Which Motor 3.0 Diesel 2.7 Petrol in a Hilux?

Jarh73

New Member
Hi All

Just after some comment and opinion on which motor to go for in a 1998 to 2005 Hilux.

I had always thought that the 3.0 Litre Diesel was the go but whilst researching I checked out the South African Hilux site and over there they swear by the 2.7 Petrol.

I had a look at the power and torque figures for both motors and its quite a difference! The Petrol has more power and more torque!:

Petrol 2.7
Power 108kW @ 4800rpm
Torque 235Nm @ 4000-4000rpm

Diesel 3.0
Power 65kW @ 4000rpm
Torque 197Nm @ 2600-2400rpm

Diesel 3.0 Turbo
Power 85kW @ 3600rpm
Torque 295Nm @ 2000-2400rpm

I guess the question is really about the real world driveability and I would think the 2.7 petrol would make a better motor for onroad driving but would it out weigh the "lugability" of the diesel off road? (and the whole extra assurance with water crossings providing it has a snorkel of course)

Ideally a factory turbo diesel would be good but they are well out of my prioce range, an after market tubo kit is a viable proposition and something that could be done at a later stage.

The car would be only driven 40km a day to the train station and then used as a 4WD for weekends.

Any personal experience with either the petrol of the diesel would be greatly appreciated.
Especially a back to back comparision.

Cheers

Justin
 
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Watt

New Member
Hi Justin

I recently went through the same situation as you... I was looking for a Hilux that was around the 2000 year as i like the shape and i wanted a turbo diesel for the fuel economy but i looked around and some peope said it was the way to go and others said stick with petrol.
I only know what I heard and read as I have never owned a diesel but i was told that the diesel will use more fuel if you re stopping and starting a lot, also the fuel economy can be reduced a fair bit once you start loading up with gear and mods... but thats going to be the same for a petrol obviously... but you have the power with the petrol version.
Also I know bugger all about diesel engines so if anything were to go wrong on the road I would look pretty silly standing there scratching myself.. Although I was told its less likely that something would go wrong with a diesel it tends to be something major and therefore expensive if it does go wrong... that brought me back to the 2.7L Petrol... A used petrol was a safer option than a used Deisel and price is a factor, the turbo diesel was around 5000-6000 more for a similar year and K's.
As it is my first 4x4 i went for the most familiar option...
Currently around the city we get about 350-380k's per tank
On the highway we get around 500...
In the end the car will use what it uses just as long as it does what you want it too... I love the Hilux.

I only got my Hilux back in March so im sure there are others on here with more experience and better knowledge.

Goodluck Justin.
 

havok011101

New Member
I don't have alot of mechanical or 4wd, as I had my Hilux since Dec.

However, I went with the desiel motor as it seems to be the pick for offroading. The power/torque may be a bit higher for the petrol, but you'll find that torque kicks in much lower down the rev range, which is much better for what we need it for. I also liked the less chance of drowning it factor, and probably better fuel range/consuption maybe.

It was a little more to buy, and service costs run a little higher I am told with the diesel.

As far as on road, it is a bit slow, I would imagine the petrol revs a bit better/harder, but haven't driven one to compare.
 

LowLux

Moderator
I went with the diesel and swear by it. Yes petrol has the better pick up and higher top end speed but did you by it for drag racing or for longevity, strength, economy etc etc etc. Horses for courses really. good luck in your choice but it doesn't really matter what you end up with, all Hiluxes are great rigs!
 
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Knackers

4x4 Earth Contributer
G'day Justin. Unable to give a back to back comparison but had a '98 3.0l diesel (non turbo) for a few years. Was pretty happy with it. Wasn't a speed demon but did carry a bit extra weight with bull bar, rear step, side steps, roof racks and long range tank.
I went for diesel because was rigging up for a trip and all the other vehicles were diesel. Also there are remote places where petrol wasn't available but diesel was. Was a twin cab that could be used as a family vehicle but could then use on trips etc.

Good luck with decision.

Cheers
Knackers
 

Jarh73

New Member
Thanks for input guys!

I guess there is ultimately no single "correct" answer here!

On the plus side there are more diesels to choose from so that on its own leads me towards the diesel but on the same token if i found the right one in petrol then that would be great too!

Spoilt for choice but too hopless to make a decision and stick to it :)

Cheers

Justin
 

Lex

New Member
I'v got a 98 petrol and iv had it for about 7 months now, it has not let me down on or off raod, that said it is still lacking in power on the highway but its only a 4 cylinder. the power dosnt realy seem to kick in intill you get to about 3500 rpm. I myself would have rathered a Diesel for the off raoding but the petrol was the right price. all depends on what you want but you cant realy go wrong with the Hilux
 

bertie

Member
I went the diesel option in my '88. At 250K kms, I figure it has just warn in and will still have plenty of life left in it. Of course there are downsides (slower, servicing, etc...), but in my case the good points (economy, unable to be killed :)) outweighed the bad ones.
 

Luxster

New Member
I purchased my 2.7 petrol new in 98, only because I could not afford a diesel at the time. While I am happy with it, I prefer diesels for offroad work for the low end torque and low rev work.
 

oznog05

Member
Hello Jarh73 (Justin)
How did you go?....Interested in seeing what you decided on.
Diesel or petrol, you can't go wrong with a hilux.
Cheer's Oznog05
 

Jarh73

New Member
Hello Jarh73 (Justin)
How did you go?....Interested in seeing what you decided on.
Diesel or petrol, you can't go wrong with a hilux.
Cheer's Oznog05

Mate the Search Continues!

I have narrowed down what I'm looking for (if you could call my short list really Narrowed Down) and in no Particular Order:

Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Diesel 1998 onwards less than 150,000km

Nissan Patrol GU Diesel 1998 onwards less than 150,000km

Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab onwards less than 150,000km

Of course it has to be be in the appropriate condtion :)

Budget is around $20,000 so not totally unrealistic.

I'm very fussy to a fault. Usually I'll find something that meets my requirements and the usuall catch is that its serveral thousand kilometers away!

Cheers

Justin
 

croozza

Active Member
Mate i've seen plenty of turbo diesel hilux's in that price bracket in Brissy. Just got one for a mate a few months back for $20G, and it only had 95000k's. So they are out there, you just have to look in the car yards, not the classifieds.
 

Jarh73

New Member
Mate i've seen plenty of turbo diesel hilux's in that price bracket in Brissy. Just got one for a mate a few months back for $20G, and it only had 95000k's. So they are out there, you just have to look in the car yards, not the classifieds.

Very good point I just don't have the time to do the car yards :(

QLD seems to usually have good range from looking at the classifieds.
But obvioulsy bit difficult for me to cruise those yards from melbourne :)

Sydney is about as far as i would want to go just gets too hard the further i have to travel.

Can at least drive back from Sydney in day so its makes it more do-able.

On the plus side I'm not in a hurry.

Cheers

Justin
 

croozza

Active Member
If you go to a good car yard and tell the dealer what you want and the amount you want to spend, they will hunt one down for you.
 

Watt

New Member
I know its not always true about dodgy car dealers but I just dont trust em....

Private sales are usually someone that NEEDS to sell their car so they are more honest and willing to move on price where as a dealer is simply a business trying to make money...

They seem to clean it up and sell it for as much as possible.

I hope someone can prove me wrong on this...
 
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