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How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:39 pm
by LouisZ
It become to my attention that this is generally sometimes neclected, especially when buying these old Hiluxes. Their popular but still, a few pointers can help if you know what to look at.

You seldomly find a Bakkie with minor faults, but too many of them is not worth it.

You can join in and help to make the list;

1. Look for rust, A-pillar near the front windscreen, the roof gutters, the floorpan of the body. These can be costly to repair. Fenders, doors, bonnets one can still repair.
2. Open the Bonnet, look if there is work done i.e repairs from an accident. Look under the body, look for any broken lines under the doorsills, if there is any it could been in accident.
3. Climb under the Bakkie, inspect the propshafts, press up and down near the universals, if any play have it fixed by the owner. Look at the centre bearing, feel the play, if it move more than 5mm it is not good.
4. Tyres, at least 10mm left on the thread.
5. Let the Seller jack up the the wheels one for one, rock it left to right up and down, if play is there it means wheel bearings, front if there is play up and down it will be king pin bearings.
6. Lock the hubs in front and drive to see if it engage 4x4 H and L.
7. Drive the Bakkie, not just around town, get it on the Highway where you can drive it about 100km/h. Any whinning, noises listen. Especially diff noises become evident at speed greater than 80km/h. You will hear it when you accellerate a whinning noise, when you lift the petrol pedal it goes softer.
8. Look behind you for smoke, this will help to see if the engine is not on its way out.
9. Get out when you park the Bakkie and open the bonnet again, look for oil leaks, petrol and water leaks. Climb under the bakkie again, check for leaks on the diff, gearbox.
10. Stand about 20m behind the Bakkie, check if the front and rear wheels are in line with each other.

I look further and lets go on with list...

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:48 pm
by CasKru
Excellent idea Louis....

11) Compare wear and tare on steering wheel, gearshift and seats with km's on the clock.
12) Listen and check for leaks on the exhaust system

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:23 pm
by LouisZ
13. When driving, look if you could find a lekker up hill, stop and pull away, change gears. If the engine revs go up but it does not match acceleration the clutch need replacement. Especially with the ones you get that "the pedal is a bit hight"
14. Another not so serious, check under the engine at the engine mounts, if their broken you also notice it that the engine lean to one side. Have it repaired by seller.
15. How does it shift gears, grrrrtt in between, battle to change?

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:07 pm
by LouisZ
16. Check Electrics, wipers, all lights and tooter work. Wiring in engine compartment neat.
17. Does the engine overheat, i.e temp guage above half. Check radiator, viscous fan.
18. Then the one, Conversions!!! Is it neat, is it successfull, where was it done, if diesel, does it have watertrap and filter!!! How long ago, does the engine no match what is on the lisence disk?
19. Another one to add to above, vehicle paperwork up to date, lisence up to date, no traffic fines outstanding?

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:15 pm
by GeorgeJvR
20 Green NATIS regisrtation document- it's a real B#$%&#&^ to get a coppy from the authorities

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:19 pm
by Haboob
21. Is the tyre wear even.
22. Is the wear on the pedals corresponding to the vehicle mileage.

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:03 pm
by niclemaitre
23. Check the windscreen washer works
24. Check the lights work together (headlights+indicators for instance)

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:28 pm
by KZNSFA4Y
25. Remember this is a +- 20 year old vehicle and won't be perfect.

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:31 pm
by Mud Dog
26. Check the two front legs (either side) of the chassis rails for welds, cracks or kinks ... can easily be seen from the wheel-wells.

27. Look at the gaps around body panels that they are not excessive and that they are even, especially bonnet and doors.

28. Look the bodywork over for signs of body filler/ panel-beating, as well as rust issues.

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:50 pm
by Tenk
29. Kyk vir brandewyn vlekke op die seats.

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:52 pm
by JEEPIE
koop liewers n jeep

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 6:30 pm
by Sven
just out of curiosity, are these all the problems your hilux's have? ha ha ha ha

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 8:08 am
by PeterParsons
Thanks for the pointers. Especially 29...haha. i am gonna save this checklist

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 9:31 am
by Wurmscooby
good pointers here :thumbup:

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 10:43 am
by GI Jane
Sven wrote:just out of curiosity, are these all the problems your hilux's have? ha ha ha ha
Nope..... BUT... handy tips to know.. When I bought my Hilux 10 or so years a go, never knew any of that stuff, and only after having it a few years, it was pointed out to me that the bakkie had rolled in its lifetime and had some work done to repair it.... Hoppy showed me where the proof was. Never knew what to look at when I bought, previous owner/ or Toyota dealer where I tbought it, neglected to tell me (surprise!!!!!)... Dumb chick never knew what to look out for. Luckily for me the Hilux was repaired well and have had no problems with it, except for a new fuel pump or 2....

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 10:10 am
by Hunter26
Mud Dog wrote:26.
28. Look the bodywork over for signs of body filler/ panel-beating, as well as rust issues.
Just a hint on panel beating. Check for over spraying on rubbers etc also check for tiny pin prick holes on vehicle body this indicates Patch work.....use a small magnet to see if it sticks.

Craig

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 3:11 pm
by DMH
great tips thanks - going to be invaluable in finding my SFA

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:46 pm
by rhodieboy
Great idea for a thread thanks alot guys definitely going to be a big help when I start looking for an sfa when I get home :celebrate:

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:03 pm
by PJC
There are a few really good one out there. Take your time and check them out carefully. :thumbup:

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 11:17 pm
by Baby Cruiser
30. If it is an inport model , make sure that the load bin is in good condition , especialy the tail gate. Been looking for a tail gate for almost two years now. I was lycky and got hold of a full door canopy.

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 7:56 am
by Harold
Wow!! My Hilux SFA (381420km), compared to the buyers checklist, is mecnanically in perfect shape, body work 95% OK.

Should I sell? - - - - = NEVER!

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 4:30 pm
by Baby Cruiser
If you think about selling , give the forum members first choice. It will stil be a bad idea , but atleast.......

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 7:32 pm
by Jeremy
Thanks, I found this very useful. Now I know what to look for

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2019 12:09 pm
by de Kock
Nice list - just checked my '87 DC SFA (which is for sale) against it and got very close to 100% so it is possible to keep one of these tough vehicles pretty much perfect with decent care and especially a bit of preventative maintenance. Old doesn't necessarily mean worn. Mine honestly feels like a new car still.

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 5:12 am
by Kar
Hi there guys ..eyy my english is not so good but i understand general topic and expect explain my self clearly... cmon you can! Well ..I want to buy a nineties old and glorious Hilux 4x4 I need it to live in the country, farmer style, two or three times go to the town for buy or sell some things like food or wood, ocasionally go out with my wife and little son especially nature places (here Patagonia is epic) thats is in resume the utility of the truck , and bcause am new buying trucks i try to study by myself some essencial mechanics of this vehicles..a little, well here is the first big question, Gas or Diesel (here south america were i live is only that two) Big headache.. :subscribed: Well my conclusion (correct me plz) is..both got his loss and profits so next.. serching i found two serious candidates
1 - 1994 Toy Hilux 4x4 Diesel, 3.846 km -1.0 L, 3 HP, 11 Owners before
2 - 1996 Toy Hilux 4X4 Gas, 28.000 km - 22r 2.4cc, 7 Owners before

People can help me to pick one , i really b appreciated , if my quote is the wrong section or something my excuses i m not too familiar with blogs, blessings for all peace :thumbup:

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 3:58 pm
by Scott
22r is brilliant motor
Not sure what Diesel motor you are referring to but for low down grunt farm work the 2.4D will be better depending what you are paying per liter over there.

Re: How to choose your SFA when buying, few pointers

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:31 pm
by charliedave
I am sure this is too late and you have made your decision already.
However. I have a 22R, Love it. It is a really solid motor. So I would definitely recommend it.
That being said, the diesel could potentially save you fuel and work better on the farm at low speeds.
The petrol will be better everywhere else (I think).
I guess it will come down to where this vehicle will spend most of its time?