Buying advice for 2006-2008 Hilux?

[bawb]

Hi all.

New to the forum and new to Hilux. I recently sold my Ranger and am looking at getting into an older Hilux, somewhere between 2006 - 2011 looks like it'll be in my price ranger of $22,000. I'm having trouble telling the differences between earlier and later model Gen 7's, like compared to a Ranger which had distinct changes since 2007, it doesn't look like much changed with Hilux over the years?

At the moment I've got my eye on a one owner 2006 turbo diesel, 180,000kms, full service history, and the vehicle's in really good shape. So if all things are equal, such as kms / services / tidiness of the vehicle, what would be the reasons to choose a later model Gen 7 instead of an earlier one?

If it helps, the Hilux will be my second vehicle used for going camping, shooting, etc. Not really a daily driver.

Cheers, I really appreciate your help!

[Merkin]

Hi mate,
there is a wealth of info on this forum - just use the search tab.
cant really offer much. ive owned an 07, an 09 and a 2016 lux in the last few years. certainly go for a newer one if you can afford it. prior to 2007 the 'cold rattles' (search the forum) and clutch issues were somewhat common.
my 09 was pretty much rock solid.
good luck!

[bawb]

Thanks @Merkin. I do a lot of reading through different forums but it's hard to know if something that affects an '08 will also affect an '06, for example. Things like "cold rattles" I haven't heard of yet so I'll check it out.

What made your 09 better than your 07?

[HK1837]

As far as diesels are concerned the following are better:

2011 - dual cab diesel SR5's got the bigger brakes and VSC. They also got 17" wheels and 265/65/17 tyres standard meaning you can legally fit bigger tyres to the earlier cars than got 15" wheels and 255/70/15 tyres. Most models got these in 2012 model.
2012 model had a 250kg towing upgrade over 2005-2011, rating went up from 2250kg to 2500kg.
2014-ish - diesels got the far better A750F 5sp auto, infinitely better box than the earlier 4spd auto. V6 versions got the A750F from 2005.

For low 20k's I'd buy this. Bigger brakes, far better engine and box, all bells and whistles!
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/detail ... 1460/?Cr=6

[bawb]

As far as diesels are concerned the following are better:

2011 - dual cab diesel SR5's got the bigger brakes and VSC. They also got 17" wheels and 265/65/17 tyres standard meaning you can legally fit bigger tyres to the earlier cars than got 15" wheels and 255/70/15 tyres. Most models got these in 2012 model.
2012 model had a 250kg towing upgrade over 2005-2011, rating went up from 2250kg to 2500kg.
2014-ish - diesels got the far better A750F 5sp auto, infinitely better box than the earlier 4spd auto. V6 versions got the A750F from 2005.

For low 20k's I'd buy this. Bigger brakes, far better engine and box, all bells and whistles!
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/detail ... 1460/?Cr=6

Thanks for the info @HK1837. Couple of follow up questions:

Did the bigger brakes in the 2011 SR5 ever make it to the SR models?
Did anything change with the manual gearbox over time?

I'm partial to diesel and manual, otherwise the 08 auto you linked does look nice.

[HK1837]

No, only the diesel SR5 from memory, I don’t think the rest changed until 2012 models. Others here might confirm or.correct me pretty sure it was only the VSC and 17” wheel fitted cars initially that got the bigger rotors. The main reason as I understand it for the larger rotors is so they could fit taller tyres and not lose braking ability.

No idea about the manuals as they’ve never interested me.

[bawb]

Thanks again @HK1837.

Would love to hear from anyone who's owned a 06-08 Hilux!

[hiluxxury]

Yep I have 2005 KUN26R diesel. The Gen7 hiluxs started in 2004 and started coming in to Australia in 2005.

The first update was in 2007 which was some cosmetic stuff but importantly euro4 compliance. These updated vehicles have an egr cooler and a couple of internal engine changes like pistons etc.

HK1837s advice is spot on. Buy the newest you can for the updated parts. That said, my 2005 has 340,000kms on it and its been everywhere and carried and towed everything at some point.

Things to look for include injectors, wheel bearings, driveline noise (particularly 5th gear for tow vehicles), new airbags and the usual other things when buying a used vehicle... service history.

Don't get too worried about the death rattles. It can be a symptom of a problem but until you get techstream onto it you are merely speculating. Mine had the rattles from new but this has improved with updated injectors. You should try to find someone with techstream or get it yourself (search here). If the injectors are over 100,000kms it will be worth swapping them out anyway. There you can do an egr clean and 7mm blank.

Avoid vehicles with chips or performance mods. It simply isn't worth it. Do it yourself and take the time to do your research. Be wary of marketing as everyone who is selling chips/tunes thinks theirs is best.

I do all my work myself. If you are similarly inclined, this forum and partsouq is your best friend. Otherwise find yourself someone who is a specialist 1KD mechanic. There are a couple of good people around.

Good luck

[bawb]

...

Awesome info, thanks.

Is there anything you don't like about your '05?

[hiluxxury]

...

Awesome info, thanks.

Is there anything you don't like about your '05?

The lack of cruise control.

The lack of other electronic gizmos is probably an advantage for what I use it for these days.

[bawb]

Can understand that, cruise control just makes things easier on the highways.

[hiluxxury]

Yep, it can be fitted but I've never got around to it.

[Critter350]

I’ve got an 07 at 225k’s now. Paid 17500 in March 2017, big stock standard other than flexiglass tray and canopy. I could have got newer within my budget but it came down to condition, the newer ones had a harder life.


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[Bman]

I have a early 06 D4D auto. Bought it 15 months ago in extremely excellent condition. Dual cab, canopy, bull bar, winch, towbar, spotties, UHF, 250,000km, paid $18500.
Early 06 has no EGR cooler or EGR electrics so can be blocked without any problems. I have done about 30,000km so far, still got 3 x 4800km trips to do on the next month or so. Only problem I've had is headlights can not be adjusted due to broken adjusters...
Trans oil changed recently after big towing job. Made a fair difference. Has an occasional idle rattle that lasts a few seconds. About to get a ecm tune for economy. First second hand car i have bought and not felt ripped off.

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