2005+ Toyota Hilux 2.5L diesel

[stinkyfj60]

I'm emigrating to South Africa this August and will be POSSIBLY buying a 2005+ Hilux double cab. I like the 3.0L D4D diesel, but was wondering if anyone here had experience with the 2.5L?

The Hilux there that are the 3.0L are the Raider package (fender flairs, alloy wheels, etc.) and the 2.5L are usually stripped down (steel wheels, plane Jane trucks which I prefer).

Power isn't overly important to me, as long as it's not absolutely gutless. Mileage, reliability, and range are hugely important to me... The truck wont be TOO heavy. It'll have long range water and fuel tanks, alloy canopy, RTT... But, probably no ARB bumper or rear tire carrier...

Thanks!

 

[roscoFJ73]

The Hilux there that are the 3.0L are the Raider package (fender flairs, alloy wheels, etc.) and the 2.5L are usually stripped down (steel wheels, plane Jane trucks which I prefer).

Are you talking about the 2.5 litre 2KD FTV? The 3 litre is the 1KD FTV.

Personally, I would be looking for a HZJ75 or 79 if they are in the price range and you want plain and simple to go bush in. The 1KD engines are not really for the home mechanic.
If it has to be a Hilux , I would take the 3L or 5L in the older model, you might even find a solid front axle.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I've heard the 1KD is much more powerful than the 2KD. If I had the choose between the two, I'd go 1KD personally.

 

[stinkyfj60]

Are you talking about the 2.5 litre 2KD FTV? The 3 litre is the 1KD FTV.

Personally, I would be looking for a HZJ75 or 79 if they are in the price range and you want plain and simple to go bush in. The 1KD engines are not really for the home mechanic.
If it has to be a Hilux , I would take the 3L or 5L in the older model, you might even find a solid front axle.

It doesn't have to be a Hilux, a 75 or 79 would be dreamy, but a single cab isn't practical for what we want to do... My youngest daughter will be there with us every summer (northern hemisphere, winter for South Africa---which is camping/game drive season) and my oldest will be there at least three months, so the ability to seat more than two is important. The newer double cab 70-series are out of my price range (vehicles can be a bit expensive in ZA).

I may look at a 105, but I really don't want another station wagon (I think a bakkie/pick-up/ute will be a better choice for our usage).

The 3.0L has a great reputation, but I don't know much about it... And I never hear about the the 2.5L 2KD FTV....

ZA got the SFA until 1997 or 1998, in the older square/angled body style. After that they got the IFS and rounder Hilux with the 3.0L KZTE which I would honestly prefer...

 

[roscoFJ73]

The 3.0L has a great reputation, but I don't know much about it... And I never hear about the the 2.5L 2KD FTV....

Are you confusing engine designations with engine cc? The 3L and 5L are 2.8 litre . The 1KD/1KZ is 3 litre and 2KD , 2.5 litre are later versions of the 1KZ
As far as I know , the only 2.5 litre diesel is the 2KD FTV AFAIK. Some countries like Australia only got the 2KD in the Hiace delivery vans, so I was assuming ZA got them in a Hilux.
A 105 would be the best for comfort, reliability and ease of maintenance. I wish I had of bought one 10 years ago when the market was flooded with them in Australia, now they seem to be going up in price even with twice the klms on them.
You could probably sleep inside with the rear seat folded down.
A Hilux Surf with a 1KZ T would be worth looking at also.

 

[stinkyfj60]

I don't know the engine designations because we didn't get them here. In the 2005+ South African market Hilux there is a 2.5 Litre D-4D and a 3.0 Litre D-4D diesel. The 3.0 Litre is always in the upmarket trucks...

The 1998-2004 upmarket trucks got the 3.0 Litre KZTE...

 

[stinkyfj60]

If I find a low mileage 105, I'm all over it. We love our UZJ100, it's a fantastic truck, well built, reliable as fxxx, but thirsty thirsty thirsty. We wont be able to sleep inside because then we'd have to toss out the fridge and camping equipment, which is fine in the U.S., not so good while wild camping in Africa.

The reason the Hilux has piqued my interest is fuel mileage. We rented a 2017 single cab and it went forever on it's factory tank (80L) plus an auxiliary (88L). I think we got 1500km out of that set up.

 

[Dougal]

The 2.5L 2KD-FTV was short-lived here in NZ. It was only used for about 2 years (03-05 roughly) in the lowest spec 2wd utes, then everything was 3.0L 1KD.

If you're going remote in a CR diesel you'll want to install a second set of fuel filters. Otherwise they're just good to go. You'll use about 30% less fuel than a 1HZ and about 15% less than a 1KZ.

 

[stinkyfj60]

The 2.5L 2KD-FTV was short-lived here in NZ. It was only used for about 2 years (03-05 roughly) in the lowest spec 2wd utes, then everything was 3.0L 1KD.

If you're going remote in a CR diesel you'll want to install a second set of fuel filters. Otherwise they're just good to go. You'll use about 30% less fuel than a 1HZ and about 15% less than a 1KZ.

There we go... using less fuel is huge for us because we'll be running all over the place in the bush.