Back to the drawing board for a Hilux replacement

[HK1837]

Hilux lease is getting closer to its end so have to make a decision.

Still considering a Ford cab-chassis but I still can't get past the fact its only a 6cyl, they still won't build excactly what I want (proper 2300kg towing capability in an XR6 turbo in a cab chassis). Plus I still don't really want a Ford.

No-one really makes what I really need/want, V6 Hilux auto SR5 Hilux is the closest but it still lacks power so it really needs a supercharger to make it what I want.

Hence I come to the question (will explain further on my motives):

Has anyone driven and experienced a 100 series V8 auto Landcruiser? Like how it steers, goes, tows etc.

I can pick up a good GXL or GXL Kakadu for between $20k and $35k, at $35k they often have less than 80,000kM and some have proper LPG injection systems on them. These have the same awesome A750F 5spd auto as my Hilux. A few have OME suspension, winches, bars, UHF radios etc too. I'd keep the Fujitsu Ten Eclipse unit and reverse camera plus the A750F temperature guage and torque converter lockup control over-ride out of my Hilux for it too.

I don't want a wagon, but if I buy one and like how it drives for $16k drive in/out including Engineering for NSW rego and good alloy tray I can do this to it (first 2 x photos):

http://www.creativeconversions.com.au/photos/18

The tare of a GXL V8 wagon is about 2500kg, with all that weight removed from the back they Tare in at less than 2000kg (tray is about 80kg) , so economy and actual performance will increase drastically. V6 auto SR5 Hilux is 2000kg. Plus Marks4wd sell freewheeling front hub conversions for them giving another 5% or so economy back again. Carrying capacity of the conversion is just on a tonne, and it'll still have 3000kg towing using original wagon towbar. All they really need is $150 for a set of non-linear rear coil springs and $300 worth of poly airbags.

Note the reason for the GXL or Kakadu is because they have no sunroof or hydraulic suspension. VX, Sahara and LX470 have an electric slide back sunroof which is no good for obvious reasons. Sahara and LX470 hase hydraulic suspension. Kakadu is 2004 only and has leather trim and alloy wheels. GXL goes as late as 2007 in a 100 series, but the best ones are 2006/7 as they have alloy wheels and some other nice features. Ideally you'd probably want the 4.2TD 6cyl but these pull a $20k premium over the V8 for the same kM and condition and that is the diesel myth at work for you. If they were the same money as the V8 i'd get one of those for resale, but it isn't worth the extra $20k, not even $10k.

Edit - I also looked at a good used low kM Patrol cab-chassis with 3.0L 4cyl POS diesel manual. Marks4wd sell just about everything to plug and play an LS2 and 6L80E in one, but the parts alone come to about $15k plus i'd have to find a good low kM VE LS2 and 6L80E. Then i'd have to do it all myself, and some stuff still needs sorting which they don't have kits for (like 6spd auto shifter), these Patrol utes are not confortable to sit in without changing the seats, exhaust costs about $2000 and i'd still have to Engineer it for NSW rego.

[wbute]

Do those GXL wagons have the twin turbo? The single turbo V8 are no where near as good an engine as the turbo 6. Apparently the twin turbo wagons go much better.
Those extra cab conversions look good.
Amazing how those turbo 6 cruisers have held their value. Wish I still had mine.

[HK1837]

100 series V8 has no turbos, just EFI V8. 200 series is a V8 TTD.

The best one is a Lexus LX570 with 5.7L V8 but they are overpriced and have a sunroof.

[wbute]

Ah petrol, of course. They chew the fuel I believe.

[Valencia]

Byron my mate has driven land cruisers for 15 years always has bought brand new he is waiting for his new one to arrive atm
He does his homework before buying anything especially cars he always buys the petrol model
his says the difference in the diesel costing more its not worth it for him
He does tow a 2.5 tonne boat with it as there is nothing on the market that can match the landcruisers towing power
He contemplated buying a ranger till he took it for a drive that was the end of that story
go the cruiser you wont be disappointed

[HK1837]

Ah petrol, of course. They chew the fuel I believe.

So does a 308 or 350 compared to a 173 but i'd always still choose the biggest engine! And in a Toyota the biggest and best is actually cheaper, on a 2007 GXL as I said like $20k cheaper onthe same car otherwise.

[Vombil]

i pulled a HX V8 wagon on car trailer with my old mans petrol prado last weekend. absolutely no probs at all. my mate just bought a v8 100 series with 20,000kms for $78,000. Swears by it but he's only pulling a baby box trailer and jet ski. great looking car. i don't think you can beat a 100 series as an all rounder

[HK1837]

i pulled a HX V8 wagon on car trailer with my old mans petrol prado last weekend. absolutely no probs at all. my mate just bought a v8 100 series with 20,000kms for $78,000. Swears by it but he's only pulling a baby box trailer and jet ski. great looking car. i don't think you can beat a 100 series as an all rounder

The 4.0L V6 pulls fine, problem is hills. Most of where I tow is hilly, and whilst the V6 Hilux will round up just about every diesel available on the market (short of the V8 diesels) up hills it doesn't do it effortlessly as the peak torque is higher up the rev range than i'd like. The engine is about a litre too small for the application.
That is serious coin for a 7+ year old Landcruiser! The same thing over here would be $35-$0k.

[HK1837]

Byron my mate has driven land cruisers for 15 years always has bought brand new he is waiting for his new one to arrive atm
He does his homework before buying anything especially cars he always buys the petrol model
his says the difference in the diesel costing more its not worth it for him
He does tow a 2.5 tonne boat with it as there is nothing on the market that can match the landcruisers towing power
He contemplated buying a ranger till he took it for a drive that was the end of that story
go the cruiser you wont be disappointed

Thanks Gene. Your mate is smart enough to see around the diesel myth! I know that the V8 'cruiser isn't exactly economical, but like your mate has seen too he'll never save enough on diesel to pay off the difference, and that is assuming nothing ever goes wrong with the diesel itself which is unlikely with a Toyota, but all it takes is some bad fuel and it can cost a fortune to fix. If I go down this path i'm happy to buy one with a properly done LPG conversion too, if done right they work really well.

[wbute]

Diesel myth? A lot of places have to use diesel due to its lower volatility. Mines for example.