Although the drivers might think that the vehicle is in permanent 4x4, its not (40/60 split if not engaded in the lock position). Towing a heavy loaded camper/trailer will further enhance the momentum of the vehicle and over corrective steering (instinctive reaction in most cases) will see the trailer snake and go past you.

Years ago I drove with my uncle to his farm in Witputs with his 3l Cortina bakkie. He knew the road well, driving it two times a week. Killing speeds in order of 150km/h on some streches, thinking back it was very irrisponsible of him. Never had an accident, but died of a hart attack.

Racing snake · Post by **Racing snake** » Mon May 27, 2013 4:57 pm

I have a 2007 Fortuner 3.0d4-d. The previous owner fitted Old Man Emu suspension. I've been to Nam, Bots, Moz, Zim and never had a scary moment. The genuine terror will come when I have to fork out something like R12 000 for new shocks.

Tal · Post by **Tal** » Mon May 27, 2013 10:06 pm

Racing snake wrote:I have a 2007 Fortuner 3.0d4-d. The previous owner fitted Old Man Emu suspension. I've been to Nam, Bots, Moz, Zim and never had a scary moment. The genuine terror will come when I have to fork out something like R12 000 for new shocks.

More like R16K

Tal · Post by **Tal** » Mon May 27, 2013 10:08 pm

Die$eL wrote:Hi all,

I may have an opportunity to buy a 2006 Fortuner 4x4

Now I know that there are stories that the first gen Tunas are prone to rolling over.
Is it really that bad?
What was done to reduce the chances of it rolling?
Is it worth considering or should i just buy a later one?

Tyre pressure is also a huge factor!
Why buy an older one if you can buy a newer one?

Tal · Post by **Tal** » Mon May 27, 2013 10:10 pm

Hangover wrote:I might be wrong but I think i saw a article that related the problem with the tires they originally fitted the tunas with... Tyre drifting or something.... Bridgestone deuler HT's... I know of few people with older tunas that don't have any problems most of them running BF's and bridgestone deuler AT's...

Original tyres were Generals... They were scary in any condition!

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Mon May 27, 2013 11:22 pm

The rear suspension design isn't up to scratch on them, aftermarket suspensions does improve stability and some ride comfort.

If you consider buying a 4.0 V6, i'd rather go for the Prado with the same motor, much better handling and ride, still don't know why Toyota didn't use that rear setup.
The diesel is a different story, unfortunately the older Prado's was not available in RSA with a D4D motor

Die$eL · Post by **Die$eL** » Tue May 28, 2013 2:27 pm

Thanks for all the inputs

Tal - to answer your question, if i buy an older one with low mileage i can probably still afford to get the wife the lexus she has been after for a while now

The Tuna will not be doing lots of mileage. Only will be used on weekends and for fishing trips

Rianc · Post by **Rianc** » Tue May 28, 2013 2:44 pm

Tal, I agree with you! In "General" you dont have grip in the wet; in "General" you dont have grip in the dry; in "General" it has poor traction in lose sand; in "General" it has soft sidewalls and rock holding grip; in "General" it was a bad discision by Toyota to fit these tyres in the first place.

Tal · Post by **Tal** » Wed May 29, 2013 9:01 am

Die$eL wrote:Thanks for all the inputs

Tal - to answer your question, if i buy an older one with low mileage i can probably still afford to get the wife the lexus she has been after for a while now

The Tuna will not be doing lots of mileage. Only will be used on weekends and for fishing trips

Die$el

I would not be scared to buy one, if you want to fiddle with it, for anything between 9K and 16K you can change the suspension, if it has not been done already???

But firstly ill fit a pair of decent A/T tyres and run them at the correct pressure!

Secondly any car will rollover if you drive too fast! The tuna gives you lots of confidence and people tend to drive too fast on gravel roads with them, if you are not used to those speeds on those roads, drive slower!

M2cw

This will be the best value for money vehicle that you will ever buy!

Die$eL · Post by **Die$eL** » Wed May 29, 2013 9:09 am

Thanks again Tal

Any idea whether the 06 has traction control? I know the newer models have

Pote · Post by **Pote** » Wed May 29, 2013 9:18 am

I have to agree with a view of the comments here. I bought myself a Tuna about a month ago and it is a real plessure to drive..
The only thing is you have to keep an eye on the speedo as it tends to creep up because you don't feel the speed...

Tal · Post by **Tal** » Wed May 29, 2013 10:26 am

Die$eL wrote:Thanks again Tal

Any idea whether the 06 has traction control? I know the newer models have

No traction control in the 06!!!

Die$eL · Post by **Die$eL** » Wed May 29, 2013 10:39 am

Thanks for all the advice guys

Hopefully all works out and i can get the 06 which i have my eye on

Tal · Post by **Tal** » Wed May 29, 2013 2:53 pm

Photos!!! As soon as you get it!!

Die$eL · Post by **Die$eL** » Wed May 29, 2013 3:08 pm

will definitely do. will probably only be in august though...

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Thu May 30, 2013 12:40 pm

Nishan, I had a January 2007 V6 model. And all I can tell you is that you must be very, very, very, very, very, very, VERY (get the picture

) careful driving on gravel roads. The ass is looser than the receptionist's at the annual company Christmas party...

The first issue is the crap General Grabbers on the rims. Change them to Bridgestone or BFG A/T's asap. After that change the shocks to aftermarket (OME, Koni, etc.) I'm not technically minded, but I understand that the shocks overheat on the gravel due to the constant travel and this buggers up the damping rate causing some very scary moments.

And no, I'm not joking. And not a wussy!

I learned to drive on gravel from the age of 8, so I'm fairly confident, but this thing scared the crap out of me at 80km/h on the dirt road to Moegatle...

New Fortuners come standard with Bridgestone Deulers and my mom's '11 D4D does not have the same issues, iro shocks. However, it's a brilliant vehicle and I still regret selling mine. Just change the tyres & shocks.

Die$eL · Post by **Die$eL** » Thu May 30, 2013 1:15 pm

Thanks Johann. I will do!

Die$eL · Post by **Die$eL** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:33 am

I got my Tuna

It's awesome!! Has the Xenon lights fitted including fogs. That just looks soooo awesome! only issue is the brights are way off focus. They trying to signal planes or something...

As promised, here are the pics.

My Hilux sale is confirmed. The deal should go through during this week. Really sad about that. I Really love that bakkie!

Post by **CasKru** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:38 am

Congrats... looking good

MOFASA · Post by **MOFASA** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:13 pm

KEEP the HILUX and Tuna and sell the rest......

Post by **Haboob** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:41 pm

Very Nice

Froll · Post by **Froll** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:03 pm

Very nice, I like the colour.

ROOFER · Post by **ROOFER** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:29 am

very nice it looks good

what is the k's & what did you pay for it if I may ask??

diesel or v6

Die$eL · Post by **Die$eL** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 8:08 am

06' 3.0 D4D 4x4 with 110 000kms. I paid R195k

Needs new tyres though. Anyone selling a set?

Hilux 4x4 Forum