jeep or hilux

[jmc]

After three years of me having a 2.3lwb and now a 2.5 as well my employee has now decided that he would like a 4x4.
But he would like a diesel toyota hilux surf or a 2.5 diesel jeep cherokee and not a frontera.
I ,now being a fan of 4x4's ,like both of these but am in no position to advise and so turn to f.o.g to see if anyone can comment on which models are the better ones to get.
It looks like the surfs come in 2.4 or 3.0 litre diesels and the jeeps in 2.5 with the same engine as my 2.5 frontera.
Any ideas? thanks

[MG Autos (Mark)]

The Surfs are nice motors if you get a good one but are nototious for major engine failure when they get to 100K+ miles. Owners generally seem to fall in love with them & only think apart parting with them either when they've just had a big bill or are about to get one so very much a case of "buyer beware".
Older Jeeps seem to hold up fairly well cosmetically, but fall apart mechanically and electrical gremlins move in with a vengence.

Personally I think the Surf is the better one to go for as parts (new & used) are generally much cheaper than Jeep but you need to look long and hard for a good, low mileage example with lot's of history. If it is higher mileage look for receipts for major engine work, if it hasn't got it, walk away.

Has he considered an Isuzu Trooper at all ?

[Krusher]

I would go with the Surf, I think they are easier to work with and bigger than the jeep, also I think they look better but thats just my eyes..

Could you not persuade him to get a LWB Fronty 2.5 or 2.8, that way he'll have a new forum to join....

[Drift]

Jeeps boots rust, the engine 2.5D is the VM engine same as the 2.5 Frontera, the boots rot away big time on the older Jeeps.

The Surf to me is a good option, the 2.4 has a reputation for head gasket failure though my mate has had his from a fresh import for about 6 years and not had a problem, even so many have uprated gaskets that are easily available to over come this.
The 3.0 is the one to go for with the extra power, all the Surfs come well specced to.

[gregster]

Yep I would say surf too.....
try and get the 3 litre diesel not the 2.4, as its a better engine and less prone to head probs....has a bit more get up and go too but negligable difference to mpg...Gearing in low box is lovely and low...and 4wd hi switchable on the fly like a fronty B and no auto hubs to go wrong...
Many you will find are auto's....the auto boxes are strong and not a problem, but an auto will hurt the mpg badly...
1st gear engagement can be a prob on manuals...avoid if difficult to select as is a box rebuild...
Starter motors are a cow to change on a 2.4 so avoid is starter seems iffy (I recommend a 2" body lift first if need to change starter as then you can get to the top bolt with a 36" extension bar from back of gearbox)
Drivetrain is super tough so no worries there...
Check rear shocks to see if still has the electrically alterable ones in (good haggling point is it hasnt!) switch for these is on the lower to the right of the steering wheel...
Check the back window works alright (electrically drops into top of tailgate) as these go wrong a lot and are expensive to fix and inconvient if they go wrong (always when open!!!)
Check the heater control switch gear as these go wrong and are a pain to change..
Chromework does suffer due to the elements...check the lower sections of the corners of the front and rear bumpers as all the metal rots out behind the chrome...
Make sure you get the tool to get the spare wheel down if its not rear mounted (long keyed rod that goes through the top of the rear bumper)
Check the paintwork when the car is dry....early surfs suffer badly with poor laquer which the sun has killed...check the roof and door tops as these tend to be the worst places....if the car is wet it will all look nice and shiny!!!
Body corrosion is normally not to bad, common place seems to be on the rear doors just below the side moulding, towards the rear of the door...
Dont think the drivers doors are dented...they are swages in the body work that are landcruiserish that swoop downwards from just behind the mirrors
Check alloy wheels for pitting, as again the laquer is cr4p on them...
Fancy side steps look nice, but check the steel tube structures underneath that support the fancy alley, as they rot badly...

These are a nice truck....I've had a couple in the past, and know a few people who offroad them...but a trooper is also a good alternative

Hope this helps

Gregster

[jmc]

Thanks very much everybody and thanks gregster for the extensive write up
I'll tell him later on today at work and maybe he could visit this site to read the thoughts for himself.
I hadnt thought of a trooper,so thanks for that idea, and I have tried to persuade him to go for a frontera.
He has seen everything I've done to my fonteras and drove the 2.3 to get some sitework done last summer and liked it.
I like the look of both the jeep and the surf and it would be great to get to know one or the other.
He has got an m.o.t coming up soon on his little diesel seat and I think he would rather spend money on something he'd like owning instead of something that will do as transport.

[bigdazz]

hilux all the way had one in south Africa great 4x4 never fails