Looking to make an offer on my first Hilux tomorrow

[securityclearance]

The car is listed here
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/detail ... gJXI_D_BwE

Have had a test drive and drives great, nothing out of the ordinary. I'm still arranging for an independent inspection prior to purchase. The electrical/dual battery work looks good and doesn't look cheapo/dodgy. Under the car it is a bit dirty/wouldn't say its rust but my engineer AKA car friend said it looks good/nothing to worry about

It's had new suspension work done which I'm having a tough time understanding/making sense of what is actually valuable. The owner has told me he was told that he required new suspension. Work done invoiced here https://gyazo.com/fc6e8038dd231aa3c6d32fd6149cec53

I'm still very new to this community (obviously) but also new to 4wd/terminology. Looking for a reliable car to last me as long as possible and occasionally do a 4WD/beach driving and definitely roof top tent camping.

Is anybody able to chime in and give me some advice as to what a respectable offer would be? I've looked at similar petrol models and this seems to be a fairly par listing price, except this is a premium price when looking at similar models in other states eg VIC/NSW

Also if anybody would like to share their opinon on this car for a first time 4wd owner or any comments in general would greatly be appreciated

Thanks

[dave g]

Rego? Y
Photo looks like a clean unit (can be deceiving)
If no rego get the price down if you can.

[securityclearance]

Rego? Y
Photo looks like a clean unit (can be deceiving)
If no rego get the price down if you can.

Rego is paid till the end of this month

[martynvella]

If it needed new suspension and steering rack at 161k makes you wonder what sort of work it did. Also ask to look under the seat covers.
Does it still have its towbar fitted, cant really tell from the pics but the dents in the bumper say it used to have one?
Also is there any evidence of a brake controller?
If so has it got a transmission cooler fitted?
People often try to hide the fact it was used as a tug for heavy vans or trailers.

[securityclearance]

If it needed new suspension and steering rack at 161k makes you wonder what sort of work it did. Also ask to look under the seat covers.
Does it still have its towbar fitted, cant really tell from the pics but the dents in the bumper say it used to have one?
Also is there any evidence of a brake controller?
If so has it got a transmission cooler fitted?
People often try to hide the fact it was used as a tug for heavy vans or trailers.

i remember looking under the seat covers and it looked fairly ok, nothing worrying
seller is the 2nd owner, he says the previous owner was an auto electrician, has a second 35AH battery along with a redarc BCDC1220 installed, could this perhaps be switched or had a brake controller attached onto at any point?

[securityclearance]

I do notice the front grill looks very different from any other hilux ive seen

[dave g]

Brake controller must came from the main battery if not it is illegal

[HK1837]

It is the same basic car as mine, except mine is mid 2011, otherwise identical. The grille was an optional grille, mine has the same.
Normal to have new suspension mine was buggered by 40,000km.

If it has been towing without an aux cooler get the fluid checked, it will probably be black.

With those wheels and tyres the front rotors might also be crook, really needs a front rotor update (as per TRD with the same wheels/tyres).

That age V6 auto is a pretty good thing though just watch for overheated auto.

[securityclearance]

It is the same basic car as mine, except mine is mid 2011, otherwise identical. The grille was an optional grille, mine has the same.
Normal to have new suspension mine was buggered by 40,000km.

If it has been towing without an aux cooler get the fluid checked, it will probably be black.

With those wheels and tyres the front rotors might also be crook, really needs a front rotor update (as per TRD with the same wheels/tyres).

That age V6 auto is a pretty good thing though just watch for overheated auto.

Great information thanks for your help, I've offered 17000 and seller has accepted so can't wait to get out there and drive it
Should i be looking to replace suspension regularly?
Fluid looked fine, although the current owner did have it for two years
Any ideas on getting the dent sorted or perhaps changing it and getting a rear bar?
What about the wheels and tyres could be an issue?

[securityclearance]

Brake controller must came from the main battery if not it is illegal

Don't think I've seen a brake controller, would there be any evidence left behind? The second battery is only 35AH which is suspicious IMO

[HK1837]

Just take the rest bar off, they are made out of cheese anyway.

Wheels and tyres are OK, just spend $500 on 120 Prado front rotors and calipers when it needs brakes.

It cost me $3300 for my transmission to be rebuilt with heavy duty clutches and reco converter so not that bad in the scheme of things. Mine is supercharged and I tow a bit. Get your fluid changed and fit a cooler to it.

[hiluxxury]

...and never mind the oil leaks, the V6 really should have been in a landrover

[HK1837]

Mine has never leaked. Nor did the 2010 before it.

[hiluxxury]

Yep and my 1KD hasn't cracked a piston. But there are numerous examples out there

[securityclearance]

Just got the inspection report
https://gyazo.com/9f5c313cd66984664e5520e80822e167
only issue ASAP is the windscreen, would it be reasonable to ask the seller to fix this/reimburse me for the price to fix?

Considering he has accepted my offer of 17k subject to inspection, should i be looking to haggle any further?

[securityclearance]

Wheels and tyres are OK, just spend $500 on 120 Prado front rotors and calipers when it needs brakes.

Would this be done when changing the brake pads?

[dave g]

All the things on the list cost $ to fix go lower.
Good luck.

[HK1837]

Windscreen will be about $300-$400 give or take fitted.

It will need the mounts replacing, and if the brake fluid is old it won’t hurt to do the whole lot up. None of it is expensive though but if you are paying to overhaul the brakes as in new wheel cylinders, machine the drums (or new ones), new rotors and kit through calipers plus bleed the whole system you might be up for $1000. I would buy 120 Series Prado rotors and new calipers to suit though, but you’ll have to track down backing plates off a wreck. I did all mine myself and it isn’t hard but if you aren’t handy with tools don’t as getting the hubs off to change the backing plates and bleeding the brakes properly isn’t as easy as the rest.

Here are new calipers. I rebuilt used ones, cost me $200 for the used calipers and $140 for the genuine kits for them. Plus labour if you have to pay someone to do it.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2x-Front-L- ... SwAUJdC0x6

You could also fit 2012-15 front rotors and calipers, these are in between your originals and the TRD size, but no reason not to go to the bigger TRD/120 size.

Don’t worry about the change to 17” tyres, as long as they are no bigger than 265/65/17 they will be legal as they are within the allowed increase from the 255/70/15 originals. But you really do need the bigger diameter rotors to compensate for the tyre diameter increase.

BTW, none of that is unusual for a 12 year old closer to 200,000km car.

[securityclearance]

Windscreen will be about $300-$400 give or take fitted.

It's a fairly small crack, hoping to just scoot by and maybe fix up the rest of the car.

It will need the mounts replacing, and if the brake fluid is old it won’t hurt to do the whole lot up. None of it is expensive though but if you are paying to overhaul the brakes as in new wheel cylinders, machine the drums (or new ones), new rotors and kit through calipers plus bleed the whole system you might be up for $1000. I would buy 120 Series Prado rotors and new calipers to suit though, but you’ll have to track down backing plates off a wreck. I did all mine myself and it isn’t hard but if you aren’t handy with tools don’t as getting the hubs off to change the backing plates and bleeding the brakes properly isn’t as easy as the rest.

Here are new calipers. I rebuilt used ones, cost me $200 for the used calipers and $140 for the genuine kits for them. Plus labour if you have to pay someone to do it.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2x-Front-L- ... SwAUJdC0x6

You could also fit 2012-15 front rotors and calipers, these are in between your originals and the TRD size, but no reason not to go to the bigger TRD/120 size.

Don’t worry about the change to 17” tyres, as long as they are no bigger than 265/65/17 they will be legal as they are within the allowed increase from the 255/70/15 originals. But you really do need the bigger diameter rotors to compensate for the tyre diameter increase.

BTW, none of that is unusual for a 12 year old closer to 200,000km car.

Frankly im absolutely clueless with tools so taking it down to Automasters and seeing what they can fix up, I looked up a 4wd specialist here in WA (Robson Brothers I think), they charge 450 for a regular service on top of the list I need fixing so I don't think I can afford it. You reckon Automasters would be able to install the 120/TRD rotors and calipers if i request it? I'm guessing they don't have the backing plate if that is compulsory for both.

Onto other things, I can't even tell if the car has actually got a suspension or body lift! (if any). It will be my daily driver so I can't push the car too much off road, in the future would the 120 rotors support even bigger tyres?