There are many, many possible uses for people buying 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 very frustrating to buy a used Hilux only to find out 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 the 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 on 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 simply be an out-of-round or unbalanced tire. Or it can be worse, at which point you can walk away from that vehicle or figure out exactly what needs to be fixed if you really like the rest of the truck. Other than that, you should also perform the usual checks as you would when buying a car, such as checking for leaks, checking engine operation and other diagnostic lights, and making sure the air conditioning and other accessories are in good working order. condition. work order.
The only thing that is comforting 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 parts availability are not an issue.