Advice on Hilux crew cab v SWB Landcruiser

thetangler

Hi
I Have a SWB Toyota Landcruiser which I like but due to 2 small Kids I either need to change it for a Hilux Crew Cab or Convert it to a Passenger.
Has anyone any experience of either.
I am wary that the Hilux will not be as comfortable as the Cruiser or as neat to handle with a trailer.
Also where is there good deals on trade in's

Thanks

JohnBoy

if you want to stay within the law you'll have to change either way.

it's not legally possible to put the seats back into a commercial.

CJhaughey

Buy a SWB landcruiser.
Once you have driven one for a while, going to a Hilux is like stepping back in time.
I love Hilux's but they are agricultural compared with 'cruisers.
The biggest problem is the leaf sprung rear axle which makes them handle badly compared with the coil sprung landcruiser.
The prices have been coming down for a while and a passenger swb 90 series can be got for 10k or so.

JCB1

My situation was identical - I had a SWB Landcruiser Commercial, had 2 kids so needed something with back seats. I had heard all of the stories about the Hilux not being comfortable on the road etc and was not 100% satisifed that I was doing the right thing when I purchased it but decided it made the most financial sense. I was pleasantly surprised, it is equally as comfortable on the road as the SWB LC and much better for towing - no bouncing around with a load of livestock. Part of this reason might be the chassis length, I had heard all of the stories about leaf spring providing a bumpy ride, maybe it does for the back seat passengers but I've found it fine. I imported a 2007 demo model - it has leather, sat nav etc and saved 6-8k on the irish prices. Granted - the LC interior was much better laid out and pleasing in the eye but I can live with that.
One other fault is the length of the body, it is extremly difficult to find a parking space that it will fit in and underground car parks a definite no-no.

thetangler

Hi
Thanks for the info. I feel better letting my Landcruiser off now.

kerryman12

what about the l200. seems to get better reviews and better MPG?
Just an idea. I am debating this one also, well kind of.
Maybe you should look into bring one in from UK, as far as I know VRT for commericals is only €50.

thetangler

Taat is a good point. I suppose Iam Toyota biased as I have had 12 Toyotas from Corolla sprinter, Carina, Avensis to Landcruiser and I tend not to look at other makes. I never had any trouble with any of them so to leave Toyota would be a hard choice.

JCB1

VRT for crewcabs is 13.5% of Irish Market value. They are not classed as commercials.

kerryman12

are you sure about that, I was certain that they were classed as commercial?

Bitten & Hisses

JCB1 wrote: »

VRT for crewcabs is 13.5% of Irish Market value. They are not classed as commercials.

Not for VRT purposes, but they are most definitely commercials for road tax and testing purposes.

ruxpin82

the auld lad was in a similar situation, albeit coming from a '00 daewoo mussso. the musso was complete dirt so he wanted to get out of the vicious cheap korean shiite trade-in circle, so he bit the bullet and got a hilux. His is a hilux Invincible, the highest spec version you can only get in the uk. All in all its a fine machine with heaps of room for passengers and you can put all your crap in the back. They come in slightly cheaper than the cruiser too but they are a bit of a compromise. The ride in the back is a little choppy but not as bad as people make out, but theres as much room as in any mid sized saloon car. The invincible model has plenty of features including leather and sat nav, electrics etc. If you need to go off road its very capable but no diff lock unlike the cruiser, although its handled everything i threw at it with ease. The one problem i have with it is its sheer size. It is very very long and with the canopy on the back (which hasen't got a wiper) visibility is an issue. Its so long in fact that you cannot reliably judge distance in your side mirrors when reversing, its safer to stick your head out. Im currently looking at reversing camera options so i dont back into the garage doors. what ever you do get the 3.0l d4d and not the 2.5l. And another thing, be wary of the hilux Vigos, they have no toyota warranty:eek: in this part of the world, and there are other issues regarding heaters, rustproofing of chassis, seatbelt tensioners, they are all private imports from thailand and are thai spec. there is plenty of info on vigo issues if you spend some time googling.
hope this helps:)

JCB1

Agree with everything Ruxpin82 has to say.
I also bought the Invincible Model from UK, import yourself there isn't that much to it and can save you 000's for a few days work. Leather isn't standard on the Invincible but is well worth the few quid extra, you can jump in and out without having to worry about the state of your clothes, also well worth it where kids are involved.

Ruxpin82, have you found a reversing camera that plugs into the sat nav/radio display - I have been looking but no joy

thetangler

Hi Thanks for alll the advice. A HILUX Invincible it will be. Will try to sell the Landcruiser straight and head for the UK.
Thanks

ruxpin82

Hey JCB1,
Ive been looking but i dont think any camera is compatible with the display on the invincible. i think you would have to change the display altogether or go down the road of getting a seperate camera and dash mounted screen.
if you go on to this website www.sampsonsltd.com theres some high quality hilux porn and they do a pioneer head unit to replace the existing one that is compatible with a camera.They're based in the uk and they sell pimped out Hiluxi as well, might be of interest to the OP also.:D

JCB1 wrote: »

Agree with everything Ruxpin82 has to say.
I also bought the Invincible Model from UK, import yourself there isn't that much to it and can save you 000's for a few days work. Leather isn't standard on the Invincible but is well worth the few quid extra, you can jump in and out without having to worry about the state of your clothes, also well worth it where kids are involved.

Ruxpin82, have you found a reversing camera that plugs into the sat nav/radio display - I have been looking but no joy

JCB1

Good site and some nice gear on there but the camera compatible head unit is a little bit rich for my blood. I'm thinking about the wood dash inserts though.

Rujib1

I would like to import a used Toyota landcruiser commercial from the UK, but looking around on the net, they do not seem to be available over there. Anybody know different?

R

kerryman12

as a rule they dont do commercial jeeps over there. the tax situation isnt the same. your only option is buy a standard one and convert it yourself, not sure if it make financial sense though. other than that its a pickup!!!