Hilux 4x4 Forum

Good day all,

New to the forum so i hope i'm posting this in the right section.

I am looking for general advise/ opinion on which engines are ''recommended'' for the Hilux, i'm not really interested in reading motorist reviews etc so i thought i would ask you guys who are more familiar with this case.

My current Hilux is a 2009 with the 5L engine with rear factory difflock (SA spec) purchased brand new back in 2009.
I am thinking of replacing it with something faster and up to date. I am based in Tanzania and the local Toyota only stocks the newer generation Hilux with 1GD and 2GD engines, prices start at approx $40,000 USD but the inside of the cab looks a but too fancy for my liking. I hate the touch screen entertainment system!
But If any of you guys own the newer generation, i would like to hear feedback from you.

My other option is to look for the slightly older 1KD or 2KD engine Hilux. What are general thoughts on these engines? are they strong and reliable? 2.5L and 3.0L d4d.
My current Hilux is sitting at 135,000kms and i have had zero issues with it thus far, it is slow but very reliable!

Unfortunately buying good used examples in Tanzania is out of the question so i might import the vehicle from UK. Anyone been in a similar situation as me? it would be good to hear some feedback from you.

The 5L 3lit diesel motor is a donkey but as you say, very reliable and it should run trouble free for at least twice more that mileage if not four times. That is still a young motor by 5L standards.

Swapping it out for something like the 1KD (D4D) motor would give you more power and better fuel economy but with the cost of motor and conversion you will never recoup the cost IRO fuel savings. Also a vehicle tends to loose it's resale value when not in original trim, so you would loose out there as well when you want to sell.

Personally I would leave it as is and live with it or look for a cared for D4D model and offset the cost with the sale of the old er one.

Hello mate,

Perhaps my post was misleading.
I dont intend to do an engine swap, I want to replace the vehicle completely. Just wanted thoughts on what engine is desirable...

Are all the d4d’s reliable? I read somewhere that the 2.5L turbo was the one to go for but I could be wrong!

OK, then I misunderstood. Yes the D4D's are very reliable and the 2.5 is a bit sluggish by comparison to the 3.0. However I understand that if you chip it you can run away from a standard 3.0 but it will catch up to you after 130kmph. I believe that even when chipped it's more economical than the 3.0.

The diesel guys on the forum can hopefully verify and add some extra insight (I'm not a diesel-head).

I find it strange that a 2009 model is fitted with a 5L engine, these were abandoned some years ago in favour of the KZTE engine, which was a vast improvement in terms of performance and reliability compared to the 5L. Both engines however had a history of head failures.

Having said that, we had a client who had two 2005 KZTE Hiluxes (IFS models) that towed 1-ton trailers country-wide and each of his vehicles had in the region of 500,000km on their speedos with ho problems at all.


-F_D

Family_Dog wrote: ↑Fri Apr 13, 2018 8:18 pm I find it strange that a 2009 model is fitted with a 5L engine, these were abandoned some years ago in favour of the KZTE engine, which was a vast improvement in terms of performance and reliability compared to the 5L. Both engines however had a history of head failures.

Having said that, we had a client who had two 2005 KZTE Hiluxes (IFS models) that towed 1-ton trailers country-wide and each of his vehicles had in the region of 500,000km on their speedos with ho problems at all.


-F_D

He is from Tanzania. Toyota South Africa exported the older engine into Africa while we had the KZTE.

I wondered about that, but did they still do so in 2009? By then even the KZTE engine was long obsolete here, in favour of the D4D.


-F_D