2.8 hilux, what to do??

Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Location: Perth

Hey guys,

My mate and i are going 2 go look at a 96 2.8d lux on the weekend, its done 148000k with the original engine apparently, but wouldnt be suprised if its been rebuilt and hes asking for $10500. My question is, what the FU** do i look out for as problems go, this is my 1st 4wd and diesel so i dont have really any clue what to watch out for and to steer clear from. My mate has a 2003 3l td, but he doesnt know much about the mechanic side either.

What common problems should i look for apart from rust, its been resprayed silver, but the guy reckons it hasnt, that in itself sounds dodgey.

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated:)

Joined: 02 May 2007

take a magnet with u that will be able to tell u if its been bogged up n sprayed for sale... i dont no bout the engine side of it others will, other than that tailshaft unis, noisey box, put it in 4x4 n check for noisey transfer or front diff, cheak the diffs for leaks, just most the other genral maintance things with them

Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Stuck in Adelaide

Service history, ie 5000km oil and filter changes. Very important.

Timing belt, injectors serviced, probably not done, but belt should be done every 100k

The rest of the vehicle is usually pretty good.
Check that the clutch does not slip, at thos kms.

Get a vehicle inspection done by your trusted mechanic if your serious.

Trains

Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Location: Out and about

The 5000km oil change is VERY important- if there isnt clear evidence this has been done, walk away.

The 2.8D's do NOT like long oil intervals- does massive amounts of damage to the big end bearings.

Timing belt done at 100,000kms- The engines are an interferance design (which means if you get a belt snap you get about $3000 worth of "CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH BANG" from under the engine bay.

My 2.8D has done 345,000kms and not missed a beat short of a leaky head gasket at 250,000kms.

Silver was a factory option colour in those vehicles too.

Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Location: Perth

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk285/grimace6666/Resized640x480_WT3343321369_B.jpg

thats it there, i didnt think anyone would go to the trouble of putting those decals on haha, good to know that its standard, but i saw another photo of it from the back, and the Toyota sign thats normally black is silver aswell, is that factory?

How can he prove if hes done the oil changing himself?

cheers for you help and advice

Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Location: Gold Coast

Looks like a pretty tidy rig.

Check for leaking swivel hub seal. Messy job and not real easy either.
Check for rust under driver and passenger floor mats around the body mounts (lift the plastic plug) Also in rear of cab under mat beside seat.

Regarding the oil change every 5000k's, it is very important but I bought mine and the previous owner said he did oil every 10,000! Definitely worried me but is fine so far...

Seems like a pretty good price for those low k's and age too. Good luck!

Joined: 20 Oct 2002 Location: Greenbank

Grimey wrote:

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk285/grimace6666/Resized640x480_WT3343321369_B.jpg

thats it there, i didnt think anyone would go to the trouble of putting those decals on haha, good to know that its standard, but i saw another photo of it from the back, and the Toyota sign thats normally black is silver aswell, is that factory?

How can he prove if hes done the oil changing himself?

cheers for you help and advice

That style side tray is off a later model hilux. I would say its also had a respray.

Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Location: Perth

RUFF wrote:

Grimey wrote:

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk285/grimace6666/Resized640x480_WT3343321369_B.jpg

thats it there, i didnt think anyone would go to the trouble of putting those decals on haha, good to know that its standard, but i saw another photo of it from the back, and the Toyota sign thats normally black is silver aswell, is that factory?

How can he prove if hes done the oil changing himself?

cheers for you help and advice

That style side tray is off a later model hilux. I would say its also had a respray.

by saying that, it would have obviously been in an accident, so id have to get the chassis looked at?

Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Location: Ipswich

Few things that haven't been mentioned yet the balls in the pitman arm and j arm aren't loose seen a fair few even ones in car yards with roadworthys oil from near harmonic ballance Oil eal bhind timin belt fairly common thing to leak. look at the coulor of the enging bay if it's diffrent it's been resprayed if it the same chances are it's factory paint. Cracked chassis near steering box and front fixed pin running verticaly (front mounting point of front spring) Center bearing in rear tailshaft.

Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Location: Out and about

thats right- the cracked front spring mount- Mine did this last year, got it welded up easy enough tho