Tips for servicing a used Toyota Hilux

There are many, many possible uses for people who buy a used Toyota Hilux. They can be used for camping, fishing or as beach vehicles. They can also be given to beginning drivers who need a tough car. There are also groups that have been known to buy a used Toyota Hilux, drive it to remote areas, and then donate the vehicle. Then there are the people who buy 20-year-old Hiluxes as project vehicles, outfitting them with raised suspensions, big tires, and more powerful engines for serious off-roading. And do we need to mention the constant demand for Hiluxes in conflict areas for use as weapons and infantry platforms?

Except for the last example, people looking to buy a used Toyota Hilux still need to do some checking to make sure the vehicle they’re looking at is still in decent, usable condition. Despite the Toyota Hilux’s well-deserved reputation for being nearly indestructible, it’s going to be pretty frustrating to buy a used Hilux only to discover that it has a bent frame, needs new brakes, or has a rusty chassis.

Since the Toyota Hilux has been in production since the 1970s, there are countless examples you can buy, with decades separating all available models. With an older Hilux, you should check to see if the alternator is still in good working order and if the cooling system is in top condition. Even when new, some generations of Toyota Hilux were found to have marginal cooling capabilities when used for towing in very hot environments. There were also generations of Hilux that suffered from head gasket and/or cylinder head failure. These were more common in four-cylinder diesel engines.

If the Hilux is a four wheel drive model, check all drive shafts and listen for any noise in the transmission and transfer case. When you test drive the vehicle, check for vibrations at high and low speeds. Sometimes it can just be an out of round or unbalanced tire. Or it can be worse, at which point you can walk away from that vehicle or find out exactly what needs fixing if you really like the rest of the truck. Aside from that, you should also run the usual checks like you would when buying a car, like checking for leaks, checking the check engine and other diagnostic lights, and making sure the air conditioning and other accessories are in good working order. condition. work order.

The one thing that’s reassuring when you buy a used Toyota Hilux is that since there are so many that have been built, knowledge of how to repair them and availability of parts are not an issue.