What's the best old 4 x 4 ?

[arboriculturist]

I know nothing about 4x4s except landrovers, having always run dropside trucks. We need an old 15 - 20 year old basic pickup as it will only do around 10 local miles a week. There are lots of older Ford Rangers, Hiluxes, Izuzus etc about for £1500 - 2000 but I have no idea which to avoid when buying a fairly old 4x4 model. I have heard some makes of that age will always be rust buckets. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[billpierce]

I know nothing about 4x4s except landrovers, having always run dropside trucks. We need an old 15 - 20 year old basic pickup as it will only do around 10 local miles a week. There are lots of older Ford Rangers, Hiluxes, Izuzus etc about for £1500 - 2000 but I have no idea which to avoid when buying a fairly old 4x4 model. I have heard some makes of that age will always be rust buckets. Any advice would be much appreciated.

The ones you mentioned all have a good rep, and for sure could be that buckets, buy atleast you will be able to tell if you have good luck underneath first.

I have had a few older hiluxes and they have done me very well. Very slow as the older ones are n/a but less to go wrong. Hiluxs also have a excellent resale value.scrappers export for £1400 easily.

I'd look at towing capacity aswell if required as it can be surprisingly low. My DC mk3 hilux is 2t for towing and the single cab I had was 1450kg or something ridiculous.

Cant remember which but some if izuzu 3.0 or 3.1tds have had poor engine issues but this may have only affected troopers. If I needed a replacement vehicle I'd certainly look at the isuzu

[Acerforestry]

I've owned most older pickups up to 3K in value, and out of what you've mentioned Hilux come out tops, all day long - almost everything else apart from some Rangers will suffer on the chassis, or have a duff engine prone to failure. If you can find a decent Nissan D21 / 22 they are worth a look but check underneath and ideally only buy one that's had the weak bottom end bolts replaced (D22). I found a respectable D22 king cab with 90K on the clock for 1100 quid to use in the woods, and it's fine.

[Ratman]

Stretch ur budget to £2500 and pick up the cleanest hilux ya can. Rear tubs can be scabby but its realistically a plate up, fill and spray job at a couple hundred quid if your bothered. Check chassis and tub mounts to chassis, if thats all good then theyre pretty much bomb proof.

[Husqvarna King]

Had mark 3 and 4 hiluxs, absolutely brilliant, but as has been said towing capacity is poor and they ain't quick but reliable with good build quality. Only problem I had was with leaf springs, but fitting the upgraded springs with greese points and poly bushes, never a problem since

[arboriculturist]

There's some sound advice there thanks. I'm surprised so many recommend the Hilux, presumably due to other makes having serious underbody rust issues. Towing isn't required as we have other vehicles when needed. 

Edited February 16, 2019 by arboriculturist

[Stubby]

29 minutes ago, Acerforestry said:

I've owned most older pickups up to 3K in value, and out of what you've mentioned Hilux come out tops, all day long - almost everything else apart from some Rangers will suffer on the chassis, or have a duff engine prone to failure. If you can find a decent Nissan D21 / 22 they are worth a look but check underneath and ideally only buy one that's had the weak bottom end bolts replaced (D22). I found a respectable D22 king cab with 90K on the clock for 1100 quid to use in the woods, and it's fine.

Just watched my old D22 go up the road . No sign of any smoke and drives like a dream . Oil and filter changed every 6K on the dot . Sold it for £500 with 100K on the clock . If he does the same with the oil it might do another 100K !

 

Edited February 16, 2019 by Stubby

[arboriculturist]

That would have done me  ?

Looking on Ebay those old Hilux 4x4's attract a high price!

[Stubby]

2 minutes ago, arboriculturist said:

That would have done me  ?

Looking on Ebay those old Hilux 4x4's attract a high price!

The body was all beat up from the woods but the engine and transmission  were always looked after .

[monkeybusiness]

We’ve got an old Ranger (55 plate, same as the Mazda) that has been abused and has been excellent. Best value vehicle I’ve ever run.